"A celebration of women and
womanhood through the arts of Jazz music, art, fashion and poetry. This event
was in it's inaugural year and I caught some of what went down in Soweto, South
Africa at the famous Club Pelican where many a great Jazz Legend has performed
over the years." Anthony Bila
check out some more footage from the Expressionist right over here.
Coming straight from the old school, or the
“new” old school rather, I am always incredibly sceptical of “hip hop” events.
I always go through a process of psyching myself up these days whenever I am
tricked into attending such events. The process is a simple one; it involves
playing loud 80s’ and 90s’ hip hop on the day before, so that it serves as a
guard from the mediocrity that is called music at these events and convincing
myself that the “YMCMB” (pronounced: Y-Yem-See-Yem-Bee!) kids would not bother
the hobo looking hippie walking around with a pen and pad.
Equipped with my pseudo confidence that all
would go as I had planned in my head, I braved the night and walked into the
official first serving of STR.CRD 2012, JHB: MABONENG PRECINCT: MOAD: AREA 3.
Not exactly what I expected.
Instead of the sounds of the latest whiner
blaring, being played by a CDJ who has not quite mastered the art of mixing, I
walked into the perfect scratch that faded into a Looptroop classic. Bliss. The
cynic within me was tamed, just a little, as I walked to the beat of my jam
into the section of the warehouse that housed the fashion. Again, not exactly
what I expected.
A range of stalls littered the floor with
gear that has become synonymous to the hip hop culture over the years. The
short trot down the ramp sparked a gaiety that closely matched a feeling only a
child feels when they are about to experience something new. What stood
sprawled before me was insanely refreshing.
GALXBOY’s founder, Tots drew me into his
space with the crazy print that was scribbled on his vest. His brand GALXBOY,
founded in the backyards of Mamelodi, is rooted in what is “trending” in the
world of hip hop “but with a personal touch”, he says. Themed largely around
the idea of “what things boys do because of girls” he is not shy to say, that
he wants to bring high-end fashion into the crowded rooms of house parties,
with the boys looking fresh for the girls (mainly).
Next to the “fresh-to-def” Tots is the
EISHHADE stall sporting their Magubane swag sneakers. A far cry from the black and
white Adidas Supastar that Sifiso (founder) bought on lay-by, they stand their
ground amongst the best, except for the few custom-made ones created upon
request.
In short I was in complete awe of the guys
who came through to showcase their entrepreneurial finesse. Babatunde impressed
with a collection that paints a different and Afrikan coat over the idea of
swag.
The fashion spread was not exactly what I
expected. My entourage even coloured themselves with an item or six. The
brothers are really putting some dope collections together that are not just
carbon copies of the US trends. One thing though… No women were pushing this
hustle… Hmmm.
NIGHTMARE ON COMMISSIONER STREET @Lillians Cafe next to D.O.P.E. Store, Commissioner Street, Johannesburg CBD. Thursday 25 October 7pm-9pm
Since moving to Joburg I have had my own first solo art exhibition and have worked on many projects but I'm yet to bring my style of group show to the city which is what "Nightmare on Commissioner Street" is all about getting together friends from my crew and outside under a common theme based around horror hence the title of the show being a play on the Freddy Kruger movies of a similar name. We are putting together a small show as practice run for something bigger. It will be held at Lillians Cafe'/Gallery situated in the heart of the city next to D.O.P.E. Store on Commissioner Street. We will have infamous graffiti artists from Joburg and Durban like Veza-EDK/NK, 2kiler-OTC, Myza420-EDK-FUK, Optone-OTC/FUK as well as a few upcoming artists and well-known Photographer Justin Mcgee.
It is a hard thing trying to hypothesise the outcomes of
your thoughts when your expectations for something are contradicted by the
realities of the end product. Raised expectations can often be a deterrent to
the actual value, splendor and “specialness” of the offering.
