South African electro-hop duo Locnville have reunited with longtime collaborator Sketchy Bongo for their brand-new single “Déjà Vu”, marking their first official release together since previous hits like “Cold Shoulder” and “95 Skyline”.
The track serves as the lead single from an upcoming EP of the same name and signals the beginning of a fresh chapter for the trio.
Blending nostalgic themes with polished production, “Déjà Vu” reflects on past relationships, missed moments, and the emotional weight of what could have been, all wrapped in a sound that longtime fans will instantly recognise.
According to Sketchy Bongo, the collaboration felt effortless from the start
“Working with Locnville was great as always. We’ve created so many hits together over the years. We just went in to make music, and I think a few more hits came out of it.”
Andrew Chaplin of Locnville echoes that sentiment, explaining that the track came together in a spontaneous and organic way.
“‘Déjà Vu’ is one of those songs that just happened naturally. We linked up in Abu Dhabi, set up a small makeshift studio in a hotel room, and started freestyling. We ended up writing about five tracks that night, and this one just felt like the right place to start.”
With more music already in development, the upcoming EP is expected to expand on the chemistry that has defined their past collaborations.
Locnville has a Legacy of Hits and Global Impact
Born in New York City and raised in Cape Town, identical twins Andrew and Brian Chaplin, the driving force behind Locnville, have built a career that has significantly influenced South African pop and electronic music.
Their debut album Sun in My Pocket shot to the top of the charts and earned them an MK Award for Best Newcomer, setting the tone for a rapid rise in the industry. Over the years, they have released a string of successful projects, including Running To Midnight, Faster Longer Mixtape, The Odyssey, Taste The Weekend, and The Burn Box.
Their international recognition was cemented when they won an MTV Europe Music Award for Best African Act, further establishing their reputation as one of the continent’s leading musical exports.
More recently, their single “Show Me Love” has continued to gain traction across radio and streaming platforms, proving their ability to evolve while staying relevant.
With “Déjà Vu”, Locnville and Sketchy Bongo tap into the nostalgia of their earlier work while pushing forward into new creative territory. The track offers a familiar feel for longtime fans, while also serving as a strong introduction for new listeners discovering their music for the first time.
Upcoming Tour Dates
To celebrate the release, Locnville and Sketchy Bongo will be hitting the stage together for a series of live performances across South Africa, with more dates expected to be announced.
- 20 March 2026 – Radisson Red Rooftop Private Launch, Cape Town
- 3 April 2026 – Hotshots Nightclub, Durban
- 4 April 2026 – CRCL, Durban
- 4 April 2026 – Madison Avenue, Pietermaritzburg
- 30 April 2026 – Grand Africa Beach & Cafe, Cape Town
“Déjà Vu” is now available on all major streaming platforms, marking the return of a collaboration that has already delivered some of South Africa’s most memorable electro-pop moments.
You can stream/download the track HERE.
Watch this space for updates in the Music News category on Running Wolf’s Rant.
You might also like
-
Brian Chaplin launches Amadé, his solo electronic music project, with debut single "Hell or High Water" featuring Locnville, exploring melodic house.
Locnville returns with "Show Me Love," a collaboration with Hannah Ray exploring love's emotional duality through Afro-house influenced production.
-
Lyra K releases "Breathe," a vulnerable soft alternative-folk track exploring emotional exhaustion before her album Seasons drops in September.
South African EDM producer Undertone reimagines Twisted Sister's rock classic "We're Not Gonna Take It" as a club-ready electronic track with fresh vocals and production.
