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!

Head Honcho is now available at one of the flyest concept stores in the country. D.O.P.E Store is run by the visionary Andile; in under 3 years he has built a haven for all things fresh and progressive. His store, which is located in the heart of Joburg’s CDB, houses the best sneaker and streetwear brands, local and international.

Head Honcho’s first drop at the D.O.P.E Store includes chino shorts, check shorts, plaid shirts, tank tops and YGB Caps. Pop in at the store and support a proudly South African business.

For more info visit: http://iamsodope.blogspot.com

#HonchoSummer

DJ Speedsta is one of the dopest up-and-coming DJ’s in Joburg. The Vaal native is garnering an enviable following in a city that is normally very difficult to crack. We sat down with him and chopped it up about about the ups and downs of his career.

Wsup fam … Please introduce yourself to the Honchos

Wassup… I’m a 19 year old hip hop dj originally from The Vaal, moved up to JHB this year after matriculating last year to further my studies and pursue my dream.

How did you get into DJing?
My brother and his friend were DJ’s and they used to throw parties, so I was always at the parties early. I started playing for the clubs staff before the party started, had interest so I took it seriously, never looked back since.

You have a nice buzz in Jozi right now… What sets you apart from your fellow DJs?
Lol, I’d have to say my vision. I’ve chosen to go a different path than other dudes. I can’t really elaborate cause then I’d be giving away my secret but yeah I believe I’ve seen something which nobody else has seen.

A lot of people think DJing is this fun and glitzy career path… What are some of the challenges that an upcoming DJ like yourself has to face?
Its not, you get those promoters that take you for a ride just cause you aren’t a big name yet. There are a lot of close-minded people who aren’t open to new things and then obviously you have the challenge of trying to be the best in the game.

Which was the best party that you have ever played at? And why?

The NWU Rag back in March, the feeling of making 8000 people smile and have joy all because of you is out of this world.

Your worst?

LOL… Some random gig last week WEDNESDAY. The promoter was a 16 year-old kid; he threw a party on a Wednesday spent R15 000 on DJ’s. Him and his 4 cronies were there, they thought it was the best party ever.

Do you have groupies now? Lol…

Lol nah I don’t, I have people that respect my hustle and like what I’m doing.

You’re the newest member of the Honcho fam… What do you love about HH and what are you expecting from the relationship?

The clothing and the brand itself is fresh and the brand is doing very well at the moment. I’d like to think the same thing about my personal brand so it makes sense for me to be associated with HH. I hope to have my own range of HH gear one day.

What are your plans for the festive season?

Work as usual and a holiday with my parents, I promised them so yeah. But yeah, gigs, the beach, relaxing at the pool side, being with good company, having a braai and a few drinks etc. That’s what my festive will be like. Work, family and fun.

What are hottest jams right now in the club?

I did an interview on a blog, think it was in July and I said the Dj Khaled joint “I’m on one” was the hottest in the club the, my answer remains the same. That song is a classic, there’s just something about it, you can hear it 5 times in the club but you’ll still jam to it.

We seeing you at the 3rd Annual HH Bday bash right..? What can we expect?

A hot set of course and I might just do something special. Let’s keep it as a surprise

How do you Live Progressively?

By doing me, minding my own business and working to get to the top.
FOLLOW SPEEDSTA ON TWITTER: @DJSPEEDSTA

Joburg … Get Ready!

Next week Saturday, the 5th of November, we’re getting it INNNNN with our Joburg fam at one of the best nightspots in town. Come join us as we launch the Head Honcho Summer range at ICON in Sandton in association with Miller. We got a Super-hot line-up for y’all … NAVES, FANATIC, VIGI, FRANKY & SPEEDSTA will all be in  the building.

Come looking Honcho fresh as we have R3000 worth of HH gear to give away to the freshest-looking peeps.

Doors open at 10pm.

Free for ladies till 11pm.

It’s Miller Time //// Stay Fresh

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.

This coming SATURDAY, Head Honcho will be at STR.CRD, Africa’s first ever street culture showcase. The event is taking place at 20 Burger Street @ Maboneng District and is open to the public on Saturday. You can get your tickets from Webtickets but we’ll be giving away 3o tickets in the next couple of days. Follow us on Twitter for more info.

Pop in at our stand from 12pm till late and cop yourself some new Head Honcho summer gear, some of which hasn’t hit stores yet. AKA will also be pulling through to sign copies of his new album “ALTAR EGO” .. So come through to STR.CRD and kick it with the freshest streetwear brand in the land!

