There's no other country in the world in which not just dance, not just House, but deep house is the country's "most dominant genre". Yes, this is another attempt to get everyone to pay proper attention to what's going on half a world away, where Black Coffee - South African House Music's first identifiable, worldwide superstar - is one but just one of a dozen incredibly talented cats and where not just House Music but good House Music is becoming the anthem of a new generation.

Enter one of the crucial founding fathers - the so-called "Godfather of South African House Music," DJ Christos. And he's every bit as important in his own country and times as Frankie Knuckles is to House Music in Chicago, New York and Europe. From the Daily South African:

When the house music scene became popular in South Africa, over two decades ago, there were only a few DJs, and DJ Christos was one of them. Looking at how many talented DJ's the country has produced over the years, one has to give credit to this legendary Godfather of house music.

"I am always on fire, it's in my blood." says DJ Christos. The self proclaimed 'Mafia of house music' influenced and provided platforms for numerous DJs and producers and he's been credited for the current flourish in the South African House music scene...

When DJ Christos met his long time friend and partner Vinny Da Vinci back in 1995 in Johannesburg, when Christos used to be a resident at Caesar's Palace, the roots of what is now one of South Africa's most dominant genre, deep house music, was formed.

Here's an interview with DJ Christos (discogs, bio) from the Mzansi show from June 2nd. The interview starts around 37:00 in, and if you want to really know what South African House is all about, I highly recommend a listen. And here's a fittingly grainy video: