Tibz at a recent gig

So my dude Nick aka Nicky Barnes landed in my city on Friday and we went straight to work.

We had a series of back to back meetings with our stockist, clients, potential clients, ambassadors and our one-on-one marathon team talks. The discussion was about the brand, where it sits and where we want it to sit. We discussed strategy and game plan… communication is key in the Head Honcho game plan and we made sure that we chatted about everything Honcho related.

It’s safe to say that we are more driven and focused and the game better get ready for us this Summer… we winning.

The weekend was beautiful. Friday belonged to AKA. After giving the streets three hot bangers over the last few weeks, the Honcho fam dropped his video for “I want it all” featuring Khuli Chana and Pro. The good people of Vuzu and Channel O put it on blast and the streets went nuts. To top it off the fellaz performed the joint on LIVE and Honcho was repped to the fullest.

Nick and I then headed to Naves’ birthday party at The Bank and it was wall to wall insanity. All love to the birthday boy who was decked out in that extra crispy Honcho gear, the rest of the fam were out there too. It was hectic… well done my dude.

Saturday morning belonged to exercise on the soccer pitch. Healthy bodies equal healthy minds right? We had a bit of fun and got in a dope workout before getting back to work. Once again we spoke to the players in our field and ensured that Honcho will be around for generations to rock… we are inspired!

The evening belonged to the Vuzu birthday party at Turbine Hall. I enjoyed the opportunity to network and it’s humbling to witness the love that our brand receives.

AKA took to the stage and the crowd stood no chance. His energy on stage had them dancing their lil hearts out and when joined by Pro and Khuli, it dawned upon me that “I want it all” is about to be the biggest hip-hop track in our land… yeah I said it… it was a magical moment!

Nick headed back to the Cape and I handled the Garden of Eden… best way to end a weekend (or start a week).

Live Progressively

Tibz

AKA & Khuli at Vuzu Bday bash

DJ Loyd in Miami

Teboho Mahlatsi with his HH tees

AKA performing last year

DJ Milkshake at Shesha Rosebank

Leo Large

More throwback pics ….. shout out to all the DJs, artists and musicians that have repped our brand over the past 2 years.

Yo!!! Enjoy some throwback pics from the Head Honcho archives. Remembering the times …. Volume 2 coming soon!

This is our only pull-over hoody for the winter. It comes in two colours: black and bright blue. The hoody is nice and thick and will def keep you warm during the winter. Available at all SHESHA stores right now.

Wsup Franky …. I hear the World Cup season is treating you good  … How’s things?

Wad’ up…. World cup fever has hit me hard, our country is looking extra colourful… things are good!

We’re seeing your name everywhere these days. Was it your childhood 
dream to be a DJ? If not, what was?

Nah being a DJ was never in any of my childhood dreams, I wanted to be in the IT industry, I grew up looking to be like my uncle.

We love your tweets though … LOL (follow him on http://twitter.com/frankySA) . You seem to have a carefree 
attitude towards life … is that truly the case?

Lol… Twitter is a platform for people to express themselves FREELY, there are no rules and people are not forced to follow u. I take life very seriously and don’t tweet much about important things that happen in my life.

So what’s up with your DJ name … where did the name Franky 
come from?

My real name is Mohau, Franky is a nickname I got in high school, I used to be skinny and had a big head so they used to call me Frankenstein.

The DJ scene (esp. House) is a pretty much saturated industry what 
with everyone and their mama calling themselves DJs …. what would 
you say sets you apart from the pack?

Many things set me apart, I listen and learn from almost everyone, even from peeps that are younger than me. I started DJ’ing when getting music was hard because only vinyls/records where used in 2004 this meant I had to pay for each song I play. This meant sacrificing a lot of things for my passion. This is something MOST DJ’s will never understand because music is easily accessible & this kills the spirit of hustling.

You’ve been rolling with the Head Honcho fam for a minute now … what is it about the brand that appeals to you?

What I like about Honcho is their unique designs, their imaging is very fresh and appeals to the Urban market

Are you looking at releasing an album this year sometime? If so, what can your fans expect from it?

ssshhhhhh…. just checkout my tweets on a daily basis…

Which other industry cats e.g. DJs, artists, execs etc do you look up to?

I’ve been a DJ Fresh fan for 11 years. He’s more than just a guy that can mix 2 songs together, my mom knows him & she doesn’t go to clubs, that’s where I wanna be.

How do you ‘live progressively’?

By keeping my ears on the streets, by not thinking I know it all, by learning from everyone!

It doesn’t get FRESHER than this … we present to you our custom-designed HH VARSITY JACKET. Now available at all SHESHA stores and from RUSTY WORLD. Limited Quantities available.

STAY FRESH & WARM THIS WINTER.

What’s good fellas? .. Its been a minute since y’all were up on here..

Flexx: True, good to be back on the freshest site in Africa. Still progressive.

Jinxx: Our works have been speaking a lot for us; we found ourselves way ahead to catch-up with… I’m just sayin!

Y’all have kept busy … what are some of the exciting projects/shows that you’ve been busy with?

Flexx: Damn. A lot has happened since the last time, let me see…some notable shows have been Back To The City Festival which is important on the SA Hip Hop Calendar, We also rocked with People Under The Stairs…shout out to KOL, there was the Hype Awards…we enjoyed that. Cape Town’s Most Wanted (Kool Out Live), Ill Skillz Exclusives series, the Cape Town Festival and Hip Hop Connected at  The Artscape Theatre.

We just recently did our NO-PROMO TOUR which included rocking at The National Arts Fest in Grahamstown and the Siz N Scoop X Nike Sportswear party at Gallery on 4^th in Joburg. The highlight though, must be doing the 24 Hour Project – Skillz That pay Da Billz in March.

