Jucy Africa

Entertainment icon and platinum selling artist Snoop Lion, aka Snoop Dogg, will headline the inaugural MTV Africa All Stars concert in Durban, South Africa on 18 May 2013.  The “Reincarnated” rapper, singer-songwriter, producer, actor and reality star will headline “MTV Africa All Stars KwaZulu-Natal Province”, alongside the most popular contemporary artists from across the African continent.

Snoops most recent project, is a multi-media project capturing hisexploration of reggae music and spiritual growth called, Reincarnated. It features GRAMMY Award-winners Drake, Chris Brown, T.I., Busta Rhymes, Akon, Rita Ora, as well as dancehall stars Popcaan and Mavado, and more.

“MTV Africa All Stars – KwaZulu-Natal Province” will be held at Moses Mabhida Stadium, People’s Park, Durban on 18 May 2013, broadcasting around the world as part of MTV’s acclaimed World Stage franchise on MTV Base (DStv Channel 322) and MTV’s global TV network. The rest of the line-up including ticket prices and times will be announced shortly, keep it locked to www.mtvbase.com for more info.

Hot from their SAMA nomination, house group Mi Casa have decided to drop the video for their hot gospel single “All The Glory” this Good Friday. Speaking to Jucy Africa, trumpeter Mo T explained that the fans have been waiting for the video for some time now and seeing that it’s a gospel track it will coincide well with the Christian Easter Holiday.

J’Something

The concept which was the brainchild of lead vocalist, J’Something and the directing team starts with J’Something running to catch the ‘Glory Bus’ on time. Upon his arrival he meets his fellow band members, Mo-T and Dr.Duda. Mi Casa then chat among themselves discussing the plan for the day and who they plan on picking up for this glorious ride. They go around picking up various people from various religious backgrounds as passengers, a concept which sums up the track’s ultimate message that despite our various beliefs, we are all one.

The group is currently in studio recording their second album which is expected to drop around August/September 2013. Fans can expect another banging album keeping to  a similar Mi Casa sound. The trio are currently nominated for a South African Music Awards in the “Record of The year” category for one of their hot singles, “Heavenly Sent”. With regards to being nominated, Mo T mentioned that should they win it will be for their fans, they get their fulfillment from performing for their crowd. The music is set to debut on Trace TV on the 29th of March 2013.

Mo T

Dr Duda

By: Just Denis (@denphat)

As we all know, the South African Music Awards nominations party took place at The Sands in Sandton last week to celebrate those musicians who managed to get the nod ahead of the awards ceremony which will be held in Suncity on the 10th and 11th  of May 2013. Live music, hot DJ sets ruled the night as artists and socialites partied up a storm thanks to the sponsors on board, Amstel. here’s who spotted:

 Lunga Shabalala

Boity with Intersextions actor, Abdul Khoza

Record of The Year Nominee for “I Deserve”, Donald

Weza Solange and Tazz Ngida

Pearl Thusi

Nominee for Best Live DVD & Best Adult Contemporary Album, Lira for Captured Tour

 Tongues out, Sade and Caddy

The Muffinz received 4 nominations including Best Duo/Group and Newcomer of The year.

Jen Su

Best Contemporary Faith Album nominee for “Love Complete” Loyiso

Singer Bucie with Lerato Matsoso and Palesa Mopeli

Musician, Kabomo Vilakazi was nominated for Best Rnb/Soul/Reggae album

Micasa performed on the night alongside Big Nuz and Lloyd Cele. They are up for Record of the year for smash hit, “Heavenly Sent”

By: Just Denis (@denphat)

When praises go up, blessings do come down indeed; this becomes evident as the mighty MTN Joyous Celebration return for their 17^th season with a fittingly titled tour,”The GRATEFUL Tour”.  The Big Top Arena in Carnival City  is the place to be as the group will launch their national tour from Friday 29 March, Saturday 30 March to Sunday 31 March 2013. These performances will coincide with the launch and release of the Joyous 17 CD and DVD also titled “Grateful,” which was recorded live at Rhema Bible Church in December last year .

