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one small seed#30: A Face to Face Interview with Paolo Nutini

giu — Fri, 15 May 2015 11:47:08 +0000

Paolo Nutini has millions of views on YouTube and has played with the Rolling Stones, but doesn’t even know the password to his Twitter account. ‘It’s all about the music, man,’ he tells us. Get to know him better in our face-to-face interview:

Only in South Africa

one small seed — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 11:00:24 +0000

As the title says. Only in SA, man! Just watch.

adidas Originals Superstar Launch: Inspiring Creative Courage

one small seed — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 08:40:12 +0000

Global superstars – Rita Ora, David Beckham, Pharrell Williams and Damian Lillard – are at the centre of the adidas Originals Superstar Launch 2015. The provocative movement aims to reclaim the word and meaning of ‘superstar’. In 1969, when adidas first launched the Superstar shoe, the meaning of the word was clear-cut! In today’s world, things are a lot fuzzier!

The iconic adidas Originals Superstar shoe has forged its way through history. From its humble beginnings as highly technical performance footwear designed for basketball courts, to integrating into the hip-hop scene in the ’80s, to various innovations and collaborations, it has always maintained its integrity! In 2015 adidas Originals begins its homage to the shoe that started a movement, with The Superstar Vintage Deluxe.

Even though the Superstar’s quintessential design has its roots in sportswear, the timeless silhouette has broken those boundaries and goes beyond the constant flux of fashion trends. The connections between skateboarding culture, hip-hop, fashion and prominent figures have been prevalent throughout the history of adidas Originals Superstar. Starting with Run-DMC’s endorsement deal with adidas in 1986, which included the track ‘My adidas’ on their bestselling Raising Hell LP. A tune that set the tone for future relationships in the entertainment industry.

And then in the late ’80s, Mark Gonzales signed with the adidas skate team, which legitimized the relationship between skate culture and adidas forever. In 2004 adidas Originals Superstar celebrated their 35th Anniversary with the #SS35 campaign, consisting of 35 collaborative shoes. The final product was the #35 model, which was handmade entirely from the most luxurious leather, right down to the shelltoe and even the outsole! The masterpiece was presented in a large white case adorned with gold-plated hardware and a matching cleaning kit. The few reproductions of the shoe have become collectors’ items, which initiated the inspiration for the following decade of sneaker culture.

Even though adidas Originals Superstar has maintained its authenticity and class, the 21st century environment that we live in has changed the meaning of what it means to be a true superstar. Today, people regard stardom as being referred to by your first name, having fans who are interested in what you eat for breakfast, and how many ‘Likes’ or followers you have. But, for David Beckham, ‘It’s not about trying to be the next big thing.’ Nor is it ‘about having your name on a flag or a jersey’ – pro-basketball player Damian Lillard.

In the short film from adidas Originals called adidas Originals | #OriginalSuperstar, directed by Karim Huu Do, the star-studded cast decree that they are not superstars – turning the 21st century’s concept of what ‘superstar’ means on it’s head. And that’s exactly what the launch of adidas Originals Superstar is all about. When David Beckham started out, all he wanted was to be the best football player he could be, and Pharrell had a compelling need to create music. Fame was just a by-product of their originality, hard work and dedication!

For the adidas Originals Superstar Launch 2015, the message leaves no room for misinterpretation: being a true superstar is being original and having the courage to create without external validation. With your pair of adidas Originals Superstar’s, laced up or down and placing you firmly on the ground, you can be the #originalsuperstar you were born to be!

Relevant Links:
Website: http://www.adidas.co.za/originalsuperstar
Twitter: hashtag #originalsuperstar Follow @adidasZA
Instagram: adidasza

We Hope You Bought it! Thumbs up Cassper Nyovest.

one small seed — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 07:33:56 +0000

Cassper Nyovest, South African recording artist and producer, released the official music video for ‘I Hope You Bought it’ from his debut album Tsholofelo in December 2014. It has, so far, received 77,008 views on Youtube and 1,238 thumbs up!

