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January 21st, 2012 in Articles by Guest
Black Coffee at the South African Music AwardsFrom the unkempt townships to the swanky Durban clubs, the music preference in South Africa is the same – mzansi house. Mzansi house music has been slowly brewing at the base of the continent for some time and is now filtering into clubs and radio stations all over Africa.
The man at the centre of this exciting ripple effect is DJ and producer, Black Coffee. Often credited as being the original pioneer of SA house, he has naturally become one of the most prominent figures associated with the scene.
Since the release of his debut album ‘Black Coffee’ in 2005, which he has said Christos and Oskido encouraged him to make, Black Coffee has gone from strength to strength.
Permanently in demand to DJ all over the globe and with more awards than you can shake a stick at, Trina John-Charles caught up with South Africa’s new national treasure, to discuss his journey so far, the rumour mill and the African house music takeover.
A lot of people still have a hard time associating South Africa with house music. Could you explain just how big house is over there?
I recently won an award… and these are like the Grammies of South African music. We have House music on that level now. It’s on TV, it’s everywhere. They play my video on TV, then they play Rihanna’s video, then they play Bucie’s video. It really is an in thing.
“…I am so much of a perfectionist. It doesn’t matter what I make music on, I will be always be my own worst critic.”
Kwaito music was the genre of choice in South Africa for a long time. Would you say that South African house has evolved from Kwaito, or taken over from Kwaito?
In a way, our house music is like a sub-genre to Kwaito. Kwaito is still around. Kwaito is also merging with house as well now. Some of the biggest Kwaito songs right now are over house beats. I think that Kwaito has just kind of evolved and found a place within house music. House is house.
Diplo described Kwaito as ‘slowed down garage music’. For someone that has never heard it, would you say that is an accurate description?
Kind of… it is a bit harder and in our own vernaculars…
Where did you get the name Black Coffee? (It suits you!)
(Laughs) it’s actually from an ex-girlfriend. It had nothing to do with music. She just used to call me that. Then I started DJ-ing and I needed a DJ name… I used to use my real name ‘DJ Nathi’, but Nathi doesn’t really work and there were other ‘DJ Nathi’s’ already around at the time. So I thought ‘Black Coffee’ is the only thing I’ve ever been called outside my name, so it just stuck. Now she wants her royalties! (Laughs).
Does she really?
No, but she always jokes about it.
Tell us more about how you started DJ-ing and subsequently playing house music?
I started DJ-ing quite early. I think I was about 17. At the time it was Kwaito and everything else… I am from that generation where you played alone as a DJ, for the whole night. So you would play everything. We were using cassettes then. I am from that school. As the scene grew, so did my passion for it.
Your first two albums were made on very basic equipment. Now that you have the luxury of super-equipped studios, has it made your job any easier?
Not really. To be honest, I am so much of a perfectionist. It doesn’t matter what I make music on, I will be always be my own worst critic. There were songs that I released on my pervious album that I still didn’t believe were finished but, because of time I had to let them go and put them on. ‘Superman’ for example, I did so many versions of that song. Every time my friends would come to the studio, I would play them all the versions and they would always be like, ‘they are all amazing’ and I would be like, ‘…really? Are you sure?’ (laughs). I often do that. I record a song and on the first day it sounds really good and when I go to the studio the following day, I’m like, ‘nah’. So I always make different versions when I do an album. I always have like five versions of one song and then in the end, I always go back to the first one. I am really, really thorough with my music.
You mentioned ‘Superman’ on which you collaborated with Bucie. How did you meet and start working together?
I have a band back home called Shana and in that group, there are three of us and each of us has our own record label. So I, Demor and Shota, all have our own labels. Bucie is signed to Demor Music and that is where the connection is.
“I feel that releasing singles is cool for DJs, but for me as an artist…”
You and Bucie have collaborated a few times. Do you find that you are just a good team?
It’s funny because, after we worked together on ‘Turn Me On’, I thought, ‘Ok, I’m not going to use her on my second album’. I just felt that it was a feature, it had been done. People were already starting to think that Black Coffee, was actually the two of us and I really wanted to avoid such. When I had the idea to do ‘Superman’ that all changed. I had done the music and I thought, ‘I need a vocalist… hmm… Bucie!’, so I called up Demor and I was just like, ‘forget what I said before, we have to do it again’ (Laughs). Then when it came to the 3rd album, again, I said, ‘NO. No Bucie’ (Laughs), but I did a song for her album instead that time.
