 | Driven by their street-corner beginnings and dreams to one day make it ‘big’, The Square Roots started off in earnest in 1993 as a five-piece formation. In the years which have elapsed since then, they have managed to inhabit a corner in hip hop that is distinctly theirs, while toying with music that is heavily-layered and rife with social commentary. Do you want more, their debut on the then rock-only label Geffen records, went by largely ignored, but they introduced ...read more |
One on One | The Roots
Friday, February 3rd, 2012 by Ts'eliso Monaheng
Oh Snap!
Thursday, February 2nd, 2012 by Themba Kriger
 | Christian Tiger School were already playing when we arrived. He had wanted to get there earlier, but had lost track of time, watching YouTube videos and hitting bongs. On the way to the bar he takes off my lens cap and switches me on, making sure everything is still set to ‘Auto’. He turns on the flash, and takes a few crowd shots. Little hipsters in training, none older than 22. The flashing catches the attention of two chicks in ...read more |
Where The Jazz Cats Graze
Wednesday, February 1st, 2012 by Max Barashenkov, images by Jonx Pillemer
 | He could watch Kesivan Naidoo play the drums for hours. He would get stoned and surrender to the careless but precise flicks, the blistering snare rolls, the myriad of movements that somehow conjured a unified sound. He did not understand this music, his closest references being Weather Report and Miles Davis. ...read more |
Bass in the Background
Tuesday, January 31st, 2012 by Themba Kriger| It was late afternoon, but the sun still hovered high in the sky, avoiding the horizon like a child wanting to stay up for the late night movie. Francois was leaning against the bar, drinking his double brandy and coke in large gulps in an effort to keep cool. He brushed his fingers through his straight, black hair, combing it to the left, partially covering the undercut on that side, while examining the people strewn out across the rooftop. ...read more |
The Wrong Idea
Tuesday, January 31st, 2012 by Andrei Van Wyk, images by Paris Brummer
 | Between 2006 and 2008 Fokofpolisiekar was probably the most influential rock band in South Africa. People of every race have listened to, and enjoyed their music. Their lines were powerful, filled with depth, challenging conventions within traditional Afrikaans culture, and South African culture at large. They took a critical look at concepts such as Tradition, Angst, Despair and the Christian Faith. But more importantly, their lyrics supported the idea that Afrikaaners, and whites in general, are “African”. ...read more |
Root for the Villain
Monday, January 30th, 2012 by Rob Cockcroft
 | A couple of years ago Queen’s rapper/producer J-Zone’s 2002 release “Pimps don’t pay taxes” became the soundtrack to my life. Complete with stories of failed attempts at macking, cock blockers and dissing judgemental headwrap chicks, who were all too prevalent at hip hop parties on Long Street. The album spoke to my younger self more than any of the so-called conscious raps that were still popular at the time. ...read more |
Album Round-Up
Friday, January 27th, 2012 by Mahala
 | Here at Mahala albums tend to pile up and clog the trestle tables. Mostly, they’re not exactly worth a full review but definitely a mention. Occasionally we compile a selection of music you should know about, either as a recommendation or a warning. ...read more |
Be Original, Don’t Be Dismal
Wednesday, January 25th, 2012 by Lindokuhle Nkosi
 | Toya Delazy is a busy, young woman. I’ve been given twenty minutes to talk to her, over the phone, while a minder from Sony Music listens in on the line. She sounds excited, if not a little overwhelmed. For people who haven’t been in and around the Durban music scene, Toya Delazy’s jump to South Africa’s musical mainframe may seem a little sudden. From relative nothingness, this young jazz student now has a music video “Pump It On” on high ...read more |
Duel with Peach
Tuesday, January 24th, 2012 by Roger Young
 | Peach Van Pletzen has produced Van Coke Kartel, Kid Of Doom, is one third of Bittereinder and, as Yesterday’s Pupil has the dubious honour of once being banned from MK for using the word cocaine in a song. He has chosen to release his new album in fragments and for free. The second part of the album, DUEL!, releases today, here, we had a brief chat to him about Queen, vinyl cutters and 5FM listeners who suffer from diarrhoea. ...read more |
Jack Parow and The Nature of Inbreeding
Friday, January 20th, 2012 by Max Barashenkov
 | The Patriarch pulled his cock out of his son, slapped the hairy ass and said, “that’s it, Jack, you’re ready for real stardom now.” The younger man hitched up his shorts, wiped the snot from his moustache and vacated the place for the next sibling to receive the blessing. Fame Under The Mountain is hard earned, the family demanding and merciless to those that stray beyond the caravan park, but, as the Patriarch likes to say, inbreeding sells. Success is ...read more |
