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EDITOR’S NOTE
THE TEAM Editor Molebogeng Mangoale Managing Director Marvin Straight Web Editor Thabang Letageng Layout Artists Thabang Letageng Molebogeng Mangoale Cover Design & Illustrations Boitshoko Maphage (Obhut_Herby)
When I was in high school, house music was all we listened to. You see, those were times when some of us were beginning to understand what is reffered to as the ‘spirituality of house music’. We were beginning to realise that house music was more than just the music that was being played in local taverns and gigs. It was more than just the beats that blasted through our radio waves that we would normally dance to. House music has the ability to reawaken spiritual feelings. It brings with it a sense of sentimentality to the listener. The deep, soulful and tribal sounds are what I appreciate most personally. For those of you that find house music therapeutic, this issue of The Set is dedicated for you! On that note, one man whose work and talent defines what we mean when we refer to the spirituality of house is Zano. Although he does 4 | DESIGN MGZas6 a ‘house music’ not define himself artist, there’s no doubt that his vocal
talent and song-writing skills have healed some of the most broken souls through this genre of music. We caught up with him to find out what his latest endeavours are, read our full interview with him on page 10. We also caught up Infinite Boys, DJ Mizz, vocalist Jackie Queens and more. We also feature album reviews by DJ Black Coffee and DJ Shimza, check them out on page 26. We’d like to thank those of you who downloaded our first issue. We are happy that you enjoyed it and we promise to make The Set even bigger and better. If you are a new reader, welcome to the Fam and we hope you enjoy this one! Let’s continue to interact online after you savour the contents of this issue. Until next time... Yours In House Music,
Molebogeng
Cover Photo Lufuno Tshikosi Contributors Vincent Ramatsebe Palesa Magoro Themba Jay Photographers Praise Magidi Lufuno Tshikosi Anele Mkungela
CONTENTS Interview With Infinite Boys
Jackie Queens Ready To Conquer The World pg 19
14-15
What Does House Music Mean To You?
Events: Spring Fiesta & Black Coffee Album Cover Story: Inspiring & Healing The World Through Music- ZANO URBAN
Fashion: SA’s House Music Fashionistas Features: 5 Ways Digital Media Has changed Personal
Branding
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32
What Does House M
Staunch House music listeners would agree tha than just music. Others say it is a feeling, others have to live it to understand. For us, house mus connects us to the universe and most importan issue of The Set Magazine is dedicated to the ‘sp house heads themselves what house music me
esn’t o d t a nd th e i ys of r a f d e g u r n is a t heals duri c imes i t s e u m m t o a e s “Hous nt, music th you’ll hate dancing at oi up h p t d p n a c i s e i s y d gl ts the mu n c i d e s n n u a n m o sorrow laying but a usic that c ng soul... m p vi when se music is to every li Lindile y u to. Ho nd brings jo ing fantasy” i a a liv - But s a i l globe u c i k s e mu iMj house jekula-But M
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usic th ‘‘Without house m - Godly place called home” 6 | DESIGN MGZ 6
Music Mean To You?
at House (as we affectionately call it) is more s say it can’t be explained. They say you would sic is music that speaks to our souls, music that ntly, music that gives us hope. Since well this pirituality of house’, we sought to find out from eans to them.