You can also look out for performances from the likes of Theophilous London, our very own AKA, Ill Skillz, Khuli Chana and many others. Visit their site www.strcrd.com for more info.

STAY FRESH

Wdup fam .. How are you living?

I’m doing good sir..making a living doing what i love

What a year it’s been for you … Don’t you feel exhausted? Is the constant travelling catching up to you?

Yeeeeah, its been an amazing year..well I do get tired but I do what most people do on a weekend, party. The difference is that I play the music for an hour or so.. the traveling has been great, it can get tiring but that as well really contributes to a bigger part of me and my career.

You’ve gone on to do some amazing things since we last interviewed you. You were nominated for this year’s Metro FM Awards for “Best House Compilation” and you ended up walking away with the award. How did that moment feel and were you surprised?

Damn that moment was quite a blur. I had to watch a re-run so I can remember what I said when receiving the award.. I was honoured ..to me it symbolized a change in the industry..

The award is obviously a testament to how successful your sophomore album was. Which tracks truly resonated with people and why?

Thanks.. “I wanna Love you” with Nothende really did well in the market, it got lots of love simply because it was my first take at production and i was blessed to work with a great co-producer Psyfo and a dope singer/songwriter Nothende… “Thank You” by the Layabouts is another timeless tune that people still love…and generally cause the album was a story of love and everything that surrounds it

A lot of people don’t know that you have very humble beginnings .. where did you grow up and how was your childhood?

Hahahhahahaha, man I grew up in Sasolburg (Vaal/Free State) with both my parents and 3 brothers and we were very reserved but our main connecting point was and still is music.. and as a kid my folks never really believed in spoiling a kid with toys etc.. but to invest in education and make sure there was food on the table. As a kid i didn’t understand but now I’m grateful for it is because of that I am who I am now…

How did you end up in Bloem and how did your experience there lead you to the music industry?

I was in Bloem to study but I dropped, and basically in my means to try make ends meet I ended up working at a music shop selling cds.. and my dream just fell into place and i had to get into execution mode. I’m glad I started at retail cause it gave me a broader understanding of the business.

Most peeps think its easy to break into the music industry .. what are some of the hardships that you’ve had to go through before finding your current success?

True, its not easy but i always say every artist/dj has to pave his own path, create something that is hard to reject..so i guess the difficulty comes when you need your product to be heard and for you to be taken seriously..so independence and passion are key!

Ladies are known to lose their composure around you … What are some of the craziest things that your ‘groupies’ or fans have done?

Hahhahahahahhaha, well nothing major, just the crazy requests to take photos, and hugs etc..but you can almost see them regain composure when they realize I’m just an easy going person and that I do stop to take pics and have brief chats.

You’ve been a Head Honcho ambassador for a minute now … What are some of your all-time favourite Honcho items?

Yeah, its been a minute … Well its definitely the baseball jackets. I have ‘em in all colors and i actually have 2 of the same one (red and black).

Do you pay taxes? How much did you give Uncle Sam last year?

Eish ya I have no choice in that matter… yho i don’t even wanna remember.. those guys kill us man!

Tell us about your upcoming project …. what can people expect from it and who are you working with?

Well I’m in studio creating lots of music, working with awesome artists, Tee Pee, Wanda Baloyi, Mo (ETV), Selina Campbell (UK)…just in preparation for a release in 2012.. will drop 2 new singles this spring tho.. I’ll keep it soulful.

Who do you look up to in the music industry?

A number of people hey.. my brother Mawe2, Vinny Da Vinci, Fresh, Christos, even my friends in the industry, Franky, Euphonik, Slikour.. I learn from ‘em

You recently became a father … How has that experienced changed you (if at all)?

Yes, its a life changing event. He brought me purpose and peace…fatherhood is a constant learning process

 Complete the following …

* DJ Franky is …. actually a sweet dude, even though he likes to play hardball, he’s very helpful and is a clown at most times

* Local music needs …. a brotherhood of musicians that have each others’ backs

* My Favourite city is …. damn.. there’s Durban, man I love East London, and the love in P.E is unfuckwithable, Cape Town has me good hey.. hayi there are too many..Bloem is where it all started so the love i get there is heartfelt and emotional

* Nonhle Thema has … the sweetest smile

* Mawe2 is … my inspiration

* Joburg lacks … genuine people

Follow Lulo Cafe on Twitter @LuloCafe and listen to his radio show on Metro FM alongside Naked DJ every Friday at 7:30pm.