Donald performing at SABC Fan Park - World Cup Final

Judging by questions as to whom Donald was after I tweeted about his performance at the SABC Fan Park at the Sandton Convention Centre during the Netherlands vs Spain 2010 World Cup Final, it’s clear people are still in the dark about this talent.

Apparently, he is part of DJ Cleo’s stable Will Of Steel. However, when I checked their website there was nothing about him under their artist roster. Although I can’t say I know a lot about his music, I think he falls in the R&B/Soul genre. Well, the song or two I have heard on radio leads me to that conclusion. When I saw him perform during that night, I was bowled over. The man has a seriously strong voice. You are going to be hearing a lot about this young man in the future.

From now on, I’ll make it a point that I follow Donald’s career. He’s destined for greater things with that kind of talent.

Oh, Brian Temba also did the damn thing at the same event. He belted out songs from his debut album Something Better to the audience’s delight. I was very moved and excited to see people finally giving him love. They were even singing along to his songs.

Please check out a few more pictures I snapped as they performed at the SABC Fan Park.

Fancy being part of a groundbreaking experience in hip hop? If you are already a Tumi fan, this one is not to be missed. For anything. If you are a music fan period, you still don’t want to miss this one. Please read on to see what I’m talking about.

Tumi Live Remixed is an added jewel to poet/MC Tumi’s crown as the country’s foremost live Hip-hop performer. From the inception of his career on Joburg’s bohemian spoken word circuit, through his ongoing stint as front man for the band The Volume to his mounting rep as a solo artist, Tumi’s delivery on stage and on record remains unparalleled. Long before live bands became the standard Joburg artist’s accessory, Tumi had already changed the game in advance, establishing his Modus Operandi as the MC for whom every and any drum beat could be rhymed to . It’s the very reason why his name in Europe is the best known out of this generation of South African musicians. And it’s also why when the 90 million plus viewers watched Shakira perform Hips Don’t Lie at the FIFA World Cup kick-off concert, it was him they saw spitting a new verse Wyclef would be envious of.

In keeping with his reputation as an innovator, Tumi will take from the familiar and create something singular. Live Remixed amasses music from his critically acclaimed solo debut Music from My Good Eye as well as his 2010 SAMA-nominated Whole Worlds (best Hip-hop, best album cover). But there’s a twist. Live band in tow, Tumi will flip these songs his fans have come to know and love into versions never heard before, and most likely never to be played again.

And for added diversity some of the most respected names across the urban scene will jump into the seamless flow of the set, recreating on stage what a mixtape would sound like with an added live dimension: From behind the decks C-Live, Master M and Romz Deluxe will ensure the energy stays at peak level. Look out for Hype Awards’ 2010 Best Newcomer AKA, MC and member of prolific production outfit IV League. There’s also a word in from Yesterday’s Pupil, an entire rock-electro band unto himself on whose debut album Errors of Enthusiasm Tumi also appears. And the Juno award-nominated South African/Canadian, singer/songwriter Zaki Ibrahim with whom Tumi has a long standing working relationship beginning with her contribution to his first album will bring her captivating ethereal vocals to the proceedings. As will the afro-soul powerhouse that is MXO. Also a long time collaborator of Tumi’s, he’s hard to miss on Whole World’s current single Family Plan. The video for it is available exclusively on the Levi’s® Original Music Facebook page (Please see the link http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150239723990585&ref=mf)

Be part of a memorable and original live music experience that promises spontaneity, eloquence and innovation in what is fast becoming Johannesburg’s premier live music venue, the Alex Theatre.

See more details on the above flyer.

Just to get a faint idea of what to expect, check out our review of Tumi’s performance at 5FM’s Live @ 5 in May right HERE.

Tshepo Mosese aka Howza

Just the other day one of Howza’s videos played on the channel I was watching and the person I was with at the time asked where Howza was because he seemed to be out of the spotlight. It’s funny that withing the week I received some news that the show he presents, Big Up, was coming back for its third season run on SABC 1.