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goes h c i h my w t o t r a t f h ce o nd straig e i p ya A “ n a e s r m a my e Thabo Se h g u thro anta F ” t hear DESIGN MGZ 6 | 7
Events
What Went Down At Spring Fiesta
By Vincent Ramatsebe
Spring Fiesta- the annual music festival held in Boksburg at the Wild Waters is rightfully the country’s biggest music gathering for House Heads, Hip-Hop lovers and music lovers in general. Over 18 000 fans came out to witness over 76 local acts and 3 international superstars perform live. We attended the event and it was pretty awesome much like previous years.. However, there were a few disappointments this time around. The festival had seven stages and featured local artists such as Black Coffee, DJ Shimza, Black Motion, Da Capo, Zahara, DJ Kent, DJ Fresh, Oskido, Dj Tira and so on. The iconic producer Osunlade from Yoruba Records was the major headliner
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this year, supported by Rocco Rodamaal & Lars Behenroth. They took over Lulo Cafe’s What About Soul stage, which in our opinion was the best stage out of the seven stages at the event. All the DJs delivered good music. We also got to meet some of the legends who were on the line up such as DJ China, Vinny da Vinci, Andy Compton and Ralf Gum during our backstage chat with them. Performers went all out to satisfy the massive 18 000+ crowd however while some did deliver, others didn’t. Repetition of songs at the Hip-Hop floor was the order of the day but still they managed to bless us with great performances. Reason, Riky Rick and Ms Cosmo were the best Hip Hop acts for the night in terms of their stage presence. The House of Flava stage hosted by Mo Flava was our second best stage. It included the likes of Infinite Boys, Da Capo, Zano, DJ Franky, Twins
on Decks and others. The atmosphere at that stage was phenomenal, people literally danced the whole 12 hours. Oskido & DJ Fresh warmed things up around 5pm on the Soul Candi main stage with some of their ‘old skool’ songs. That was the beginning of the massive night ahead. DJ Kent & Euphonik reunited as Kentphonik and blew us away with their set, while DJ Shimza made us all dance as usual. The final act was Black Coffee and his crew of singers and instrument players. He showcased his new album Pieces of Me, which was extra ordinary with all his singers performing the songs live. He really did shut down the event in style. Overall, it was a good party for the attendees, though it had some disappointments such as Zahara performing out of the blue and Culoe De Song not making it. The security was well and the hospitality was very good.
Events
Black Coffee’s Album Launch Shuts Down Braamfontein
By Molebogeng Mangoale Photographer: Anele Mkungela were nothing short of praises for the multiaward winning DJ. As cameras flinched to Internationally he is a rising global dance music phenomenon and back home in South Africa, he is more than just a DJ. Black Coffee is a beacon of hope, an indubitable living music legend and an epitome of hard work, dedication and black excellence. Braamfontein came to a standstill on 1 October as house music fans gathered at the Joburg Theatre to celebrate the album launch of Black Coffee’s new album Pieces Of Me. The theatre was full to its capacity as hundreds came to celebrate with the international acclaimed DJ on his latest achievements including the new album as well as the two awards he took away home earlier that week at the annual DJ Awards in Ibiza. Black Coffee was awarded the ‘Breakthrough Artist’ of the year and also scooped the ‘Best Dance Nation’ award. We are confident to say that the free public event, coupled with the social media excitement about it, certainly proved that South Africa is indeed a dancing nation! When Coffee stepped on stage,the crowd broke into hysteria. Meanwhile backstage, fans, friends and colleagues
get proper shots of him, Black Coffee- in his humble and shy demeanour, smiled and waved to the crowd while it cheered him on and chanted his name. It was clear from the moment he made an appearance towards the stage that his presence had created a different ambience in the venue all together, an atmosphere that resonated respect and was appreciation for this his musical talent. Songs from his new album like ‘Stuck In Your Love’, ‘Love on Fire’ and of course ‘We Dance Again’ had fans going crazy. Coffee also took house heads down memory lane with some house classics as well some of his most popular songs from his previous albums like ‘You Rock My World’. Fellow artists also came out to support the music maestro at his album launch, with the likes of DJ Zinhle also in attendance. Some of the artists that are featured on his album including the likes of Ribatone, Lungi Naidoo, Azola and Khensy also performed. DJ Shimza also treated fans to a nice hour long set right before Black Coffee took to the 1s and 2s.
