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Contents
CONTENTS On The Spot On The Spot With Vesta
COVER STORY VIBES SA ON THE COVER
REVIEWS ALRA PARK RADIO
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FEATURE MUZI GP - MUSIC REVOLUTION
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FEATURE MZANSI MAG MUSIC WORKSHOP
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ON THE SPOT
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esta (aka Willie Van Biljon), also known for finding Alra Park Radio, his a DeeJay and a Music Producer with his own Radio Show; Dance Culture Sessions on Alra Park Radio. This multi- talented artist is based in Gauteng, Johannesburg, in Alra Park.
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“follow your heart and stay true to you�
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ho!Mag : Thank you for taking some timeout for us, so who is Vesta (your birth name and surname) and where are you from?
Vesta : Well Vesta is actually an ordinary guy named Willie van Biljon from Johannesburg, residing in the East Rand, in a small place called Alra Park . Sho!Mag : So Vesta, this music journey tell us about it.When did it start and how did it start? Vesta : Well music has always something intriguing to me from a young age. I still remember sitting in a Maths lesson in grade 7 saying to myself “I’m going to be a DJ” At that moment I thought of a name and gave myself the name ‘Vesta’, weird I know, but that’s how I got the name. Getting to High School, a lot of opportunities came up; there were a lot of events and DJ’s. I met Dawood Bay (SonicTouch); we shared the same aspirations and dreams. We started sculpturing our talent and putting it to practice at school. Due to this exposure at school we started doing gigs around our home town and people started recognising us. The year 2014, my matric year, I decided to start my own online radio station, I told Sonic about the idea and he thought it was fresh and unique! Alra Park Radio was started and we ran with the idea and we turning two years old this year. Sho!Mag : Honestly, how has your journey been within music so far? Vesta : The music industry is very harsh I must say. Whe n you passionate about what you do, some people tend to take advantage of your passion. It gets to a point where you just care about the
music and everything else is just blurred out totally. From being exploited, used, mistreated and people underestimating you; It has been a very rough journey, but all these things teaches you a lesson and you surely learn from them. Sho!Mag : What is it that you do musically? Are you a music producer or a Deejay? Vesta : First love was DeeJaying, but I discovered that I had a ear for music. I started learning the basics, but I saw that there was a lot I was lacking, I made the decision to study Sound Engineering. After matric I enrolled into Cape Audio College in Cape Town, where I learned the fundamentals of sound, music production and also radio production. I studied for a year only, and then jumped to the University of Johannesburg. Long story short; I am a DJ and Producer Sho!Mag : Besides being in the music industry, what is Vesta currently busy with. Vesta : I’m a guy that loves experimenting new ways of innovation and just trying to find new ways of doing things. I have a clothing range I am developing which is called ‘Influence Clothing’ I am also currently a student at the University of Johannesburg, studying Business Management. Sho!Mag : Any musical projects you have been part of and are there any current ones you are involved with? Vesta : Well not really, but me and Sonic Touch have been speaking about doing something together so that is just something you’ll will have to wait upon. Sho!Mag : Future or planned musical projects. What does Vesta have instore for us in the future?
Vesta : Yes for sure! I believe in taking your time and being satisfied with your music before you let it out to the public. I got a few hits I have not released yet, but those who have heard me playing live can support the statement. Alra Park Radio will soon be recruiting artist to sign as we in the process of becoming a music label; APR Recordings. We also have our Second Annual Birthday Celebration coming up on the third of September. Sho!Mag : Looking back on it all, what would you say have been your Career highlights so far? Vesta : Oh man it has to be our first events hosted as Alra Park Radio with EmoBoys, Kenny Kunene and also our live broadcasting on the radio from huge events such as Hypesoul’s birthday celebration where we had Shimza’s set broadcasted live and also broadcasting at Khomza’s event where we had DJ Thakzin, Mash.O and various DJ’s spinning live. Not forgetting the Annual Ekurhuleni Easter Festival in our home town where we broadcasted live and had Yfm Dj’s; DA Kruk and Zayi Maya, we also had Kwesta, DJ Ganyani and local acts. Sho!Mag : Any last words for the young ones looking at making music a career? Vesta : Never let anyone tell you that there’s no money in music or you wasting your time, it’s not always about the money. Follow your heart and stay true to you. Sho!