Here is what the press release says about the return of the show:

“BIGUP!”- your favourite morality, youth and lifestyle magazine show with a musical twist is back on SABC 1, at 12 midday on the 18th July 2010, for its third season.

In a unique “BIG UP!” way, this new season is geared to take viewers deep into the hearts of young South Africans who have dedicated their time and disposable income to serve their communities and share their spiritual enlightenment with others. We call these young community builders “our local heroes”. They are our heroes because their selfless work ranges from being big ‘brothers’ and big ‘sisters’ to orphaned children; to bathing ailing neighbours and cleaning their homes on a regular basis. What’s more it’s all for no pay and no recognition.

The release goes on to review the previous seasons of Big Up. Then more details are revealed about what to expect:

Season three promises more of these ground breaking music videos, which will not only entertain music lovers but also inspire fans by featuring selfless young South Africans as the stars of the music videos, as a way to say “BIG UP” to them.

There are 26 half-hour episodes coming up in season 3 and, as in the first 2 seasons, the host of the show is none other than popular super star and actor Tshepo ’Howza’ Mosese.

Big Up premiered on SABC 1 on 18th July 2010 at 12 midday. Catch the show every Sunday at the same time.

Many of you may not know about festival, but it’s understandable because it’s only in its second year. It’s called Faith Film Festival and features film titles with faith and religious subjects.

I had a pleasure of watching, a few weeks ago, one of the films that will be showcased at the festival. It’s called Letters To God. It’s based on a true story of a young boy who had an incurable disease and his unwavering faith despite the odds. It’s such an inspirational and emotional story that left all eyes wet at the cinema.

To see this film and more with similar themes, please continue to read for details:

Nu Metro Inspires is proud to announce the second annual Faith Film Festival which will be running at eleven Nu Metro Cinemas around the country from the 23rd to the 29th July 2010.

Faith, by its very definition, implies a trusting reliance upon things that are not known and refer to a confident belief in a transcendent reality. The five films included in this year’s line up once again speak to this very persuasion and focus on the intricacies of relationships – often from a youthful aspect, the fundamental faiths within families, and how one person can be a catalyst for change. The inspirational and uplifting films chosen for the Faith Film Festival 2010 are LETTERS TO GOD, MAMA I WANT TO SING, OH MY GOD, THE MIGHT MACS and THE WAY HOME.

The opening film, LETTERS TO GOD is an intimate, moving and often funny tale inspired by a true story brought to screen by one of the producers of “Fireproof” and “Facing the Giants.” It relates the tale of how one terminally ill boy’s walk of faith crosses paths with one man’s desperate search for meaning – and how the resulting transformational journey touches the lives of everyone around them.

Director Peter Rodger created the documentary, OH MY GOD, by filming his travels through 23 countries over a three-year period and questioning children, religious leaders, celebrities, fanatics and the common man about who and what God means to them personally. Along the way he experiences an incredible array of faith expressions and had no small number of unforgettable adventures. “The film is a result of this journey.” says Rodger. “It is not about religion per se; it is about what God means to people throughout our human family. I needed to explore and discover for myself whether religion and religious people were the cause of all the world’s woes. And, as a person who wrestles with faith, I needed to determine whether God created man or man created God.”

The next film, THE MIGHTY MACS is set in 1972 and tells the inspiring true story of Cathy Rush, a sassy 23-year old former tomboy whose young life has been filled with a series of setbacks. On the brink of giving up and moving on to her child rearing years, she takes one final shot at her dream and becomes the head basketball coach at tiny Immaculata College. With help from the nuns, she finds the courage and faith to lead her team along the improbable journey of winning the first national championship in women’s basketball.

A heart warming story that all ages will enjoy, MAMA, I WANT TO SING reminds us all not to be afraid to dance to our own music. From the off-Broadway play, a preacher’s daughter is on the verge of pop stardom. After the untimely death of her father enforces stronger family bonds, Amara (Ciara) is launched into the limelight, as her love for pop music collides with her loyalty to the church.

Last but certainly not least Nu Metro Inspires presents THE WAY HOME. Based on a true story, this movie is about how a community rallied around a distraught family to search for their missing two year old boy, and by doing so changed the lives of all involved.