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Cover Story
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Cover Story
Inspiring & Healing The World Through Music -ZANO URBAN Written by: Molebogeng Mangoale Photographer: Praise Magidi It is 2am and I’m up trying to finalise questions for one particular interview we’ve been anticipating for a couple of weeks. However, I can’t seem to finish this task as I keep watching one performance on the Africa Rising DVD that I’ve watched many times before. It is the performance of an energetic, talented and overly-inspiring artist whose work in the music industry has earned him the utmost respect among his peers and music fans alike. I am watching the breathtaking, spectacular and emotionally evocative performance of Thokozani Nzima aka Zano Urban, as he delivers ‘Someday’- a song that any person irrespective of whether they are a house music fan or not, will be truly inspired by. As a great admirer of his work and talent, the reality that in a couple of hours my team and I will be sitting down with this man to get to know him better feels a bit unreal. Fast-forward ten hours later, we are sitting opposite the man himself as he takes us through his journey in the music industry as well as the challenges in life that have shaped him into being the son, friend, father and the soulful music vocalist he is today. The musical journey for Zano began in 2004 when he moved to Pretoria to further his studies from Embalenhle in Mpumalanga. Growing up in a family of six boys, Zano was surrounded by a lot of musical influences around him including his father. “I always say my dad was rebel when he was young. When everyone else was listening to Bubblegum and Mbaqanga, my dad was listening to Alternative Rock,” he smiles as he recollects memories of his family and how they have remained musical influences that have shaped him into being the artist he is today. “I never thought I would be a musician but I have always been a good expressive person. That’s why it was easier for me to do music as a career,” he says. He admits the decision to pursue music is not something that came easily to his father especially after he turned down a bursary to study Civil Engineering. “I wanted to be a surgeon growing up until I saw this documentary on TV and they were showing the work that surgeons do. I just saw a lot of blood and decided that it
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was not gonna happen,” he laughs. “Funny enough the second thing that I thought of was to be a musician. I had always been interested in music but I had never thought of it as a career. I just took a wild decision to just become a musician.” When Zano came to Pretoria, he only had R150 in his pocket. All he wanted to do was study music. “I was always the first student to come to school and the last to leave. A lot of what happened in that time strengthened my faith. I understand that what I do is a calling,” he says. But in between then and now, a lot of things have happened in Zano’s professional music career. Now it’s been eleven years that he has been in the music industry and he is regarded as one of South Africa’s best vocalists and songwriters. He was recently cast in a broadway musical called Sister Act that is based on the 1992 movie featuring Whoopi Goldberg. In addition to his muscal theatre background, Zano has worked with the biggest names in the industry including the likes of DJ Christos, Black Coffee, Culoe De Song, Cuebur and the late Lebo Mathosa just to mention a few. Speaking of Lebo Mathosa, Zano speaks of her very fondly as he relates about how she is the first person in the music industry that ever gave him a chance. “She is legendary. Out of everyone I have worked with, Lebo has informed me in terms of how one should do a live performance. She really shaped me as a musician. She is the first person that gave me a chance in the industry, she gave me a chance wholeheartedly,” he says. He
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says due to her cheerful and playful character, she used to shorten people’s names and she called him ‘Zani’. As time went on, that changed to Zano, the name that he uses today as an artist. Interestingly, Zano says that he does not define himself as a house music vocalist. “I never grew up liking house music [laughs]. In fact, we used to call it ‘disco’ back then. I didn’t understand it, I listened to a lot of hip hop back then. I even used to rap,” he laughs. “However when I came and studied music in Pretoria, the first people that used to give me jobs were house music producers because I used to do sessions for them.” That was in 2004-the year that he also met Black Coffee through Shota, who used to be his vocal teacher. Although he regards house music as his passion, he says he still wouldn’t want to call himself as a house music vocalist. “I always want to be seen as a musician. I love production and songwriting mostly but I wouldn’t call myself a house music vocalist. I would just call myself a musician period,” he says. On the song ‘Someday’ “Someday is one of my most emotional pieces. That’s why I always say music is spiritual. What you feel at that time will always translate in your music when people listen to it. When I wrote the song, I was dead broke and I had just gotten into a fight with my previous company. I was in my car outside Oriental Plaza and then Nathi (DJ Black
Cover Story
Coffee) calls me. He sent me the beat and the words just came out. I just felt like God hasn’t brought me this far for nothing. I may be going through stuff but regardless, I know that someday I will make it. It may not be today or tomorrow, but someday...” The next day he was at Black Coffee’s studio and as he says it, he ‘sang his lungs out’ and put all his emotions on the song. “If the expression in your music is honest, people will always relate. That’s how music is supposed to be,” he says. And indeed ‘Someday’ is the kind of song that speaks to any person from any different walk of life. It is a song that reinvigorates life into a broken soul, a song that resuscitates hope into broken dreams. “People sing the song word-for-word, people cry. A lot of people have connected to the song because it speaks to their everyday struggle. I found that ‘Someday’ is the kind of song that helps people to hold on to their dreams. If the expression in your music is honest, people will always relate. That’s how music is supposed to be,” he says. Upcoming Album- Colours of My Soul
ented songbird Thiwe Mbola is currently gaining major traction on national radio. The song is from his upcoming album called Colours of My Soul which will be released under his independent record label. He started working on it two years ago and he’s worked with the likes of Atjazz, Jullian Gomes, Sir LSG, Ayanda Jiya, Cuebur and Uhuru just to mention a few. It is an urban dance music album although it is experimental in that he did not want to be boxed in. “This album is a story. It is an audio book that I want everyone to listen to. It is a journey that I want everyone to take with me. It is an expression that I think will resonate with a lot of people, make and female,” he says. “Music is an expression for me. Music is freedom. Music is an outlet that I can showcase my own emotions and somebody’s emotions as well. As a songwriter you can always take other people’s experiences and write about them,” he concludes. There’s no denying that Zano’s presence in the South African music scene has been a notable one. His fiery musical passion cannot be ignored and is what has carved his name as one of SA’s best musical talents.