You have so many awards… At the last count, it was three SAMAs, you were also voted GQ South Africa ‘Man of the Year’, you were an MTV Europe Music Award nominee… With all these awards and accolades, which means the most to you?
(Laughs) Yeah, there is stuff everywhere. I am so grateful. I have one from my wife… it says ‘To the best Dad and Husband in the whole world’. That is the best one out of them all.
Didn’t you say in another interview that a DJ can never get married?
You know… I knew you were going to bring that up (laughs).
What exactly did you mean by that?
I was upset when that story came out…
Why? Were you misquoted?
I did that interview here in London actually and the guy was asking like, ‘with such a busy life, do you think you would ever get married?’ And my response to him was, ‘not at the moment’, because at the time it seemed quite impossible. I was always, always, on the road. I can be in London, then I can be in Paris for a night, then Hong Kong, Portugal, then back to France, back to Portugal, then back home. It can get really, really crazy. I think for him, he just saw a big story, ‘Black Coffee – A DJ can’t get married’ and he ran with it. My Mother in-law [now], was saying to my wife, ‘What the hell are you doing with this guy? Did you see what he said?’ I got into trouble because of that.
Well, I’m glad that we’ve helped you clear that up. Slowly, but surely, house is creeping up through the continent. Swaziland has developed its own little scene and there are also producers coming out of Nigeria now. Who should we be looking out for in terms of house music from Africa?
It’s growing every second and fortunately, our house music is very much embraced by the African media. There are a lot of guys coming up. I don’t even know where to begin… On my label, there is Zakes Banthwinini. He is like one of the biggest stars right now back home. He has his own album out and a few singles. I would say that right now, he’s the one to look out for internationally.
Is it weird that you can get on a plane, go to a place you have never been before and every body knows the words to your songs?
It is, yes. I can’t get used to that. In South Africa, house music is so big that a song is here and then it’s gone. There is no lingering around. Overseas, they treasure the music more. I love France, the people can’t even speak English, but they know all the words to my songs. The same happens in Hong Kong now, it’s amazing.
You have re-released your first album ‘Black Coffee’, here in the UK. Was that a political decision?
Political? I’m not sure (Laughs). What has been happening is… I’ve been releasing singles all over the world with different labels, but never albums. I feel that releasing singles is cool for DJs, but for me as an artist… until a DJ in London decides, ‘I think I like this Black Coffee song…’ you are never going to hear it. There are never house music albums and that is something we are really trying to change.
black coffee, Bucie, Christos, Demor, Oskido, rihanna, Shana, Shota
December 21st, 2011 in Articles by Guest
Dj Black CoffeeMore than 10,000 people came to Durban to witness the popular DJ Black Coffee and a 24-piece orchestra as they set the Moses Mabhida Stadium alight on Friday night.
The talented DJ astonished a lot of people who didn’t know what to expect from the show, since he was doing something that has never been done in the history of house music.
DJ Black Coffee rocked the stadium, leaving his audience begging for more.
The show “Africa Rising” was merged with the recording of his latest live DVD, which is due to be released soon.
The queen of house music, Bucie, also performed and had the fans dancing and singing to her songs.
24 Piece Orchestra, Africa Rising, black coffee, Bucie, Durban, Moses Mabhida Stadium
December 14th, 2011 in Articles by Guest
Tiwa at Channel O Music AwardsThe Channel O Top 20 is a highlight of the year for music fans and in 2011 promises to be the best television entertainment of the festive season.
To keep viewers guessing about whom will take the highly coveted number one spot, the Channel O Top 20 OF 2011 is divided into two separate shows, each taking place on a different day.
Part 1 premieres on Tuesday, 27 December at 19:00 and for a full pumping 30 minutes, the best music videos of the year will be counted down from numbers 20 to 11.
A day later, on Wednesday, 28 December at 19:00, the Top 10 countdown begins, with Channel O’s number one music video of 2011 finally revealed.
Viewers can expect to see those hits that made the biggest impact across Africa during 2011 as well as those African artists who made an impact internationally (and there were a growing number of them during 2011!)
