“I would say to any up and comings- although we are all still up and coming- just fight for whatever… not even fight, just be who you are. Whatever you’re trying to do, you already are. That’s why you get disappointed when you hear a ‘no’ or something… because you know that you already are….
If Mkay Frash were a comic book character, he would levitate in celestial space, straddling comets, in constant orbit between worlds. His hands cupped, as though in telepathy with the surrounding sky-scape. From his outstretched fingers, threads extend like webs, connecting disparate planets, weaving transcendental tapestries. This would be his superpower: his ability to draw…
The Drone Goddess is on a mission to live her truth, using her gifts to obliterate boundaries and silence stereotypes. The curator of NoirWave, one RhaRha Nembhard, is home in South Africa on a break from her Masters degree in museums, galleries and contemporary culture. But to her a break includes so much work and…
For her cover feature with BubblegumClub Lenny-Dee Doucha, the lead singer and keyboardist of Bye Beneco, wanted to mix the contemporary and the traditional. Photographed by Charlemagne Oliver at the National School of Arts Campus in Braamfontein, the concept was to merge Art Deco and Japanese motifs. The Art Deco style speaks to glamorous modernism…
Luthando Shosha, is consistently immaculate, while it is part of her profession to look good, she does this while always looking like herself. Keeping it street, or G. always. Everytime I see her there’s a new item for me to covet, a new shoe Nike has blessed her with, a leotard with her name on…
Our discussion would be held at one of Joburg’s popular high-end speciality stores, chosen for its open Terrace restaurants that would allow for the best enjoyment of the warm morning rays. Milisuthando Bongela arrived in her Sunday best. Wrapped in a confidence and strength that hinted at the unwitting voyeur, that this woman had set…
Imraan Christian is a young photographer and filmmaker from the Cape Flats whose work is capturing international attention. After graduating from the University of Cape Town in 2014, he was on hand to document the explosive events of Fees Must Fall in October 2015. His photographs are a powerful record of the wild days of…
By 2012 the gqom style of electronic music had already made a huge impact on youth audiences in Durban’s townships. The new sound rumbled across dimly lit dance floors, reverberated within customised taxis and murmured through beat-up handsets. Inspired by the hysteria/excitement surrounding the new sound, three childhood friends, Manique Soul, Que and Goldmax (real…
In 2014, Durban group Witness the Funk made their first impact on South African consciousness with their hit ‘Nomusa’. The song highlighted smooth multilingual flows over an insidiously catchy beat. It was accompanied by a stylish music video which showed the glamorous side of Durban with parties in tropical mansions and beaches, and long drives…
When Espacio Dios joins my table, at some faux Italian joint in Sandton, I’m startled to meet three beaming young men, so I cautiously enquire about the crew, if they have a collective name and so on, expecting a fun or corny comeback but I’m quickly placated by their humility and openness. Espacio’s manager, Zidaan…
Push Push is a polarising figure. But why is the rapper so divisive? The shade and hype around Push-Push are somewhat of her own making, but there is a mystery mixed into the discourse around her. Over two days, and some Facebook interviewing, Push, opens up about loving hip hop when it don’t love you…
Don Dada, otherwise known as Tshepo Pitso, has a bold mission. He wants to turn the South African Izikhothane subculture into a globally recognizable style. Izikhothane emerged from the townships and refers to young people who rock colourful and bold designer gear, drink the finest brands and flaunt their expensive tastes on social media. The…