Colours of My Soul is due for release on iTunes on 23 October.
Zano’s single ‘Oceans Apart’ on which he features tal-
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Spotlight
BROTHERS IN MUSIC: INFINITE BOYS
Out of a very small township in the east of
Johannesburg- South Africa, came forth an unstoppable pair of brothers; Anthony & Raphael Mabaso otherwise known to house music lovers as Infinite Boys. Having been in the industry for more than a decade, the duo has kept us dancing with their numerous hits. Their new song ‘Monica’ is currently receiving much traction from house music fans.Vincent Ramatsebe sat down with them to find out more about who they are and also how they have maintained their standard in the music industry throughout the years. 14 | DESIGN MGZ 6
You guys have been producing music for more than 10 years now. What exactly inspired you to start and who were your influences when you started? Infinite Boys: Growing up we always had passion for music. Seeing people smiling and dancing to someone else’s musical works is what inspired us to start this musical career and DJs like Oskido, Revolution, Fistaz Maxwell, Louie Vega had a huge influence on us back then when we started. We also know you’re blood related brothers. How did the name ‘Infinite Boys’ come about? Infinite Boys: We chose the name ‘Infinite’ simply because our love, passion and respect for our music is endless. What do you personally consider to be the biggest mo-
ments in your musical journey so far? Infinite Boys: Our biggest moments in our musical career was when we were signed under KalawaJazmee Working with such a big label in South Africa has been quite an experience, it has opened lot of doors for us in the music industry and also uplifted our brand to another level.
Anthony and Raphael Mabaso of Infinite Boys
We know you for your consistency, dating back from the late 2000’s with tracks such as ‘Hi Nyikeni’, ‘Machangu’, ‘UnthandoLwethu’, ‘Round & Round’...the list goes on. How do you do you maintain consistency with your music? Infinite Boys: Hard work and God’s grace...each and every year we sit down and do our research on what’s in and what’s played out [there] and we strategise on what the market mostly loves and believes in. You’re one of the few duos we know that has never separated, what keeps your partnership so strong? Infinite Boys: Respect, discipline and the love we have for one other. What would you say are the main challenges that you encounter as deejays? Infinite Boys: Piracy and getting our music playlisted internationally. What is it about DJing, compared to say, producing your own music, that makes it interesting for you? Infinite Boys: What’s interesting about DJing is that you get express yourself through entertaining live at the same time [while] interacting with your audience and get to read their minds on what they want to dance to. Do you see yourselves producing for the rest of your lives? Infinite Boys: Yes!!! What is the next for Infinite Boys? We busy preparing for ‘Go Down Low’ music video.
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Poster
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Ladies of House
Jackie Queens Ready To Conquer The World If you’ve heard the track ‘Conqueror’, the lady behind the vocals is 32 year old Jackie Queens, a Zimbabwean songbird currently living in Cape Town. Not only is Jackie Queens a great singer but she is also a mom, writer and a true lover for music. Her new single which has Enoo Napa’s magic touch to it, has been supported by the likes of Black Coffee. We caught up with the songbird to talk about the jam, her music career, as well as find out who she really is.
