ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
Everyone`s favourite uncle Sipho Ndlovu
The ambassador of funk, armed with a “voetsek” attitude and the inspiring young artist behind the brand OkMalumKoolKat, Smiso Zwane is the new definition of cool. “Most of us are raised by single mothers, and look up to our uncles as father figures who could also double-up as a friend. So when I write poetry, I write from that perspective as okmalumkoolkat. However, there are other characters that feature in my song writing, inspired by other things.”
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e is a pioneer of a wild and artistic revolution on the streets, a free-spirited black young man out to conquer with his creativity. “I guess it’s fitting (to be labelled a pioneer). I am doing what I really wanted to do and people relate. It’s of my own blueprint, it’s never been done like this before. My attitude is inspired by the times we live in and where we come from. We are in the information age and are a ‘Do It Yourself Generation’, so it’s all of that and a bag of Ghost Pops,” says Smiso Zwane aka OkMalumKoolKat. Smiso says his alias was inspired by his favourite radio DJ, Kool Kat. “This kat had a show every Saturday morning from as far as I can remember, where kids would call in, sing their favourite songs and give shout outs. I have never heard of any other radio DJ in the world who had a similar concept for a show.” On a more personal level, ‘malume’ which means uncle in isiZulu, is the other factor that gives the name purpose.
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“I am doing what I really wanted to do and people relate. It’s of my own blueprint, it’s never been done like this before.”
Originally from Durban, KwaZulu Natal and now based in Johannesburg, Smiso is a musician who gives pantsula an alternative twist, together with his fellow slick cat, Zamani Xulu and form the duo Dirty Paraffin. Interested in packaging ideas whether in graphic design, music or fashion, he says it’s all him communicating. And he regularly keeps his thoughts in check on his blog, okmalume.blogspot.com.
The lyrics to his music take you back to the old school days, and the hood, when kwaito ruled the streets and the artists were mentors to their fans. When listening, it’s an emotional rollercoaster mixed with funk, gangster and poetry. “We built our music upon the feelings of nostalgia. The poems keep venturing to other stories so it could take you somewhere between earth and the moon. It’s a whirlwind,” he says. His fashion sense compliments his untamed complexity. He’s a street legend to the young and trendy community, and bravely breaks all the rules of fashion and leaves an unforgettable mark. “I’m inspired by SA street culture and what I’ve seen from countless classic movies and magazines,” says the trend setter. Veteran keyboardist Rex Rabanye is one of the musicians who Smiso deems great. “I wish I could work on a couple of projects with him, if he were alive.” Smiso’s status and influence keeps rising to a point where he now performs in clubs around the country, but he says, “I’m just a new jack.”- With a couple of aces up his sleeve. Smiso may not know what 2013 holds for him but he hopes the New Year can handle him.
more on okmalumkoolkat * Hang-out Spot? My house mostly but I play in clubs a lot so I end up there most of the time. * When he discovered music? As a young boy, I started dancing, illustrating and writing poetry, so music came to join the party. * If MalumKoolKat was not an artist? I would be a priest of a new religion. * Advice for up and coming pioneers? Go further.
IMBO/ ISSUE 9/ 2012 13
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