Relaunching kwaito in Jozi
JOBURG – Initially launched in 2011, the platform has been relaunched and celebrates all things kwaito.
Emerging from the townships in the 90s, just as Nelson Mandela was elected president, kwaito became the soundtrack to South Africa’s new-found freedom.
Artists such as Arthur Mafokate, Mdu Masilela, Trompies, Chiskop, Mashampalani and others, had the country dancing to rhythms, laden with hopes of a better tomorrow, yet not shying away from the pain of the past.
This is the golden age that the digital platform Kwaito Kulcha (kwaitokulcha.co.za) pays homage to. Initially launched in 2011, the platform has been relaunched and celebrates all things kwaito.
“Kwaito Kulcha is about more than the music, it’s a way of life,” said founder, Tebogo ‘BBZ’ Thamaga.
BBZ started Kwaito Kulcha after he realised that unlike other music genres, the South African-bred art form didn’t have a platform solely dedicated to its showcase.
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“For both artists and fans, kwaito culture is about the clothes they wear – All Stars, Dickies pants and the bucket hats, and the cars they drive – the Gusheshe [box-shaped BMW 325i], the places they hang out – the chisanyama, and the township events they attend. And last but not least, the dances they invent to match the music.”
According to BBZ, the typical Kwaito Kulcha reader is someone who, like him, grew up in the township listening to kwaito in the 90s. However, Kwaito Kulcha’s user analytics revealed that the platform’s biggest following emanates from Sandton, followed closely by the US.
Abasazi by Chiskop is his all-time favourite song and owing to the parallels in their life stories, Zola is his favourite kwaito artist.
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“Our backgrounds are similar; both of us grew up without fathers and didn’t have much – just our dreams,” added BBZ. “I can relate to his music because he tells stories and puts a lot of meaning into his lyrics. Plus he’s a hustler. Not only does he do music but he is also an actor, presenter and poet. There are many sides to him – just like Kwaito Kulcha.”
The 90s bore witness to the advent of kwaito but BBZ maintains there was a second wave which brought us artists such as Brown Dash, Mapaputsi and Zola to name a few. However, BBZ concedes that kwaito has largely been overtaken by other music genres.
It is for this reason that he intends to use Kwaito Kulcha to provide exposure for up and coming talent.
“Kwaito is alive; it just needs exposure. That is why my wish is for Kwaito Kulcha to grow into a well-recognised platform that exposes and launches careers in music, television and radio across the continent and even the world,” said BBZ, proudly.
