KWAICORE VOTE OF THANKS

Kgaugelo Mokgehle
Copywriter for The Kwaicore Revolution

Hello hello hello!

Just thought I should express my utmost gratitude to everyone who contributed to the movement of The Kwaicore Revolution over the past 4 weeks. Spending time submerging myself in the various pools of music, behind the scenes and otherwise, has given me a whole different perspective on what music really is, what it means to people and why.

I think I got so caught up in the hype of trends, that I had almost forgotten that there's passion behind the force that drives music. That is, the force comprising producers and artists I would never have discovered had it not been for this project. These are people who did not necessarily study music in the traditional sense, but who rather developed their talents on a DIY basis. Thembelani Gumede, Loyiso Ngcala, Ozias Macebele and Junior... all of whom were the most instrumental in the execution of this project, mainly with regard to the inception of Kwaicore.

In fact I must say I was pleasantly surprised by some of their own personally produced music- easily better than many House Music and Kwaito tracks I've heard in the longest time! Not only are they well informed and hella skilled on the subject, but they are exceptional because they play from a place within. They don't just know music but they feel it and know their way around it. Some artists argue that just like the seduction of dance, musicians need to make love to their music to fully exploit it's potential for greatness. Indeed, the Kwaicore Team has disclosed that it is that very approach that equips them with the skills required, to improvise in any situation that demands their expertise in urgency. Especially in terms of handling last minute stage performances.

So yeah guys, for me, this has definitely proven to be a worthwhile experience! If I've learned anything, it's that stepping out of your comfort zone teaches you some of the most unexpectedly inspiring lessons. To be quite honest I didn't think I'd be able to pull this off, but in a matter of 4 weeks I'd say I haven't done too shabby. The Kwaicore Revolution has extended to a larger audience than I had anticipated, so thanks to all of you I've achieved most of my objectives.

In case you haven't read my previous posts, Kwaicore is a fictitious music genre that I was supposed to make a reality. I had to create my own facts and arguments around various issues regarding the downfall of Kwaito, and the possibility of a collaboration with Hardcore Punk in order to revive it. It was neither an easy concept to initiate nor execute... at all! Especially considering my inexperience in blogging. So I really appreciate all the support, insight, comments and the interest taken in my blog. It was highly motivating, needless to say it was fun feeling like the Copywriter I want to be someday.

Thank you!
xx

THE YFM KWAITO DEBATE!!!!!

So a good friend of mine referred me to a show dedicated to Kwaito on Yfm this morning, which pretty much reiterated what I have highlighted in my first post:

http://thekwaicorerevolution.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-kwaicore-revolution.html

The radio station centered its discussion around the fact that the fall of Kwaito has become so much of a pressing issue, that people think Kwaito artists need to address it urgently. Failing which the genre will surely die out. Most artists have taken up residence in Hip Hop and House music, leaving no one to carry the culture of Kwaito and all that it represented.

By that I mean the symbolism behind Arthur Mafokate's hit single "Kaffir" which expressed the political liberation of Black people when Former President Nelson Mandela took office as the first democratically elected President of South Africa. Known as the King of Kwaito, Arthur Mafokate's contribution to the music industry in that regard became that of a very sentimental nature. Something that a fellow listener on Yfm attested to before going onto suggest that Black people have lost pride in their culture. They've gone onto idolizing other genres, leaving the roots of Black culture in their own backyards to malnourish while other genres thrive!

The King of Kwaito

Some people would even go as far as to say Black people have turned their backs on their culture (Kwaito) arguable as a result of shame, especially when considering the development of the White man and his success as an alleged result of past wealth. It is this constant reference to the past, coupled with insecurity that's had Black people believing that walking in the White man's shoes somehow guarantees them a more superior standing in the economy (which in this case is why they choose to produce music in English). That without the White man, the Black man amounts to nothing. Mind you, that these are the very people who claim to oppose oppression yet here they stand voluntarily subjecting themselves to the control of the White man.

Perhaps this should never have been about culture or race or any of that. Perhaps the Black man should leave the White man's shoes alone, stop imposing blame on young Black people or how they've neglected culture, and perhaps acknowledge that maybe Kwaito really just hasn't progressed because the respective artists have failed to be innovative in their fields of expertise. That... is nothing to be proud of. Just as Hip Hop has accommodated our various native languages, maybe Kwaito should also accommodate other non-Black languages i.e.with Hardcore Punk, in an attempt to revive itself while maintaining the spirit of a rainbow nation.