Joyous Celebration has plenty of reasons to be GRATEFUL for. In July 2012 the ensemble walked away with three awards at the African Gospel Music Awards held in London, this after they scooped up a number of trophies in their genre at the South African Music Awards in March 2012.“For the past 17 years, there has been a presiding force that has kept this ensemble alive and strong. God’s mercy, blessings and favour have seen us through the storms and we’d be remiss to carry on, unwittingly, without acknowledging His love for us. This album and tour is our special tribute to Him. We simply give thanks to Him,” says Lindelani Mkhize, co-founder.

Tickets for the concert are priced between R150 and R300 each and can be booked via Computicket or any Shoprite/Checkers outlet. All shows start at 19h30 for all three nights.

Pic by: Ouparazzi

Thursdays have long taken over as the catalysts to any fun promising weekend, with many calling it Phuza Thursday, Lesbian Thursdays or just a night with the girls. Thursdays will never be the same again except to our traditional mothers and grandmothers who only know Thursdays as their other Sunday to have their ladies prayers. With all that said,  The Riots With Roger Soulstar are all the Thursday fun you can ever think of and ever need.

The Riots With Roger is a live band that consists of four members Alie Keys on keyboard, Shim Pop on the drums, Bonibass playing the bass guitar and Roger on lead vocals. This incredible band has been together for two years now, playing everything from Hip Hop, to RnB/Soul, Kwaito and even house! Talk about diversity.

The Riots With Roger haven’t had it easy, with the industry’s highs and lows but they claim to be learning everyday. It is a tough industry to crack but that hasn’t detered these young men from doing what they believe they are called out to do. They have played in various areas around the country including the COP17 Climate Change Conference held in Durban last year hosted by the International Relations department.  They have also played at the Cheesekids for Humanity Mandela Day celebration, opened for international band Babylon Circus and also performing at the new and exciting annual summer beach party Silly Summer in Port ST Johns.

The band is to release it’s album before the year 2013 ends under Rebel Soul Entertainment and plans to tour the country, Roger the lead singer has a single out titled Indoda  Emadodeni and describes the sound as Township Soul. This band, managed by Ndaba Mandela has very interesting original material and also covers many artists, their style is very interesting that even when covering a certain artist they always add their flavour to it and are very innovative. Anele Holomisa of Earthchild Media is their assistant manager and is the one who introduced me to this band that has grown to be loved by so many people. There is certainly a greater and brighter future for this band and to all those suckers for live bands with an African flair and hunky talents.  TS Records signee and producer Lungelo Lubelwana and Model and Actor Tazz Nginda as well as the lovely singer Ms Auriol Hays are some of the famous personalities who are often spotted lending them their ears at Liquidchefs in Rosebank. Channel O’s SK Khoza, Solly Moeng, Reality TV star Mome Nale and the beautiful Thembisa Mdoda are some of the faces often spotted enjoying themselves there. They also have an open mic session for anybody brave enough to entertain.

The Metropolitan Kings are a hip hop outfit that also does a lot of entertaining on Thursdays, they have an awesome flow and the people love them. These young men bring life to any setting and are definitely to be looked out for. If you looking for some Thursday fun and awesome entertainment go to Rosebank and these youngsters will keep you entertained.

By: Bonnie Meslane

@BonnieMes

Hunters Oasis Tour is once again bringing awesome vibes to the people and this time Soweto is to stand up and receive all this love coutersy of MTV Base Africa and Hunters cider. DJ Raiko, DJ Vigilante, DJ Kent, Twins On Deck, DJs Mahoota vs Vetkuk featuring Dr Malinga, the number one Soweto Boy Prokid and the Metro FM award winner Donald will be all the entertainment one needs on the 16th March in Soweto Chaz -Pozi.

Following a smash-hit gig at Sedibeng, Soweto earlier in the year, the Hunter’s Oasis Tour with MTV Base is in full-on party mode as it takes over sizzling Chisa Nyama joint Chaf-Pozi, Orlando East, Soweto. Mixing up a storm and bringing the crowd to their feet are hip hop stars DJ Viglante and DJ Raiko bringing nothing short of fun.

Repping it up for house music fans are blazing house duo Twins on Decks, deep house aficionado DJ Kent, and veteran spinners DJs Mahota vs Vetkuk now with the high kicking, booty hoppping singing senasation Dr Malinga.

