Tonight
The Songwriters' Club, cnr Quinn and Carr streets in Newtown, hosts the Folk Train Open Mic Session, with established and
up-coming music talents sharing the stage. Show starts at 8pm. Cover R20. Tel: 082-461-2800
Thursday
The Songwriters' Club host the Emerging Hip-Hop Sounds Competition every Thursday, with underground and emerging talents competing for a recording contract. The shows start at 8pm. Tel: 082-461-2800
Airship Orange play their hugely popular melodic rock sounds at the Blues Room in Sandton. Also on the bill are Prime Circle and Spoonfeedas. Show starts at 9pm. Cover R50. Tel: 011-784-5527
Friday
Moses Khumalo entertains jazz music lovers at the Bassline this weekend playing original material. The show starts at 9pm. Cover R50. Tel: 011-838-9145.
Saturday
Revolution of the Sounds music series takes place at Horror Cafe in Newtown and features new hip-hop talents and DJ's. Comedians will act as the MC's for the event. Saturdays from 12 till 7pm until September. Cover R10. Tel: 076-109-9512
Pestroy, 16 Stitch and Smothered Beauty appear at The Songwriters' Club in Newtown. Show starts at 8pm. Cover R40. Tel: 082-461-2800.
Russell and Friends Blues Band play live acoustic sounds at Toninos in Orange Grove. The show starts at 8pm. Cover R30. Bookings are essential. Tel: 011-485-1748.
Sunday
David Foster and Karen Zoid play live and unplugged in Norwood at the New 88 as part of the Levis Original Music showcase. Show starts at 7.30pm. No cover. Tel: 011-728-8417.
Dr Victor and the Rasta Rebels play at Tempos Entertainment Park in Zandspruit on Hans Strijdom Drive. Also on the bill are Evolver, Libido and the Spoonfeedas, with 20 DJ's in the mix throughout the day. Cover R40. Tel: 083-679-1429.
Hot news
- US rapper, The Game, has taken his career into his own hands. While he has reconciled with fellow rap star 50 Cent, the Compton native is no longer a member of G-Unit. The Game embarks on a tour with fellow West Coast rapper and pioneer, Snoop Dogg, in Salt Lake City this Friday, April 15.
- Buttabing Entertainment - the independent stable for Skwatta Kamp, have just released their first solo artist in My Man, who hails from the Eastern Cape. The rapper rhymes almost entirely in his native language Xhosa, and is poised to take hip-hop to the masses in the same way that Pitch Black Afro has with his unorthodox lyricism.
- Afro pop sensation, Thandiswa Mazwai, is set to break records at this year's Samas. The singer released her stunning debut, Zabalaza, last year. The album has since earned nine Sama nominations. Mazwai is a hot contender in the prestigious Artist of the Year award category.
Recent international trends have seen female musicians such as Lauryn Hill, Alicia Keys and Norah Jones sweep multiple music awards.
- US rap superstar, 50 Cent, now holds a joint record with The Beatles for having four simultaneous Top 10 tunes. Fiddy is now making overtures to the film scene. He is currently shooting a semi-biographical film titled Locked and Loaded, which is directed by 2002 Oscar-nominated filmmaker, Jim Sheridan.
- The Smirnoff Spin Hype Expressions - Volume II has just landed on retail shelves and is freely distributed with South Africa's only local hip-hop publication - Hype Magazine. The Hype Expressions release features 16 original tracks by local artists, including Proverb, HHP, Baphixile and Hymphatic Tabs amongst many others.