Youth Lab June 16 – The Next 20 Years of Democracy
Youth Lab in partnership with Gracefully Consulting invite you to celebrate 20 years of democracy by casting vision for our future with young South Africans Recognising that South Africa in 2014 celebrates the 20th year of our democracy and the great excitement that comes with reflecting on where we come from; Youth Lab has embarked on a ‘Next 20 Years Campaign’. Launched on Freedom Day, this initiative includes poster quotes from iconic South Africans and essays from young South Africans on how they imagine the next 20 years of the South Africa of their dreams. In partnership with Gracefully Consulting, wish to extend this campaign to include a Youth Day, June 16 event that focuses on an inspirational vision sharing session by 4 young South Africans and a general open discussion with the audience of young Sowetans. The day will also host and feature author Thando Mgqolozana – author of ‘Unimportance’. The day will culminate in an entertaining celebration, with DJs and refreshments served after the discussions end. Other guests include: Xhanti Payi – Economist Reuben Phasha – Constitution Hill Ndumiso Ngcobo – Author and Radio personality Thando Mgqolozana – Author of Unimportance The goal of the event is to inspire young people to begin to project and articulate the vision they have for South Africa. The next 20 years are ours to create and ours to determine. We invite and young people involved with your organisation to join us in sharing your ideas about the next 20 years of democracy. Please find the event synopsis and provisional program below. Date: 16 June Venue: Phefeni Senior Secondary School Time: 12:00 –...
Sounds of democracy at Standard Bank Joy of Jazz
In the year in which South Africa celebrates 20 years of democracy, Standard Bank Joy of Jazz will be paying tribute to composers and artists who have used their music to highlight awareness of political injustices under apartheid. Sounds of Democracy – featuring exciting, young performers Bo Manamela, Brian Temba, Malik, Max-Hoba, Presss and Samthing Soweto – forms part of this year’s Standard Bank Joy of Jazz which takes place at the Sandton Convention Centre from September 25 to 27. As well as performing their own compositions, the Sounds of Democracy artists will do their versions of songs such as Not Yet Uhuru (Letta Mbulu); Jikela Emaweni (Miriam Makeba); I Got You Babe (Lucky Dube); Life Saver (Ozila featuring Nana Motijoane); Baby I’m Missing You (Blondie Makhene) and Now Or Never (Sankomota). Leading the pack of these remarkable compositions is the famous Xhosa ditty, Jikela Emaweni, which brought international recognition to the late Miriam Makeba (1932-2008). It was composed by Joe Mogotsi, Nathan Mdledle, Rufus Khoza and Ronnie Sehume – all members of the trailblazing Manhattan Brothers. It was first recorded in 1954 and went on to become a popular standard in the great South African songbook. Makeba recorded the song in May 1960 in New York with The Belafonte Folk Singers under the English title, The Retreat Song. With lyrics couched in metaphorical language and steeped in the Xhosa folk tradition, it is a song that advocates freedom but at the same time tells of subjugation in a country under the grip of apartheid rule. It gave voice to liberation movements around the globe. Another of these celebrated songs was composed and sung by Nana Motijoane, popularly known by his stage name, Coyote. Titled Life Saver – I Am Suffering; he sang it with a pop group called Ozila. It was cloaked in metaphorical language, but in the politically charged climate of the State of Emergency in the mid-1980s, its powerful appeal for personal redemption resonated with the disenfranchised majority. Sankomota’s Now Or Never track from the 1987 Dreams Do Come True album is a clarion call for Africans to stand up and do things for themselves if they hope to achieve self-reliance. The album’s theme of hope and black aspirations in the face of unrelenting racial oppression struck a chord with a young audience of firebrands in the townships and villages across the country – this despite their banned status in South Africa. Reggae music is essentially about redemption songs, in the words of one of its pioneers and brightest stars, Bob Marley. When Lucky Dube switched from maskanda and embarked on a glittering career as a reggae...
