ACA is taking homegrown talent to the world
News of Netflix’s second African original series came to us in June last year when they started production. Come 2020, Blood & Water premiered in 190 countries worldwide on the 20th May. A coming of age mystery drama, the series is flush with young creatives, from the cast and crew to the photographers they worked […]
UMG announces the launch of Def Jam Africa
Universal Music Group (UMG) today announced the launch of Def Jam Africa, a new label division within the continent dedicated to representing the best hip-hop, Afrobeats and trap talent in Africa. Def Jam Africa will follow the blueprint of the iconic Def Jam Recordings label, which has led and influenced the cutting-edge in hip-hop and […]
In conversation with pH Raw X
With the recent release of his sophomore album, SENSE EXPERIENCE & EKEYOTO, pH Raw X asserts himself as one of the most exciting and innovative acts in the South African music industry. Through commendable self-awareness, resolve and commitment, pH Raw X has managed to become a mainstay in the game, wearing many hats, as a […]
In Bed With… Stogie T, Rouge, and Bas
The year was 2003 and “They say a thin-skinned drum makes the loudest beat” were the lyrics you first heard when you opened yourself up to the experience of Tumi and the Volume’s Live at the Baseline album. The artist had already made a name for himself with his solo exploits in the Joburg hip […]
Entertainment in the time of COVID-19: How will industry survive
It’s the fourth day of the country’s nation-wide lockdown in response to the the spread of COVID-19, and two weeks since the President has declared a national state of disaster. Industry around the country (save for those in essential services) has ground to a halt, but the entertainment industry of SA seems to be hit […]
With a history of firsts, Cardi B adds one more to the list
The first time I’d heard Cardi B in an interview was almost four years ago with the legendary Combat Jack. If “palms are sweaty, knees weak, lisp is heavy” were a person, Cardi was the [adapted] lyrics personified. Her nervousness was palpable, but as she eased into the conversation more and more of her personality […]
The Death of Superman: Kobe Bryant as I knew him
Superman is dead. From overtaking greats like Larry Bird in career stats, to pulling off his signature fadeaway jump shot almost as if he were on a different astral plane, Kobe Bryant was some kind of magic. The stats will tell you that over the span of his twenty-year career he was a five-time NBA […]
Injayethu uSliqe on his new album
Gospel is king in the South African music lover community, even the SA hip-hop legend Sliqe agrees. He shared this a moment before sitting down to discuss the past two years of his life and creating Injayam (Vol. 2). Where music consumption is concerned, gospel music is likely the one genre in the country that […]
Solo’s Dreams lead him on a journey of balance
“Thank you for your RSVP. As a sign of our gratitude, we would like to gift you with the first song off of ‘C.Plenty.Dreams’ titled ‘Two By Two’ by Solo featuring Buks. An ode to love and family.” This is the message – and track – you received when confirming your attendance to the Langa […]
10 Years of One Last Letta: A conversation with Zubz
Words by Sekese Rasephei Zubz has managed to create music that transcends time. His legacy is best described as one that is embodied by unwavering reverence, compelling his fans to continue revisiting his catalogue with the same fervour as when he first released. With a number of mixtapes and EPs under his belt, it is […]
Yo! MTV Raps’ African Reinvention
30 years after the premiere of Yo! MTV Raps, MTV International announced that they were launching localised versions of the iconic series in different countries around the world. As a TV show that helped spread hip hop culture around the world at its inception, its rebirth in those countries is a touching tribute to the […]
Nasty C: the Multifaceted
Words by Mercia Tucker Images by Jina Min In beginning the track “Another One Down” with “It’s too many different spirits within me/ a personality is constantly shifting”, Nasty C lets us in to the diversity of his character. This past Friday, he held the Music, Art, Love experience at the Kalashnikov Gallery in Braamfontein. […]