Category: Entertainment News

With  people as diverse as Prince, Frank Ocean, TKZee, Pink Floyd, Outcast and someone he describes as his “greatest musical influence”, Kanye West for inspiration, Stephen Of Kent is clearly no ordinary singer- songwriter and rapper. Stephen, who is also a producer and multi-instrumentalist is not shy about stating how much the late Linda Mkhize popularly known as ProKid inspired him on his records.

It is no surprise that it’s taking music lovers and hip hop heads alike, a while to catch up to his work. Between the solid and timeless production on his records and exploring the human condition in such a raw form, it’s nothing short of rare talent that he is not your single-listen-and- move-on type of artist. He is as comfortable and raw in vernacular or any language he chooses to get his message through. You can hear this on his YouTube playlisted “future kwaito freestyle” EP. His master pieces are available on all major online music platforms.

Stephen, doesn’t only live it to audio representation of his craft to claim his moment in music. Major League Gardens, Trace Roots Festival, DSTV I Rock Festival, Pop Bottles Johannesburg and 5FM live at Sun City and more, are some of the stages he has taken music lovers on but has become a revered live performer while at it.

You will be forgiven for not knowing who Stephen Of Kent is, which is all the more reason why you should join Slyso on Umhlobo Wenene FM’s #IQL as he chats to Stephen and introduces the Xhosa speaking and understanding 1.7 million listenership to this breath of fresh air for a rap artist. The interview will be at 8:15pm on Saturday the 12, Feb, 2022.

For bookings: 067 895 2732 / 083 691 7550

e-mail : frikkie@blankspaces.co.za

YouTube          : Stephen Of Kent

Instagram        : instagram.com/stephen.of.kent/

Twitter            : twitter.com/stephenofkent

Facebook        : facebook.com/stephenofkent

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An outstanding register, a stage presence other artists can only dream of, a versatility almost unheard of in South Africa as she often spans genres in a single performance with such ease. She is one of those artists it simply is impossible to pin to a single genre. A voice that can be intense like her life depended on it and yet free as the breeze from the shores of the Friendly City, where she hails from. Asanda Mqiki is simply a marvel.

An alumni of Rapp Studios in Port Elizabeth under the tutelage of Brown Nel, it’s only natural that she will merge both her professional and raw ancestral- given talent to create a uniqueness that lands her invitations to the best performance stages both in South Africa and as far as Sweden. With a Gold Ovation award at the National Arts Festival, Eastern Cape MEC Awards and numerous recognitions such as the espAfrika espYoungLegends under her belt, Asanda is one on a lane of her own.

Asanda performed regularly with acapella group The Soil, she was a lead vocalist for Take Note, with whom she released two albums and wowed the South African Joy Of Jazz festival. Mqiki’s first solo album was released to international acclaims, in September 2018. With that body of work, she would be recipient of invitations to more prestigious stages sharing them with the likes of Sibongile Khumalo, Freshly Ground, Khaya Mahlangu Bongeziwe Mabandla and more.

She has been busy exploring her other creative abilities and putting successful projects together, with extensive work in Cape Town. Today (Saturday, 4, Dec, 2021) she shares not only her journey but news on the release of her latest work.

Slyso caught a snippet of one of the singles from the upcoming album and insisted that Asanda features on his Umhlobo Wenene FM radio show, Iqonga Labatsha (#IQL) As carefree as she always is, Asa indulged Slyso and joins him for a chat and that snippet of the single. Catch the interview, tonight on 88-106 Nationwide at 20h15 and news about her upcoming performances, which include the Vocal Explosion Vol.3 at @The One Room, on Westbourne Road, Nelson Mandela Bay on the 11^th of December.

Asanda Mqiki booking details : mqikia@gmail.com

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The name Lungiswa Harmaans is synonymous with radio and it was only expected for it to venture into the communications space.

With almost 20 years of radio under her belt, a witty creative whose girl-next-door humour won the hearts of many over the years has not been without challenges. These were touched on during the launch of her company as she described her personal encounters and challenges with abuse. These left some of the patrons at the elegant four star, Port Alfred’s My Pond Hotel sold out event teary at the fact that, this always bubbly personality endured such challenges. Lulu, as she is fondly known the world over, took the beautiful black and gold themed room into her confidence as she laid her heart bare.

Along with her high school friend, Sinawo Jantjie who heads PR & Marketing at Lulu Harmaans Communications as well as Thanduxolo Faltein are the people behind the birth of the company. Sinawo has, amongst others, a qualification in social work while Thanduxolo leads “Men for Change”. One of this particular event’s communication hands were those of none other than Nomfundo Nonzube, owner of “Abafazi Exclusive” based in Makhanda but works throughout the province. The company offers Master of Ceremony (MC) services, facilitation, voiceover work, obituaries recordings, as well as translations throughout the Eastern Cape and SA.

Lulu was flanked by her Umhlobo Wenene FM former colleagues, Mafa Bavuma, Dr Tebelele, Bulelani Koyo, Sizwe “Slyso” Saliso as well as talented musician and friend, Dumza Maswana who delivered equally exceptional.

The message was clear, women can no longer protect their abusers or those of their children while society and their well-being suffers. Lulu described how she would either miss work, due to heavy beatings, wore thick make up to work to hide bruises and how in-between songs, she would sob and quickly compose herself before her next speech-break, burying her pain in the joy she found in radio.

She promised that a book that details her journey and place in female radio royalty and challenges “is in the works”.

The event trickled with Lulu’s playful nature, elegance, tears, hope and positivity lived by each patron, ended with performances by his former colleagues.

My Pond Hotel’s elegant catering abilities and service and after party at nearby Bathurst’s recently renovated Emzini Lounge might have been the last item for the evening, but one thing for sure, a lesson on living your truth, being of sincere through your pain and cementing a future not only for yourself but a legacy through caring for women and children who have walked her far from rosy life rang as loud as her hunger for a new chapter in her life.

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