1960's Turn Ups VS. SA Nightlife Today!

Between10and5 recently ran a piece on the raucous turn ups of 1960's Cape Town versus the turn ups of today. The results may surprise you - in some ways things have changed, and in many, they've stayed the same. 

Captured by photographer Billy Monk, who worked as a bouncer for the Catacombs Club, where he would regularly take candid shots of partygoers, with a 35mm Pentax camera. 

Come 2015 and we're graciously greeted with a new Instagram snap every day - the kids are always keen to show off their latest bathroom selfie or dance floor duck face.  Between10and5 put together an entertaining album of side-by-side comparisons, which certainly gave me a laugh.

Hump Day: Kendall Jenner Covers GQ

In my personal opinion, Kendall Jenner really is the most delightful member of the Kardashian clan (Scott Disick doesn't count). And, she's given us more reason to love her, with a racy, yet refined spread for GQ magazine. 

The gorgeous 19-year-old model is the cover star of the magazine's special "Love, Sex, and Madness" issue. 

It goes without mention that #hercalvins are a spicy feature throughout the entire spread - how many women can realistically work a set of menswear-inspired undies this well? 

Exactly. 

Has the Internet F**ked Us Up?

I'm infamous for being an internet enthusiast. I spend much of time eating up propaganda, music, series, pop culture anecdotes and general enlightenment online.

But, you see, the internet is more than a mere techno tool for me - its my way of learning, growing and understanding the world, when travel is not always a means.

The internet understands us and gives us what we want - if we treat it right. Dislocate the respect and you're left with a broken ego, which is drowning in the burden of maintaining an online persona. Our elders insist that we're tech addicts, who can't spend a second apart from nearest & dearest gadgets - queue the smartphone, tablet, WhatsApp, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. 

On a typical day, you'll find me sitting at my laptop, meandering through some delicious URL, with my earphones plugged in and my cellphone at my side. Disgusting, right? I feel no shame in being locked into a seductive liaison with the internet - the guy's rather giving, and never disappoints when it comes to satisfaction. 

The problem only arises when you forget to live outside your PC. When you begin living through a rather photoshopped online persona, devoid of truth or authenticity. Keep your WiFi on kids, but don't forget about creating real, tangible experiences - that's life. The internet only helps us prepare for it.

The attitude and habits of today's kids have been brilliantly depicted by designer Ajit Johnson in a series of minimalist posters, which certainly gave me a laugh.

Get Ready For The Durban Youth Hip Hop Festival!

If you're in the mood for fresh beats, an all-star line up and international hip hop mogul Rick Ross, then you better get down to the 2nd annual Durban Youth Hip Hop Festival on 2 May 2015!

The event takes place at Durban's Moses Mabhida Stadium, and is a collaboration between Mzansi's hottest artists, DJ's and musicians, and The Boss himself. Offering a wide scope of SA's finest hip hop talent, this fiery festival includes artists HHP, Khuli Chana, Cassper Nyovest, Cash Time, Dream Team, Reason, Kwesta, Ricky Rick, Duncan, Zakwe and Okmalumkoolkat.

The official slogan “I Do Right," is a clear indication that social responsibility is the driving force behind the event. Music has been proven to be one of the most effective & innovative tools to empower the youth, and remains the focus of the festival. 

Prepare for the best in local talent, who'll certainly have you jamming all day and night!

Date: Saturday 2 May 2015

Venue: People’s Park East, Moses Mabhida Stadium

Time: Doors/Gates Open at 12h00.

Tickets:  Available at Computicket | R380 General and R800 VIP. BUY NOW

Additional Info: Blankets, picnic baskets and folding chairs are allowed.

Refreshments: Cash bar and food will be on sale at the venue

The Durban Youth Hip Hop Festival is brought to you by Richie R Productions, KZN Provincial Government, City of Durban, Gagasi FM, Channel O, Kgolo Daguru, Skyy Vodka and Miller Genuine Draft.

Pharrell & Woolies? Come Get It Kids

Singer Pharrell Williams has just announced that he will be joining forces with fashion retail giant Woolworths! 

The range will hit South African shores this September, and has so far been profiled as a 'secret project'. 

The star made the surprise-announcement on Twitter today: “Proud to collab with retailer Woolworths_SA. Are you with us, South Africa? See you in September! #PharrellWithWoolies"

Woolworths have so far kept their lips sealed, but it'll be interesting to see what they have in store for us, in terms of a campaign roll out. More details to follow!

20-Something Diaries: Sketchy Bongo

Creative rebels. They come, they create a little havoc and slowly become the game-changers in society.

Say hello to Sketchy Bongo - a 20-something Durban-based music producer & DJ, who's changing things up in the local scene with his cutting-edge sounds and trademark ski-mask.

Sketchy has produced tracks for the likes of AKA, Cassper Nyovest, Okmalumkoolkat, Tamara Dey, Aewon Wolf, Kyle Deutschmann, Lakota Silva and Sheen Skaiz amongst others. I recently got the chance to chat to this up-and-coming musician about his take on fashion, creativity & the man behind the mask.