Upping the entertainment impact of the Channel O Top 20 countdown in 2011 are a host of industry tastemakers and celebs who will be adding their two-cents worth to the chosen artists and songs!
Guest commentators include Vuzu reality stars The Repertoires, Uyanda Mbuli, the award winning hip-hop artist AKA, the Grammy nominated singer/songwriter Tiwa Savage, the internationally acclaimed Bucie, Lorna Maseko, Kwela Tebza, Channel O presenter Weza, Ice Prince, Mika Stefano, Mzansi Magic comedian Tumi Morake, Jozi’s Da L.E.S, radio producer and socialite Claire Mawisa, and the Norway-based east African artist STL.
So make sure you tune into the biggest countdown of 2011 on Tuesday, 27 December at 19:00 and Wednesday, 28 December at 19:00 – only on Channel O!
December 5th, 2011 in Articles by Guest
“Where is kwaito?’ “Kwaito is dead!” and “Who is Big Nuz?” are just some of the placards that appeared as part of the video for Big Nuz’s biggest hit, Umlilo.
It has been two years since they released that video, and they find themselves still trying to address those questions and concerns.
The group – made up of Mandla “Mampintsha” Maphumulo, Mzi “Danger” Tshomela and Sbu “R Mashesha” Khomo – has made it their mission to revolutionise kwaito by adding dance beats and a distinctly KwaZulu-Natal sound.
“We managed to break through when people were hailing the death of kwaito,” says Tshomela.
He is referring to an era where the genre was in limbo.
Nothing new was being released by kwaito artists like Zola, Brown Dash and groups like Brothers of Peace.
“We soon realised that to make an impact, we had to come up with meaningful lyrics, catchy verses that would make our tracks memorable, and easy to sing-along tunes,” says Maphumulo.
“We are very keen to feature and work with anyone we see who has the same agenda as us.”
“We also realised that we had to do things differently from the mostly Joburg-based outfits that ruled in the Nineties and early 2000s,” he says.
“The region we come from [Umlazi, hence the NUZ part of the band name, which is taken from the area’s vehicle number plates] is well-known for its sense of community and we wanted this to come out in our music.”
Big Nuz have also taken to grooming up-and-coming artists, mainly because they had such a difficult time in trying to establish themselves.
They recorded a jingle for e.tv’s Backstage soapie and wrote a number of songs that failed to result in a recording deal.
“We do tend to support musicians from KZN, but it’s not only about ‘our’ province. We want to associate ourselves with anyone and everyone from this this talented continent,” says Tshomela.
“We are very keen to feature and work with anyone we see who has the same agenda as us.”
The group realises that they are the stars they are because of their fans, and they are constantly looking for ways to give back.
“The Fezile Dabi Aids Benefit Concert that took place this past weekend was our way of contri-buting to the Sasolburg area.After all, our fans are from all over South Africa.,” says Tshomela.
“We became part of the annual fund-raiser to show support and demonstrate that, just because someone is HIV positive, does not make them less human,” he adds.
“When you find yourself in a situation where your life is threatened by a disease like Aids, people tend to bog you down with depressing news and information,” says Maphumulo.
“We took a different approach by using entertainment to give HIV positive people, and everyone else affected, hope and something to look forward to on a daily basis.”
afrotainment, big nuz, Danger, mampintsha, R Mashesha, umlilo
November 25th, 2011 in Articles by Guest
King PAn emerging Soweto-based producer always believed he could do better than the big names in House music – and has proved it by winning Channel O’s latest DJ search, Think You Can Do Better? In association with Sheer Sound
Kgosi Prince Chauke – known simply as King P – has beaten off strong competition from a whole heap of talented contenders to be named winner of the Channel O contest to find the hottest new house music star.
Fittingly King P’s winning track is an original piece titled “Music Is Calling” – and there’s no doubting that the passionate producer has what it takes to turn his winning track into a bonafide career. Already King P, who first got into creating his own music at the age of 14, has earned the attention of DJs and artists - and at the age of just 20 he’s poised for success.
“I am unlike other musicians who always have something to fall back on…”
“Music Is Calling” is currently being turned into a Channel O-financed music video which is set to make waves and change the face of house music videos in South Africa. The video takes place in a futuristic landscape and follows King P’s journey as he finds music, masters it, creates it and ultimately “becomes one with the music”. King P represents the future – he’s here to change the face of House music and this video aims to represent exactly that.
