Its been a great year for Reggae and Dancehall in Mzansi. The scene is growing and taking form, with artists stepping up their game and many people wanting to take things to the next level. Here is a look at some of the events that took place.
Here are the highlights for 2014, dubbed 20For thina or 20Forward, in no particular order.
2014 Highlights
YFM Live & Reyired: Nathi B
Live Yire is a YFM initiative where it sees independent artists performing live and broadcasted on the national radio station. The Programme brings live music from established and talented upcoming artists from different genres, and Nathi B represented for Reggae. Check out the list of artists that have performed here.
The Dancehall Reggae Mzansi Awards
The second edition of the awards saw a lot of improvement production wise, but lacked to garner the interest of the Reggae massive, which resulted in poor attendance and participation. A notable effort to be celebrated and supported. Check out the review and the list of winners here.
NC Dread makes waves in Jamaica
2014 saw NC dread releasing 3 hot singles one after the other, teaming up with Bashment Sound for Artist Management and Fras Twins producers from Jamaica respectively. His singles got airplay not only in Mzansi but he managed to enter the African [Nigeria, Malawi, Uganda, Kenya] market and even got published in The Jamaica Star newspaper.
Mzansi Reggae Sistas Vol 1
MzansiReggae put out a compilation of the Sistas in Reggae in celebration of Woman’s Month to a luke warm response in South Africa but got some love from Okay Africa, Lyrikal Afro, Afryka.org, Field notes of a Cultural Maroon and Rastafari TV.
Zim Dancehall
You cannot claim that you don’t know ZimDancehall by now. A plethora of the genre’s hit making artists have performed live in South Africa [mainly Cape Town and Jozi], 2014 being the most intense. We have seen the likes of Souljah Love, Winky D, Dzadza D,Tocky Vybz, Seh Calaz, Shinsoman, Ricky Fire, Kinnah, Terminator, Princo Spice, Platinum Prince and more, plus Judgement Yard Zim played in Cape Town, Jozi and Botswana.
Supremacy Sounds
Africa’s favourite sound touch down in South Africa twice. In Cape Town. Destination Africa Tour.
DHQ – Johannesburg and Durban
Durban hosted its first Dancehall Queen competition hosted by Hott Waxx Family. Nunu Thusi, ‘The Champion Bubbla’ took it home; while The African Storm Dancehall Queen title went to Cape Town’s Pink Panty of the Riddim Rascals Crew.
Photo Credit: Premilla
SA Zim Clash 2014
Zimbabwe wins The Annual SA Zim Reggae Sound Clash that took place in Cape Town. Jah Crucial, Uplivement Sound, Mobb Maffia [Defending Champions] and Hott Waxx representing Mzansi. Black Identity, Mighty Ducks, Sovereign Sound Representing Zim. Black Identity took it home.
Kebra Ethiopia sound tours Brazil
Exporting the KING STEPPA!
Luciano cancels Africa Tour
Well, uuumh, postpones til February.
Fantan Moja
Fatan Mojah, on his way to Malawi for a mega concert, organised by South African based Born African Productions, stopped in Johannesburg and performed two shows in Bassline and Tandoor.
Chanel O Music Video Awards
Buffalo Souljah wins Most Gifted Ragga Dancehall Category. The .other contenders were Pato Ranking, Orezi, Jesse Jagz [Naija]; Shatta Wale [Ghana]. Check out the winning video and ummmh the comments as well.
Colbert Mukhwevo
Colbert Mukhwevo launches his Vlog: Rolling with Mukhwevo. He basically takes you behind the scene in his musical journey covering studio sessions, Q&A’s, Career Highlights and more.
RasTafari United Front [R.U.F]
The RUF completed a national tour of all nine provinces and the structures of the R.U.F were established in all the Provinces. The National Executive Council meeting to unveil the 2015/2016 Programme of Action will be held in Gauteng this year.
Di Stingah put out a single called Ghost Ryda -Jah link Diss.
Jah Link responded with Real Prototype – Scorpion Di Stinga Counteraction
This one yah will be carried over to 2015. [Hopefully not]
Rest in Power
Sister Pinny Lichaba: 13 May 1973 – 17 Jun 2014
Lala Kahle Ndlovukazi!
And on that note, we would like to thank one and all for the continued support throughout the year and keeping the fyah burning, no matter what the obstacles and the marginalisation we face as the Reggae community. We keep pushing still. Reggae runs in our Blood. More Works Still.
Mo Love
Mo Life
Mo Light
Blessings ah Flow
MzansiReggae | For the Love of Reggae