The video shows the process of airbrushing the Tsholofelo album cover, to show that:

Although many people believe Cassper Nyovest’s career was an overnight success, this is not the case. Cassper’s career was built from the ground up… (Youtube video description)

Even though some may not be so impressed:

Yoh, not a good song, but the content, the words, hayi no, you settled the score with the so called fans and haters.” (Thuto Moloi)

one small seed loves it! You got our thumbs up Cassper!

What do you think? Leave your comment in the box below…

This video shows why people never leave Cape Town!

one small seed — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 07:50:36 +0000

Thomas Roos’s video of Cape Town is a tribute to the Rainbow Nation and is only a representation of the country’s true beauty. For years, the intriguing beauty of Southern Africa has fascinated Roos and his twin brother Martijn, who assisted him during the making of the video. When it comes to epic trips and adventures, Cape Town has been the starting point for many of them… It is a place that holds uncountable memories for both brothers and the many others with them.

Watch:

You can check out more of Thomas’s work here.

JACK PAROW: DIE MUSO AND BRAND WUNDERKIND

one small seed — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 21:59:40 +0000

It’s been half a decade since he first poked his tongue at us… We’re still keeping the conversation rolling as we say: ‘Hos Ja, Parow!’. one small seed magazine / Issue 27 / Digital 02: “Big Brands and Famous Artists” Issue, in partnership with PUMA

Exclusive Video Interview with ex-gang member of the Pollsmoor 28s

one small seed — Tue, 05 Aug 2014 06:10:35 +0000

For one small seed exclusive insider’s account, writer Paul White tells the story of an ex-gang member of the Pollsmoor 28s, part of the infamous South African Number Gangs feared around the world. His name is Joburg

Pieces of Joburg from one small seed on Vimeo

‘When you decide to stab someone in prison, you pick a basic area to aim for and then rely on your anger. One. Two. Three. Then you hand the knife to someone behind you who makes the knife disappear as the person you stabbed lies on the ground, bleeding out.’

Job ‘Joburg’ Gallie joined the 28s through such an act. An enemy of his from outside had come into jail and Joburg had not wanted to join the number until then. The problem was that no violent acts could be committed in prison without the go-ahead from the gangs. He went to the senior members to ‘look for work’. They provided him with a knife (handmade, of course), and he stabbed the man twice in the head and once in the back. Joburg was dating the man’s sister on the outside and her brother forbade her to see him, telling her that Joburg was no good. She broke up with him. Joburg vowed to get his revenge.

During the interview Paul asked Joburg what happened to the person he stabbed. His reply was:

We became good friends after that… I never got back with his sister though.

top photo: KOPE | FIGGINS
originally published in Issue 22 of one small seed

#YourINK – Part I: Win a Professional Photo Shoot & Levi’s Gear

one small seed — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 10:54:06 +0000

Would you like to see yourself and your tattoos in a future issue of Cult of Self Magazine?

Then free your skin and take a photo of yourself because for #YourINK – Part I we’re searching for the best tattoos with the most inspiring meaning. This can be a view of the world, a symbol of belonging, a manifestation of your passion, a memory of love – but most importantly – a true expression of self! The ‘protagonist’ of the best submission will win a professional shoot by tattoo devotee Luke Daniel – who we interviewed in the latest issue – as well as being featured in an upcoming editorial. You’ll also get a large-format print to take home!

Luke Daniel

The Brief

*Please read the brief carefully to stand a chance to win

Submissions should be photos of yourself, taken by you or a friend, and – most importantly – they should show off your ink. We’d also like you tell us who the tattoo artist was, what country/city it was done in, when it was done and – of course – what the story behind it was! All the images will be featured in a submission gallery on Cult of Self and viewers can vote for the ink they want to see featured in the magazine. Once selected, a shoot will be arranged with the winner of the poll and photographer Luke Daniel, which will feature in an upcoming editorial. And to make things exciting for everyone, there’ll be a main prize for voters, the best story and, of course, the winner of the poll who will appear in an upcoming issue.