So this was my little experience as I my made my way to the
“cool” of what I thought would be the highlight of street culture ala-all-things-ubber-
all the rage, if you may. So it was my Western Etiquette that had the back of
my neck damp as I contested with time. You see… I had been scheduled to be at
the Str. Crd. HGH.STR media event on behalf of Kaffein Online Magazine on the
27 September 2012. There was certainly nothing sharp about my timing and might
I add that being late makes me uncomfortable each and every time. So I rushed
with all I had finding myself in Maboneng Precinct at an hour late. I grabbed
my handbag hoping that African time had shown up for me once again and that I
would not have to deal with the gore of being late. Be careful what you wish
for cause ya’...Well yeah, as you've probably guessed, African time had
insisted on making it presence felt. As I approached the venue, I was shocked
to find that the setting up had only JUST begun. Really? Yes, really! Annoyed
more than I was relieved, I couldn't help feeling disappointed. Not only had
there been the entire day to set-up but with all the hype and media surrounding
the four day event, this was how they opened their night, for the media.
Deep breathe. Relax. I decided to kill time with a friend I
bumped into earlier on that evening waiting for the exact same ending as was I.
Chat, laughter, catch-up, drink and more laughter. Until finally, just after
nine we get word that the festivities had begun. I make my way to the media
lounge and get the mighty passes that will gain us entry. Now what I really
liked about these passes was that they were metal pins moulded to look like the
Str. Crd logo, Dope! five points for that. We then make our way to the
"high street joint" where just a short line later... We're in!
At first glance you peek into an underground setup that
imbues hip-hop shanty basements with Aloe Blacc or A Tribe Called Quest bumping
in the background. The kind of setting that evokes an underground belonging we
all wanted as teens. And then as the fog screens drop, the night’s content is
revealed. Hum? Is this it? Straight away I survey the options before me and
almost immediately I realise there are very few, if any. Awkward. I head inside wondering along the edges of the
unknown still fuelled by the hopes of catching a whiff of the fumes of that
"street cred" everyone's been talking about. I head off to the only
bar in the place and of course it’s full. One would assume that the STR CRD
types would drink rather generous amounts of alcohol right? One bar? Ok, change
focus. There's always a flipside to everything. I tune in harder to the divine
sounds of the DJ’s mix... Hmmm nothing on that end either, in fact I’m battling
to hear anything. Music is the ultimate savior, and if that blotches it quite
tough to make right.
So at this stage I'm sure you've gathered how hard it is for
me to write this. The event was hard to interpret. Whilst I'll admit I was
pretty disappointed at the level of "cool" that was served up; there
is something special about where we stand as an emerging youth in the most
developed nation on the continent. From the street fashion; to the sub-group
movements that exist, it is so clear to me that we're the "New York"
of Africa and you just cannot ignore that something unusually unique is going
on. Right here, at our doorstep.
So I guess what I'm saying is this. High Street was just
terrible in terms of execution. I was not amused by the design presentation
that evoked a weak mixed media high-school exam, come fashion design project
thinly defined. The bar was uninspiring, the sound and music was unconcerned
with us being there and whilst the intention with the "presentation"
was buoyant, I didn't feel as though that was art at its best. But perhaps on
the other side I've misunderstood "street" to such a degree that anything
more than what we were served that evening would have been something else,
“unstreet”? I feel myself trying to convince myself.
Either way, there is a sect in SA that's is so evolved in
pushing the envelope and at the leading edge of unapologetic
"streetness"; "cool"; "up-to-the-minute-rage" and
all the other words that go along with it that we just can't ignore. I was
bored stiff but as I observed the individuals that flurried around me, I could’nt
help but smirk at the time in which I live, right now in 2012. 18 years after
apartheid - yeah I went there – the infantiles of South Africa are finding
their own voice. A voice that is stark, unique and bold. The worlds eyes are on
us and such platforms bring the kids out to play. Like kids... The essence of
the environment played in is not of great concern as is the play. So with that…
“Play children play for tomorrow you will be old.”
Written By: Vuyi Qubeka video sourced from: http://iamorganichuman.blogspot.com
