Thursday, March 6, 2014
Friday, September 20, 2013
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Respect due
Upon hearing that I might play alongside Grandmaster Flash I couldn’t contain my excitement like a little kid who received news that he might meet a real super hero in the living flesh. An innovator who gave us the backspin technique, punch phrasing and certain scratching techniques, my thoughts immediately took me back to our own innovators and pioneers. In the current climate of the hip hop “swag” DJ and those on the forefront of “hip pop” DJ’ing it’s alarming that we haven’t documented our history properly go give credit where it’s due. I love what S.A house DJ’s have been doing since day one in their operations and love television programs like Fresh’s Club Culture and Ready D’s now defunct, Deck Tales. I feel though that we need some definitive documentary like Doug Prey’s Scratch, especially for the documentation of the South African hip hop DJ. We come out of a past where hip hop music wasn’t played in mainstream clubs in the 80’s to early 90’s where it got like 30min play. Through places like the Base and initiatives like the African Hip Hop Movement hip hop spread gradually to other corners of South Africa. I will leave the history lesson for another time but the contribution of Cape Town hip hop and more especially the DJ aspect of it get’s played down a lot.
Now as I flash foward my train of thought – respects to the all sound technicians across Mzansi. From the Base DJ’s (Cpt) –to Chop Su (Jhb), from Beat Bangaz to Idol Hands, from DJ Cause (Dbn) to P-Kuttah (Dbn), from Scratching Trio to Spindle Crew, from female DJs like DJ Angirl to C4, I salute you. Respects to the crate diggers, progressive radio mixslot DJ’s, exhibition DJ’s and bedroom DJ’s who I’ve encountered throughout my career and who has contributed to my outlook and style. In the current climate of exclusives, mashups, and air horns a mayor shout goes out to those DJ’s who brings the skills to the table. Respects to emcees across the African landscape who utilise the skill of a DJ within their live shows . Respects to all past and present battle DJ’s who represented South Africa in international and national DJ competitions.
I hope to use my website as platform to share some insights and interviews of past and present pioneers in a bid to pay homage and also document South Africa’s hip hop DJ history. It is good to see that the scene is in a healthy state amidst politics and minute challenges. Let’s go foward knowing where we come from. Respects all.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Still...
Monday, April 16, 2012
So Good
‘So Good’ is the latest monthly event on the Cape Town calendar being hosted by Platform 7 Productions at Casablanca. Come and enjoy this launch party with us at one of the city’s premier night clubs and be tantalised visually and audibly by the stellar line up planned for the evening. The event’s resident DJ’s, Ashton Abels and DJ Azuhl will serve different musical platters on a monthly basis being supported by a guest headline DJ or artist. The Beat Bangaz (Ready D, E-20 & DJ Azuhl) will be the headline DJ’s for So Good this month. DJ Ready D, DJ Azuhl and DJ – E20 collectively have more than 20 years experience as DJ’s. With a track record consolidated in international tours, SA and African Tours, Radio, Television, Clubs, Music production, Mixtapes, Live Bands, Seminars, Expo’s and workshops. South Africa’s premiere DJ and turntablist group, Beat Bangaz was formed in 1999 after DJ Ready D returned from the 1999 DMC competition in the USA. The group has made numerous club performances across South Africa and music festivals like Oppiekoppie, Flux Festival, KKNK, Woodstock, Rand Easter Show and numerous international music festivals like Pukkelpop and more. The legendary Beat Bangaz are also mix slot DJs on Good Hope Fm on Ready D’s daily show 7pm -10 pm, Mon – Thursdays, and will be mixing it up with hip hop, house as well as old school, dancehall, funk and everything in between. DJ Ashton Abels is a music scholar, forever developing his craft and refining it to unmatched levels. Evidence of this is the level of flexibility and quality he shows across music genres on his radio shows. He will provide his trademark house set at So Good as well as his mash up specialities. Keeping abreast of international dance music trends and closely following industry leaders like, Tiesto, Armin van Buuren, David Guetta, Franky Knukkles, little Louie Vega, Dennis Ferrer and David Morales keeps Dj Ashton Abels ahead of the game in South Africa. The Reel to Real crew will also be present to starting the evening of with their music video mixing. The duo consisting out of DJ Azuhl & B-Side will set the tone for the evening with 80’s pop, funk, hip hop & R&B music videos. Cafe Town’s Drift Squad will provide some eye candy with exotic drift machines at So Good. Drift Squad with 45 official professional drivers already has a cult following in South Africa with Ready D as one of its members. So Good will feature top guest DJs every month and also serves as the party for niche launches of products and artists. This event is not to be missed and remember it’s a public holiday the next day. Doors open 9pm – R50 |
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