The Faith Film Festival 2010 will run in twelve Nu Metro cinema sites around the country from the 23rd to the 29th July 2010. Over this seven day period, five screenings per day have been scheduled to start from 9am with the last show taking place at 8pm. And at just R25 per ticket, consumers will have the opportunity to enjoy the above five inspirational releases and truly experience what faith means with the human family.

For more information and for detail on participating Nu Metro Cinemas, please refer to the Nu Metro Cinemas website at www.numetro.co.za

Nu Metro Inspires… Changing hearts one film at a time.

Cruiz and Diaz as Roy Miller and June Heavens

This was initially dubbed Tom Cruise’s huge comeback after the 2008 Nazi film Valkyrie. Although it has not done very well in America largely due to the issues they have with Cruise’s personal life, I think it will do better in other territories throughout the world.

Knight And Day follows a life of whirlwind adventure for a secret agent and a woman who is unknowingly caught up in the operation. As they manoeuvre their way out of bullets, deadly car chases and backstabbing, they realise that the only people they can rely on are the two of them. Spending so much time together and possessing the chemistry they have, can they also fall for each other?

The film is action-packed resulting in entertaining, fun and thrilling viewing. The humour also gives it an edge that differentiates it from some of the films that fall in the same genre. Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz have an electric chemistry that comes across on the screen. You can also see that they were having fun, which in turn results in the same for the audience. It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost 10 years since they both starred in 2001 physchological sci-fi/thriller Vanilla Sky.

Viola Davis was also her exceptional self. There’s an alluring authority she brings to her character that turns in balance to the mayhem the other characters had created.

Overall, Knight And Day is an enjoyable action/comedy flick that doesn’t assume anything. It opens at Nu Metro cinemas this coming Friday, 23 July 2010. Please check out more details about the production below:

I got to know particularly about Rahsaan Patterson and Lalah Hathaway being on the bill for this year’s Standard Bank Joy Of Jazz Festival a few months ago. Since then more and more artists have been constantly added to the already impressive lineup.

Some of the world’s top artists will be providing a global mélange of sound at The Standard Bank Joy of Jazz joining an already impressive line-up at the country’s top jazz-travaganza!

Running from August 26 to 28 in Newtown, the 2010 line-up features artists from America, Japan and Israel who will share billing with top performers from South Africa and the African Diaspora.

America’s Ravi Coltrane, Kim Waters, Stacey Kent, violinist Michael Ward, percussionist Poncho Sanchez and jazz quartet Fourplay comprising Bob James, Nathan East, Harvey Mason and Chuck Loeb will be joined by Japan’s Sadao Watanabe and Israel’s award-winning clarinettist Anat Cohen.

Performers from the African continent include Mali’s acclaimed Oumou Sangare and a strong South African line-up of Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse, Wanda Baloyi, Kyle Shepherd, Putuma, Nhlanhla Nciza, Wouter Kellerman,Tsepo Tshola and Melanie Scholtz, the Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz for 2010.

Already announced for the festival are critically acclaimed soul singer Rahsaan Patterson, London based guitarist and vocalist Brian Temba and the phenomenal Cape Town jazz singer Auriol Hays who share the bill on the opening night of the festival on the Dinaledi stage. Headlining day two, on the Dinaledi stage, are trumpeter Chris Botti and celebrated jazz singer Lalah Hathaway.

Oumou Sangare, known as “The Songbird of Wassoulou”, is regarded as one of the greatest female African stars of her generation. Ravi Coltrane is a critically acclaimed and Grammy™ nominated saxophonist, bandleader, and composer who founded the prominent independent record label, RKM.

Japanese saxophonist and flutist Sadao Watanabe has been awarded the Order of the Rising Sun for his contribution to the arts. Stacey Kent was voted best jazz vocalist at the 2001 British Jazz Awards and the 2002 BBC Jazz Awards and was also a 2009 Grammy nominee. Her greatest success came with the release of her debut album Breakfast On the Morning Tram.

