Durban: Dazed & Confused.

I recently made the decision to move back to my hometown of Durban, and have since been attacked with numerous anti-KZN rants. It seems as if the general consensus is that the East Coast is where dreams go to live and die - and, I'm its next victim.

Yes, I've got a steady 9-5. I live in a vibrant city, filled with creative souls, a thriving night life and a generous mountain to boot. I'm also able to walk around town on a Sunday morning, music plugged in and not a care in sight. Why would I want to leave this beaut of a city? Give a girl 8 years away from home, she grows, she learns and she eventually gets homesick. Cape Town will always be my special place, but Durban has precious souls, plates overflowing with love and heaps of nostalgia. 

Durban is the country’s third largest metropolis. It has amazing weather, cultural diversity and beautiful beaches. Yet, the city is always discounted for been the Black Sheep of SA, and never gets the respect it deserves. Sure, its a psychological mind fuck, doesn't have a mountain and is approximate 2 years behind CT/JHB, but its pretty damn seductive once you see through the cracks. Durban's that ugly Duckling who starts flourishing as she gets older, and I want to be a part of that process. Create. Add value. Leave some sort of legacy. 

Sure, Durban gets a lot of flack for leaving much to be desired when it comes to its creative scene. Its night life lacks imagination, its architecture is rather questionable and its people don't always support their own. Durban doesn't love itself. Basically. Its a city that has so much to offer - think talented artists, burgeoning musicians and some of the best cuisine I've ever tasted - but, its kids often don't take the time to appreciate its authenticity. 

This isn't Cape Town or Johannesburg, and the streets aren't glorified into some pseudo Yellow Brick Road. But, before you start complaining about how much you hate this city, about its backward culture or the lack of progression, start paying a little attention to its growing underground community of local artists, designers and creatives.  

What most people fail to see is that there's an emerging creative energy in Durban; a talented group of visionaries, who are committed to carving out a niche for themselves in the 031. Durban produces some of the best talent in the country, yet these artists often leave to forge their paths elsewhere. I'm tired of complaining about a city, about its backward culture and its boxed up mindsets - I'd rather join the struggle and help change this. The creative creatures of Durbs are hungry and know how to play a good game - they just need a little more support from their own humans. 


“Durban is dazed and confused. It has no idea what it is. It is a truly African city in the sense that it is a fruit salad; a point of multiple connections, which means you don't have a preconception of what the city is, you can make it what you want it to be. If you look beyond the obvious, and you actually look for stuff you’ll find a culture on our streets that is the lifeblood for designers, everything you’ll ever possibly need to know is on our streets, in townships and graveyards."

Vogue Recreates Studio 54

If I could have lived through any era, it would probably be a toss up between the glory days of 1980's rock, or the thrill of a night at New York's infamous club Studio 54. 

The wild success of the 70s club is probably owed to owner Steve Rubell's first rule of partying: "The key to a good party is filling a room with guests more interesting than you". By 1978, Studio 54 had made $7million and Rubell was quoted as saying "only the Mafia made more money".

Supermodels Edie Campbell, Karlie Kloss, Anna Ewers, Cameron Russell, Liya Kebede, Mica Arganaraz and Rianne ten Haken  beautifully recreate the hedonistic days of Studio 54 in the May issue of Vogue Paris. The party girls were shot by photographers Inez & Vinoodh, wearing SS15 haute couture styled by Emmanuelle Alt.

20-Something Diaries: Kyle Deutsch

It's rare that you come across a musician who charms you on stage, and in person - but, that's what you get when you meet Durban-based artist Kyle Deutsch. This rising star is not only a talented vocalist, but a model, chiropractor and soccer player! 

He's also extremely humble about his success, which completely took me by surprise - we're often presented with far too many young artists who make a mockery of their talents. Not this time. 

Kyle wowed SA on Idols last year, which saw him being propelled into the limelight, as a Top 5 competitor. I recently got the chance to chat to this up-and-coming musician about all things music, fashion and success.

May: How would you sum up 'Kyle' in a sentence?

Kyle: A free, fun loving and humble boy, who has been blessed by His Father.

May: Did you always know that you wanted to be a performer?
Kyle: Nope, I always wanted to be a professional soccer player! And, I did that - but the singing has taken over my life.   

May: How has Idols changed your life?
Kyle: Idols hasn't changed my life per say. It's just given me the popularity and the audience to accept "Kyle Deutsch" as an artist. 

May: When you're not on stage, where can we find you?
Kyle: At my Chiropractic practice during the day, or in the studio making music in the evenings.

May: Single or attached? 
Kyle: Single

May: What's the one thing you can't live without? 
Kyle: Cheese and tomato - I'm a simple guy!