BLACKCOFFE Big Up!!! Huge ShoutOut from us at Soul Kulcha and Sho!Mag to the one and only BlackCoffee. Earlier this year,BlackCoffee scooped a total of four awards in the South African Music Awards 22 which were hosted in Durban. BlackCoffee scooped the International Achievement Award,Best Album Of The Year,Best Dance Album and Best Engineered Album for his long awaited banging House Album titled Pieces Of Me:-)
Our very own BlackCoffee has become the first South African Music Artist to win a BET Award for Best International Act:Africa. Big up to BlackCoffee for flying Mzansi Flag in the international arena and also a huge shoutout from us at Sho!Mag for ever raising the bar in House Music. BIG UP BLACKCOFFEE, WE SALUTE YOU!!!SHO!
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ihle Licamagu Fani who goes by the name Vibes in the South African music scene is a Dj/ Music Producer. Currently,Vibes is based in the city of Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Mainly,Vibes produces Deep House,Afro Tribal House,Dance House and Soulful House Music. Currently working on his Debut Full Lenght Album titled “ENDLESS EFFORTS” due to be released sometime later this year. Vibes sound can be described as unique and thought provoking. In this issue we bring you “VIBES”.
“you can heal a thousand souls with the sound of expensive music” Sho!Mag: Vibe, who is Vibe and where are you based? Vibes: I am a music producer from the Eastern Cape in South Africa, my real name is Sihle Licamagu Fani and I am currently based in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Sho!Mag: In the South African Music Scene, what part are you actually playing? Vibes: At the moment not much as I am currently building a fanbase and building the brand “VIBES”, so folks need to watch this space as I am about to blow them away. Sho!Mag: So what do you prefer the most? Is it deejaying or music production? Vibes: I could I love to keep happy and dancing.
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say both, people
I enjoy the reaction I get from the crowd, but production is also very close to my heart, you can heal a thousand souls with the sound of expensive music. Sho!Mag: Vibe, when did you notice that you had love for House Music and what sparked that love for House Music? “Do you have any musical influences”? Vibes: Music has forever been a part of me, I fell inlove with music in 2005, a year later I started learning how to dj. I used to dj for small crowds and at local partises. I then started deejaying in clubs around Queenstown and then later around Port Elzabeth. Music production came in the scen for me later, as I started production in 2011 but would usually not release my projects due to mastering issues.
My biggest influences are my causins Alungile “the tiny Dj Maliwa” and Aluta Massive Mbadlanyana. They made me fall inlove with music and I will forever be greatful, funy enough Alungile is the very same personwho gave me the name Vibes.
“music has
forever been a part of me” Sho!Mag: Musically, who have you worked with so far in this musical journey? Vibes: I have had the privilage of working with a lot of talented artists and sadly I can not mention all of them, I have worked with Simtox, Latoya Kauma, Olothando Ndamase, Gino Soul, Delso Music and a whole lot of other artists.
Sho!Mag: Are there any current music projects you are involved with? Vibes: Yes, I am currently putting on work in different projects with different producers and vocalists and at the same time putting together my debut full lenght album due to be out later this year. Sho!Mag: When you not busy creating house beats, what do you guys get up too? Vibes: I am a law student and I have just started some “hustle”, small business which at this moment I just can not disclose but it is legal. When I am not busy with music, I am either taking care of my books or putting work in my business. Sho!Mag: Currently what musical projects are you busy with? Vibes: Currently I am busy working on my full lenght album and it is taking a lot of my time, but I know it will be worth it in the end. Sho!Mag: Any future or planned musical projects you are involved with, and what can we expect from you guys in the future? Vibes: Besides my album, people should expect a couple of singles which would be a build up to the album. I can asure you that by the time this feature is out, one single will be in full circulation.
“people should expect a couple of singles which would be a build up to the album”
Sho!Mag: As an artist based in the Eastern Cape. How is the music like that side? And if there are any challenges you face, what could be those challenges? Vibes: Any artist in and from the Eastern Cape will tell you, it i very hard to be an artist in our side of the world and funy enough most giants in the music industry not just house music, are from the Eastern Cape. I could write a book with just the names of those artists. Sho!Mag: Any career highlights that jump into mind, what have been your Career highlights so far? Vibes: My music journey as a whole has been a life changing experience, I can sum it up by saying that every moment with my music is a highlight on its own.