Prolific saxman and composer Kim Waters, who recently celebrated his 20th anniversary in the business, juggles such diverse projects as The Sax Pack (with fellow saxophonists Jeff Kashiwa and Steve Cole) and his Streetwize and Tha’ Hot Club CDs that are known for their reworkings of the hottest hip hop, R&B and reggae hits. Anat Cohen has established herself as one of the primary voices of her generation on both the tenor saxophone and clarinet. The Jazz Journalists Association named her Clarinetist of the Year by in both 2007 and 2008 – the first time in the history of the awards that an artist has earned top clarinet honours two years running.

Says festival producer, Mantwa Odutayo of T-Musicman: “We have gone to great lengths to secure the finest artists and we believe we have a heavyweight line up befitting 2010’s stature.”

Commented Mandie van der Spuy, head Art & Jazz Sponsorships Standard Bank: “Standard Bank Joy Of Jazz 2010 will be a year to remember. Not only will we have successfully hosted one of the world’s greatest sporting events but we will be showcasing some of world’s best musical talent at the 11th Standard Bank Joy Of Jazz.”

The 2010 Standard Bank Joy Of Jazz will take place at six venues in the city’s Newtown precinct. The Dinaledi Stage and the Mbira Stage will be erected on Mary Fitzgerald Square, creating two purpose-built venues to showcase this year’s line-up. Other venues include The Market Theatre and The Bassline, Sophiatown and Nikki’s Oasis.

For more information on the line-up, venues go to www.standardbankarts.com and www.joyofjazz.co.za

Tickets are on sale at Computicket with a 15% discount for all Standard Bank customers.

The 2010 Standard Bank Joy of Jazz is produced by T-Musicman and presented by Standard Bank.

I’m so looking forward to this year’s performances, i had a blast last year. I hope Rahsaan and Lalah give us a taste of their popular Lah & Rah sessions taking Youtube by storm.

Picture caption: Ravi Coltrane

Big M mingling

Recently, I got invited to the pre-launch of an internet radio station called Rythm100 Internet Radio. Quickly after receiving the invite I had a look at the website and went through it to see what it’s all about. Although I got an idea of what it was, it was only when I had a chat with one of the founding members and presenter Mandla “Big M” Khoza at the event at Zouk in Sandton that I got to fully understand this amazing radio station.

Mandla explained with such passion and precision what their intention and vision are for the station. He beamed broadly relaying their pride and excitement at having about 8000 listeners each and every day throughout the world; an promising accomplishment for this broadcast format due to limited internet access in Mzansi. Mandla also recounted the experiences they have had with the station, some good and some bad.

Rhythm100Radio team

At some point he introduced me to some of his colleagues and DJ’s,including another founding member and presenter Biggz. The close-knit family seemed to be united in a common goal; supporting each other to take internet radio where it has never been before. The party was well attended and the atmosphere hot and energetic on a winter night. Mandla mentioned that they will have more such pre-parties throughout the country to introduce themselves and interact with their listeners, before a huge main launch party later in the year.

If you want to be a part of the growing family, tune in now at Rhythm100Radio. You will enjoy the programming that have that satisfies all spectrums of radio.

Crowd dancing

Don Cheadle as Clarence aka Tango

I had been waiting for Brooklyn’s Finest since I first learned about it from a friend last year. My interest led me to keep asking from the local distribution companies if and when it would be released here in South Africa. To say I was over the moon when I realised that it was included in the lineup of films from Nu Metro, is an understatement.

Yesterday, I got to see Brooklyn’s Finest ahead of its release at selected Nu Metro cinemas this coming Friday. It was well worth every bit of anticipation I had. Firstly, I admire and respect director Antoine Fuqua for his craftsmanship. The directing was impeccable, with every shot showing his genius. Each and every scene was thrilling and engaging. I didn’t even realise that I had been at the theatre for more than two hours by the time it ended.