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How did you get involved in house music? It all started when I met my good friend Dyce Jones 5 years ago. At the time he was producing house music and he asked me to write to a couple of his tracks. I grew up listening to house music so it was always a genre I wanted to explore. From there it was a series of fortunate connections really. Mostly spurred on by passing around stuff I’d recorded for remixes and also through soundcloud, reaching out to producers whose music I liked. Which artists have you worked with previously? I have dabbled in quite a few genres which has resulted in me working with artists from all over. Cepta from New Zealand whom I did some drum and bass with, hip hop artist Well$, Dj Satelite of Angola, Luka of We Go Deep and Soulfaktor from the group BFG from Durban. I have forthcoming projects with Dj Parapeople of Angola and on the homefront Soundquest, Enoo Napa and XtetiqSoul. Tell us about your new single ‘Conqueror’. Conqueror is actually the first song I recorded as Jackie Queens. So the song holds a really special place in my heart. I wrote the song for myself really. Sometimes we need to remind ourselves that we are enough. As we are, we are complete for all that we need to accomplish. So that’s how the lyrics came about. Dyce Jones passed
on my vocals to Enoo Napa and he created this magical remix which I didn’t even know about for a while. What began as bootleg eventually became an official release purely because the song is that good and I have Enoo Napa to thank for that. Who/ what are your musical influences? My influences are vast. I listen to a lot of jazz, soul and house music. I am not great at listening to the latest stuff my playlist is often stuck in the 90s or early 2000s haha! I’m a huge fan of the Soulection movement though so that’s pretty much the only thing I follow really closely in the now as well as afrobeats and UK grime. All of that comes together to create what some have called a pop style in my singing I guess. I also love disco or anything with a disco influence and that certainly comes through in some of my stuff. Who do you wish to collaborate with in the industry one day? Bhoddi Satva, Black Motion and Hallex M. Is house music where you are headed as a vocalist? For now it is. Purely because I am enjoying myself and I kind of need to establish a certain sound to go along with this voice. But I’m not averse to exploring other genres too. I have before and I am pretty sure I will again. Images: Supplied DESIGN MGZ 6 | 19
Up & Coming
Sandile Wili otherwise known as DJ Mizz, is a young, passionate producer from Khayelitsha in Cape Town. Having co-produced two of last year’s biggest hits in the country, (‘Koze Kuze’ and ‘Count Your Blessings’) Mizz has also released numerous tracks under international labels such as DM Recordings based in the UK and online stores like Traxsource. His outstanding musical work has been circulating on our local radio airwaves and house heads can’t help but take notice of this young talented producer with a growing reputation for his musical production skills. Vincent Ramatsebe sat down with him to chat about the hits he has been producing and where his career- which is only just beginning, is going from now onwards. 20 | DESIGN MGZ 6
DJ Mizz: Producing National Hits All The Way From The Mother City
You are known for your ambience in your afro-produced tracks and the combination of drums and strings. Where did you learn your musical skills from? Was production for you self-taught or did you take the education route? Many of my musical skills, I taught myself. I guess it all comes from my curiosity to always learn new things and improve my skills.
est night” that I did in 2011. Merlon and Mondli were freestyling on it for some time and they approached me to record vocals on top of that instrumental and that’s how Koze Kuse was born.
What part of the production process do you find the most challenging? I sometimes get criticism from mixing engineers who don’t feel that my songs are not properly mixed according to their standards. I have tried in the past to get one of my productions mixed by a professional mixing engineer and I feel that changed the whole impact of the song. I prefer to do my mixing while I’m composing, so that I don’t compromise anything. People like my mixes and that’s all that matters to me.
When there’s more music than one can possibly take in, it becomes increasingly difficult to know what constitutes an original song and a remake anymore. What’s your opinion on the importance of roots, traditions, respecting originals and sources? I don’t think we do it intentionally, but I do believe that these songs are all songs we’ve heard before. You are currently based in Khayelitsha in Cape Town.
