Our fam, Scoop, Lungsta & Thomas made history with the first season of their popular reality TV show “Forever Young”. They asked us to host the season finale party for the show and we did it in style. Khuli Chana put on one of his best and most electric performances ever and the DJs (Dimplez, Groove Afrika, Loyd, Lyle & Saxso) made sure that the dance floors were jam-packed at all times.

Thanks to everyone for coming through. The LOOP was on fire!!!!!!

Our boys from Ill Skillz and 5th Floor got together recently and shot a crispy fresh video for their collabo joint, “We Are Over Here”. The quality is on point .. we love all the numerous locations in Cape Town that were used to bring this song to life. Peep the video and let us know what you think.

Does it get fresher than this?

White house certified … You can cop these babies at Shelflife in Loop St, Cape Town but prepared to drop at least R1.6k for them.

LOYISO GOLA

We sat down with our homeboy, who’s affectionately known as ‘Loy’ by his childhood friends and got the 411 on what drives him, his struggles, triumphs and his plans for the future. Loyiso Gola is our Honcho of the Month. We trust that his story will inspire you.

What’s good fam?

Everything is good fam, everything.

New Year treating you well?

Man, just trying to change a couple of bad habits…

Where are you from?

I was born in Francshoek, grew up in Gugulethu Cape Town. I’ve be been living in JHB for 9 years now. But Cape Town is still home.

You celebrated 10 years in the game recently, how did that feel?

It felt like it was the beginning of my comedy journey, it seems long but it’s nothing in comedy years. But after ten years I have seen a lot comedians come and go and I have seen a comedy evolution.

How did you get into comedy?

I started in high school; we used to have this thing called job shadow. I shadowed Riaad Moosa, Kagiso Lediga, Kurt Schoonrad, Tshepo Mogale for a week. Right there and then I fell in love with the shit.

Few people know your struggles man, I remember you telling me about the crazy places where you lived during your early days… How does that motivate you?

When I first moved to JHB it was tough. I stayed in someone’s garage for about a year with no toilet and no shower. Don’t ask!  That makes me appreciate what I have. It lets me be humble. Every time someone on Twitter talks shit to me about my comedy …. I always ask myself where this person was when I was living like squatter.

You seem to catch a lot of hecklers on twitter, why do you think that is?

Twitter heckling is inevitable; I am used to it now. People have this platform called Twitter and they don’t know how to use it to their benefit. They spend the whole day heckling people. That’s how I get caught in the cross fire.

Loyiso with fellow GQ Award winners

What’s your take on South African hip-hop?

I am out of touch when it comes to hip hop. I grew up in the 90′s with Biggie, Mobb Deep, A Tribe Called Quest, Busta Rhymes, Wu-Tang, Outkast and The Roots. So I am out of touch when dudes like Lil Boozie, Drake, Birdman are the best shit in 2012. I don’t think my opinion is qualified. But here’s my 2 Cents… it needs to be less American.

Your take on South African fashion?

Just because you print t-shirts that does not make you a fashion Label. There is more to fashion than t’s

What do you think of the state of South African comedy?

It’s growing and it’s  gonna take over.

Who do you think is really funny?

There is a dude called Demitri Martin….. He kills me!

What are your plans for the comedy scene?

I am planning to build a circuit for the audience to come see us (comedians) every night.

Would you ever go into politics and why?

Nah, I don’t have time to bullshit people… I am too honest for politics. You gotta be sneaky in politics.

What is your message to the South African government?

STOP TAKING THE PISS

What motivates you?

Ordinary citizens who do extraordinary things. There was a 17 year in Malawi who built a 20 foot windmill from scratch to provide water for his village. Single moms who raise 3 kids inspire me.

Describe yourself in three words?

A perfect imperfection.

Advice to the kids, fam?

Stay off the yay!

Wdup Township!