Sho!Mag: Any message you might have for any Eastern Cape based musician you might have? Vibes: To my fellow brothers and sisters in the Eastern Cape nothing beats ditermination and the right attitude. If you can dream it, then it is possible for you to make it. Let’s stay together and remain united so that everyone will hear the sound of our voices.
Sho!Mag: Where and how can we get hold your Music Projects? Vibes: I am available on most Social Media Platforms and on Facebook one can search for “VIBES_SA” as I regular update all my where abouts on that page and from time to time post my promo tracks too there. Also one can search through my YouTube account which is “Licamagu” Sho!
“nothing beats ditermination and the right attitude. If you can dream it, then it is possible for you to make it”
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Alra Park Radio is a Mzansi Based Internet Radio Station. As a Mzansi based Radio Station, let us get to know the Station just abit more.
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lra Park Radio was established in 2014 the 4th of July from that they we never looked back. We had mixtapes from well know artist and also had them live on the radio from the Live broadcasting events that we were involved in. This radio station has hosted household names such as the likes of, Rabs Vhafuwi, Mono Tone, DJ SK, DJ Shimza, DJ Mlungu, Kwesta, DJ Ganyani, Mgiftana, DJ Sbu, Jimmy Drums, Zai Maya and Just Mo to mention a few. Also with sensations such as Hypesoul, Deep Marvin, Master Cheng Fu, DJ Mergs, Lady Bonga, Gao Deep, Storm, G-Funk , DJ Kentino, Mapeps, De Montuh, Wolta, EdWard, Soultronixx Deep, DJ Kentino, Drummetic Boyz and many more having graced the station.
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The main reason to why Alra Park Radio was started is because in South Africa we have people who are highly talented in many ways, but for them to get on radio or even get their music aired on our big radio stations in South Africa is an endless process that leaves these artists hopeless and giving in on their dreams. Alra Park Radio makes it easier for artists to actually have a platform to showcase their talents without going through a long process. It was mainly started to promote artists within South Africa, but people out of South Africa actually heard of this and took advantage of the opportunity. The station even got artists as from San Francisco and New York that send us their music to be promoted on the station and also listeners all the way from Nigeria and Botswana. This was great milestones that we
achieved and was not even part of the initial plan. We a very diverse group behind the scenes, making sure everything happens from different places in South Africa: Willie Van Biljon – Johannesburg (Founder, Sound Engineer, Graphic Designer, DJ, Show Host & CEO) Dawood Bay – Johannesburg (Co-Founder, DJ & Show Host) Jerome Mazibuko - Johannesburg (DJ, Show Host) Maseli Bony – Pretoria (Marketing & Promotions) Madoda Shusha – Durban (Marketing, Artist Recruiter, Schedule manager & Promotions) Storm Sa – Resident DJ Luh16 – Durban (Resident DJ) Smangar M – Durban (Resident DJ) Deep Roots – Durban (Resident DJ) Hypesoul – Johannesburg (Live Broadcasting Coordinator)
“We make it easier for artists to actually have a platform to showcase their talents”
We currently not running full time but we working hard towards this goal to get Alra Park Radio to run full time. Thursday – Meropa Sessions (Hosted By Ceega Wa Meropa) KwaZulu-Natal 21:00 – 00:00
Friday – Dance Culture Sessions (Hosted By Vesta & Sonic Touch) straight up from the City Of Johannesburg. Journeys Of The Monk (Hosted By AfroSoul Monk) Johannesburg 21:00 – 00:00
For more infformation we can be contacted here: Facebook: facebook.com/alraparkradio. Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlraParkRadio Alraparkradio@gmail.com
MUZI GP MUSIC REVOLUTION
Images By: Plutinum Music Production
MUZI GP
MUSIC REVOLUTION
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j MuZI.GP, an influential player in the South African house music space releases his 2016 instalment of music supply through an EP. He releases on 28 August 2016 a four track EP which stars and features some of his friends and protĂŠgĂŠs such as Nyico Loco, Iviwe, Mr Ntatshana, Kobus and Bossanova. The EP is 100% afrodeep dominated by the afrodrums and afrovocals spiced up with the vintage keys, trumpets here and a guitar there.
