Dance music Bible Launching in South Africa.
Recognising South Africa’s growing status in the world of dance music, 3i Publishing has secured the rights to publish a South African edition of industry-leading DJ Mag. South Africa has now been added to the ever-impressive list of countries around the globe that publish a local version of the world-famous title after the many successful launches in Europe, Korea and South America. Founded in 1991 in the UK, DJ Mag fast became the bible of dance music and DJ culture across the globe, giving DJs and artists the platform to be profiled and their music highlighted, while continually staying on top of trends and shifts in electronic music. That same ethos will hold true for the South African edition of DJ mag, with the aim of using the magazine to profile and showcase local talent of world-class standard, as well as breaking international and local dance music news with the highly-regarded DJ Mag stamp of approval. Heather Mennell, editor of DJ Mag South Africa, explains the concept of DJ Mag in South Africa and what will make it different from other editions around the world: “It’s a well-known fact that South Africa is the biggest consumer of house music on the planet and our flourishing electronic music industry is producing world-class music and events. Our unique, multicultural take on dance music culture has grabbed the world’s attention and by bringing a long-serving, respected international publication like DJ Mag to South Africa we hope to contribute to the growth of the industry by creating an exciting new platform to showcase the talent that is driving the scene.” With the first issue being released at a retail price of only R19,90, 3i Publishing is determined to make DJ Mag accessible to everyone who is interested in and a part of South Africa’s fastest growing music industry. The low cover price will make the magazine accessible to aspiring DJs and producers wanting to learn more about electronic music and how to break into the industry. A digital edition will also be available on all Android mobile devices as well as the local iStore and iTunes platforms making the information available at all times to all readers. The first issue sees DJ icon, Black Coffee, boldly filling the front cover of the monumental magazine that is set to create a huge stir in South Africa’s dance music industry. Features include an exclusive interview with the man himself, as well as a look at the godfather of South African house Oskido. Along side interviews with movers and shakers Goldfish and DJ Kent and innovators such as Haezer and Terrence Pearce, you can read about all the latest...
Zaki Ibrahim presents Every Opposite.
Recently we had the opportunity to interview Canadian-born South African singer/songwriter Zaki Ibrahim. We found out what makes her the ever soulful singer that she is and to our delight, she is one musician you’d want to spend your money on. Here is what Zaki had to say… Zaki, what was it like growing up in Canada? I lived in a small town on Vancouver Island, Canada’s westest coast. My family seemed very different from the other families on the island. We were a “bi-racial” unit or “multi-racial in many ways, with a very African percussionist and social activist Father, a blond, blue eyed school teacher Mother. We stuck out like a sore thumb. Different families from different places in the world lived with us at any given time; Korea, Russia, Japan, Nigeria, Jordan, Afganistan and Bask Country. We always had tenants that my parents “hosted” as they emigrated to Canada, as they started programmes through the local College for refugees and families seeking a better life for their children. Home life was always filled with stories from all corners of the world. As a teenager, I found it to be the most boring place on earth. But looking back, it was the bomb. Your dad Zane Ibrahim is a radio legend, what role has he played in you choosing a musical career? He’s always encouraged me to express myself, but has been wary of encouraging me to sell that expression. My Dad is very anti consumerism. He believes in humility and sensibility. I think as his baby girl, he’s always tried to strengthen me and protect me at the same time. I think my career choice as a musician was nerve wracking for him as he knew it’s something that flows out of me, but also shows vulnerability. The day he gave me his stamp of approval was the first time he saw me perform here in South Africa in 2009. About her Career. What motivated you to choose a career in music? I suppose I’ve been motivated most by the encouragement of my peers and found that music began to take over once I gave it a fair chance. I always felt that I wanted to protect the thing I loved doing most and not depend on it to live just so I could love it forever. What do you think every artist [new/old] should know about the industry you are in? The thing that I’ve found is like with anything in life, there’s something new to learn. Just when you think you know it all, there’s something else to get your teeth into. It’s worth staying open to the...
