Singer Toya Delazy debuts video
Johannesburg-based singer Delazy has put out her first video to go with debut single "Pump It On". The single was produced by the creative team also responsible for Jax Panik - Johnny Deridder and Jax van Heerden, and is off her as yet untitled first album, the release date of which is still unknown, but reportedly comes out in "early 2012".
The track was playlisted on various top radio stations including 5FM, when it came out in October this year. The video, which was done by Star Productions, was produced by Adam Thal and directed by Tristan Holmes. Delazy shot to recognition after her watershed performance the 2011 Africa Concert, which was broadcast over the entire continent.
Rolling Stone SA in stores this month
The highly-anticipated release of the first edition of Rolling Stone SA is taking place before the end of November, amid much rumor and speculation. The coveted magazine's local version, headed up by music-journalism stalwart Miles Keylock, is rumored to hit shelves around the 25th, or "payday" as it is colloquially known.
The magazine's first edition cover has been kept a tight secret by the editorial staff, and Keylock has said, "We have to ask ourselves who our rockstars are…" The debut is reported to have a strong balance between local and international content, but with a definitive SA "flavor". Rolling Stone joins Playboy and Forbes as recent local editions of international magazines.
ANC Musical starts to take shape
The ANC's commissioned musical for the ruling-party's centenary celebrations is starting to take shape as well-known actor Mbongeni Ngema has been appointed by the party to create the multi-million rand spectacle. The budget for the show is said to be huge, as statements alluding to its scope have compared it to massively costly musicals such as Sarafina and Gert Sibande: The Lion of The East (which cost a reported R22m).
The show is to be called Number 43 - an allusion to the codename for the ANC's Swaziland safe house, "43", which was a place for members to stay as they left SA for training. ANC-sponsored musicals have a rocky history in the country, and the outcome of this play remains to be seen.
SA TV stalwart now at MTV
Seasoned television executive Helen Smit has just joined the MTV family as the new Programming Director, Music at MTV Networks Africa. Smit is to oversee MTVNA's cache of music marks, such as MTV Base and local VH1. This move brings Smit back home after a stint as Deputy Director of Programming for Baynounah Media Group in Abu Dhabi.
She built her reputation largely on work she did for KTV/GO and M-Net, largely changing the content-vision of many of its channels. A spokesperson for MTVNA has been quoted as expressing the network's excitement at Smit's arrival, saying, "…Her insights into youth media consumption habits and expertise in scheduling across multiple platforms will be a valuable addition to the business…"
The fourth incarnation of the Johannesburg International Mozart Festival, happening during January and February next year, is getting its act(s) together. The Linder Auditorium is the main venue for the symphony concerts and recitals, whilst workshops and Masterclasses will run for two weeks of the festival.
First held in 2006, the festival is an almost month-long celebration of genius Mozart's birthday, and in that year it's 250th anniversary. The Music Director (and conductor) Richard Cock and concert pianist Florian Uhlig as Artistic Director are driving the festival, the 2012 theme for which is "Quasi Improvisando" - making the artistic contributions something to look forward to.
