Represent’s watching: DJ BlaQt
DJ BlaQt doesn’t only have a MySpace blog updating us on all his parties and what went down, he also performs at The House of Nsako in one of our FAVOURITE Jozi suburbs, Brixton (show it more love people, it’s an iconic suburb in need of TLC, spokespeople and preservation) and he showcases great singers like Nthabi… he’s also a nationwide artist, playing at fabulous festivals like Chimurenga’s PanAfricanSpaceStation in CT… But more importantly, he’s seriously got his finger clicking through the Web 2.0 good behaviour manual: his emails are non-intrusive but consistent, his websites and flyers are well designed and interactive and most importantly, like the rest of the music industry throughout the world, he’s making music samplers available for fans to download and sample, so they know what they get when they rock his party. Oh and did we mention we love his tunes? We’re watching you DJ BlaQt. Naas one. Represent! The B-Side presents...
Drum down on Heritage Day
What an opportunity Representers, make sure to catch the Once Off performance at the JAG of master drummer Samson Mudzunga this Heritage Day: Legendary drum-maker Samson Mudzunga will be presenting his latest performance: Fish Drum from Lake Fundudzi. The two-hour performance will incorporate the domba, malende and tshikona dances. During the performance Mudzunga will also re-enact his arrest after an altercation with Venda chiefs. The drum that Mudzunga will be using for this performance is large enough for him to fit inside. The drum was made from wood drawn from the spiritually charged waters of Lake Fundudzi in Limpopo. Samson Mudzunga is a self taught artist who was born near Lake Fundudzi in 1938. He has been exhibiting his work since 1988. Much of his works are based on over-sized drums which he uses during his performances. These drums are also adaptations of traditional drums used during various Venda ceremonies such as initiation rituals. By transforming these drums both in form and conceptually to new and often non-sacral uses, Mudzunga straddles the divide between traditional art and contemporary art. For instance one of Mudzunga performances involves him being buried in one of the drums only to...
Represent Review: Joy of Jazz 08
This years line up was so juicy, we just had to get amongst one of Joburg’s (and soon to be the world’s…) premier jazz music festivals, the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz. Reuben ‘The Matrix’ Malema does the honours below, Nkateko Siweya tells our photostory here… 31 August 2008. The Foothills of Moretele Park – Mamelodi – Pretoria (City of Tshwane), the setting of this year’s SA Music Heroes Concert. For us (true jazz followers) it was an assortment of choice on a silver platter. As the impressive line-up of stars was flaunted, I found myself in a very bitter-sweet predicament. Looking up at the aging league of our household favourites, I gazed upwards (in peasant style) as the old guard performed, with my glazed cheeks and my broad smile; but I was saddened, as I wondered to myself what the future of South African jazz holds. Our legends are aging very quickly, from Bro Hugh Masekela to Mama Letta Mbuli, the torch is surely changing hands… but to whom? And yet, I cling on… The Event Mr. Wilson Mankuku Nkosi mashed us up with his mature trumpet sounds, following suite was Mrs. Nothembeni Mkwebana who immediately sent us on a systematic repertoire of jump action moves as we unanimously responded to her rock ‘n roll aligned musical chords. Her guitar skills drove me insane! Jimmy Dludlu with his maestro guitarist skills quelled us under his charming spell as we hummed the tunes to his famous tunes. I am such a down-beat fan! At 18:00, my favourite jazz artist, Mr. Jonas Gwangwa ascended the platform. His well known originals: Batsomi and Kgomo, had the multitudes passionately singing along: “Nna di sa fele Nka di busa, di sa fele Nka di busetsa morago…” I love this song!!! August being the end of Women’s month, it was fitting that Mzansi’s famous jazz couple (who were coincidentally celebrating their 40th Anniversary) be crowned the flagship performers of the evening. Ladies and Gentlemen: Mr. Caiphus Semenya and Ms Letta Mbuli. They are such an inspiration to me and many of their avid fans. The evening was sealed off with a colourful display of majestic fireworks. What a smoky way to enter a new season! I so wished the blossom season can be ushered in by a renewed affirmation to the nurturing, growth and sustainability of the genre by young and talented Jazz artists with a fresh new sound and long term commitment. We need to revive and preserve our country’s jazz heritage. Before it is too late. Reuben-The Matrix-...