Most of your tracks have been underground, but recently you’ve been producing what some would say is commercial house music. Was the change intended? I honestly feel that more and more people are getting exposed to my sound. I never intended a change in my sound and I still cannot hear a change in it. Maybe it could be that I am evolving as a composer. “Commercial” is just a term to me and I still don’t know how it is
So how did it make you feel that you co-produced two of the biggest house tracks in 2014? I feel blessed. I really cannot describe the feeling but I know it’s good and I’m enjoying it.
Do you find it easy to market your music from that side and also get gigs? Internet, internet, internet! It has made it easier for us to get our music out there. Plus I have a strong team around me that handles that side of the business for me, so I leave that to them. Most people come to Joburg to launch the start of their music careers and so forth. Do you plan to move to Joburg at some point? No, I’m happy in Cape Town. It’s working for me.
different to any other sound.
Tell us about your collaboration with DJ Merlon on the track ‘KozeKuze’. How did that come about? KozeKuse is inspired by my old instrumental called “For-
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Art
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Illustrations by: @Obhut_Herby
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Image www.khanacademy.com
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Reviews
By Molebogeng Mangoale DJ Black Coffee has finally released his long anticipated album Pieces Of Me. The 12 track album features some of South Africa’s best vocal talents including the likes of Mondli Ngcobo, M.Que, Lungi Naidoo and Naak Musiq amongst others and it has already gone gold a month after its release. Coffee also features international songbird Portia Monique on a catchy melodic jam called ‘Extra Time On You’. ‘Inkondlo Kamashimane’ has to be our favourite jam on the album. It is that song that leave
you stuck on the repeat button. Its deep, cinematic and tribal elements will leave you in a trance. It will take you on an emotional spiritual journey that only you and this beautiful genre of music called House music can only understand. ‘The Beat of Indlamu’ is another track that house heads should look out for on the album. Black Coffee’s loyal fans will agree that the song is reflective of his signature sound. It is
a dance floor killer with its infectious deep and jazzy elements. Another future classic on the album is ‘I Have Faith’ which features talented singer Mondi Ngcobo on the vocals. As a man who never disappoints when it comes to his music, not only is Nkosinathi ‘DJ Black Coffee’ Maphumulo a local icon when it comes to house music, however is a global rising sensation of this genre. Without any doubt this
album deserves a 10/10. It undeniably reaffirms that Black Coffee is the King of SA House music and a legend in his own right. Pieces Of Me is a masterpiece, a true work of musical art that not only showcases some of SA’s best musical talents but makes you appreciate the universality of house music. Every song on this album is perfectly executed and will take you from the dance floor to being lost in the infectious rhythmic elements of Black Coffee’s music.
Visit www.thesetmagazine.co.za for the full review.
Shimuzic – The Revival of Afro House Music By Vincent Ramatsebe Tembisa-born and Soulistic Music signed DJ/Producer, Ashley ‘DJShimza’ Raphala, has released his debut album and it is sounding fairly good. It is a 13 track Afro House Album which features the likes of African Roots, Mishka, Soulstar, Cuebur, BK, Thandi Draai, DR Malinga and Heavy K just to mention a few. There are quite a few potential hits on the album, one being ‘Looking For
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Love’ which features African Roots & Lu. The jam has been doing rounds on national radio. There is also a remix Shimza did for the legendary songstress Simphiwe Dana, ‘Nzima’. However, our favourite track on the album has to be ‘African Woman’ feat. Mishka, a definite future classic. There aren’t many good Afro House albums at the moment, so credit has to be given to DJShimza for the hard work he put
out on this album. Out of 10, we give the album a 6. Nicely produced and mixed, it is one of the best albums to come out thus far this year. Have you purchased Shimza’s new album? Let us know what you think of it.
Top 10
1.
