Amid the 3-Step debate, let the music take centre stage: why we need an archive, not a war

A lot is happening on social media lately, and when it comes to music, one debate just won’t die down: who invented 3-Step?

Earlier this year, I reported on the headline-making saga titled “Heavy-K’s 3-Step sound controversy: a social media battle royale over musical origins”. 

In it, the renowned producer, best known for the hit “Inde”, ignited a passionate online storm by asserting his role in the creation of the 3-Step genre, a rising force in the Afro-house movement.

Born Mkhululi Siqula, Heavy-K didn’t mince his words, boldly claiming: “Everyone has a right to claim whatever or have their own opinions about a sound!" 

"But the reality is I’m the blueprint! I’ve been doing this sound way before and been switching it around in every way!” 

And that was just the beginning. 

Months later, he’s still doubling down on those claims. More recently, his latest online exchange with fellow hitmaker Prince Kaybee reignited the fire. 

Kaybee, too, insists that he helped pioneer the sound - and their back-and-forth on Facebook has taken a sharp turn into full-blown insults, with the two trading swear words and jabs.

But it’s no longer just between them.

Other South African artists have now joined the battle, offering their perspectives and naming their own unsung heroes of 3-Step, some crediting overlooked producers who refined and popularised the genre, others defending those who laid the initial foundation. 

Frankly, it’s getting exhausting.

This debate, while initially illuminating, is beginning to overshadow the music itself.

What once may have been a constructive conversation about artistic influence and musical evolution has turned into a tiresome ego contest. 

And the sad part is, it’s all happening while the sound itself is thriving and evolving beyond borders. 

Instead of constantly fighting over who made it first, why not celebrate how far it has come?

3-Step is no longer just about its creators; it’s about the people. It’s a genre that resonates on dancefloors, fills streets and taverns and pulses through car speakers in townships and suburbs alike. 

Listeners have adopted it, embraced it and added their own meaning to it. The true power of 3-Step lies in how it moves the crowd, not in whose signature is on its blueprint.  

It’s time we start archiving, not arguing.

As producers, DJs, music writers, curators and listeners, we have an opportunity and a responsibility to document the evolution of this sound. 

From its roots and rhythmic patterns to its cultural impact and global reach, there’s a rich history unfolding right before us. 

One day, people will look back at this moment to understand where 3-Step came from, how it grew and who shaped it.

But they won’t be able to do that if all they find are endless threads and Facebook fights. Let’s create safekeeping. Let’s gather the interviews, mixes, milestones and backstories. Let’s record the voices of those who were there from the beginning and those who are pushing the boundaries today.

Let’s tell the full story, not just through rants and clapbacks, but through intentional, lasting work.

So here’s a thought: can we, just for a moment, turn the volume down on the bickering and turn it up on the beats? Can we stop arguing about 3-Step - and start archiving it? 

Because if we don’t, we risk letting history slip away … one deleted post at a time.