Dr Malinga will be delivering his endearing live electrifying performance alongside Donald and Prokid. Adding extra spice to the proceedings will be ProTwerkers – a stunning group of girls with amazing physiques and an outrageous set of skills they don’t teach you at school – who will be showcasing the art of “Twerking” to aficionados and novices alike – you’ve gotta attend the gig and you could win tickets to the fabulous Hunter’s Oasis Tour in Zanzibar in April 2013. Doors for the Hunter’s Oasis Tour Party open at 2 pm on Saturday 16 March. Tickets are available at the door.

South African DJ Jullian Gomes is one of those silent talents, who through his talent is establishing a good name for himself. This Portugese speaking, Pretoria residing, pint sized DJ and Producer just scooped a Metro FM award for Best Music Video for his hit Love Song 28.  Gomes is currently in London working on new material. I had a chat with him at SET Venue in Rosebank to pick his brain on what his life is all about before he left for the coldest part of the world.

Bonnie: Hi Jullian, how are you? Welcome to Jucy Africa…

Jullian: I’m good, thank you for having me

Bonnie: Who is Jullian?

Jullian: Jullian is born and raised in South Africa, Pretoria, a lot of people get that wrong. I was born in South Africa, just a kid that got into music, specifically, house music. Grew up with my brothers and cousins deejaying in clubs. I used to sneak into clubs that’s pretty much how I got into music, sneaking into clubs to listen to DJs like Vinny Da Vinci, Christos and the likes and then I got my records and as they say the rest is history!

Bonnie: You say a lot of people get your roots wrong but again when you search even on google, there are Spanish Gomes and such….are you Portugese or Spanish perhaps?

Jullian: Yeah..I’m of Portugesse descent, my parents are both Portugese. My dad emigrated from Madeira, but I was born here, I’m South African.

Bonnie: Nice! Congratulations, You just won your Metro FM Award for best Music Video…how do you feel and what would you like to say to your supporters?

Jullian: Thank you!!! I’m blessed. The way I see it…I never won this award, WE won this award. Everyone that voted and stands for quality music, art and creativity won this award.

Bonnie: What inspired the award winning music video?

Jullian: Simply just the need to be different, creative and come up with something that hasn’t been done before.

Bonnie: Do you have an album out, or is Love Song 28 just your first single?

Jullian: This is actually my first solo single, I have always been making music with a duo called GFamily, made up of myself and my cousin Michael G, last year we were nominated for a SAMA. I decided to drop Love Song 28 as my single and the response has been mind-blowing. I did another single with AtJazz and yeah…also been doing a few remixes with The Layabouts and Black Coffee and other people….

Bonnie: So when can we expect a full album?

Jullian: I’m currently in the process of making a full album with AtJazz, which will be a collaboration between he and I. In terms of a solo album from me, we’ll just have to wait and see. I just wanted to define my sound and people are starting to like it. People follow a lot of songs and have an idea of how maybe a South African house song sounds like, my sound is different and I’m glad people are opening up to it.

Bonnie: Who inspires you? Musically and otherwise…..

Jullian: Well generally…people and everything and I’m just like everyone else..at times I use my music to vent, If I’m going through something in my life, I use music to express myself.

Bonnie: Which makes you like many others...an emotional creative!

Jullian: You could say that, It’s all emotions, raw emotions we out out there!

Bonnie: What inspires your dress sense, how would you define your style?

Jullian: Whooaa (chuckles) well I guess it’s just me trying to be different not so different still but to have that clean, sleek look. I’m not your Prince or whoever but I’m dressing comfortably still looking different from the rest. Somehow everyone looks the same but I love unique pieces

Bonnie: Who do you think is as Jucy as you are and should be known to Africa and the world?

Jullian: Jucy……….ummhhm let me get back to you on that…expect my email (Chuckles)

Bonnie: What’s playing in your car?

Jullian: I have been listening to a lot of Robert Glasper, a little bit of Unplugged Lotus…yeah thats it

Bonnie: What are you reading?

Jullian: Ha! now I feel bad, I’m not reading anything , I hardly find time…but yes I need to find a good book.

Bonnie: You went on to the Red Bull Music Academy, please tell us more about that….

Jullian: Oh yes!! Wow!! It’s an experience in itself, two weeks of musical pleasure. You are in a different country, you sit with brilliant musical geniuses, go clubbing every night, with people  you look up to, going out to events. It’s an amazing experience and I recommend everyone to apply there.