DJ Kent Feat. Mo T – Don’t Let Go (Original
Mix) 2. Black Coffee Feat. Nakhane Toure – We Dance Again (Original Mix) 3. Mi Casa – Chocolat’ (Original Mix) 4. Prince Kaybee Feat. Audrey – Better Days (Original Mix) 5. Mobi Dixon Feat. Msaki - Love Colour Spin (DJ Tea Bossanova Mix) 6. DJ Shimza Feat African Roots & Lu - Looking For Love (Original Mix) 7. DJ Fortee Feat. Lady Zamar – One Night, Last Night (Black Motion Remix – The Minerva Version) 8. Darque Feat. Toshi - Yonke (Original Mix) 9. Junior Taurus, Lady Zamar & Odyssey - Mother Of Melodies (Original Mix) 10. Bekzin Terris – Bekzin Beat (Original Mix)
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Compiled by: Vincent Ramatsebe
Fashion
South Africa’s House From the legends of house to the upcoming stars, house music has come a long way and so has fashion. From the beats that evolve around us to the style we wish we had, here are some of South Africa’s well-known DJs and house music artists who are not only setting the dance floor on fire, but the fashion scenes too.
Black Coffee Black Coffee (born Nkosinathi Maphumulo) is a South African multi award winning record producer and DJ . His career began back in 1994 and he has released four albums and one live DVD under his Johannesburg based record label Soulistic Music. He is arguably one of the most influential musicians in Africa and an increasing global house music phenomenon.
His style
Black coffee has a down to earth sense of style, he wears for comfort. He pairs simple pieces together and pulls them off effortlessly. As a family man and an entrepreneur, he has a flair for both casual and formal wear. Looking back to the evolution of Black Coffee he remains true to his style and demeanour. His fashion style exudes traits of a modern man. 28 | DESIGN MGZ 6
“Fashion- the art to express through clothing. My love, my passion. To me, fashion is tailored for the soul, a way to express the hidden hinders in our thoughts. Through fashion we tell a story.” - Palesa K Magoro, The Set Magazine fashion stylist.
Music Fashionistas Culoe De Song Culolethu Zulu known commonly by his stage name Culoe De Song, is a South African producer and DJ . He released his first album, A Giant Leap, in 2009. Later, he released Elevation (2011) and Exodus (2013). Culoe De Song won ‘The Best Male Artist’ at the 2014 Metro FM Awards for his album Exodus; an album that was featured on Rolling Stone’s (South Africa) Top 500 Albums of 2013. He also participated in the 2008 Red Bull Music Academy in Barcelona, Spain.
His style
Always noticed with shades and a stylish hat, Culoe has a modern style suitable for his age and himself as a brand. He pulls off every piece with a smart hat, making himself look effortlessly gorge and shows off his tattoos in a stylish and suitable sense. Culoe is the one to look up to for a fresh urban style.
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Fashion
Busiswa (Kalawa chikita)
Black Motion
Gold selling and Award winning duo that burst into the Born Busiswa Gqulu in industry in 2010, Black Motion Mthata, Kwazulu Natal, came into being when Robert Busiswa has released (DJMurda) Mahosana and perhit after hit. The award cussionist Thabo ’Smol’ Mabogwinning singer/poet wane decided to work together. rose to stardom on a They’ve given us numerous feature on DJ Zinhits over the years and they are hle’s hit dance track widely recognised for their dis‘My name is’. The tinct sound which incorporates Kalawa Chikita has African musical elements into it. since been rocking Their sound and production has the dance floor been lighting the dance floors with hits like across South Africa and the ‘Ngoku’, ‘Lahla’ world at large since. and ‘Nangu’.
Her style
Busiswa has a fun style. She is an explorer and ventures into different fashion styles. She rocks baseball jerseys and sneakers and also pulls off blazers. She is one to look up to for an unpredictable style after the next. Most of her change in style is notable in her music videos as well. She’s a definite fashionista.
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Their style
They both have different styles of what they wear. Their looks complement each other. They’re a matching pair together and look good individually.
Fashion
Bucie
Thabo Smol
Bucie is a South African R&B and House music singer. Her 2014 hit track “Easy To Love” was one of the biggest songs of 2014. . Bucie is signed to Demor Music and recently received an award for ‘Best Female Artist’ of the year at the SAMAs 2015.
A master in what he does, Thabo has modern class with a twist. He pulls off Timberland shoes like his timeless dance moves. He also pulls off different accessories to match together with his outfits. It’s the hat, the gold chain and shades that make his outfits look trendy and fun.