ProVerb chats to Represent about fatherhood and music
You’re one of the few rappers that tell authentic stories using music, was that a conscious decision? Absolutely, I’ve always believed that music should serve a purpose beyond just to make you dance. I am of the school that music should inspire, build and intrigue all while entertaining you. It is for this reason that I share stories, opinions and ideas through my music all in the name of leaving an impression on the listener. What’s your creative process? I have no particular formula or process for that matter. Each concept has it’s own unique inspiration whether personal or otherwise, then the writing and recording process also depends on unique elements. At times I create or hear the music first and these yield an idea or inversely I have a concept in my mind then create or seek the best sound on which to relay and convey. What does music mean to you? Music is a vice a tool and a bridge between our subconscious and our conscious. It’s a manifestation of our thoughts, fears, aspirations, opinions, ideas and experiences. Music is also an escape and a transfer or feelings. Music to me is life. Which international artists would you like to work with? Given a chance I’d love to work with a legend like Quincy Jones. You presented Channel O before you became a rapper, have you always wanted to be in entertainment? Without a shadow of a doubt, I believe entertainment is my calling and for along time I wanted nothing else. As a youngster, I didn’t think of entertainment as a career and always thought I would be a doctor and then do some entertainment on the side. Only when I was exposed to it that I realised I could make this my life and I haven’t looked back since. If you had an opportunity to say something to your younger self, what would it be? I’d reassure myself to just relax, stop being so anxious, you turn out alright. Tell us more about teaching children to save? TCTSSA – Teach Children to Save SA is a wonderful initiative by the banking association of South Africa, which strives to cultivate the culture of Saving amongst young people. It’s an initiative that I not only endorse but also subscribe to being a father myself. I think it’s imperative that we empower youngsters with the necessary set of tools to create an economically sound society in this future and hence I gladly lend my voice and face to help spread the teachings of this campaign. Can you share 5 top tips on saving with our fans? Pay all...
Simphiwe Dana talks about “Nzima” and her forthcoming album
1. What music direction are you taking on the new album? For the first time I’m not looking into any one direction. This album is free of boxes. As an artist I have proven enough that I am capable and I have an individual identity. This time around I am challenging myself to explore different sound that are out of my creative scope. 2. Nzima is catchy and moving, how was the writing process? Nzima took me around 3 months to write. 3 months of torture really. It became urgent that I should write the song not only to canonize the memory of those we lost to a massacre, but to also honour their memory and give them a melody that will guide their spirits home. That is why there is the familiar upbeatness that Africa so loves. I infused the pain with the familiar heartbeat of Africa. 3. You said the song is drawn from centuries of pain and violence, and is essentially a prayer for people that have had a history of violence inflicted upon them, is there a specific thing or emotion that made you to write this song? Nzima is about Marikana. On August 16th 2012, South African police were set on unsuspecting protesting miners at the Lonmin mine. The police mowed them down with automatic weapons and 34 lives were lost. The miners were protesting for a wage hike which I did not find unreasonable. They were armed with sticks and some machetes, but they marched peacefully. The order to massacre them will haunt out young democracy. Moreover it makes the call for economic freedom much more urgent. Our people are not free economically. We cannot continue like this. Please read my article here: http://bit.ly/1pXHofN 4. Did you visualise the video for Nzima as you were writing song? No. I did not have to visualise the video, the scene was etched in my mind as I replayed the Lonmin massacre over and over in my head. It was all over the news. With the help of the producer Themba Sibeko and the director Thabang Moleya we worked on the storyline for the video. 6. What can your fans expect from your forthcoming album? An eargasmic eclectic mix. 7. What do you think is your role as a musician in South Africa today? My role has always been to speak truth to power. To make the days and nights more bearable. To bring hope to desolation. To be the rhythm for your celebration. To remind us of the beauty of our humanness. 8. What kind of stories or conversations would you like to spark with the...
The Black Keys- Turn Blue album review
In case you didn’t know, The Black Keys are an American rock duo formed in Akron, Ohio in 2001. The group consists of Dan Auerbach (guitar, vocals) and Patrick Carney (drums) and Turn Blue is their eighth studio album. The band once again collaborated with Danger Mouse, who co-produced and co-wrote the album. There’s something different about Turn Blue sonically and you can say this album is their most personal album ever. In an interview with Rolling Stones, Auerbach credits Lana Del Rey with influencing him to open up in his songs. “I learned a lot recording with other people and watching them sing about personal experiences,” he said. The album is pretty amazing, the lyric content appears to be strong than ever before and it’s always remarkable to see musicians grow every year and explore musically. Dan’s vocals will remind you why you love The Black Keys in the first place, the diversity in this album will definitely win new fans that can’t stand heavy metal rock music and make the old ones happy. The opening track, Weight of Love carries a load of emotions, it floats for 6:50 minutes and soothes your soul, and it kind of gives you an indication of the new direction that was taken on this album. The album title was chosen as a homage to the “turn blue” catchphrase used by 1960s horror host Ghoulardi. Overall the album is catchy and it sounds like they were having while creating magic in studio. Turn Blue lacks the aggressive tone of garage rock that we are used to expect from The Black Keys but we do embrace change. Lesson learned: remedy for a good album is a heartbreak. Stand out tracks: Weight of Love, Fever and Year in Review Get it on iTunes today here:...
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