May: Can you sum up Sketchy in a single sentence?

Sketchy: I am an artist.

May: Do you have a style icon?

Sketchy: I love the work of Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy, and Alexander Wang. They've changed the way street wear looks today. I also appreciate the style of Kanye West. 

May: Personal style?

Sketchy: Trill, dopeboy fresh, a ski-mask wearing rockstar.  

May: What's the one thing you can't live without?

Sketchy: Passion. 

May: What do love the most about being a 20-something creative in SA?

Sketchy: Right now, we're in a changing phase in the way art, music and any media created is distributed to the public. The internet has changed the way people make money off their creativity, and how an audience interacts with what the media creates. 

What I love about being a young creative, and what's so exciting, is that right now young creatives are going to decide how future generations express and distribute their art. We're at a turning point right now.

May: What's the one fashion trend you can't stand?

Sketchy: I dislike baggy denim jeans from the 90's and 2000's that some people still wear, and is apparently going to be making a comeback on the runway.

May: What 5 items should all men own?

Sketchy: A pair of exclusive designer sneakers, a well designed sweatshirt, a pair of fresh shades, a chain, and a good timepiece.  

May: What inspires you?

Sketchy: I'm an observer. Everything I experience inspires me. A great movie, an amazing dish, an interesting photograph, a conversation with someone outside a nightclub, all these things and more can inspire the music and work I create.

May: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Sketchy: I want to be in a place where I know without a doubt that people appreciate the work, my team and I have put in to building the music and art scene in Durban and South Africa. I want to be building new businesses and starting new ventures outside of music production.

May: What quote do you live by?

Sketchy: Take the mask off when you speak to me.

www.twitter.com/sketchybongo

www.facebook.com/sketchybongomusic

www.soundcloud.com/sketchybongo

Plugged In:My Playlist Right Now

I see all my playlists as infectious openers to my inner musings, my mind and the only surefire to get me in a mood. Right now, I've been listening to a fair amount of local hip-hop, which has basically turned my office cubicle into its own little vibe. Pair this with a few of my favourite deep house tracks, and you have an inkling of what's been a pretty cool start to 2015. Take a listen kids.

1. Boss Zonke - Riky Rick 

I still can't get enough of Riky Rick & this infectious track, which is built on minimalist percussion and bouncing synthesizers. This self-produced number has created somewhat of a cult following in SA, with a video which perfectly encapsulates how local Hip-Hop is the perfect tool for capturing the energy of South Africa’s kids.

2. Do It Again - ZES

I cam across this one while adventuring my way through SoundCloud, and it quickly became one of my favourite night-time lullabies. This track has been beautifully crafted to take you on a ride through blissful twists and experimental arrangements. ZES has blended beautiful melodies with energetic bass lines, to create a highly unique sound that has me hooked.

3. Pad & Pen - Chad Da Don ft Cassper Nyovest

This track dropped last week and cements all thoughts about the local music industry - SA hip-hop is certainly in its prime right now. The production on this song is pretty damn slick, with smooth beats and both artists spitting their finest lines. 

4. On The Low - Card On Spokes ft. Okmalumkoolkat & Nonku Phiri 

This track has undoubtedly been one of my favourite summer anthem's, with its soulful hook and smooth mampara rhythms. On The Low is a perfect example of collaborative perfection, telling the tale of an underground summer romance in the process.

5. The Blacker The Berry - Kendrick Lamar

The topic of self-love is not a new one and not a revolutionary one either, but Kendrick Lamar has managed to inject his own special brand of high-energy, rapid-fire cuts in a racially charged track. Over steady, punching drums, Kendrick raps emotionally on the topic, illustrating his point with the catchphrase "the blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice".

6.  Georgia On My Mind - Mariami

Georgia On My Mind is an old one, but one that is pretty darn hard to get out of your head once you've heard it. Mariami basically regurgitates her emotions into a soulful mix of contemporary R&B & jazz, which will have this track on your mind all day, every day. 

                                       

7. Holdin On (Kaytranada Remix) - Flume

In my opinion, whatever Kaytranada touches tends to get me into a hypnotic daze. This R&B driven edit had me wanting to hit a 90's inspired dance floor, with its bouncing bassline synth and just enough percussion. Kaytranada. The guy will make you want to do bad things to the beat. Trust me.

                                            

8. Hawema - DJ Sandiso ft Okmalumkoolkat & Stilo Magolide

If you haven't heard this one already, then where have you been? This track is the epitome of old-school South African house, with catchy lines and the perfect element of nostalgic references. Obsessed.

                                          

Etro Spring/Summer 2015 Lookbook

Luxury brand Etro recently unveiled its spring/summer 2015 campaign, with a collection of upbeat designs and modern quirks. Key trends include checked suits and pop-art motifs, which have been paired with retro sneakers, for the ultimate in sports luxe styling. 

Give me all the prints. Give me all the suits. Give me all the sneakers. This campaign has pretty much complied with all my menswear must-haves - obsessed.