Sharpile PartyPeople for reminding us ’bout Ernie
You may wonder if we have some kind of promotional deal with PartyPeople as we’re always going on about them; actually, we don’t. We just love their formula and their eclectic warm vibes. Plus they keep on lifting their parties up a notch by bringing in more and more of the soulful sounds we live our lives by… (drumroll…) AND… we’d like to thank them even more this month as they remind us (and bring back!) one of our most beloved vocal talents in South Africa… that we had almost forgotten about, Ernie!!! Ok we don’t have to know why she disappeared off our radar post the awesome ‘MoodPhaseFive’ album that got scratched and battered in our cars and cd drives back in the day… we’re just delighted she’s back and encourage all soulseeking Cape Townians to make sure they bless their party night by catching Ernie’s sweet voice at PartyPeople this weekend in Slaapies! Joburgers, check out below, you get to groove with the boys from 340ml the next night in Jozi…not to be missed either, thanks Party People for spoiling us. Watch this space as we review the Jozi party this weekend! Nice fresh twist on the flyers btw. Party People Feat: Ernestine Diane Moodphase5 29th August 2008 So Cape-Town is known to be a mostly bohemian inhabited domain and due to this fact we have been inspired to bring to you an equally bohemian soul by the name of Ernestine Deane, Of Moodphase5.. This artistic spirit will bring to you 45min of rhythmic libretto just waiting to sink into your ears and melt into your psyche. Catch this enticing performance on the 29th of August 2008 at Zula bar, situated on 194 Long Street. Doors open at 9pm and tickets are going for R50, so feel free to come through and allow her voice to sooth your soul and revitalize a stress long ridden week. For more information on Ernie or Party People, check out www.myspace.com/partypeoplesa. Proudly brought to you by Imago Entertainment C.C Party People Feat: 340ml (Mozambique) 30th August 2008-08-18 Well this is a Party People headliner I’ve been anticipating for a while now…Month after month I find myself wondering when 340ml will be performing on Dj Kenzhero’s platform and finally my dreams have come alive. Dj Kenzhero has checked off another tick on my wish list. I wouldn’t miss this one for the world and neither should you. It’s going to set the roof of Roka Bar, situated on the deinty Street of 44 Stanley Ave Milpark, a blaze. These four mysterious Mozambiqueans never sees to disappoint. With their new album out, titled...
Represent Review: Fashion is good for the Soul
Our Fashion Fundi Vincent Zondo attended the Old Mutual Soul Sessions last week and resoundingly rates it an official ‘must attend’. Some people foolishly believe fashion can get by on talent alone, a good small-business understanding is PARAMOUNT to creating a profitable, growing brand – aha, lightbulb moment? don’t say we didn’t try to convince you otherwise… Durbanites and Port Elizabethans, you still have a chance to catch the sessions: While sporting the ultimate “it” bag from GUCCI – Betty Suarez (from the hit TV series – UGLY BETTY) said, “Fashion is GOOD for the soul”. Staying true to this statement is the Old Mutual Soul Sessions’ which is my MUST attend event for all the soul providers, designer’s, fashionistas and young entrepreneurs this pre-Spring. I personally love this time of the year because the fashion industry is buzzing and dishing out plates of excitement, glamour and cutting edge designs that keep us perched on the edge of our front row seats. It’s an absolute bloom of all things fabulous, new fashion trends, the discovery of that all-new designer with the potential to take the industry to new heights or secure our Fashion on the global map. The Joburg Fashion Week hit us three weeks ago, Virgin Mobile Cape Town fashion week took place last week and I am so looking forward to the Sanlam Fashion week this coming week. And while all these events carry fresh talent, piping hot trends and chic designs, I recently unearthed a new gem in the basket, and it has the potential to inject much-needed fashion business sense into this industry. The-Venue in Melrose Arch saw the dawn of the much anticipated Old Mutual Soul Session (which we profiled last week) and the experience was beyond measure. This exceptional event shed some light into the path of success like no other that I have witnessed before. Speakers like Pie Pacifique shared the most intimate details of how they got to the top; what stood out for me here were the benefits our designers could gain, and most importantly the power of the human spirit in testing times – post this session I truly felt that the potential to survive this cut-throat arena is very much within reach. And when Sonwabile Ndamase exposed us to some of his newly discovered proteges from his fashion awards event – the crowd raved through the roof at the potential of these young designers. Young designers have been observing the innovators of our growing fashion industry and this inspiration plus the combination of talent, hard-work as well as essential business savvy skills required, will ensure success for their...
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