Apple Music announce AWEN as the latest Isgubhu cover star

Posted on January 17, 2022 by Mishkah Roman-Cassiem

Apple Music has announced French-Senegalese dance music singer-songwriter and producer, AWEN (real name Lucille Kante) as its latest Isgubhu cover star. Her debut album Redemption (2021), moves between soulful Afro House and deep spiritual trip hop and features Umlazi-born, self-taught Afro House producer and DJ, Enoo Napa on the title-track “Redemption”. As a frequent collaborator with various Afro House artists from all over Africa, AWEN’s incorporation of multiple genres and sonic elements into her music is testament to her constant growth and ongoing journey.

AWEN has also created an exclusive Isgubhu playlist that features tracks that fuel her musical fire and that showcase Africa’s rich dance music talent through the years.

“I had great fun curating the Isgubhu playlist for Apple Music. I included some timeless classics, such as Tony Allen’s ‘African Man’ just because those tunes paved the way for African dance music as we know it today. I also included some new gems from artists I love and admire such as Black Coffee, Sun El-Musician, Msaki and Black Motion; you will also find a few tunes from my album Redemption. What do all these tracks have in common? They all take from various influences to create a unique form of soulfulness that makes us feel more alive,” she tells Apple Music.

Taking over Isgubhu By… for this month is eSwatini-hailing electronic producer and deep house DJ, !Sooks (real name Sukoluhle Dlamini). Having been enthralled by African music and synth sound creation, !Sooks’ first milestone came when he released his debut EP, 7 Years of Colour (2016) under Antidote Music, quickly following this up with his second release, A Different Place (2016) under international label Deepstitched Records. Since then he’s blazed a unique trail while honing his ambient, moody groove.

“Growing up, my dad exposed me to a lot of amazing music, especially jazz, which inspired my love for music as a whole. This particular selection showcases my love for a variety of sounds within African dance music and it is this plethora of sounds that inspires my music production today. My selection for Apple Music features music from South Africa, Namibia and Eswatini, which to me shows the growth of African dance and electronic music. We have come of age and the sound has moved from the underground scene and has stepped into the mainstream through the advancement of Amapiano, Afro House and other emerging African dance music subgenres,” he explains.

Launched in early 2021, Isgubhu is the definitive home of African Dance and Electronic music on Apple Music and spotlights and elevates the work of African Electronic DJs, producers and creatives. Isgubhu, a Zulu word meaning beat and used to refer to a banging song, pays homage to an evergreen set of genres and the African artists who have played a pivotal role in shaping the Dance and Electronic scene across the world.

Isgubhu also houses a collection of playlists including Spotlight On – a focus on boutique labels like Soul Candi, House Afrika, Stay True Sounds, Uganda’s Hakuna Kulala & Nyege Nyege Tapes, Kenya’s Gondwana KE, and eSwatini’s Antidote Music, as well as Isgubhu Voices – a focus on the best Dance and Electronic tracks that feature vocals.

Listen to Isgubhu only on Apple Music http://apple.co/Isgubhu

ROOKIE USA Donates R50 000 to Reach for a Dream Foundation

Posted on January 13, 2022 by Mishkah Roman-Cassiem

Rookie USA is known for it’s love for helping children as much as they can. Their annual donations brighten even the dimmest of smiles.

Rookie USA partnered with well-known influencers and friends of the brand to contribute to the amazing donation of R50 000 to the Reach For A Dream Foundation.

“Reach For A Dream seeks to alleviate the strain that life-threatening illnesses place on sick children and their families by providing these dreamers with the opportunity to believe in their greatest wish. The Foundation has been providing dreams to children all around the country for 33 years and counting. These young children are under extreme pressure to deal with these medical issues and are in desperate need of encouragement. In addition, Reach For A Dream offers the child a magical moment to regain their childhood that is being lost to an illness.”

“The foundation is grateful to have partnered with Rookie USA in the journey to inspire, give hope, strength, and courage in the lives of our dream children” says Natalie Lazaris, Business Head for Reach for a Dream Foundation.

Rookie USA is a kids-only, multi-branded premium retail destination, now in South Africa. It is a retail experience focused on kids from the ages of 0-20 years old ranging from apparel to accessories and footwear. Rookie USA offers consumers a collection of iconic brands including Converse, Nike, Jordan, Hurley and Levi’s to provide a complete head-to-toe kid’s experience.

Check out Rookie USA’s website www.rookieusa.co.za and Instagram page @Rookieusa.za.
#RookieZA

7 reasons to turn over a new leaf in 2022 with Tetley Green Tea

Posted on January 12, 2022 by Mishkah Roman-Cassiem

*(Image credit:* *@ataleofsauceandspice*)

If you’ve decided to turn over a new leaf this year, make sure it’s a Tetley Green Tea leaf! Green tea has been enjoyed for centuries and offers a variety of intrinsic health benefits, making it the perfect addition to a healthy lifestyle.

“Getting healthy is at the top of most peoples’ New Year’s resolutions, but we often set ourselves goals that are unrealistic and that set us up for failure,” explained Candice Sessions, Tetley Marketing Manager. “The best way to get into a healthy routine is to make small, purposeful changes that are sustainable. One of the simplest and most effective ways to get healthier is to include Tetley Green Tea into your daily diet. It’s the perfect hydrating antioxidant boost, and can be used for iced teas and smoothies too. We’ve also shared some of our favourite healthy Green tea recipes to help everyone start 2022 on the right foot!”

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Anele Zondo named new CATRICE brand ambassador

Posted on January 6, 2022 by Mishkah Roman-Cassiem

German makeup brand CATRICE, represented by Cosmetix in South Africa, has appointed TV presenter, actress and model Anele Zondo as its new local brand ambassador.

Taking to social media, the ever-sassy and fun-loving Anele said that she was excited to sign a first-of-its-kind deal in Africa. The One Mic and Massive Music host’s acting career began with a recurring role in the second season of the Mzansi Magic drama series It’s Complicated, followed by Saints and Sinners and award-winning soapie The River. Anele has also just launched her rap career with her debut single “Ingwe” featuring Given Zulu, which has been well received by the public.

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PEP partners with Loxion Kulca

Posted on December 31, 2021 by Mishkah Roman-Cassiem

I first heard about the clothing brand Loxion Kulca way back in 2005 when I was the Assistant Producer for the SABC 1 show “Spirit Sundae”. Loxion Kulca sponsored our presenters’ clothing at the time and the duo that founded the iconic urban street fashion brand, Wandi Nzimande and Sechaba Mogale, were huge entrepreneurs.

PEP has announced that the latest collection from Loxion Kulca is now exclusively available in over 1,000 PEP stores, making this range more readily available to customers.

“We have rolled out this collection exclusively to most of our PEP stores nationwide, following a very successful pre-launch in a few PEP stores last year. We always aim to make fashion as affordable and accessible as possible and having Loxion Kulca in more of our stores will make this renowned brand more accessible to our customers”, says PEP Chief Marketing Executive, Beyers van der Merwe.

The original Mzansi township brand, Loxion Kulca, was co-founded 21 years ago as a brand by the people, for the people. As an iconic and proudly South African clothing label, Loxion Kulca is an important part of the country’s streetwear heritage, culture and fashion scene. The brand gave birth to a lot of movements and trends. Bucket hats, that have made their way back into fashion, are some of the items that the brand introduced and is renowned for in South Africa.

PEP continuously improves and evolves to stay relevant and partnering with a local brand such as Loxion Kulca is one of the many ways they are delighting their customers. PEP’s customers are at the heart of everything they do, which is why their biggest priority will be to offer enough options for everyone to look and feel good, everyday.