SA Hip Hop is experiencing an unprecedented moment of success, the genre has reached a new level of popularity in the country especially amongst young South Africans. Junior Mabunda aka Uncle Party Time is doing his bit to drive the sound through his SA-Hip-Hop-banger-filled dj sets at parties like ONYX, Every Other Thursday and Bohemian Grove.
We spoke to Uncle Party time about SA Hip Hop, the ONYX parties and the exclusive mix he cooked up for us.
Can you tell us a little bit about the mix you created for us?
The mix has a lot of hits that I feel people will appreciate, so It starts off with the King of SA Hip Hop (AKA) and ends off with the current prince, Emtee.
What type of music do you normally play?
I usually play a lot of trap music because I try to always play for the crowd and trap is one of the things people want to hear.
Why do you think SA hip hop has blown up in the last 2 years?
It’s doing so well because of all the producers that have sleepless night doing their thing in the studio, but then again all these rappers have been trying to chase the number one spot so that kind of made competition pretty tough as well.
You are a member of the crew that organised ONYX, can you tell us how ONYX was born and how you guys started throwing parties?
ONYX was originally founded by 3 people which is myself, RĀMS and Gondo (Alternative Visuals). One of our friends was selling weed at the time and we started thinking of ways to make our own money because we were tired of being dependent to our parents, we got a team of dope guys and we all worked hard to get everything right.
You have played for slightly older audiences at parties like USB Soundsysyem but also really young ones too at parties like ONYX. Are there any noticeable or stark differences between the two audiences? Whether its the music they like, or the way that they dress or the way they behave at parties?
Playing for a younger crowd like ONYX kids is way easier because I can play some stuff they’ve never heard and they would still rage, but with the older crowd it’s not that simple because I have to play the stuff they want to hear, stuff they listen to on radio or see on music channels to keep them with me.
You’ve also started producing now, do you have any plans to release tracks this year?
I’m working on a young EP that I want to drop when I feel like I’m ready to handle the pressure. lol
I know dj ing isnt your only expression, what else do you do?
I also work as a photographer.
Whats next for uncle party time ?
Uncle Party Time wants to play in Europe one day.