With both the completed video and a behind-the-scenes giving you a one on one with the rising star debuting on Channel O on Thursday, 8 December at 17:30 there is no doubt that December will be set ablaze.
In addition, King P’s winning original track will be featured on the Channel O – Think You Can Do Better CD and DVD compilation, which will be released on Friday 9 December as well as available for download on O Music [www.omusic.com]. The CD - which is mixed by DJ Qness - features “Music Is Calling” along with 13 other hot house tracks like Black Motion - Set Me Free; Euphonik – Domination; Spirit Chaser - These Tears; Liquideep - Settle For Less; DJ Qness - Be With You and many more, while the DVD will be made up of music videos including King P’s debut.
King P will also be on Channel O’s Celebrity Bass-ment on Friday, 9 December and The 411 on Saturday, 10 December.
“Music is my passion so winning this competition is amazing,” says King P. “I am unlike other musicians who always have something to fall back on because this is the only career I want to follow and I couldn’t hope for a better start.”
Channel O’s Think You Can Do Better? In association with Sheer Sound gave South African producers and DJs a career-launching opportunity of a lifetime. It received over 5000 submissions from talented house DJs and producers countrywide. Judges spent days sifting through material from house DJs/producers who all believed they could do better but King P’s “Music Is Calling’ stood out as the top contender.
Be with You, Black Motion, Domination, Euphonik, King P, liquid deep, Music is Calling, Qness, Set Me Free, settle for less, Sheer, Spirit Chaser
November 14th, 2011 in Articles by Guest
Mshasho Power: The Dogg Receiving His AwardKwaito may have been born in SA, but it was a Namibian artist who scooped the “Most Gifted Kwaito Video” title at the Channel O music video awards on Friday - the third time a Namibian has won it in the five-year history of the awards.
It was a Best in Show moment, as “Mshasho Power” beat out the likes of South African stars Speedy and Professor, as well as Howza and Brickz.
The response, such as it was, of the predominantly South African audience in Johannesburg was more of a whimper than a bark. Mostly.
“We won. We made it. The award is for Namibia. Nobody can stop Mshasho.”
Press pause. The winner of the kwaito category has become something of a perennial bone of contention between Namibian and South African fans over the past few years.
As lovers of the genre will know, kwaito sprang up in Johannesburg, more particularly Soweto, in the 1990s.As a result, many South African fans understandably feel it is an arena they should dominate.
However, Namibian artists have built up a strong kwaito presence over the past years with both Gazza and The Dogg taking home the kwaito category at the Channel Os more than once.
The Dogg - real name Martin Morocky - tweeted: “We won. We made it. The award is for Namibia. Nobody can stop Mshasho … I love you.”
Below are the picture of some of the other winners on the night:
Channel O Music Awards, Channel O Music Awards 2011 Winners, Most Gifted Kwaito Video, Mshasho, the dogg, This Is My Time
November 12th, 2011 in Articles by Guest
Most Gifted Video of The Year: Zakes BantwiniOn a night that a host of live performances celebrated African music at its most electric, young, gifted artists from Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Namibia, and Uganda were named winners at the 2011 Channel O Music Video Awards, brought to you in association with Hyundai.
Host and performer on the night, Nigeria’s Banky W proved his huge appeal when his track featuring M.I., “Feeling It” took home the Most Gifted R&B Video award, earning him his first Channel O Music Video Award. And hotshot South African star AKA didn’t leave the awards empty-handed when his video for “Victory Lap” was named Most Gifted Hip Hop Video.
The award for Most Gifted Female Video was won by South African songbird, Lira for “Phakade” – a first for the all-rounder and a fitting accolade for another African artist who is poised for success in the USA and other markets in the coming years.
“Finally it was left to the host country’s own Zakes Bantwini to prove the attention around him is no hype when…”
The hotly contest Most Gifted Newcomer category saw Nigeria’s Ice Prince at the winner’s podium for his graphics driven “Oleku”, featuring Brymo, while the multi-artist collaboration “Born For This” featuring HHP, Teargas and Liquideep earned the Most Gifted Duo, Group or Featuring Video award – a tribute to the spirit of collaboration that is becoming increasingly evident amongst African artists.
