GIG REVIEW - NEIGHBOUR GOODS MARKET

Written by Mbali Langa 'Mystikal Ebony'

Photography by Nyiko Baloyi

Edited by Nyiko Baloyi

A new sub culture has been brewing in the once best avoidable Braamfontien, which is attracting people of all hues, accents, backgrounds and interests filling the streets with, color, laughter, and an energetic vibe that has brought a new air to Braamfontien. Heck, I remember living in Braamfontien in my days at Wits, how terribly lonely and dangerous the streets on weekends could be. So like any normal person after varsity I best avoided that part of town. But not anymore, Brammies has been face-lifted, as part of the inner-city regeneration project.

These days walking down the Juta street precinct is a similar vibe to that of the Maboneng precinct. Sporting trendy artsy shops, galleries, coffee shops, thrift shops and the now very popular Neighbour Goods Market which is tucked away in an old office parking building on number 73 Juta street just opposite the must be seen at joints, Kitchener’s Calvary and The Great Dane.

Neighbour Goods Market has gained quite a reputation seeing fahionistas and food foondies come in their numbers to experience and taste the offerings of Neighbor Goods Market every Saturday without fail no matter what the weather. Modeled around its mother concept from Cape Town, Neighbour Goods Market is truly a delightful experience to the young and old. Having heard such marvelous tales of this fresh and trendy market we took it upon ourselves (EMagazine First) to up and go discover this paradise of organic and homemade wonders.

My day at the Market started out in a frenzy bumper race for parking, which I finally secured 2blocks away from Juta Street. The walk down was enjoyable as my attention kept wondering from the tall Loyiso Gola dashing into a corner coffee shop to a skilled skater pulling tricks on the sidewalk, to a beautiful Ubuntisim shirt hanging in a window display of another coffee shop. It was the faint sounds of a jazz tune that finally enraptured me as I approached 73 Juta Street. Realizing the Sounds were coming from the rooftop of the Market my stride quickened a tad. I approached the Ramp leading to the first level of the market and I was greeted by a delectable whiff, a fiesta to my nostrils. Causing my tummy to grumble a bit.

 

  

The scene that greeted me was a buzzing environment with stands, aromas and people intermingling and filling the underground first floor to the brim. Dazed, confused and with a heavily salivating mouth I entered the labyrinth of offerings.  In amazement and with a “Jim comes to Jo’burg” feel my widened eyes took in the fascinating eatables. As far as my eyes could see it was a food fete, from wild mushrooms, paella, oysters, raw chocolate, pesto, crepes, waffles, curries, stir-fries egg benedicts, burgers, biltong, ice cream, mush mellows, breads. The spread was truly vast and continental ranging from Thai, Mexican, French, Dutch, Austrian, and African.

After wondering around for a while I finally settled at Mystic Yoeville, a food stall run by former YFM radio personality and vegetarian Sanza. His stand serves strictly African and vegetarian foods. Unfortunately he was sold out leaving me disappointed and back into the labyrinth in search of sustenance. I finally settled for a huge plate of vegetarian nachos, and my partner in crime, a chicken burrito from the Mexican stand. With food in hand our next hunt was for drinks.

 

Just like the food one was spoilt for choice in terms of drinks, with an array of Boutique breweries, margarita bars, cocktail stands, wines, champagnes, juices and smoothies. After much musing we finally decided on mint and lemon smoothies. With our food and drink choices in hand we finally approached the stairs leading to the next floor.  

Climbing the stairs with the Jazz tunes played live by the 3-piece band Planet Lindela getting louder, we were hit by sunshine and a further buzz of excitement and activity. With our food done we took a small walk around exploring the rest of the market where we saw vintage clothes, lovely jewelry another drinks bar and more people.

The rest of the afternoon pretty much flew by in that manner, sipping smoothies and intermingling with the cool kids on the roof. I spotted a few trendy people like Bob the stylist and his fashionista collective (BOS) the Boys Of Soweto, as well as rising designers (FBX) Fat Blakx. Some faces from local TV could also be seen in the crowds. Like Skeem Sam’s actor Eric and Live presenter Luthando. I also spotted some university peers like Athadwa Kani, John Kani’s son now the face of the new Savannah ad’s and most surprisingly, I bumped into an old high school friend who I haven’t spotted in a decade ever since I left my humble town in Mpumalanga. Now that was definitely a cherry topping up a wonderful afternoon.

