Amr Diab's music video for 'Lola El Banat' quickly tops social media trends

South African producer and DJ Emmkay Muziq has released his new seven-track EP titled 'Okuhle,' in which he transforms personal experience into a soundtrack reflecting themes of resilience, faith, and personal development.

Muziq stated that this EP is a reflection of his growth, faith, and resilience. He noted that each track represents a specific chapter of his life, including difficulties, periods of waiting, victories, and gratitude for how everything comes together.

The EP 'Okuhle' marks a new phase in the artist's career, who aims to tell meaningful stories through the genre of Afro House. The project includes collaborations with Mr Vee Sholo, Zayzee, DJ Answer, P_Elle, and Khayzino. Although the tracks are intended for the dance floor, Muziq emphasized that they are also rooted in hope, healing, and real life experience.

He believes that music has always been more than just entertainment for him; it is a way of connecting with people through authentic experiences. Muziq urges listeners to believe in themselves, keep moving forward, and be grateful for every blessing, regardless of where they are in life.

The EP also demonstrates the evolution of his sound. When he started producing, he admitted that he tried to imitate the sound of already established Afro House producers. However, over time, he realized the importance of forming his own unique identity.

He shared, 'My sound has become more focused. I learned to find a balance between powerful drums, melodic sequences, soulful vocals, and atmospheric textures so that it feels authentic to me. Afro House gives me the freedom to express African rhythm while experimenting with modern electronic influences.'

Looking back on his journey from a novice producer to a recognized DJ, Muziq highlighted one main lesson: 'Talent alone is never enough. Success does not come overnight, and every failure teaches a valuable lesson.'

Furthermore, he believes that consistency is more important than perfection. He mentioned that despite moments when plans fell apart, continuing to create and striving for improvement played a decisive role. He also stressed the importance of relationships, as music is built on collaboration, respect, and genuine connection.

Creating 'Okuhle' was challenging. While fans only hear the final product, some songs took years to complete. 'The biggest challenge was ensuring that each song truly reflects my current state as an artist and as a person. Most songs took me three years to complete and refine. The first three tracks were ready in 2022 and were revisited this year.'

Instead of rushing the release, he trusted the creative process, asserting that quality must always be the priority, and sometimes stepping away from a song helps gain a fresh perspective.

Collaborations play a key role in his music. For Muziq, choosing partners is not just about popularity. He seeks authenticity, creativity, and people who are genuinely connected to music. The best collaborations happen when all participants respect each other's ideas.

He specifically mentioned Mr Vee Sholo, thanking him for understanding his creative vision, noting that he 'trusts the process' and understands the reasons behind his suggestions to change vocal layers or chords.

Muziq also shared an interesting story about the title track. The song 'Okuhle' was created for DJ Sphe and Naves in 2022. They approved the track but felt it didn't fit their style, so it remained with him. Now he feels that the song ended up exactly where it was meant to be.

Looking ahead, Muziq plans to expand beyond South Africa. Despite international labels initially stating that his music did not fit their typical Afro House sound, he used this feedback as motivation rather than a reason for discouragement. His goal is to continue developing a sound that will be recognized not only in South Africa but also internationally, perform at larger venues, and collaborate with artists from different countries.

Casio has introduced a new smart ring that integrates the characteristic design of its digital watches with advanced health monitoring functionalities, offering an alternative to conventional smart rings.

The model, named CRW-H001M-8, will have its initial launch in China with an approximate price of US$ 294, including local taxes. This device maintains the aesthetic of a small wristwatch adapted for the finger but is equipped with sensors capable of tracking various vital indicators.

Monitoring capabilities include heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, sleep quality, and body temperature. Casio's intention is to provide the functions typically found in smart rings without compromising the recognizable visual identity of the Japanese manufacturer.

This novelty represents a strategy by Casio to stand out in a sector where accessories with more uniform and discreet appearances predominate. By adopting the brand's retro style, the product aims to attract consumers interested in wearable technology who value a more personal design.

Previously, Casio already offered ring-shaped watches, including inspirations from the G-Shock line. These items were notable for replicating, on a smaller scale, elements of the company's traditional digital watches, such as stopwatch, calendar, and functional display.

With this new model, the company adds body tracking to this pre-existing concept. The CRW-H001M-8 can record heart rate, blood oxygen levels, sleep patterns, and body temperature. Additionally, the accessory tracks the user's steps and provides an estimate of calorie expenditure.

According to the disclosed information, the device's battery life ranges between four and six days of use. The launch will be restricted to the Chinese market for now, and there is no confirmation yet about its availability in other territories.

Although the smart ring segment already presents known options, such as Oura models, many of these products follow a more traditional visual line, using robust metal structures. Casio's approach focuses on a more playful format, preserving visual traits that refer to the company's digital watches. The company has not yet specified when the new ring will be available in other markets, such as the United States.

The project team described that the wooden wall marking the main access and guiding the gaze towards the river curves and expands, transforming into the roof projecting towards the Bío-Bío landscape. This creates a continuous architectural gesture that defines both the arrival and the stay experience at the site.

This project arose from the need to revitalize an underutilized section of the garden, integrating a flexible and sheltered environment suitable for hosting family gatherings and social events throughout the year. Located in Villuco Alto, on the slopes of Manquimávida hill, the main objective was to highlight the notable features of the site: the expansive views of the Bío-Bío River, the sunset orientation, and the beauty of the existing landscape.

The intervention was planned to carefully adapt to the natural slope of the terrain, preserving the trees and pre-existing garden components. The space is contained between the neighboring property line, the public road, and the sleeper terraces descending towards the sunset.

The design is organized around a large roof with a butterfly-like geometry, supported by a structure composed of steel pillars and beams. This roof separates from the walls of the habitable volume, allowing for the penetration of natural light and framing the surrounding tree canopies as an integral part of the internal experience.

The various levels that make up the functional program emerge from the central pillars. The east-facing wall houses the barbecue area and kitchen furniture; the south wall includes a window that visually connects the leisure area to the main residence and displays works by local artists; the north wall is designated for a living area; and the west wall opens completely onto the terrace and landscape, making the view of the Bío-Bío River the central element of the project.

An independent path, accessible from the street, leads to the gourmet area, integrating existing trees, stones, and landscaping elements. The wooden wall and roof accompany the visitor from the entrance, guiding them to the central space and the terrace, where the view extends over the river and the mountain range horizon, especially during the brightest moments of the late afternoon.

Currently, this space has established itself as a new point for family gathering, reactivating a previously neglected area and providing the possibility to enjoy the location in any season.