GIG REVIEW ===>> STR CRD

WRITTEN BY @LekoNdukuya

PHOTOGRAPHY BY @Nyiko_EMagFirst

TV, magazines and social networks are constantly telling us what and who to believe is “cool”. Just as robots being encoded for a purpose, so are we. Our lives are run by trends and we are relentlessly trying to fit in and be noticed. We seek approval from our peers, and are stuck in this rat race that seems futile. Are you really “cool” if you end up looking like everyone else? It makes no sense right? But no matter what we do, we’ll be boxed inevitably.

STR CRD 2013 was my first experience of the Urban Street Culture annual event which takes place at different places around Johannesburg each year. It is a platform for both local and global fashion brands that recognize themselves to be at the forefront of urban culture to showcase their items in the most creative ways imaginable. The people that attended the event were dressed as if coming straight out of a blog, runway, or magazine themselves, all picture-ready. All looked different but similar in numerous ways.

 

It could not have been held on a better day. The 28th of September 2013 must have been about 30˚C hot, with not a single cloud in the sky, the perfect weather for the ladies to wear as little as possible. Which they did, extremely short denim shorts on every hill. Eye candy for all interested. With a photographer  on EVERY corner, not a single person could be missed.

As we walked into the exhibition area we were invited by candy coloured bright Adidas sneakers. This is a trend that seems to have aggressively invaded the fashion streets, proving that style can be comfortable too. These bright sneakers paired wrong can make them seem tacky and clown-like.

 

The ButanWear Spaza shop was visually appealing and authentic South African culture. The zinc shop was stocked up with their merchandise including their “B5 Collab”. With their live manikins modelling their clothes, Topshop and Topman, the London born brand had the most amazing London street style wear that can turn heads on the catwalk. They showcased a variety of materials such as silk, chiffon as well as organza. The fashion-forward brand has a host of designers who have kept it flourishing since 1964 and is now available in over 100 countries worldwide.

Palladium have also joined Nike, Adidas and other such brands by adding some colour to their shoes. This can be seen in their monochrome brightly coloured line. I imagined their bright red monochrome boots with pitch black skinny jeans, a black and white t-shirt and a customized blue denim jacket. A brand that has been around since 1947 needs to continuously re-invent itself so that it can appeal to today’s ever-so-demanding crowd. They have definitely achieved that with the collaboration with Pharrell Williams and Takashi Murakamia. Another favourite of mine were the black boots with a dark bright pink sole, pink laces and the pink logo. I stood there for a few minutes and marvelled at the splendour of these shoes.

 

The next shop that I was drawn to was Swede & Crowe (@SwedeCROWE). Their floral & printed caps had sophistication about them, and made me desire to be a cap collector. As their vintage and retro style is eminent through every piece, one can't help but adore their work.

The DJ's around the event were lacing the illest music to compliment the vibes. Heard a couple of old Hip Hop tracks I hadn't heard in a while. BMXers, skateboarders and real life "stunt men" were out doing what they do best, as they provided great entertainment for all around them.

 

My Highs:

• The venue was just proper - Constitution Hill

• The people - good spirits, dope fashionistas

• The music - the Dj's did not disappoint at all

 

My Lows:

• No music performers - to make the festival more lively

• Not enough food & drink stalls - there were far too may people which meant queues. A variety of food to choose from would have been nice.

• Interaction - there could have been more interaction with the crowd.

 

This is a brilliant concept that can only yield more growth in the years to come. What I drew from it was that we really need to focus on trying to be the best version of US we can be. There seems to be too many people trying to be everyone else. Stay true to what you believe in, minus all the false influence.

@LekoNdukuya

 

 

 

GINI UNLEASHED

BRANDED BY EMAGAZINE FIRST

ARE YOU READY FOR THE BRAND THAT IS YOU?

STR CRD ==>> GIG REVIEW DROPPING ON THE 14TH OF OCTOBER 2013

 

 

WRITTEN BY @LekoNdukuya

PHOTOGRAPHY AND EDITING BY @Nyiko_EMagFirst

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GIG REVIEW==>> SPRITE UNCONTAINABLE HIP HOP FESTIVAL 2013

WRITTEN BY MIEHLEKETO MALULEKE

PHOTOGRAPHY BY NYIKO BALOYI AND GUGU MAJOZI

If you’re not yet familiar with the Sprite uncontainable hip-hop search then you’ve missed out on quite a unique blend of basketball, skating,  graffiti, breakdancing, music and more in the same space. Trust me Sprite has been bringing the heat- “heat” being a combination of awesome performances by some of S.A’s finest emcees, disk jockeys, dancers and all other elements that would make any hip-hop head feel at home.  Not to mention the way they transform their chosen venue into a world that puts you on a sprite high and one could easily get lost in it. So on 25/08/2013 Sprite uncontainable was at The Zone 6 Venue in Diepkloof Soweto.