In the genre categories the winners were spread across the continent - providing a brilliant showcase of the diversity and range of talent that makes up Africa’s contemporary music scene.
Ghana’s Samini walked away with Most Gifted Ragga Dancehall Video for “Dadiekye”, while South Africa’s Theo was named winner of Most Gifted Afro Pop Video for “Ukhona”. Namibian artist The Dogg – who won Best Newcomer in 2007 and Best Kwaito a year later - shone in the Most Gifted Kwaito Video category, earning his third Channel O Music Video Award for his track “This Is My Time”. Top-selling Nigerian artist Darey’s “Ba Ni Ki Di” took home the award for Most Gifted Dance Video, adding to his Channel O Music Video Award collection which began in 2006 when he won Best R&B Video and continued in 2009 when he won Most Gifted Male Video and Most Gifted R&B Video.
The regional categories also drew strong contenders in 2011 but eventually the Most Gifted African Southern Video went to Liquideep for “Settle For Less’ – a year after the duo took home the award for Most Gifted Dance Video. Most Gifted African East Video was awarded to the collaborative track “How We Do It (Remix)” featuring Keko, Radio and Weasel while Most Gifted African West Video winner was Naeto C’s “10 Over 10”, taking his total Channel O Music Video Awards to three.
D’Banj’s who was honoured for his work as a multi-talented performer as 2011’s Special Recognition Artist, putting him in the company of previous Special Recognition Winners K’NAAN and the late Brenda Fassie.
D’Banj, who was recently signed to Kanye West’s G.O.O.D Music record label, also walked away with the award for Most Gifted Male Video (for the remix of “Mr Endowed” featuring Snoop Dogg) at a star-studded event held in Johannesburg on Friday, 11 November and broadcast live on Channel O. This brings it to five D’Banj’s Channel O Music Video Awards – a run that began in 2006 when he was named Best Newcomer and includes his win for Most Gifted Afro Pop in 2010 as well as his award for Best Special Effects in 2007.
Finally it was left to the host country’s own Zakes Bantwini to prove the attention around him is no hype when “Wasting My Time” was named Most Gifted Video of the Year.
Can you feel it, Channel O Music Video Awards 2011 Winners, lira, the dogg, Wasting My Time, zakes bantwini
November 10th, 2011 in Articles by Guest
Dineo MoeketsiThe 2011 Channel O Music Video Awards, brought to you in association with Hyundai and presented by South Africa’s Dineo Moeketsi and Nigeria’s Banky W, will be broadcast LIVE on Friday, 11 November at 21:00.
It will be preceded by a one-hour V-Entertainment Channel O Music Video Awards Red Carpet special hosted by Siyabonga “Scoop” Ngwekazi and Lalla “Miss LA” Hirayama.
The fun-filled, super glamorous Vuzu special will showcase the fashion, the stars, the celebrities and the build-up to the LIVE event as well as several inserts that look back at the best moments in Africa’s longest-running continent-wide awards event.
The 2011 Channel O Music Video Awards will feature a host of star-studded, unique live performances that will thrill viewers at home.
Although details of each performance are being kept a surprise, South Africans AKA, L-Tido, Khuli Chana, DJ Cleo, Professor and Theo as well as Uganda’s Keko and Navio, Zambia’s C.R.I.$.I.$, Nigeria’s Ice Prince and Flavour, Kenya’s STL and Angola’s Cabo Snoop will all be taking to the stage at the Sandton Convention Centre.
Just who will take home the highly-coveted Channel O Music Video Award statuettes will be revealed on Friday – but there’s no doubt that with a LIVE line-up like this and such strong nominees, the undisputed winner is contemporary African music in all its brilliant diversity.
C.R.I.$.I.$, Cabo Snoop, Channel O Music Video Award 2011, Channel O Music Video Awards, Channel O Music Video Awards 2011 Winners, Dj Cleo, Flavour, Ice Prince, Keko, Khuli Chana, L-Tido, Navio, professor, STL, Theo
October 26th, 2011 in Articles by Guest
Kabelo Immortal CoverKabelo “Bouga Luv” Mabalane has come to be known as transformation man.
He went from being TKZee’s “chubby cheeks” to completing the Comrades Marathon six times.