Our fam ILL SKILLZ have secured a MAJOR coup. The organizers of the prestigious Cape Town International Jazz Festival announced yesterday that the critically-acclaimed Cape Town-based hip hop duo will be one of the acts performing at this year’s gathering.

The Head Honcho ambassadors will share the stage with some of the biggest acts in music. The likes of Hugh Masekela, Zakes Bantwini, Jean Grae, HHP, and Zahara have all been confirmed for the festival that’s taking place between 30 – 31 March 30.

We’ll keep you updated on ticket prices and performances. We’ll need all the Honchos out there to come support our boys for this historical appearance.

Anelisa Mangcu,

Photographer, artist. Co-Founder of http://perfectlytailored.tumblr.com

1. People Pursuing Passion

Photography by Anelisa Mangcu. "People Pursuing passion".

There is nothing more mind-blowing, than seeing someone who can’t stop talking about their passion and the glow of promise that comes with the complete faith in their abilities and their dream. It is infectious and forces me to analyse what it is that I am doing about my passion.

2. My family

I am nothing without them.

3. Hip-Hop

Sometimes I think my life is somewhat like the movies, with a background track always playing softly in every moment. I grew up listening to all types of music, especially Jazz and Hip-Hop. I was singing, my own version of “The Message HQ” by Grandmaster Flash before I could sing any nursery rhymes. Hip – Hop moves me and because of that, it will continue being the main inspiration for my sense of style and art.

4. The Arts: Art, Architecture, Design and Photography

As a visual person and someone in the creative industry, I thrive off all things beautiful. It all has opened my mind to more than what is before me. With it, carries someone’s story, a need to share his or her perception of beauty and observation with the world. It has become a part of me.

5. Fashion

I love fashion, both male and female designs. I love looking at it, feeling it, forming and opinion about it, putting pieces together, and seeing it on display as well as being behind the scenes.

6. Theatre

Its unfortunate that I am not someone who reads, but when I do, it is usually a book based on the theatre world. Some of it is based on political and spiritual ideologies, while others are based on purely “artistic” concerns. The theatre world inspires me because despite the direction and subject matter of the play, it is a completely different world to get lost in. As a result, my favourite books are Waiting for Godot and Master Harold and the boys.

7. Cape Town

Oh but I love this beautiful city. Thiza! It is vibrant, edgy, eclectic and rich in culture. I love how easy it is to travel around in a train and the many antique shops we have.  I love the worn out architecture in the odd parts of the CBD and the culture-crazed generation.  Yes, I love my city.

8. Acts of Kindness

We live in a world with people that are more concerned about themselves than those around them. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this, as I think that one must always prioritize themselves before they can attend to others. However, it is a beautiful and humbling thing to witness small or grand gestures of kindness and to see that it is not diminishing but a simple act of Ubuntu.

9. Love

Whatever form it comes in, I just can’t seem to get enough of it.

 10. Possibility

Photography by Anelisa Mangcu. "Possibility".

The endless possibilities of how we get there (there being your destination) and the great lengths in which people go to find out the possibility is inspiring.

Janine Jellars is the newly-appointed Editor-In-Chief of Seventeen Magazine, the best-selling teen magazine in the country. We asked her to share the 10 Things that Inspire her.

1. Prada & Miu Miu

Two words: Miuccia Prada. Chic, quirky, classic, feminine, cutesy, tough and sweet – I love Prada and Miu Miu. In the alternative universe where I’m a billionaire’s trophy wife, I wear nothing but Prada & Miu Miu.

2. Hip hop music

I listen to hip hop when I write. Rhymes and raps help me ‘compose’ articles. A well-written piece has its own rhythm. And everyone knows I love Kanye West. Why? Just nje.

3. Pretty things

My love for beauty – clothes, images, make up, art, and architecture – inspires me to create beautiful things, too.

4. Beyonce Knowles

This might seem hella lame to include, but be patient with me: I love Beyonce’s audacity, her work ethic and her general all around fierceness.