Picture skaters kick flipping, grinding ramps and being super excited about landing a trick or for the not so lucky ones “falling”,  you know doing what skaters do best (and this is just as you walk in). Some dope jams seducing your ears just telling you to explore a bit more,  to walk just a bit further and discover what else was in store for you.  A few meters from our skaters was a basketball court and this fine woman sitting on the grand stands was a slight distraction but none the less you couldn’t miss the court of sweaty men flexing skills, dribbling the confidence out of each other, slam dunking that ball mercilessly to defeat the opponent.  I swear these guys were looking like a flying Jordan logo through the air, generally mad entertainment for basketball fans.

Since it was impossible to remain in one place given there was so much to see, we had to keep it moving and my did I love what I saw next. Just beyond the sprite banner (where you got your picture taken) were those fellas with the spray cans, you know the ones infamous for “bombing” walls and transforming them into new age works of art? Yes ladies and gentlemen the graffiti artists were battling it out for that number one spot; spray can after spray can the artists changed the canvas into eye candy. Talented as they all were, with competition there can only be one winner and “Pastel Heart” from Cape Town was  the chosen champ for the graffiti finalists. Trust me when I say homey can spray and deserved that number one spot, big up to him for holding it down.

On the decks we had the likes of Vigi, Zakes, Akio and Dimples just to name a few. You know names like that will have the guys bumping their heads and the ladies shaking their booty which they achieved without much effort (mixing up all different kinds of flavours in a musical salad). Needless to say they rocked those decks from the beginning to the end of the show, they sure had me getting down.  Though the gin and juice, beautiful  women and general vibe might have been contributing factors to my joyous mood.

  

As far as performances go- we witnessed your Ifani with his umkhonto, crazy hair and unique dress code doing it only the way he can (that guy is super entertaining if you don’t know). Reason was there and he just “kept debiting” amongst other things if you know what I mean (rocking it motif style-working and only resting in December). I caught up with Joint Pusher and Shynin Armour representing “The Social Commentary Forum” and they blessed the stage with “the soco flow” and “extra extra” amongst some of their raw boom bap head bangers. Pro was also there straight from “emakasana” doing his thing. We had Khuli Chana murdering that motswako steeze (I was mad impressed yo!!). The likes of Zeus, Teargas and more also rocked the mic for their adoring fans.

On to the emcee competition: we had Elsirven Sativa going head to head with the likes of Gigi Lamayne amongst some of the contestants. It’s always interesting to watch rappers battle it out- dissing each other and pleasing the crowd in the quest for the crown. Fudge Dafugitive from Revivolution emerged the victor in that war of wits, words, flow and rhyme scheme. Big up to him for winning that one.  I bumped into Gigi after the battle, she says she’s going to come back and show ya’ll what she’s made of (rappers must watch it that’s one feisty kitten).

 

Not forgetting the dancers also battling it out showcasing their moves to win the approval of the judges. There’s just something about dancers that I can’t quite figure out, the way they move their bodies to the rhythm of the beat makes those of us who just nod our heads seem like we’re missing out on a lot. I met Joe who was one of the finalists (hardly phased by not winning) he was just having a good time and grateful for the platform to show the world what he is made of. Tarryn Alberts took the cup for the dancers, no doubt sister’s got skills and not to mention her humility (she didn’t even think she was going to win but she did). Mad props to her.

And yes let’s not forget the people who kept things running smoothly which would be C-Live and Slim who were our emcees for the night. The guys had it on lock down. There was also a special guest appearance by The Atlanta Hawks mascot and “FLY SQUAD”  doing what their good at and more (more being a display of some gymnastics skills pulling stunts off a trampoline that the average person would break a lot of bones attempting to try).

I could go on trying to paint you a picture of what an awesome event Sprite pulled off. Thorough planning and a lot of cash were put into making it an epic experience for all involved. Words just can’t do it the justice it deserves. Definitely in my top five as far as events go. Shout out to everybody who made it possible and for inviting the EMagazine First family to share in the festivities. WORD UP WORD UP!!!!UNCONTAINABLE STYLE!!!!WE COULD DO IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN. If you haven’t witnessed the fitness, put it on your “TO DO LIST”!!!!!!!!