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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Christmas at Cresta Shopping Centre

Posted on December 19, 2021 by Mishkah Roman-Cassiem

December is the best time to enjoy quality family time together. With its fun activities and abundance of adventure, Cresta makes it easy for shoppers to get their Christmas on, with their safe and innovative festive SEAson program. In addition, the first-class entertainment lineup is so impressive that shoppers will look for excuses to make multiple visits to the mall.

Cresta is a progressive mall with mixed-use spaces that bring together entertainment, leisure, health and wellness, and other novel experiences. The centre has created community spaces where people meet, socialise and build consciousness for the environment. With over 34 fish species, the CrestAquarium Fish Tank transports shoppers and especially children to a peaceful and magical space. Children learn about the importance of protecting the marine environment at the Under the Sea Marine Exploration Exhibition at Cresta, which provides a realistic experience with animatronic models where visitors feel they are on the Coast while exploring this exhibit. The exhibition reminds us of the beauty and majesty of marine life and our responsibility to protect it. Especially for inlanders to become more conscious of our impact and footprint, we teach children the importance of picking up after themselves and keeping our beaches clean and safe.

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The Trace Group and Okuhle Media Merge to form Trace Studios

Posted on November 17, 2021 by Mishkah Roman-Cassiem

The Cape Town based audio-visual production company, Okuhle Media (acquired by Trace Group in 2020), announced the rebranding of their recent merger. With the on-going combined offering of services, the newly rebranded Trace Studios officially took effect on the 1^st of October 2021.

The initial strategy was put in place several months ago to invest in development, IP creation, and talent, and it is already paying off. New shows that already have some notable ratings successes include:

Signal High – The teen drama series that earlier this year, performed consistently at +49% slot average.
Wild Orphan Rescue – A wildlife series produced for Fremantle and SABC, directed by award winning Benjamin G. Hewett, doubled the broadcasters’ primetime average for audience (+140%) and for share (+164%).

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