 All in all, the market has a fantastically busy and bustling atmosphere. This market reached and preceded all my expectations! A place one must defiantly take a u-turn to now and then. With its inviting cool urban vibe, great fun, great food and a great mix of people.  Once the market vibe was done a great migration began to across the road for another fun filled session at Kitchener’s, but that’s a review for another day. For now I patiently wait for Saturday… 

EXCLUSIVE: INTERVIEW WITH SOCIAL COMMENTARY FORUM (S.C.F)

INTERVIEW BY Nonkululeko Ndukuya

PRODUCED BY Nyiko Baloyi

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BACK TO THE CITY 2013 - GIG REVIEW & PICTURE GALLERY

Written by Meme Mpuru
Photography by Nyiko Baloyi
Edited by Nyiko Baloyi

Back to the City 2013!!! That is all I have to say. Any head who knows his story will know that this was the biggest gathering for Hip Hop this year in Africa alone. The 7^th Annual Back to the City event took place on the 27^th of April and I can truly attest that Freedom Day has never been the same since Osmic and his crew brought this upon us. It grows every year to phenomenal heights and has thus become The Hip Hop Event to attend. Judging by the long queues by ten am(10am), there was no doubt that heads were looking forward to the event. Promising 3 stages, over 30 Mcee’s, some of which are big names in the industry, about 12 of the finest Hip Hop Deejay’s, Dance Crews, Graffiti Crews and some of the best food and clothing stalls I had ever come to see. This proved once again that the Hip Hop Culture has indeed become a force to be reckoned with.   

Hosted by etv’s Pearl Modiadi also known as the Black Pearl and actor slash Rapper, Boy Wonder, these two kept us entertained from morning to morning with their mad energy and quirk.  I think any real Dj knows that Old Skool Hip Hop Jams are a real fire-starter and this is exactly what we were treated to from the very beginning of the show. A scene that embodied some kind of unified trance as we all bumped our heads in appreciation. 

First on the main stage was the energetic Frat Pack. A movement that had all the neo-hip-hoppers in a state. Sbuda P was next and he killed the vernacular scene by far. Spitting punch-lines like his life depended on it. This kasi rapper had everyone bumping their heads to his sick beats and mad lines. I was quite blown away by the finesse and confidence of the youngest female Mc, Gigi LaMayne. This girl is truly going places and had it not been for the sound faux paus, she truly would have killed her set.

Hailing from Durban, I caught the eye of brilliance embodied in an Mc who went by the name Abdus. This young man is absolutely phenomenal to watch and oozes the charisma of a made man, definitely a star to watch out for. 

An acquaintance and I had to argue for a while to make up if who we were seeing on stage was Zuluboy. It was him indeed in all his suave glory looking quite dapper from what we are used to. He coined the term, dressed to kill. Zuluboy made sense of Freedom Day in that his performance highlighted the Freedom to be who you are as he performed with a young woman who was signing while he dropped. This was definitely breakthrough stuff and clearly showed his commitment to using Hip Hop as a tool to change perception in the world. Hip Hop continues to grow to soaring heights because of artists like him.

I took a stroll away from the main stage and was quite impressed that every part of the venue had a bit of everything to entice everyone. There was a beer garden for peeps who just wanted to chill out and enjoy their beer and company. The skaters were catered for with ramps on the street for all the daredevils. I got quite quesy just staring at them, maybe I am not so brave. The second and third stage seemed like a whole other party in itself, this was where the real party was at as I saw people getting down like there was no tomorrow. The break-dancers were a marvel to watch and like poetry, the graffiti artist’s were expressing themselves as only they knew how to, ‘bombing’ the street!

If you wanted to shop, there was a Mecca of fashion stalls, from the likes of Jozimental, Butan and others. People are mad talented out there and showing support is not a sin. Hip Hoppers are not to be messed with when it comes to fashion and have coined the term ‘Fresh to Death.’ The Street Fashion was absolutely magnificent to watch, definitely putting style to shame, that was not style that was a joyous celebration of the infinite possibilities of the unfettered imagination of a Hip Hopper. 

 

My highlight for the evening was definitely the International Act Emc (you should see my lips as I say the name, pouting for days) This hip hop crew comprising of rappers, Master Ace, Wordsworth, Punchline and Stricklin had the real heads going crazy with nostalgia. You cannot possibly be a real head without knowing this ill act, they had us heads screaming at the top of our voices to their much loved punchy anthems. My night was definitely made.

If ever there was a doubt, I attest that it has been cast out. Back to The City 2013 was proof enough that if you have a vision, live it. Osmic lived his and we as heads were invited to live it with him. Hip Hop is bigger and better than before, whatever was said or professed in the past was looked upon and we grew to monumental heights. Hip Hop was a victor on that night and shone a torch for many who were there and many who are still to come. As I recovered from my sore vocal cords and stiff muscles from every part of my body, I salute Back to the City and envision an even better Festival next year.

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ARTIST PROFILE - NU SOUND ORDER

TO GET PROFILED EMAIL info@emagazinefirst.co.za OR CALL 078 135 4047

PHOTOGRAPHY & ARTWORK BY Nyiko Baloyi

The Nu Sound order is a duo of artists with different styles and ideas that they combine to make music. It is made up of N Maestro and Mu Sa (Sqwet). Both of whom were always into hip hop but discovered that  music is taking a new direction, and that they could be part of the revolution that turns it all around – hence the name “Nu Sound Order. 

. "We cannot classify ourselves in any genre because our music is a blend of many sounds. Our debut project, 2013, is coming out in October. Our first single “hands on my head” is set to release soon…"

"This project is just an intro; the music done on this album is just successful experimentation.  We are independent artists operating under the label “Got Da Bass” records.  Every song we make is done out of love, so we do something you’ve gotta love…"