Jinxx: True, true, true…

Tell us more about the “24 hr Project” ….

Jinxx: People thought we were aiming to just capture buzz over this initiative, but were lacking a better understanding of us as creatively-inclined type of artists who enjoy such innovative challenges. Our missions was to record about 9-10 tracks, mixed and mastered,… also including doing a video shoot for one of the songs, a photo shoot, artwork creation and as well as launching it in 24 Hours via the internet. Everything was captured in film and we aimed to create a DVD documentary overall.

We were fortunate to have Red Bull Music Academy on board offering us their recording space and other facilities, and Vuzu.tv as our media partner. Big shout out to HIT Entertainment too!

To read more of the interview and watch videos of Ill Skillz click on the link below:

When are you guys putting out the album and the DVD?

Jinxx: Eventually, we tentatively released it with 8 tracks in the beginning. As predicted, we encountered some technical challenges despite having accomplished most of our goals, but as one of the exec producers I personally decided it wouldn’t be fruitful enough to release it without the other 2 unfinished tracks, because they embodied the theme of the project. So in this way it took some time to release it as a full package.

Cut-the-story-short, we planning to release the DVD during August.

Flexx: Yeah August is a good month.

You guys are doing a lot of shows in Joburg … is the JSec market finally falling in love with Ill Skillz?

Flexx: It’s nice to be able to go outside of CPT and rock for a different audience, meet new people, make new friends and just get fresh inspiration.

I think the way we’ve been pushing, getting out there on Channel O, Vuzu TV, MTV Base and the internet has exposed people to ILL SKILLZ on a greater scale and we are such creative experimentalist when it comes to our craft we just surprise ourselves and get excited with the outcome and I would imagine for our new found following outside of Cape Town, it’s exciting to see something fresh or different from the norm.

I’d love to do more in Joburg, coz i don’t think people have experienced the extreme Ill Skillz yet. Radio still seems to be an obstacle for some reason. I think once we get on the major stations like Y-FM, Metro FM and 5FM and get regular rotation we’ll transcend a new frontier and be accessible countrywide. We’re getting there and I’m excited to be on this cusp. Feels Great!!!

Flexx …. you’re involved with another group at the moment, Pangaea, with NY rapper Whosane. How do you differentiate the two i.e. “ill Skillz” and “Pangaea”?

Flexx: Ill Skillz is a group with its roots firmly in South African hip hop and a very unique energy and style that stems from Jinxx and I’s personality and history. Pangaea on the other hand is a fairly new group with a completely different feel and sound….and has drawn quite a lot of attention to local hip hop from the U.S with Whosane’s presence here. Especially after Taxi feat. Mos Def leaked on the blogs out there. A lot of folk were curious to find out what he is doing out here, and they’ve discovered much.

It’s exciting, and Nonku’s female presence and amazing voice just sets Pangaea apart from any group out right now. Guess we’re just gonna have to wait for Black Diamond to drop and distinction will be clear as a beautiful summers day in Cape Town.

Jinxx …. you’ve been the business brain behind Ill Skillz for a minute …. how do you feel about the current state of the local hip hop industry? And what’s your vision for Ill Skillz going forward?

Jinxx: No doubt! I’m glad to be part of this developing era playing significant roles, results have been shown and proven… I mean major-labels started scouting for artists, corporates have indicated their confidence in the industry, and even on a lower-scale cats started having the audacity to build their own labels, set up studios, organise events etc.

And I find myself amidst of all of this shebang and I can’t say Ill Skillz hasn’t implemented any of this. We’ve paid our dues!!!

Y’all are always looking fresh in that exclusive Head Honcho ish …. how do you feel about the new winter range and HH’s growth?

Flexx: The new range is too ill, I bugged out when I first saw it and I’m proud to be part of the movement and growth. Think it also keeps us on our toes. We can’t slack when Head Honcho progresses so fast.

Jinxx: You better recognise,… you best believe it. Nah but fellas, I must say ya’ll dudes are murking the game right now… Peace to the Godz. And we feel privileged to be part of the Honcho movement, it equally complements our motives.

Summer is the biggest period for artists …. what are your plans?

Flexx: Oh summer is gonna be a whole new, different day. I don’t wanna count any chickens yet…but together with our ties abroad we’re gonna surprise ourselves and whoever is watching. One word “ Excitement!”

Jinxx: Catch me in every single city, locally and abroad, doing mad shows… putting in work.

How are you “Living Progressively”?

Flexx: Just trying to have productive days and staying inspired, fresh and living my dreams.

Jinxx: “I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, I’m too cool for that shit!”. Haha… I’m kidding, rather stay Ill Skillin’, staying unbreakable!

Watch Ill Skillz – Unbreakable

Keep up with Ill Skillz on the following networks:

http://myspace.com/ill-literateskill

http://facebook.com/ill-literateskill

http://twitter.com/illskillzmusic

The Head Honcho cardigan. In Stores right now. Selling fast. More colourways on the way.

CLASSY & STREET.

PICTURES TAKEN FROM STAN 1′S SHOW “ONE NIGHT STAN” THIS PAST SATURDAY AT VERTIGO, CAPE TOWN.

PICS BY SIVU NOBO

JAMESON is once again hosting a lavish party at the hippest club in Joburg. “The International Affair” sees them partnering with SHESHA, the coolest streetwear retail chain in the country, for an ubder-sexy party that includes an extravagant fashion show.

We’re proud to say that clothing from  HEAD HONCHO’s latest winter collection will be featured in the fashion showcase. So if you’re Jozi this Friday, make a date with Jameson and Inc and celebrate in style …. it is World Cup season after all!