Kai Asa Savon Wright, better known as DJ/Producer Sango, creates music he describes as “spiritual bass music.” In 2010, Sango relocated from Michigan to Seattle in 2010, beginning his music career in earnest. Since then, he’s connected with Los Angeles based label and collective, Soulection, and released his most recent album, In the Comfort Of, in 2018.
We recently talked with Sango about his family, the NFL’s overexposure, and the importance of mid-sized cities for this installment of “That’s 5.”
The following interview has been edited for clarity.
What influences you?
My babies. I have two kids, a daughter, and a son. My daughter is one and my son is three. Honestly, being black, too. You look in the mirror and you’re like “Wow, I’m rare.” It makes me want to wake up and be proud of my ancestors and what we’ve created as a people. Just wake up every day and wear my skin. My granddad said that being black is the only thing people can’t mistake about you. So no one can take that away from me.
What’s the most overrated?
Football, the NFL. It’s so overrated because there are so many other sports that people can focus on. I love basketball. I love soccer. I love baseball. Growing up in Seattle with Ken Griffey, Jr. was crazy. I knew about Ken Griffey before I knew about Jordan! The NFL is overrated; especially now with what Kaepernick has gone through.
What’s the most underrated?
Outdoor activities. People don’t go outside enough to enjoy it. We go outside to be seen. The point of going outside is to enjoy the outdoors, not to see people. It’s cool to be with people, but you need to go outside alone. Go to the park! People think that going to a club or a party or whatever is fun, just seeing people. But when you’re out in nature, you’re not out to be seen, the point is to be out and enjoy it. Enjoy the beauty of the outdoors, sun, rain, whatever.
What are you most excited about right now?
I had this conversation with my grandma about how it seemed like everyone was moving to cities. I’m excited that a lot of people now are realizing that you don’t have to be in the city. You can just live where you’re from, now. If you’re from Columbus, Ohio and you love it, you can live there and have a job there, working remotely. I’m excited about the future of small to mid-sized American cities and being able to build-up from where you’re from. I’m from Grand Rapids, Michigan and people are working to build it up. I’m excited about cities rebuilding themselves.
What’s next for you?
A lot. I’m working on a lot of other people’s albums. It’s great for me because I don’t have to worry about what I’m doing, I can just be of service with what they’re making. It’s a bunch of people, I can’t just say who it is right now, but you’ll see [laughs].
Bonus question: Was that 5?
It was five. It was five? It was five.
