Boitumelo Pitso

SELKTA Series #006 — Boitumelo Pitso

Next up in our Women’s Month run is Boitumelo Pitso.

She came through with a mix that wears its influences proudly — funk at the centre, with jazz, reggae and a few turns you might not see coming.

There’s something really refreshing about a selector who isn't afraid to let different sounds sit at the same table. This one moves with personality, groove and a genuine love for the music.

Turn it up, settle in and let Boitumelo take you through her world for a while.

SELKTA Selector Notes

How would you describe the sound or mood of your mix?

It’s funky, raw, playful and unapologetic. A journey through the kind of funk that makes you move before you even realise you’re moving. There’s soul, swagger, groove and a little bit of rebellion in it — from James Brown’s fire and Sly’s cosmic funk to Prince’s sensuality and freedom. It’s a glimpse into the part of me that has always been a funk child at heart.

What kind of space were you trying to create with this selection?

I wanted to create a space where people could loosen their shoulders, forget themselves for a moment and simply follow the groove. Somewhere between a sweaty dancefloor, a late-night living room and a psychedelic trip through Black music history. I wanted the selection to feel alive, like the music is speaking directly to the body.

What does being a selector mean to you?

Being a selector is storytelling. It’s knowing when to introduce something, when to hold back, when to surprise people and when to let a record breathe. For me, it’s also about honouring the music that came before us while allowing it to live in the present. A good selector doesn’t just play songs; they create a journey, connect dots and reveal parts of themselves through sound.

Are there any tracks in the mix that feel especially important to you right now?

Yes. The James Brown, Parliament and Prince selections feel especially close to me because they represent different sides of what I love about funk: the rhythm, the attitude, the freedom, the musicianship and the sheer physicality of it. They remind me that music can be intelligent and wild at the same time. Those records feel like pieces of my own musical DNA.

What sounds, scenes or artists have been sitting in your rotation lately?

I’ve been digging deeper into funk, soul, jazz-funk and the wider Black music continuum. I’m always drawn to music with character — records that have a certain dirt, warmth, swing or unpredictability to them. I’m interested in the spaces where funk meets jazz, psychedelic music, soul and African rhythms. I’m constantly digging, so my rotation is always evolving, but the groove remains the compass.

Where do you think people should listen to this mix?

Somewhere you can move. Ideally, with the volume up. It could be a late-night drive, headphones while walking through the city, a living room with friends or the beginning of a dancefloor when people are still finding their rhythm. But honestly, I’d love for someone to listen to it alone first — just you, the music and your body responding without anyone watching.

What do you want people to feel after hearing your transmission?

I want them to feel lighter, wilder and a little more curious. I want them to discover something about funk, but also discover something about me. Most importantly, I want the mix to leave them with that feeling of *“I need to hear that again.”* If it makes you dance, smile, dig deeper into the music or remember why you fell in love with sound in the first place, then the transmission has done its job.

Full Tracklist

1. Gil Scott-Heron - We Almost Lost Detroit

2. Cortex - Huit

3. James Mason - Free

4. Herbie Hancock - Cantaloupe Island

5. George Duke - Every Little Step I Take

6. Prince - Kiss

7. Sly and the Family Stone - In Time

8. Curtis Mayfield - Kung Fu

9. Saitana - Disco

10. Bootsy Collins - I'd Rather Be with You

11. James Brown - Pay Back