Share and submit images via:

Email – cultofselfmag@gmail.com
Become a member & upload your image/s to one small seed Network and make sure that you tag #YourINK
Twitter – @cultofselfmag, make sure that you use the hashtag #YourINK
Facebook – submit your photo to the Cult of Self Facebook page and use the hashtag #YourINK

*Please make sure to include your name in the image title, so it’s easy for us to see who submitted what!

Prize Categories

A) Voters
B) Best story
C) The winner of the casting poll who will be featured in the mag

We have three Levi’s® Trucker Jackets to give away as a first prize for every category and six Levi’s® Denim Shirts for runners-up. The winner of category C will win a Levi’s® Trucker Jacket, get shot by Luke Daniel in Levi’s® gear, feature in an upcoming Cult of Self Magazine and take a large format print home.

To give you some inspiration, we’ve sent Luke Daniel out to capture the ‘zeitgeist of tattoos in South Africa’. We’ll post his findings in a submission gallery regularly, so you’ll have something to go by! See what others have submitted here!

Terms and conditions:

Please note that the photo shoot will happen no later than 17 September 2014, so the editorial can be published in issue 04 of Cult of Self Magazine.

The photo shoot can only happen in Cape Town, you will have to travel here at your own cost if you win and you’re not situated in Cape Town.

Jason Kros’ Tattoos by Luke Daniel

#YourINK Issue 02 Cult of Self Magazine

Oliver Barnett: Behind The Scenes

one small seed — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 13:20:59 +0000

Featured in the first digital issue of one small seed magazine — ‘The Irony of Reality’ Issue — Cape Town-based photographic artist Oliver Barnett’s aim is to ‘unite scientific and spiritual realms to invoke balance in the way humans interact with nature.’

The video below is a short ‘visual biography’ where Barnett shares his thoughts — ones that are intrinsically woven into his art, spiritual beliefs and lifestyle.

Lose yourself in the intricate and abstract photography of Oliver Barnett in his article featured in the magazine, entitled ‘Organic Surrealism’

CLICK HERE to check out the full one small seed magazine 26 | digital 01, in partnership PUMA..

Jonny Joburg Is off to Light up LA

one small seed — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 09:32:21 +0000

Meet Jonny Joburg: a name that pays tribute to a city that is captivating the world with a fresh creative explosion from some brazen and ambitious individuals. Known in the early ’90s simply as Luthando, Jonny is the force and face behind his label Renaissance Rock Recordings, former member of the band SPAZA$HOP BOYZ and an individual who’s shaking things and showing no signs of slowing down. The SAMA-nominated producer has just released a new track ‘Mazishe’, which is also the introductory single from his forthcoming EP titled Sgebengu and he just shot a music video that personifies Joburg’s many characteristics to be released late July 2014! He’s also got a trip planned to head to LA… you’ll have to stay posted to hear the juice on that! We caught up with Jonny for a candid one-on-one about Renaissance Rock Recordings and hip hop in South Africa, use of vernac, and future plans of staging his own coup d’état!

photograph by Leeroy Jason

How is your label Renaissance Rock Recordings doing?
RRR is doing well; we are currently representing 21 composers and a number of exciting artists who are busy shaking things, such as Loui Lvndn, Frank Marksy, Frankie Beagle and Dead Alphabet. We’re also in talks with underground rap legends Revivolution and a performance-rap duo by the name of Stash Crew who used to perform with A Brother Moves On.

You’ve also introduced RRR, your new clothing brand. Tell us a bit about this coming together of music and fashion…?
The name of the clothing brand is RRR and it’s a blatant merger of fashion and music. The clothing directly reflects the attitude of the company, which is punk rock. So we’re doing prints that evoke a sense of rebellion and social tension. It’s in the music and it’s in our society, so why not put it in the clothes?