The leading song, Byala is currently picking up on national and regional radio stations in the country. The second single, KwaBulawayo (Ancestral rewire) is already being sampled by national and local djs in their various spaces and their feedback has been very encouraging to say the least. There are most definitely plans to shoot
and release music videos for these two songs before the end of 2016. Dj MuZI.GP will embark on a radio tour from mid-July 2016. Both the artist (Dj MuZI.GP) and the label (Platinum Music SA) are using all available social media spaces to punt the project months ahead of its release. The efforts include a free link to the EPmix on www.soundcloud.com/djmuzigp and mediafire.com. These links are being constantly posted on social media pages. platinummusicsa@gmail.com +27 83 550 8012 for more info. Courtesy Of: Platinum Music Production. Sho!
Images By: Plutinum Music Production
MZANSIMAGAZINEM Sho!Mag recently attended a Music Workshop which was hosted by Mzansi Music Magazine in Downtown Music Hub in the city of Johannesburg. This was a very informative workshop for those in the music industry, and this is what went down....
MUSIC WORKSHOP
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zansi music magazine hosted the first music rights, music production and vocal techniques workshop at downtown music hub, Johannesburg. This is meant to empower upcoming musicians of South Africa by educating them about the music industry in our country. This project aims to ensure that upcoming musicians know their music rights, as well as ways on how they can make and market their music. It also aims to travel nationwide ensuring that upcoming musicians access this essential information. This project was influenced by the number of questions we got from upcoming artists about the South African music industry.
“This is meant to empower musicians of South Africa�
The event was joined by representatives from the South African Music Rights Organization (SAMRO) and Voice of Wits (Vow Fm) so as to enlighten upcoming musicians about their music rights and how they can get their music to be broadcasted on radio respectively. We realised that there is a lot of talent in our country that the world does not know about because most of our upcoming musicians lack knowledge about music registration and the requirements of getting music to be broadcasted by radio stations. As a result we decided to start a project that will enable them to access the essential information.
We did not end there; we also had well established producers as well as vocalists to share their knowledge of music with the participants. This is to also further educate them about the different production software as well as studio techniques; as a result help producers improve their ways of making music and therefore improve their quality of music. Our guests also shared some of their music marketing skills and how they deal with the pressure of managing themselves. On the panel of producers we were joined by Jus Nativ, Silas Beats and Ruff Cast who got to demonstrate their music production skills as well as give advice to the upcoming musicians.
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And on the Vocal techniques panel we were joined by Toshi Tikolo, Juvinale Dee and Royalty who also had a session with the participants . This project will run for as long as possible so as to reach out to musicians and discover new talent
throughout the country. There are still more workshops to be hosted around the country, venues as well as dates will be announced on our website (www.mzansimusicmag.com) and social media. Courtesy Of: Mzansi Music Mag.
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SOUL KULCHA RADIO PLUGGING Are you looking to leverage your brand or that of artists in your record label by getting their music on national Radio Platform? Then Soul Kulcha has you covered on that. Soul Kulcha offers an affordable Radio Plugging Services which are specifically directed to the Afro Deep House Industry.
Soul Kulcha motivates and submit your music to radio stations across South Africa and also on the Digital Platform (Internet Radio Stations). What makes our servove offering unique to that of those offering the same service is that our services are directed exclusively to the Afro Deep Music Scene.Sho!
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SPRING FIESTA 2016
BLACK COFFEE needs no introduction, with countless local accolades, he has now firmly positioned himself as an international property, from residencies in Ibiza during the European summer, to literally playing in every continent year round. We are excited to have Black Coffee back home as one of our Local Headliners for a special performance at #SpringFiesta2016.
SPRING FIESTA 2016
Welcome aboard the legendary UK remix sensation that is ATJAZZ! Celebrating 20 years of Atjazz, Martin Iveson has a love story with South Africa that goes back to when House was in its infancy in the country. Atjazz, has collaborated in various forms with SA DJs and producers such as the popular Deep House heads like Jullian Gomes, C9ine and many more.
SPRING FIESTA 2016
SPRING FIESTA 2016
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