Kwaito icons, rap stars in gig’s last hurrah

18.06.2012.Khuli Chane,Towdee,Kay-G, of Morafe, Tokollo and Kabelo of TKZee posing for a picture Picture: Sizwe Ndingane

18.06.2012.Khuli Chane,Towdee,Kay-G, of Morafe, Tokollo and Kabelo of TKZee posing for a picture Picture: Sizwe Ndingane

Published Jun 27, 2012

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Analogue Nights is going out with a bang tomorrow night. SA’s favourite son of rap, Khuli Chana, will be reuniting with his fellow Morafe members, Towdee and Kaygee. Then there is the kwaito machine that is Kabelo and fellow TKZee member, Tokollo, who will be showcased in Melrose Arch on the last Thursday of the month.

Refiloe Ramagose explained the reason behind the break.

“Wandi Nzimande of Loxion Kulcha and I realised that people in their late twenties and thirties were under-serviced as an audience. We have an eclectic palate. We listen to everything, but don’t play just anything. We wanted to create a night out where we could go on a musical journey and celebrate live South African music. Moyo was turning 10 and it was the perfect synergy because it’s a destination and Analogue Nights is built for specific artists.

“After three years we’ve decided to take a break for two months. The reason for this is to take a step back and examine our direction for the next three years. Plus, we’ve also come to the end of our sponsorship agreement with Peroni.

“Our first act was PRO who performed for nothing because he believed in the brand so much. Since then we’ve hosted the cream of South African artists. We gave Liquideep and Mi Casa their first break on a big platform on our big little stage. Tokollo was our first sell-out show in May, 2009 and Kabelo was our most expensive.

“In the beginning we thought, ‘imagine if we could grow that big that we could have TKZee’ and when they played last month they did something they hadn’t done in 10 years. They brought on Benny McCarthy. Morafe was one of our favourite hip hop performances so for this final one we are paying homage to some significant acts.”

The members of Morafe have, over the past three years, been pursuing their solo careers.

Kaygee, in typical rap fashion, has changed his name to Kay-Gizm, or Izm. He joined HHP’s band as a backing vocalist.

“It was an opportunity to learn how everything works with live instruments,” explained the tall rapper.

“I always wanted to do a live album. I have written 19 songs so far and recorded eight. I recently got my groove back and I think this album is going to be amazing. In terms of Morafe, it was a conscious decision to explore our creativity outside the three of us.”

Towdee agrees: “We took this route because we wanted to create a way to keep the brand alive by re-inventing ourselves as individuals. The philosophy behind the solo projects is that when we do another album it will be Kaygee,Towdee and Khuli Chana as Morafe.”

Towdee is also working on his solo album. He was the musical director of Chana’s successful album, Motswakoriginator, and also helped Kaygee on his album. He is the only member of Morafe to join the ranks of the employed and works as a music lecturer at a Pretoria college.

Chana, meanwhile, has been enjoying a prolific solo career. From 2009 to date every single he has released has reached No 1 on the charts. Recently he enjoyed a stint of travelling.

“I have just returned from Paris where I was interviewed on Trace TV. I also performed in the US with AKA. The Americans seem to be over their hip hop and are looking for something new. Then I recorded a few tracks in the Red Bull Studios in London. It was crazy because I was way out of my comfort zone.”

Doors for the Moyo gig open tomorrow at 8pm. Artists on stage at about 11pm. R150 (webtickets) to R200 (at the door). But get there early as Analogue nights gets full quickly. A must-attend gig!

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