What does ‘Mazishe’ and ‘Sgebengu’ mean? Is the use of rhyming in vernac important for you and what’s been the public’s response?
‘Mazishe’ is Joburg slang for ‘let’s do it’ or ‘light it up’. Sgebengu is a Zulu word for criminal. The use of vernac in the music is important but also second nature, there’s no way anybody can grow up in South Africa — especially in Joburg — and not be affected by the culture. I put the whole city on my back when I used it in my name because that’s how much I love being a Joburg kid and being a South African. The people have responded positively and overwhelmingly to the music and the brand. The kids can tell that I’m actually here for them and not just making a quick buck.

What are your plans for the rest of 2014? And the future?
During the second half of 2014, I’ll be releasing my EP, my DVD, my video, I’ll be going on tour with Revivolution, new clothing designs will be out and I’ll be expanding my brand to overseas. In short, we’ll be staging a coup d’état.

Where in Joburg do you feel most alive?
Downtown baby! Yeoville stand up!

Any upcoming gigs we can look forward to?
Definitely! My management keeps me busy.The biggest will be the the #LIVEFROMTHE011 launch that I’m hosting with GRIME TOWN at the end of July in Maboneng. I’m also branching into public speaking and will be speaking to children at a school in Alexandra township which I’m excited about!

How would you describe South Africa’s hip hop scene? Does it (and if so, why?) differ from province to province; city to suburb…? What are the most significant differences and where do you feel your style is most aligned to?
South Africa’s hip hop scene is growing very well and it’s on pace to be the biggest cultural influencer in this country. My only problem with it at the moment is that it’s very soft and safe. Nobody dares to talk about what’s really going on in society. That’s where I come in, and I think that MAZISHE being played on national radio is a testament to how hungry the public is for a hip hop artist who actually raps about something they can relate to.

SPAZA$HOP – PHOTOGRAPH BY TINI JIZZLEI

My style is not regional, my style is street. I’m aligned to the streets. My experiences are from the streets. Street life is one of the most universal concepts known to man and it connects people from all over our country, continent and planet. I’m just speaking about street life from a Joburg perspective.

We are witnessing a handful of local acts which seem to be getting more support from overseas and by international promoters and labels than local ones. What are your thoughts on this?

I’ve got no problem with anything that serves to take my message further. Give us bigger venues and bigger crowds and you’ll see a bigger change.

How important do you think radio exposure is and how does it directly affect artists’ revenue?
I speak from personal experience when I say that national radio is the difference and performance royalties can be very significant if you’ve had a hit, but artists shouldn’t think about that too much when composing.

Would you still consider there to be an underground music scene with the increasing emergence of artists’ releasing their work online?
The internet only served to grow the underground music scene…

So yes, the underground is alive in Joburg.

If you could work with any local and international artist, who would it be?
Locally I would like to work with the producers Nyambz, PH-Superman and Brian Soko and internationally I’d like to work with Madlib and Pharrell. Ask me in five years if I made all of that happen!

Jonny Joburg – Photograph by Justin McGee

Would you ever host a huge concert from a Spaza container? If so, who else would we see on stage?
When I was in SPAZA$HOP BOYZ, that was our dream so if one small seed is keen I’d love to partner on making that show happen. I’d have Revivolution, Dead Alphabet and STASH CREW open for me. It would be epic!

Tell us about where your style is at the moment… and for a little treat, give us a rhyme that sums up your style in 2014!
I changed my style to a form that I grew up listening to in the ’90s because I felt it would get my lyrical content across better. A rhyme from a song on my EP illustrates the shift… ‘I’m pissing off the government topless like I’m Pac.’

If you could invent a new genre of music, what would you call it?

My new genre of music would be called: ‘Don’t be afraid, be yourself’.

Stay posted to Renaissance Rock Recordings’ Facebook page for updates on Sgebengu, the music video to ‘Mazishe’ and his project in LA!

Interview by Matthew Alexander