Sango (musician)

This article is about the American DJ and record producer. For the journalist, see Kai Wright.

Sango

Birth name| Kai Asa Savon Wright
Born|  (1991-10-01) October 1, 1991 (age 33)
Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Origin| Grand Rapids, Michigan
Genres|

* Electronic
* hip hop
* R&B
* dance

Occupations|

* DJ
* record producer

Years active| 2010–present
Labels|

* Soulection
* Last Gang
* Entertainment One

[1]

Musical artist

Kai Asa Savon Wright (born October 1, 1991), known by his stage name Sango, is an American DJ and record producer from Seattle, Washington.[2][3][4]

## Personal life

[edit]

Sango was born October 1, 1991, in Seattle, Washington. His parents were both musicians. He relocated to Grand Rapids, Michigan at age nine. In 2015, he graduated from Western Michigan University with a BFA in graphic design. Shortly after graduating, he relocated to back to Seattle.[5] His professional name comes from the lead female character in the anime/manga Inuyasha.[6]

In 2015, Wright married Angela Lopez-Wright. In September 2016, Wright announced the birth of their first child, born on September 17, 2016; a boy.[7]

In 2025, Sango was announced as one of the remixers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup theme, representing Seattle.[8]

## Style and influences

[edit]

Sango produces music across multiple genres, but primarily makes dance music that heavily samples jazz and soul, in keeping with the rest of the Soulection collective. His main genres are house,[9] techno, and hip-hop.[10] Sango has contributed production to projects from R&B singers Tinashe, Ravyn Lenae, and Bryson Tiller; pop singers PinkPantheress and Christina Aguilera; and rappers Wale, MadeinTYO, and Smino.

Sango's music is largely influenced by his experience growing up on the internet, synthesizing various disparate influences. Chief among his artistic influences is LA jazz/electronic producer Flying Lotus, whom he discovered as a teenager.[11] Sango frequently cites his parents, both of whom were musicians, as being a large part of why he began making music. His mother – a pianist, trumpeter, and drummer – is featured on his debut album "North" on the song "Until Saturday," which also features Australian producer Ta-ku. The album "Also Tracey" is named for and dedicated to her as well.[12]

The nation of Brazil is also a strong influence on his music, with much of his music incorporating elements of baile funk.[13] His initial introduction to the genre was through the Call of Duty video game series.[14] He has also noted his love of dancehall music.[15]

Sango has cited Kaytranada,[16] Mount Kimbie,[17] James Blake,[18] Timbaland, J Dilla, The Neptunes, DJ Quik, Drake producer Noah "40" Shebib, Madlib, the aforementioned Flying Lotus, and Jake One as the producers with the most influence on his music.[19]

## Discography

[edit]

### Studio Albums

[edit]

* North (2013)
* In the Comfort Of (2018)
* North Vol. 2 (2024)

### Extended Plays

[edit]

* Unfinished & Satisfied (2010)
* As Always (2011)
* Sounds of Chimera (2011)
* Also Tracey (2011)
* There's Eugene (2011)
* Trust Me (2012)
* Otra Vez (2012)
* Da Rocinha (2012)
* Until Then (w/ Waldo) (2014)
* Da Rocinha 2 (2014)
* Hours Spent Loving You (w/ Xavier Omär) (2015)
* 2009–2012 Tapes (2015)
* Da Rocinha 3 (2015)
* Mais Mais Mais (2016)
* Tomorrow (w/ Dave B.) (2016)
* De Mim, Pra Você (2017)
* Make Me Well (2019)
* Acima (w/ VHOOR) (2019)
* Calder Program Series 1-3 (2019)
* Moments Spent Loving You (w/ Xavier Omär) (2019)
* Grove (w/ Waldo & Savon) (2019)
* Fufu & Grits (w/ Juls) (2020)
* SANGOZINHO (2020)
* Da Rocinha 4 (2020)
* SHANGO (2020)
* MearlGo (w/ Earlly Mac) (2021)
* MearlGo Vol. 2 (w/ Earlly Mac) (2021)
* Lake Effect (w/ Waldo) (2021)
* MearlGo Vol. 3 (w/ Earlly Mac) (2021)
* Great Lakes Influence (2022)
* MearlGo Vol. 4 (w/ Earlly Mac) (2023)

### Mixtapes

[edit]

* More Balloons (The Weeknd Remixes) (2011)

### Remixes

[edit]

* Frank Ocean – "Cayendo"
* Frank Ocean \- “Nights”

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Sango Announces New Album 'In The Comfort Of' + Tour Dates". Okayplayer. November 26, 2016. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
2. ^ "Interview: Sango Discusses his "North" LP, His Sampling Process, & Future Artistic Direction". Artistic Manifesto. December 9, 2013. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
3. ^ "Take Five: Sango Returned To Broccoli City With Even More Innovative Vibes For The Masses To Get Hip To". Vibe. May 2, 2016. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
4. ^ "Meet Soulection's Grammy-Nominated Producer". Vice. May 7, 2014. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
5. ^ "Source Exclusive: the Source Interviews Producer Sango on Influences and Future Projects". The Source. June 25, 2014. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
6. ^ "Behind The Beat: Rising Producer Sango". HotNewHipHop. October 24, 2014. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
7. ^ "Sango Announces Upcoming Tour And New Album, In The Comfort Of". Fader. November 25, 2016. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
8. ^ "Official FIFA World Cup 26™ Sonic IDs celebrate diversity and creativity of Host Cities". inside.fifa.com.
9. ^ "Sango on Twitter: "And like I grew up around this shit. The skating rinks the jittin ask my dad he witnessed the birth of house music in Chicago. Real N Halsted St legend. So, for those that are wondering..nah this ain't no trend."". Twitter. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
10. ^ "Sango Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
11. ^ "Behind The Beat: Rising Producer Sango". HotNewHipHop. October 24, 2014. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
12. ^ "Also Tracey". Bandcamp. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
13. ^ Diaz-Hurtado, Jessica (February 8, 2016). "On His First Trip to Rio, Sango Talks Honoring Baile Funk's Roots". ReMezcla. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
14. ^ Schiewe, Jessie (January 26, 2017). "Sango, The Game Changer". SFWeekly. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
15. ^ Brinkley, Vance (March 23, 2017). "Sango Mixes Baile Funk and R&B For a Fresh New Sound". Bandcamp. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
16. ^ "Sango on Twitter: "There is nothing like that bouncy @KAYTRANADA hollow 808 drum/bass lines."". Twitter. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
17. ^ "Sango on Twitter: "Just bought this Mount Kimbie record....wow"". Twitter. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
18. ^ "Sango on Twitter: James Blake". Twitter. Retrieved September 4, 2022.
19. ^ "Sango on Twitter: "I never revealed my top 10 most influential producers list..."". Twitter. Retrieved September 4, 2022.

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF

Artists|

* MusicBrainz
* 2