Boiler Room x Ballantine’s True Music Studios kicks off this week in Soweto, Johannesburg, for a 4-day experience with live performances, industry discussions, and community experiences.
Taking place across different countries, here at home the series will take place from Wednesday, 15 February and wrap up on Saturday, 18 February at multiple venues in Soweto.
True Music Studios offers a variety of experiences curated by cutting-edge collaborators who are propelling local music scenes forward. Here in South Africa, the experience will be curated by Amapiano jock and producer Njelic and will feature local artists including Kamo Mphela, Kabza De Small, Toss, DJ LeSoul, and more.
The local series will also include industry discussions on how the township has shaped SA dance music history and the Amapiano culture.
Here’s what to expect and the full schedule below. Head to boilerroom.tv for RSVP details:
Wednesday, 15 Feb (18:00 – 22:30): IN CONVERSATION WITH: HOW THE TOWNSHIP SHAPED SOUTH AFRICAN MUSIC HISTORY
These in-depth conversations, as part of Boiler Room x Ballantine’s True Music Studios, are an exploration of how music culture is influenced by diversity and will delve into the relationship between traditional and urban music beyond the street.
Mpumelelo Frypan Mfula will be in conversation with Njelic about his legendary career in the SA house scene spanning over two decades. We’ll listen to key players of the South African scene discuss how the township of Soweto shaped the country’s dance music history, including Nkosi Zuthulele (of BCUC), kwaito’s living legend M’du Masilela, rising talent Lady Sakhe and Soweto native Nobantu Vilakazi.
Thursday, 16 Feb (19:00 – 01:00): KABZA DE SMALL, KAMO MPHELA, NJELIC & MORE
Curated in collaboration with Njelic, the line-up features the King and Queen of Amapiano Kabza De Small and Kamo Mphela as well as Soweto-native Daliwonga and newcomer TOSS amongst others.
Saturday, 18 Feb (14:00 – 16:00): DANCE MASTERCLASS WITH KAMO MPHELA
Queen of Amapiano Kamo Mphela delivers a Masterclass in the genre’s key moves and choreography. Both the public face and physical embodiment of the joyous musical energy emanating from her hometown of Soweto, don’t miss this.
Saturday, 18 Feb (19:00 – 01:00): LE GRAND BRAND PRESENTS: SATIN RETURN BALL
Le Grand Brand presents the first ever vogue ball extravaganza to be hosted as a part of Boiler Room x Ballantine’s True Music Studios, featuring some of SA’s most exciting LGBTIQA+ Hauses and collectives, alongside some hotly-tipped new DJs and artists you will soon be knowing about.
Hosted by Delta The Leo, the genre-bending line-up includes the ground-shaking afro tech grooves of DJ LeSoul, a live performance from kwaai diva Umlilo and friends, beautiful chaos courtesy of gqom princess LIKKYLIKS, multifaceted Joburg club staple Teedo Love, and the charismatic and party-starting founder of GSPT, Rarri.
Capping it all off will be the “Satin Return Ball”; a veritable eruption of looks, moves and beats, showcasing and celebrating the some of the finest Hauses in SA, presented in a full competition format.
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