This year marks the third instalment of the Jack Daniel’s Music Scouts search. As such, three players in the South African music industry have been tasked with finding the next big thing. Earlier this year, aspiring musicians were encouraged to submit a track online for judges (aka the Scouts), K.O, Culoe de Song and DJ Speedsta, to listen to.
Coupled with online votes from the public, the shortlisted artists will have an opportunity to battle it out for the chance to win an outstanding prize. It comprises a chance to share the stage with US rapper, TI, at the Jack Daniel’s Boomtown Joburg in October as well as a deal with Dream Team SA to the value of R150 000.
This deal includes recording an EP, sampling a single to radio, shooting a music video, a publicity photoshoot, social media management and PR services, among other things.
Lesego “DJ Speedsta” Nkaiseng, a producer who also hosts a hip hop show on YFM as well as a TV show on Soweto TV, is especially keen on lending a helping hand.
The 23-year-old Scout says: “We’re not just here to listen to music. We’re going to help the contestants where we can. For instance, some songs aren’t recorded or written well. So we’re going to spend time with the winner so that when TI is here, the winner is comfortable with the mic and in their own skin.”
In addition to mainstream TV dreams – “in a perfect world, I’d have a show in February 2016” – the Vaal Triangle-raised producer has been working on his as-yet-untitled debut album which will feature the likes of Reason, Kid X, Yanga, Kwesta, Da L.E.S, Bucie and Nadia Nakai. It will be released “when I’m ready, I guess”.
He shares that fellow Scout and skhanda general, K.O, has produced a song for that album. But until we get to hear it, Speedsta’s eye is focused on being a good Scout.
l Jack Daniel’s Music Scouts contestants will be announced in October and Boomtown Joburg featuring TI takes place at the Zoo Lake Sports Club in Parkview on October 17. Tickets are priced from R490 at Computicket.