May: What do love the most about being a 20-something creative in SA? 
Kyle: We have the freedom of this beautiful country! We have the space in which to do what we love, in an unsaturated market - not many people understand the beauty of this.

May: What's the ONE fashion trend you can't stand?
Kyle: Definitely top-knots!

May: Who's your musical idol?
Kyle: Adam Lavine

May: What or who inspires you? 
Kyle: Life, love and my dreams.    

May: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?  
Kyle: Writing material for the best in the business, and being recognised for my music on an international scale. 

May: What quote do you live by?
Kyle: Sleep when you dead.  

Plugged IN: My Playlist Right Now #2

Anyone who knows me well enough, will tell you that I'm a renowned local music scene groupie. In my opinion, SA music is in its prime right now - our musos are upping their game and cooking up some serious heat! 

Middle Fingers Up (MFU) - Flosstradamus ft Sheen Skaiz 

Durban-based rapper Sheen Skaiz is no stranger to these streets, and has given us a hot 90's-themed video, filled with colourful graphics and catchy pop culture references. This one is a surefire to start off the weekend, complete with an infectious hook and a subliminal "F**k You" to the world.

Ain't Leaving Alone - Isle Of Skye Feat. 2LeeStark

If you're into laid-back deep house beats, that are reminiscent of an old-school 90's track then this one's for you. This track has been beautifully crafted to take you on a ride through smooth vocals, backed by a sweet sounding saxophone and urban beats. This one's a definite dance floor anthem!

Last Laugh - Jack Parrow

Jack Parrow continues to mix things up with an Eastern remix of his 2012 track Last Laugh. If you're not familiar with the song, its basically a story of Parow's life as an outcast looking more like "Horatio Caine than brad fucking Pitt", to where he is now: the popular rapper and soon to be author and designer with his own "Parowphernalia". F**k all the cool kids! This one will definitely get stuck in your head - don't even try to fight it.

Slyza Tsotsi - Major League 

Slyza Tsotsi has already got Mzansi moving with this infectious dance floor anthem, which has undoubtedly brought back the Pantsula dance craze. Featuring current local hip-hop kings Cassper Nyovest, Carpo, Riky Rick and Okmalumkoolkat, this one's a true testament to the addictive quality of new-age kwaito. Get that fancy footwork going kids!

Steal His Style: Eliezer Infante

Its no secret that I'm completely infatuated with menswear. I often find myself fiercely attracted to a well-fitted suit, before I've even had a look at the womenswear on offer. As designer Alexander McQueen once said, "menswear is about subtlety. It's about good style and good taste". 

I recently came across Eliezer Infante on Instagram - an emerging menswear fashion guru, model and photographer - and was completely bowled over by his dapper style, and supreme facial follicles. 

Think European flair meets urban chic. Eli believes that style comes from the soul, and finds his personal style cues from his "old soul of the '50s". In my opinion, this young talent is certainly one of fashion's finest - take a few tips gents! 

New Release: Sketchy Bongo – DIP ft. Aewon Wolf X Kyle Deutsch

There's no need to stow away those turn up vibes this winter. Durban-based producer Sketchy Bongo is ready to bring on the heat, with his new track DIP! Featuring top Durban artist Aewon Wolf, and SA Idols finalist Kyle Deutsch on vocals, this one is sure to get those feet tapping and that derrière shaking. 

DIP is a slick throwback to the nostalgia of the 90's - a little old school hip-hop, infused with the infectious beats of kwaito and house. Recorded during a spontaneous party at Sketchy's studio, DIP began as an impromptu meeting of friends, and later progressed into a finely-tuned piece of local heat. 

I had the pleasure of hearing these guys record the track, and can vouch for its appeal - DIP is definitely bound to be another hit from this talented Durban based collective.

*You can catch Aewon Wolf live at the 2nd annual Durban Youth Hip Hop Festival,  at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday 2 May. The all star line up features South Africa's hottest Hip Hop Artists and DJ’s, and world renowned US Rick Ross. Get your tickets here.

STREAMING LINK: https://soundcloud.com/sketchybongo/dip
FREE DOWNLOAD: http://www.datafilehost.com/d/fd06c8c0

Twitter: @sketchybongo @aewonwolf @kyle_deustch

99 Problems But Fibre Ain't One of Them - Cereal Rappers!

Hip-hop & cereal may just be my favourite new mashup. Whoever thought up these rapper cereal boxes is genius - it's a shame that this isn't an actual real thing. Frosted Drakes? Snoop Loops? 99 Problems but fibre ain't one of them? Punny.  Check it out.