Bonnie: When you are not DJing or in the studio producing songs, what are you usually doing?

Jullian: Thinking of how I could entertain better. I’m either chilling at home playing music, you know music is a huge part of my life and a lot of people ask me that question but really my life revolves around music whether at home or anywhere!

Bonnie: I see, so who are some of the people you want to work with?

Jullian: No one specific but anyone who is willing to put out good music.

Bonnie: What can’t you live without?

Jullian: Music!

Bonnie: Are you seeing anybody?…. asking for the Jucy suitors….

Jullian: No..I’m not seeing anybody. I’m currently single…

Bonnie: Haha! ok, back to the music, how is the music market though?

Jullian: It’s a tough market Bon, but hey I always block out the negative and focus on the positive things as far as music is concerned

Bonnie: Minnie or Boity? Choose one!

Jullian: Boity straight away…

Bonnie: Eda Rose or Boity?

Jullian: Boity!!!!!

Bonnie: Your celebrity crush? (local)

Jullian: No comment! (Laughs)

Bonnie: Black Coffee or Culoe De Song?

Jullian: Both!!!!

Bonnie: How would you like to be remembered?

Jullian: By the legacy I leave.

Bonnie: What is the biggest misconception about you that you would like to clear?

Jullian: That of people thinking I’m not South African. People think that I’m from overseas which I’m not.

Bonnie: How do you deal with overzealous fans?

Jullian: I deal with people the way I would like to be dealt with- with respect.

Bonnie: How do you stay grounded?

Jullian: My conscious grounds me.

Bonnie: What makes a good DJ/Producer?

Jullian: Passion!

Bonnie: You are a globetrotter of note, which country stands out for you, besides SA?

Jullian: Barcelona!! That place is amazing, great scenery, music, culture, food, everything man.

Bonnie: How can your fans get hold of you?

Jullian: I’ts pretty simple, I’m on both Facebook and Twitter. Just my name Jullian Gomes, @JULLiAN_GOMES.

Bonnie: Where can your fans catch you this March/April?

Jullian: I always post my gigs on Twitter, so please follow up.

Bonnie: Well. thank you so much Jullian for taking time out and chatting to us. We wish you all the very best in all you do!

Jullian: Thank you so much Bonnie, Thanks Jucy!

By: @BonnieMes

Bonnie Meslane is Jucy Africa’s Entertainment & Fashion blogger, who happens to have a degree in Public Administration & Politics. She loves all things colurful, fashion, music and beautiful.

Photography by: Lee @ThickLeeyonce

Make-Up : Mina Shembe @Minaashe

Location: SET Venue, Rosebank

The 7^th annual MTN Bushfire Festival was launched last night in Parkview to a few members of the media and stakeholders. The festival held in Swaziland aims to bring art lovers to the Malkerns Valley for a unique experience to live music from international artists, theatre, poetry, film,dance and visual arts among others. Last year, the festival was able to attract people from over 40 different countries and had a crowd of over 20 000 people to experience 3 days of African magic under the Swazi Sun.

This 2013 live-up consists of the likes of Alhousseini Mohamed Anivolla, Black Motion, The Soil, DJ Euphonik, Big Fkn Gun, Masikane, Gcina Mhlope, Nathalie Natiembe, Shangaan Poetry, Nakhane Toure, Toti and my new favoyurite band, The Brother Moves, just to name a few. The festival’s headline act will be Bomba Estereo from Colombia. The band was voted MTV’s Best New Band in 2010 and they combine traditional Colombian Cumba music with electro.

Colombian band, Bomba Estereo

With the slogan, #BringYourFire, the festival promises to be a success and accommodates people from all walks of life that are brought together by the love of the arts. From camp sites to luxury accommodation  everything is set for the ultimate weekend in Swaziland. Hand craft markets sites, Kids-zone and family friendly concerts are all available to make sure everyone gets to enjoy themselves. 100% of the proceeds from the festival are all donated to help two organisations in Swaziland namely, Young Heroes and Rural boMake.

The festival will be held from the 31^st of May to the 3rd of July 2013. Tickets are already on sale on www.bushfire.sz and people who buy their tickets before the 30^th of March can stand a chance to win prizes including luxury accommodation or ticket upgrades.

SA Artist, Big Fkn Gun

by: Just Denis (@denphat)

Pics supplied by: Red Flag