Wesley Snipes as Caz

Secondly, the cast was exceptional. More than others I was particularly impressed by Don Cheadle as well as Ethan Hawke (who worked with Fuqua on the Oscar-winning Training Day). They played their characters with such passion and depth, luring you to sympathise with them whether they were in the wrong or not. I was also excited to see Fuqua making use of the raw and real talent that was unveiled by the series The Wire; amongth them Michael K Williams.

It was great seeing Wesley Snipes return to the big screen after his much publicised woes with the law. His performance was solid. I was surprised to see Fuqua’s wife Lela Rochon make a cameo. Surprising because I read before that he didn’t want her to act anymore, hence her absence from any recent films.

Richard Gere as Eddie

Another character is, of course, Brooklyn. The styling, colour and feel created a familiar setting that is synonymous with the New York location. There was no mistaking where exactly the action took place.

Antoine Fuqua has another winner in his hands. It’s filled with adrenaline, intriguing story, action and explores subjects that are sure to evoke some emotion or the other. It’s a pity it is only releasing at selected Nu Metro cinemas in South Africa. Brooklyn’s Finest comes out this coming Friday, 16 July 2010. Check Nu Metro’s website for the cinemas where this brilliant film is showing.

Eminem - Recovery

They are back this year. Drake has just released Thank Me Later while Eminem’s Recovery is also out. Our friends at Universal Music were so kind to offer us 5 copies of each of these rappers’ new albums to give away. Please follow the instructions below for more details.

Drake - Thank Me Later

All you need to do to walk away with the above is answer the following questions:

Send your answers to khetha@yeahbo.net, together with the following details:

Name and surname;
Contact number;
E-mail address;
Your age;
The city where you live; and
Tell us how you learnt about YEAHBO.DOT.NET.

The first 5 correct entries walk away with this amazing hamper to add to your music collection. Good luck!

Beginning on Monday, the programme comprised the world’s biggest movers and shakers in the dance music fraternity. Unfortunately, I couldn’t attend until the final day, resulting in my missing of a supposedly breathtaking and innovative session where Black Coffee and Culoe De Song created and finished a song from scratch in just 30 minutes. I also missed out on the entertaining and eye-opening presentation by ANCYL president Julius Malema. However, I did catch some of the talks from Chris Palmer, Victor Mampane, DJ Zinhle and Nomndeni (from the Fuze Academy), as well as a jubilant demo listening session.

Chris Palmer and Christos

Chris Palmer, a world-renowned sound engineer, shared his valuable knowledge working with sound over the years. He emphasised the importance of following the rules when creating sounds. Having learned the tricks over years, he also re-iterated how music and sound go together and there cannot be one without the other.

Victor Mampane and Christos

Following Chris was SAMRO representative Victor Mampane who spoke about three types of music rights creatives need to be aware of. These are namely performance rights (for live events licenses), mechanical rights (for reproduction of work) and middle rights (for people who don’t write music, but perform the music). During the Q&A session an audience member asked what the funeral policy is if a man is married to more than two wives, which everybody found hilarious.

DJ Zinhle and Nomndeni

The Feminine Touch ladies joined the stage to talk about the power of social media. DJ Zinhle and Nomndeni alternated highlighting how important this medium is for artists to promote their work, interact with their audience and strengthen their brand presence. The presentation was very inspirational, well put together, insightful and entertaining. To tie everything up, DJ Zinhle played her new, highly experimental video for the song Pepe, starring comedians David Kau (also acting as director f the video) and Chris Mapane.

During demo listening session

Then DJ Fresh, Christos, Oskido, Halo, Rulf Gum and MP3 Sound representative conducted a demo listening session. They constructively critiqued songs they had collected from wanna-be producers and DJ’s. Majority of the remarks were surprisingly very positive, which just places testament to the solid and fantastic talent Mzansi has.

I’m definitely going to make sure that I’m there at next years conference, from the very beginning. For just the one day I attended, I gained a lot of insight and knowledge on what goes on behind the scenes in the music industry. I applaud Greg Maloka, Oskido and the rest of the team for putting together this awesome event every year. It’s a wonderful way to share and maintain conversations that should be held amongst all the stakeholders in the music business.