He also went from being a cocaine addict to being involved in the church. Now, with his seventh solo album Immortal – Volume 1, he intends to change the way he and kwaito have been seen over the last few years.
“Our country is ready for a kwaito sound that has elements from rock, pop and more,” he says, of the genre that has been perhaps the slowest to embrace change.
His collaboration list for this album includes The Parlotones, Danny K and hip hop artist AKA. Is he actively trying to move away from the old “Bouga Luv” sound?
“Not at all. It is not a new sound, but a rather brave move to prove to my fans and fellow musicians that they should not let anything limit them,” Mabalane says.
Is he not concerned that he will leave behind his most ardent followers, who still love tracks from previous albums including Everybody Watching, And The Beat Goes On and Exodus?
“South Africa is at a point where people are listening to all sorts of music, and as a musician,…”
“That was the very first thing I thought about when I put this album together. I always have to tick the box for the original fans, as they are the ones who led me this far,” Mabalane says.
“With them satisfied, it becomes easier to attract others. That is where strategic partnerships with musicians come in,” he says.
Songs like the album’s first single Can’t Kill Me Now (produced by long-time kwaito producer Mandla “Spikiri” Mofokeng) and Amapantsula Ajabulile (featuring Professor) will not set tongues wagging as much as the others, like the track Mabalane did featuring Danny K.
“The album comprises collaborations that were organic, but some, like Novocaine with Danny, are meant to open new doors for me as a kwaito artist,” he says.
“Another reason is that I wanted a balanced album. South Africa is at a point where people are listening to all sorts of music, and as a musician, I have to fill that role.”
Speaking of roles, Mabalane is also a sports show presenter, motivational speaker and philanthropist. Clearly his transformation from being overweight to fit is paying off in more than one area of his life?
“Being fit means that I can give my fans a great live show without feeling tired and I can enjoy exercise and be comfortable with myself,” he agrees.
“Running proves to me that I am okay with myself, as it is just me and no distractions. I have to be with myself for a while and then I can be the Kabelo people respect.I only get that from running.”
October 18th, 2011 in Articles by Guest
South African Hip Pop Artist: AKAA stunning line-up of hot, contemporary African talent is set to ignite the LIVE broadcast of the 2011 Channel O Music Video Awards, driven by Hyundai.
Taking place on Friday 11 November, this year’s event features everyone from hotshot South African newcomer AKA to established Mozambican artist, Lizha James and a head-spinning number of big stars in-between.
Says the show’s Executive Producer, Glenn van Loggerenberg, “This is Africa’s premier music television show and in 2011 we are back with an entirely fresh staging concept and knockout line-up of talent. Audiences can look forward to all the entertainment value and innovation associated with Channel O at this glamorous continent-wide entertainment event”.
“…This will be an epic moment for Africa!”
One of the highlights of the 2011 Channel O Music Video Awards is likely to be a rap showdown featuring the multi-nominated South African Hip-Hop stars AKA, Khuli Chana going up against Ugandan Hip-Hop queen Keko alongside fellow rapper Navio, Zambia’s C.R.I.$.I.$ and one of Nigeria’s finest Ice Prince.
Other topnotch performances are set to come from Most Gifted Dance Video nominee DJ Cleo and Nigeria’s Flavour whose hit Nwa Baby (Remix) is nominated for Most Gifted Afro-Pop Video as well as Most Gifted African West Video.
“I am thrilled to be a part of the awards. It is going to be a night to remember,” says an ecstatic Flavour.
Also adding fire to the live performances are L-Tido, (up for Most Gifted African Southern Video), Angola’s Cabo Snoop (Most Gifted Male Video) and Professor, who is in the running for Most Gifted Kwaito Video.
“I am excited and ready to set the stage on fire. This will be an epic moment for Africa!” says L- Tido.
For the first time in the shows history a dedicated choreographer - Actress, Dancer and Musician Khabonina Qubeka - has been chosen to craft the special dance numbers on the night.
“I have always been a Channel O fan and I knew that one day, just one day, I will qualify to work on their Awards show! So, finally being “The Choreographer for the 2011 Channel O Music Video Awards” is a huge honour for me! We have a great team! Prepare to be “MOVED”!, says Khabonina.
2011 Channel O Music Video Awards, AKA, Channel O Music Video Awards, Lizha James
