Cool but edgy, talented and determined, he’s more than just a bro with a laptop…
At first glance Luke seems easy-going and mellow. Ambling around the studio, he emits a hushed sense of self-confidence that puts everyone at ease – until he plugs his laptop into the speaker and a whole new wave of energy comes flooding through. He’s clearly in his element. Whether it’s R&B or rock, the muso doesn’t discriminate. He’s all ears, open to any possibility.
With a golden touch that has graced chart-topping hits and award-winning albums, Luke Goliath has emerged as a powerhouse lyricist and producer, leaving an indelible mark on the industry. From his ground-breaking work on Shekhinah’s SAMA-winning anthem ‘Suited’ to his masterful touch on her acclaimed album Rose Gold – not to mention his recent crowd-pleasing amapiano remix of Doja Cat’s ‘Agora Hills’ – Goliath’s journey is filled with innate skill and talent, grit and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
The musical prodigy
Born and bred in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), Luke seemingly was just another teenage boy with trivial pursuits. But when the music bug bit, his purpose was as clear as day.
“I can’t remember exactly when, but I fell in love with music for sure. I decided that this is what I’m going to do forever,” he says. “My dad used to bring home Hillsong CDs and it came with a live DVD. When I saw and heard those dirty guitars and live drums, I was like, ‘Aweh, that’s who I’m going to be, for real’… It makes me happy, bro.”
Top Tracks
- Supersonic
- Memories (feat. Lloyiso)
- Fall Apart – Shekhinah (feat. Luke Goliath)
- Gypsy Woman (Amapiano Remix)- Zeleah x Luke Goliath
- On My Wave – Luke Goliath, Zaybo & Andre Graham
- Options – Luke Goliath x Zaybo
- Agora Hills (Amapiano remix)
Largely self-taught, Luke took to experimenting with audio interfaces and synthesisers on his MacBook, recording his own sounds and writing lyrics. “Technology has enabled us to do things that were unattainable before. It has brought the world closer, so we no longer have to move to big cities to achieve success,” he says. It wasn’t long before he was uploading electronic and house music to SoundCloud, which is where he got noticed about eight years ago.
“Life, happiness, sadness, anger, moments, memories… All of these things keep me going; it’s as if you’re creating soundtracks for those moments. Like a movie,” he says, explaining the inspiration behind his process. “I won’t lie, there have been times when I fell out of love [with making music] for a bit, but that’s normal. I really just focus on what I like creating, I wouldn’t say I’m really trying to set myself apart, but if I do, cool. That goes hard!”
Suited sensation
It was the soul-stirring anthem ‘Suited’ (2017), which he produced with SA heavyweights DJ Maphorisa and Shekhinah, that catapulted the young producer into the spotlight. Through this masterpiece collaboration, Luke proved his skill for creating music that could resonate with audiences far and wide. From its infectious rhythm to its poignant lyrics, the song captured the essence of modern romance, earning Luke widespread acclaim and a coveted South African Music Award for Best Produced Single (accruing over 21 millions views on YouTube).
Luke has since been the go-to guy for tracks that truly hit the spot: Working with Idols SA Season 11 contestant Loyiso Gijana (known as Lloyiso), the two have released multiple covers of some of pop’s greatest hits – not to mention their number one hit, ‘Memories’ (2018).
With a portfolio that spans genres and artists, Luke continues to push the envelope of creativity and innovation. From electrifying dance tracks to soulful ballads, his production prowess knows no bounds, cementing his status as a true visionary in the world of music.
“Lloyiso, Shekhinah, Andre Graham, KashCPT, Chaise Williams… These are artists who I’ve really enjoyed collaborating with. I always find myself listening back to the stuff we create afterwards and really enjoy it,” he reveals.
But how does he feel now that he’s an acclaimed multi-platinum/diamond selling artist and award-winning producer? Well, Luke remains humble. “It’s so cool, but it’s weird too though. It matters and it doesn’t at the same time. Crazy paradox, right? Think about it, in the grand scheme of things it’s just frames on a wall but for this lifetime.”
Breaking boundaries
Clearly he’s got a lot more up his sleeve and he’s looking to keep hard at work as a creative. But for right now, Luke is all about growth and learning to trust himself more.
“We all need to believe in our ideas more. If you smaak it, and you believe in it, do it. I think it’s best if you do it for yourself, in terms of your taste. Don’t ‘try’ to be, just be. I forgot all this but it started creeping back in this year,” he says.
Luke’s latest project, ‘Macheow’, is something he’s been working on for a while. In Swahili it means ‘sunset’, which is how Luke describes the song’s sound. This speaks to Luke’s peaceful attitude of going with the flow. He is living his truth through music, in the moment, rather than being consumed by the future.
“I’m not worried by my legacy. I don’t think I’ve ever been. The idea of a legacy is cool and all, but you’ll be dead. So you won’t know, so it won’t really matter.”
About Luke
Full Name:
Luke Goliath
Born:
26 June 1995
Age:
29
Star Sign:
Cancer
Hometown:
Parkridge, Gqeberha, South Africa
Q&A
Favourite Sound:
Piano labs with a lot of verb
Favourite Scent:
The ocean
Favourite Colour:
Depends on my mood
Best Life Hack:
Comprehension
Go-To Chill Spot:
Mamacitas
What Would Your Superpower Be?
Super speed
Best Gift You’ve Given Someone:
Love
As Luke continues to captivate audiences with his unparalleled talent, one thing is clear: his sound will remain immortalised in South African music history. With each beat, each note, the prodigy reaffirms his position as a trailblazer, inspiring future generations to dream big and reach for the stars.
“To everyone reading this, don’t be hard on yourself, especially when it comes to the concept of time. People get caught up in the age war, but if you change your perspective and eliminate time, it’ll just be you and where you are at this very point in your journey… You start to understand things better with this approach, in my opinion,” he declares.
“Reinvent yourself every day until you’re happy. You’re going to mess up. It’s normal. It’s life. It’s not the end of the world. Learn, do better and, most importantly, don’t define yourself by your lows.”
As the world eagerly awaits his next masterpiece (and relatable motivational TED Talk!) one thing is certain: the best is yet to come from this musical genius.
Keep up with Luke
Facebook: Luke Goliath
Instagram: @lukegoliath
TikTok: @lukegoliath
Youtube: @lukegoliath_
Styling: Charndré Emma Kippie
Photography: Zhann Solomons
Styling: Mia-Tess Smith
