For house lovers across South Africa, Kid Fonque needs no introduction. Having a successful career in the music industry spanning over 20 years, He has contributed a lot to the House music industry and the Entertainment industry as a whole.
When Kid Fonque, whose real name is Allan Nicoll, is not on the decks making people dance, He is digging for fresh talent to sign to his record label Stay true sounds. He is passionate about discovering the most unique sounds that have never been
heard before. Kid Fonque is also the host of selective styles on 5fm.He does all these and still manages to be a
dotting dad and husband. We find out how Kid Fonque juggles being a family man, running a record label, hosting on a national radio station and, making the world dance to his beats.
The Origin Story
1.Who is Kid Fonque? How would you like to be described to someone that does not know you?
Kid Fonque is someone that’s been in the music industry in South Africa for over 20 years, I think what defines what I do is discovering unheard talents and being able to give them a platform. That’s what I’ve been very good at for probably say, half of the 20 years, the first 10 years of my career have really been about building knowledge and understanding of the music business. And the second half has really been about me as a brand on radio, with my show selective styles on 5fm and
my record labels that reside using those two things to elevate so many incredible talented producers in South Africa.
2.Where were you born and raised and how has your upbringing contributed to the person that you are today?
I was born in Scotland. Well, yeah. I was born in Scotland. My folks brought me here when I was four. So, I didn’t have much of a choice. But it defines who I am being in South Africa. I’m 43. Now, so I’ve been here for 39 years. What makes me who I am is being brought up in a household full of music. My father played music all the time, of all different flavors. As soon as I kind of figured out what type or what kind of music got me excited, that was me.
3.Have you always wanted to be in the music industry?
I wasn’t very good academically, I dropped out of school, I dropped out of college, I dropped out of so many things just to pursue what my heart was telling me, which is the music business. And the only way I could get into the music business was to start working at a CD store, which I did many, many years ago. And then through there, I worked my way all the way up to label manager of Soul Candy.
4.What or when was your first big break?
There was a club in Louis Botha Avenue called 206. It was like an alternative dance club. When I was in my early 20s. They had this thing called 206 Tuesday’s which was like alternative dance, music, drum and bass and it used to get packed. I used to go there, and I was DJing at the time, but not at the club. I managed to get a spot as the back DJ. And I was doing it religiously.
every single week. We used to take our own equipment, we take our own speakers, our own records, everything. And then I got this job at look and listen in retail. And as soon as I got the job, I figured this the Tuesdays were getting too much because I was
exhausted getting home at four in the morning. So, I said to the owner of 206, can we do this every two week. he said no, I’m going to pay you to DJ. And I’m going to sort out the songs you didn’t know. And as soon as I got paid for my first gig and
got a weekly residency, I was like, okay, this is serious. This is something I can do.
5.In an alternate universe, if you weren’t a Dj/producer, what would you be?
Oh no, I have no idea. I mean, I love being a dad. That’s just part of who I am. I’m very proud of my son and the relationship that we have. The amount of stubbornness and staying true to who I am for many years has got me here in the business that I want to be in, and I have absolutely no idea what else I could be. I mean, I’m not into sports. I’m not into the anything else. Honestly, there’s not anything else I’d rather be doing.
Longevity, Family and, Travel
1.How have you managed to stay relevant to this day after being in the industry for that long?
You’ve got to work. I mean, every day of my life, I work on my record label, I work on my radio show, I’ll work very, very hard at what I do to be able to sustain myself and DJ the music that I want to play. But it hasn’t been easy. I think just knowing that you have a vision that you can accomplish it through time even if what you like is not necessarily the most accessible music or the most popular music, you can do it. I’ve been doing talks across the country over the past three weeks, we go into places and get people to come such students and people that are really interested in the industry. The same question keeps coming up and it’s from young youngsters that want to know how I do it and it’s just consistency. Again, like I’m 43. And I kind of feel like, I’ve accomplished a lot. But I don’t feel like I’ve accomplished everything I need to do. There’s still so much work to do.
2.The music industry is ever changing according to what’s popular in the moment, how do you stay true to yourself?
I think the one thing that kind of helps when you’re pursuing something like this is to do it for the music because I think other genres come and go. South Africa puts out a lot of music and creates a lot of genres. From what I can see, most of the people are doing it for the money and fame, not really for the music. I think if you do it truly for the music, you will have a long life in music.
“There has been a lot of people that have thought otherwise about where I’m going in my career, and I’ve always succeeded. I think it just goes down to staying true and trusting your gut and doing what you feel is right.”
-Allan Nicoll aka Kid Fonque
3.Your career requires you to travel and be away from home for some long periods of time, how do you take home with you when you are away?
For me, it’s just my connection to my wife and my son. I am very fortunate that I have a wife like that. I mean, she doesn’t allow me, but I have her blessing. She understands my cause. I do take long trips. I’m in Europe for six weeks at a time. I’m going back
in January and it’s hard on Finn (his son). It’s hard on me as well but it is about a bigger goal. The goal really is for me to take the music that I love and represent on my record label, globally. We have a fairly big fan base in South Africa, I’ve just got to keep knocking and chipping overseas to open up. I’m just very fortunate that my wife understands because for a lot of people that are in relationships, the sort of relationship I have with my wife wouldn’t fly. She knows my passion and what I have to do.
4.How many countries have you travelled to? Do you have a favourite?
Every place is good. I love travel. I love being with myself. I like my own company because I’m always discovering and learning. I like taking something new to show people which I do with my DJying. France is amazing. Paris is beautiful. Switzerland is also amazing. I love Germany. I love Berlin. Hong Kong is amazing. New York. I’d probably say New York is my best. Although I haven’t played in New York, I’ve been to New York. So hopefully we can get over that hurdle soon. But yeah, I think the world is so amazing. And I love traveling and I love exploring and the next step will be taking my family with me.
5.We are currently in the festive season, what is your favourite south African festive season tradition?
Pool. Sun. Braai. You can’t do that anywhere in the world. I suppose you could do it in Australia because the climates are similar but everywhere else is traditionally snowy. I like the fact that when it’s holiday season and everything closes between the 19th of December until around the 28th, it’s just hot. And you can chill in the pool and listen to music. It’s a vibe.
6.What is the worst advice you have ever received?
I’m so stubborn in what I want to do. Sometimes I ask people for their advice, and generally, it doesn’t matter what they tell me, I’m going to do what I want to do. There’s been a couple of important people in my life who I have tried to lean on in tough situations. I’ve not really got the support that I wanted, and I landed up doing what I felt was right. So, I trust my gut,
and then accomplishing that goal. I can’t pinpoint a specific thing that someone told me to do but there has been a lot of people that have thought otherwise about where I’m going in my career, and I’ve always succeeded. I think it just goes down to staying true and trusting your gut and doing what you feel is right.
7.What more can we expect from you and your label?
Oh, my word. I’m so busy. I have so many things happening. I have some very big announcements to make this year still in December, which I can’t tell you about now. But it’s good. It’s stuff I’ve been working on for a very long time that is all coming to fruition. So yeah, I suppose just look at for my socials. There will be two very big announcements in December that will change the course of my career, my music and, my life in 2023.
