The promotional team of EDMHIPHOP2020.COM is proud to make you discover ‘Future Sound of Mzansi‘ by Spoek Mathambo and Lebogang Rasethaba’s powerful new documentary about South African electronic music. Part one introduces the new sounds coming out of the townships and urban areas of cities like Durban, Cape Town, and Johannesburg. It becomes abundantly clear that regionalism is extremely important in the development of genres like broken beats, qgom, Shangaan electro, and kwaito. Or, as a producer puts it, it’s about the need to “own our shit, own who we are, then bring that out to the world.” Part two of Spoek Mathambo and Lebogang Rasethaba’s ‘Future Sound of Mzansi’ explores questions of race and authenticity in South African electronic music. Featuring a colorful cast of producers, singers, and dancers, this episode looks at the long shadow that apartheid has cast on South African music and social politics. Finally, Part three of Spoek Mathambo and Lebogang Rasethaba’s documentary about South African electronic music dives into the fiery music and parties coming out of the country’s townships. We also find out what happened to DJ Mujava, the producer behind “Township Funk,” arguably the biggest hit to ever come out of South Africa. A larger question stands: how will all of this international acclaim provoke real change at home?
On another hand, we also get to meet the film’s colorful cast of characters, which includes Black Coffee, Okmalumkoolkat, Culoe De Song, the owners of Cape Town record label African Dope, and broken beats originators NakedBoys, among many others. The producers discuss the ways the Internet has both helped and hurt their scenes, while dancers show off the sneaker-shredding moves that bring the music to life.
One of this segment’s most powerful moments comes from Nozinja, who delivers a passionate speech about using Shangaan electro—the genre he pretty much created—to represent the marginalized Shangaan people. “For me to be known and seen all over, representing that same marginalized and abused nation, I feel proud,” he says, eyes twinkling. That same pride resonates with everyone else in the film.
Starting on May 20, Future Sound of Mzansi is premiering over three episodes on THUMP—check back for parts two and three.
Spoek Mathambo’s “Future Sound of Mzansi” Credits:
Directed by: Nthato Mokgata and Lebo Rasethaba
Produced by: Black Major
Featuring: Black Coffee, DJ Spoko, Mujava, Culoe De Song, Christian Tiger School, Felix Laband, Aero Manyelo, Okmalumkoolkat, Saki Ibrahim and others.
Website: http://www.futuresoundofmzansi.com
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