Donna Karan you’re so two and a half years ago
“The Black Coffee everyonecanbeadesigner dress – designed 2.5 years before Donna Karan’s infinity dress…”Need we say more? Actually, yes. Johannesburg-based (yes, that’s in South Africa) design team Jacques van der Watt and Dannica Lepen, otherwise known as Black Coffee, launched their superb concept dress known as “everyonecanbeadesigner” to market in 2007. Not that it’s needed, but we can testify to this date as it was the year I got married and Jacques’ partner had proposed I wear one for my wedding dress… I wish I had now, as I’d have had a photo of me looking oh-so-2007 to tie down the facts (actually, when I look at the photos now, my hair was clearly plucked out of a childhood dream hairstyle ergo ’89). Anyway, the point is, Black Coffee’s byline was ‘a new way of looking at clothing’ and the campaign around the dress was a gorgeous 360 concept that included a video showing you all the ways you could wear the dress. Just go see the site. Come 2010 and suddenly we see a very similar looking dress rehashed as a ‘Donna Karan’s Infinity dress’. Pfft. Something seriously fishy going on people, what you reckon? Coincidink? I don’t know how you feel, but in general, I’m getting a little bit tired of the ‘big overseas chiefs” helping themselves to African goodness, minerals, inspiration…and scuttling off. For how many centuries will we be their buffet table? We sit perched on the end of our struggling continent just minding our business and producing high quality, exceptional work and then get stomped over by a big western made-in-china foot. Genoeg is genoeg. Africans, it’s really enough now, time to STAND UP and of course I’m talking about everything here… I’m so chuffed the World Cup Soccer is taking place in South Africa so we don’t have to make movies to prove what a sublime place we live in… and so that the 1 million visitors who would never have stepped foot in Africa before, can get a hands-on real time lesson and go back and re-educate their brethren about Africa, and in particular Southern Africa and just how much we rock. But of course, just the thought of going up against a US mega-icon like DKNY to say ‘i had that idea first!’ must be freaking daunting… this tiny little speck of dust from Africa daring to lay claim to genius that was born outside of the U S of A. We say STUFF THAT – go for it…! We support you and of course ♥ you long time Black Coffee. If you are tired of bullshit too – let your...
Black Coffee debut at Cape Town FW
At last, Cape Townians will get to soak up and savour the superb lines of the Jozi-based Black Coffee fashion favourite’s Spring/Summer collection at this years Cape Town Fashion Week, hurry up and buy your tickets to the show as last we heard, it’s brimming! Cape Town Fashion Week 13-16 August 2008. African Fashion International and Virgin Mobile are very proud to announce that celebrated designers Jacques van der Walt and partner Dannica Lepen’s Black Coffee label will make its Cape Town fashion debut on Saturday 16th August at Virgin Mobile Cape Town Fashion Week. The cutting edge label will now present its Spring/Summer collection in a stand alone show at 7pm on the last day of Virgin Mobile Cape Town Fashion Week. “Unprecedented demand this year has placed a major strain on the supply of tickets at all shows during the week, and the surprise announcement of the Black Coffee debut will relieve some of this pressure. Fashion pundits have come to expect Black Coffee collections that are fashion forward and completely original,” said Deon Redman, Creative Director for African Fashion International. Black Coffee’s collection will precede the appearance of British supermodel Jourdan Dunn on the runway for the closing show, the Virgin Mobile Finale, which features Thembisile Mazibuko, Suzaan Heyns and Stars of Mzansi award winner, David Tlale. “This is also exciting news for Virgin Mobile and adds to a long list of other impressive design talent showing”. “Virgin Mobile has a creamy history with Black Coffee as they designed the clothing range of our sassy advertising photography and we are always amazed by their level of creativity and attention to detail. Superlative stuff!”, said Nicholas Maweni of Virgin Mobile. The Saturday schedule for Virgin Mobile Cape Town Fashion Week is now as follows: * 18h00 Love Water Love * 19h00 Virgin Mobile presents Black Coffee * 20h00 Maya Prass * 21h30 Virgin Mobile...
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