Somi

Xolani Tembu Culture 2021-06-04 08:24:31

Born in Illinois to immigrants from Rwanda and Uganda, African and Jazz legacies are always crucial to Somi’s sound. A two-time recipient of The Doris Duke Foundation’s French-American Jazz Exchange Composers’ Grant, she is often referred to as a modern-day Miriam Makeba, with very good reason.

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Review - Mother of All Eating

Xolani Tembu Culture 2021-03-25 04:48:42

Now a revised verb in many South African thesauruses, “eating” no longer refers exclusively to the act of consuming food. It now also refers to the act of plundering any and all state resources with a particular partiality to dibs, legal tender or what some may call “zak”.

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Whisky Live Festival Jaunt

Xolani Tembu Culture 2021-02-04 07:49:44

I could not leave of course before I thanked my ancestors through the much beguiled J&B Jet. It is the reason I’m on this Whisky sojourn after all. As we bumbled our way out at the end of the evening, I heard someone say same time, same place next year, and I realised It was a grand event for grand laaities who lost their sophistication somewhere between the Glen Grant single malt and Michael Kors’ rather pricey fragrances.

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Die Volle Fokken Spy

Xolani Tembu Culture 2021-02-04 07:49:44

Tasked with recounting the life and times of Jairus ‘Jakarumba’ Nkwe, a successful yet notoriously colourful problem child of Kwaito, the production in fact went beyond its call of duty as it drew crowds from all sectors of society, folk who thirsted for times yonder when street bashes and 6 to 6 parties were the order.

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Losing Lerato - A Review

Xolani Tembu Culture 2021-02-04 07:49:44

Very few men today who have fathered children in relationships that ultimately did not work, never had to fight for access to their offspring. The child is often used as a pawn in their parents’ bitter battle and mostly as a conduit of pain for the losing party.

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REVIEW: Ekasi Lam – An Ode to Kwaito, Un-Owed to Kwaito

Xolani Tembu Culture 2021-02-04 07:49:44

In 1994, the air in South African townships was different. Even through dense grey smoke from Gogo’s Magic or Welcome Dover iron coal stove, it still felt and smelt renewed. Hope was abound in every corner; whether littered by ‘VIVA ANC’ graffiti or not.

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Ntsika - I Write What I Dream

Xolani Tembu Culture 2021-02-04 07:49:44

Late last week, as if anticipating this week’s very much coffee, muffins and sex weather, Ntsika Ngxanga member of award winning a cappella trio The Soil, released his impeccably grounded solo album.

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Love At Hard Rock

Xolani Tembu Black Love 2021-02-04 07:49:44

An astute and perceptive musician who has shared stages with a host of South Africa’s greats, Zuma captured the intimate crowd of lovers and singles gathered at the Café with his stylish delivery of a number of his own compositions, creamed by covers of local and international classics with a sprinkle of Motown’s de luxe.

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