Moonchild Sanelly – A Dream Chaser
Sanelisiwe Twisha sits cross-legged on the floor of her apartment, looking up as she speaks to me. While her physical demeanour in the moment is seemingly diminutive and antithetical to the large personality that’s a hallmark of her brand, in that moment, there’s nothing about her that doesn’t exude power. There’s a joie de vivre […]
Hip Hop – Rediscovering its Political Roots
Words by Glenn Kisela Hip hop has a long and storied history with roots deeply embedded within political movements. It has often been used as a medium for storytelling as well as a source of inspiration for the oppressed, specifically with its American origin. Hip hop has rarely strayed from delving into political issues even […]
Album Review – Shane Eagle’s Never Grow Up
Words by Joey Drumz Anyone familiar with competition as a concept would understand that history tends to favour those who come out on top. Darwinian Theory celebrates the strongest and most capable, while relegating those who remain behind to a regressive oblivion, never to be heard or seen from again. Grim as it may sound, […]
Exclusive Interview: Dreamville’s Bas
Words by Mercia Tucker Just as soon as I’d entered the Universal Music boardroom, I was engulfed in a bear hug by Bas. He’d performed in three South African cities the week before. I’d assumed the familiarity to be the residual high from his sold out show in Joburg, but as the interview progressed, revealed […]
Finding Neruda while Navigating Some Rap Songs
Words by Mercia Tucker I lost my aunt in 2018. It wasn’t the open-heart surgery that killed her, but the complications of being cut open for 12 hours on the surgical table that she grappled with for months thereafter before succumbing to the effusion on her lungs. Hers was the third death of a family […]
Budweiser Presents MUZI
Words by Misa Narrates We often forget the science to music, or rather the production thereof. For some students, the question of “What do you want to be when you grow up?” has to do with science and outer space. To the self-proclaimed Zulu Skywalker, Muzi, music is where he gets to explore concepts of […]
The Rise of Artist Owned Festivals
Words by Zee Ntloko In 2015, Cassper Nyovest embarked on the seemingly audacious task of hosting a concert at The Dome and attempting to fill up the 20,000-capacity venue. What was first met with scepticism and even ridicule, the premiere Fill Up event surprisingly succeeded and ushered in the high-profile artist’s festival in South Africa. […]
2018 – A Revelatory Year for SA Music
Words by Misa Narrates The debate about which year was the “best” or “worst” has begun online. When it comes to music, 2018 has been an interesting time. From 4 track EPs to bloated albums, 2018 was another year of musical contributions wherein a blossoming new school of talent joins the ranks of artists who […]
Cassper Nyovest – Still Striving
It’s been 3 years since South Africa watched on as an ambitious young maverick challenged deep-rooted perceptions and filled an arena previously dominated by some of the biggest names in music globally. Twenty thousand people were in the audience at The Dome as Cassper Nyovest (real name, Refiloe Phoolo) joined elite company and took to […]
DJ PH – Anatomy of a Maestro
Words by Mercia Tucker DJ PH has had a stellar year. Never one to settle into complacency, his thinking is “How do you better yesterday? While moving forward you look at what you’ve done like ‘This is how I did it, now I need to do better.’” One of South Africa’s finest, his competition is […]
The Plug TV: Breaking Bread with Kwesta & Kid X
Kwesta and Kid X are kindred spirits and partners in music. The two prolific MC’s broke bread with us and gave us insights into their music-making process, friendship and Raplyf Records.
Kwesta’s Pursuit of Greatness
More than Kwesta, the musician endears himself to you as Senzo Vilakazi, the man. Never one to enforce the stereotype of ‘celebrity’, it’s his boy next-door-charm that has garnered him supporters that feel more like a community than a fan base. It’s this sense of community – imparted through the late Linda ‘PRO’ Mkhize – […]