5. Rosie

Miller’s poster, Rosie the Riveter … Yes, really.

6. Good writing

The best piece of advice I’ve ever received about writing is that ‘good writers read good writing’. Even if it’s a cutesy article on TheHairpin.com or a great poem by Alice Walker, the written word moves me…

7. Silence

I spend a lot of my time surrounded by people, busy-ness, noise, opinions, facts, giving my own opinion. Silence helps me focus and re-energise

8. Women

I like to think of myself as a girl’s girl – I love solidarity with my sisters and there’s nothing more beautiful than a self-possessed woman (I’m working on getting there!)

9. Love

I don’t mean the romantic kind, really… I’m pushed by my love for what I do and other people’s love and appreciation for my work… I understand that I’m very privileged – not everyone wakes up every morning knowing that they LOVE their lives or their work.

10. Joburg

I like to call myself a reformed Capetonian. I was born and bred in CT and currently live here. I love CT, but nothing compares to the energy in JHB. Living there helped me realize I need to up my own game & hustle harder.

Saturday, 27 August 2011 will be forever etched in a lot of people’s minds. On that day we made history and hosted the first SA launch for AKA’s classic debut album “ALTAR EGO”. As per usual, our Cape Town fam came in droves and showed AKA serious amount of love.

From the girl who asked AKA to autograph her boob, to the peeps who were rapping along to every line from his songs and to the guys that bought the album … The love was felt.

The most-anticipated South African hip hop album is finally ready to hit the streets. Our fam AKA has laboured on his debut album ‘ALTAR EGO’ for more than a year now.

After dropping hit singles such as “I Want it All” feat. PRO & Khuli Chana, “Victory Lap” and “All I Know”, AKA is eager for the world to listen to his story in its entirety.

On Saturday, 27 August, Head Honcho will play host to the first SA launch of “ALTAR EGO”. …AKA will perform as many songs as possible from the new album. If you’re a fan of this rising star you cannot miss this event!

His new album will be ON SALE at the event. Be the first to get it.

Details:

>> Date – SAT, 27 August 2011

>> Venue – ALBA Lounge (V&A Waterfront)

>> CC – R70 (Pre-sold); R100 (at the door)

>> Time – 9pm – 3am (Bar closes at 2am)

>> TO BUY PRESOLD TICKETS CALL (021)801 2864 (CBD), (082)445-9505 (UWC), (082)445-9538 (Parklands/Blouberg), (078)843-0654 (UCT)

>> ONLY 350 TICKETS GOING ON SALE. GET YOURS ASAP.

DJ Fanatic on the 1's & 2's

Cape Town is experiencing what I like to call a ‘Nightlife Renaissance’ … really cool events have had us enthralled all winter. Last Saturday, the good people of Fish Eagle hit us up with invites for the Cape Town leg of their “Eagle Air” series of private parties.

The CT party was held just up the road from the Head Honcho HQ …. The venue was a spacious penthouse with sumptuous views of the CBD – a perfect setting for a New York themed party. Guests were treated to a wide selection of Fish Eagle inspired cocktails and drinks. Open bar. All night long.

Later on in the evening AKA, Red Button and PRO brought the house down with intimate performances that went down well with the Eagle that we were sipping on. DJs Raiko and Fanatic kept booties shaking; DJ Azuhl on the other hand took people way back with a 30-min Bob Marley set and he almost made sophisticated peeps act hood when he dropped MOP’s ‘Ante Up’.

We also hung out with some of our favourite celebrity friends such as Siya “Scoop” Ngwekazi, Dineo Moeketsi, Lungsta and many others.

Well done to Fish Eagle on a great event.

AKA performing

Dineo enjoying the party with a friend

Red Button doing his thing

AKA and Chief Honcho

Jimmy Flexx and his better half

PRO brought the house down

Scoop, Uno & Tibz (in the background) enjoying the show

Pics courtesy of Fish Eagle