Her style
Bucie is your everyday modern and stylish woman. She has the authentic girl next door look. even though she is the queen of SA House music I believe. Very stylish and sincere, Bucie’s style is very chic where she can go from notable pieces of class and sass like red bottom heels and a pencil skirt, to just wearing Converse All Star with a pair of jeans and a stylish shirt and leather jacket
DJ Murda Bongani is down to earth retro. He has a sense of edge to his style. Modern day retro, the chukkas and dress boots pulled off with a pair of jeans and a simple shirt added with a few accessories make the perfect outfit for any day.
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Features
5 Ways Digital Media Has Ch
... and how you can build an imp
There has been a lot of chatter around the subject of per expressing views that it is peculiar for a human being to co of personal branding, claim it is one of the single most imp disposal when navigating the world of work and business. In this article, I am discussing 5 ways digital media has ch brand and how to go about building an impressive and na
1. You can now tap into the global brain Consider this, when you post a Tweet or Facebook post, it is spread throughout the world in a matter of seconds. This was not possible before. On radio, for instance, broadcasters had to wait for weeks for their connections to deliver them news about what’s going on abroad. Today, when a mega star dies, a few minutes later the world knows. Interestingly, millions of people know before major news agencies get wind of the news. Tip: You can now tap into the global brain with the tools and networks available, use this deep connectivity to advance yourself in your field. I connect with mentors and build relationships with people I wouldn’t have had the privilege of connecting with without digital media. 2. Growth of the knowledge-based economy The advent of digital platforms has increased the importance of one being savvy around the online space. Information is at the heart of the world economy. And most of it is stored in computer systems, and a growing amount of it comes from or is kept online. Tip: Build an impressive online presence that shows off your abilities and the value you can contribute. Think of it this way: in online social circles, a majority of people consume what others create. The challenge for you is to be part of the 1% that creates. Be authentic and let your creation flow from there.
The internet as a leading medium for self-expression and creativity is no longer novel
3.
The internet has become a second home for many people with a cell phone (or any other device), hence the term ‘digital natives’. This tells you how natural extending ourselves on online platforms has become. Tip: Stop separating what you do offline and how you behave online. Start asking 32 | DESIGN MGZ 6
hanged Personal Branding
Features
pressive online presence!
rsonal branding in recent times. Some people onsider themselves a brand. Others, advocates portant assets an individual can have at their
hanged the way you can construct your personal atural extension of who you are online.
yourself: who am I; what do I want to represent and how do I extend that using social media? Start seeing social media as a way of life and a way of doing business.
The world is new. Think anew! 4. Success today needs us to change our expectations of how business gets done, who does it and focus on how to collaborate in fundamentally new ways to develop and advance ourselves. As a music artist, you’d knock on many doors in an attempt to secure a recording deal. With tools like Soundcloud, it saves valuable time and resources uploading your music onto your account and e-mailing Sony Music Africa Executive Head of Artists & Repertoire, Zakes Bantwini, a link to it. The reason is, Zakes is likely travelling a lot and he’s on his mobile most of the time. It doesn’t do you any good if he’s jetting around the world on business and he is stuck with your demo CD (without a device to insert it in). Tip: Rethink the way you connect with people in your industry; rethink the way you develop and maintain relationships with people and fundamentally change the way you get your work seen.
People Google you nowadays! 5. Be careful about what you put out to the world. I liken it to carrying yourself with dignity in a public space. You’re less likely to lower your sleek pair of jeans and relieve yourself in full view of the world -- why would you do it using social media? When people want to know about you, they Google you! We are living in a transitional world. The systems gatekeepers built during the last century are becoming obsolete. Now you can be as creative as you wish to be to get yourself and your work seen by the world. On the one end of it, it is intimidating. On the other, it is liberating! Themba Jay is a media worker- a Storyteller in the business of communications and media with a focus on copywriting / content creation, digital marketing and public speaking. Simply put, he is a Communications Guy. He is also the co-founder of I Think Anew; a digital media project DESIGN MGZbranding 6 | 33 whose aim is offering communications, strategy development / facilitation and lessons to youth in townships. He blogs on bit.ly/thembajayblog and tweets @iThembaJay
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