Bubblegum Club

Tag: onyx

  • Uncle Partytime converts the dance floor into a space of sonic transcendence

    Uncle Partytime converts the dance floor into a space of sonic transcendence

    Uncle Partytime is a kid whose dj persona was born out of the scene in Braamfontein, allowing him to be plugged into the sonic shifts that his audience craves. Starting off with gigs at Kitcheners and Great Dane, and the Onyx rage parties, he continues to carry with him an ability to fuel the energy in the crowd and convert the dance floor into a transcendental space guided by the beat.

    His sound bounces between hip hop and gqom-wave. Having broadened his gig list to include larger clubs and festivals, he recognizes that his audience is a mix of the old and young. From this recognition he is able to translate the core of this signature sound for both audiences. “It’s always easier with the younger audience because they understand the sound better but it’s always a challenge with the older audience ’cause that’s when I get to teach them about the new wave and still give them what they want to hear,” he explains.

    As one of the founding members of Onyx and as a self-taught dj, Uncle Partytime has been active in expanding the parameters of his career. Simple, tactical moves have seen him able to stretch the imaginary of possibility, and his inclusion in the Red Bull Music Festival this year is evidence of this.

    When asked about the direction he sees himself moving, Uncle Partytime shared that, “I want to represent myself and local music on global platforms. Just have to work harder, learn more and make sure I’m ready when my time comes.”

  • Internet kids with the lyrical fire – Rap duo Champagne69

    Champagne69 is a rap duo comprised of two very versatile artists namely, “Willestillios” Nkuna and “Siyangena69” Mdlele. The two multi-talented artists have found yet another way to express themselves and their artistic vision through enthralling and energetic music. Champagne69 only began making and releasing music in 2016, but have been able to gain more traction than others in the thirst-driven environment that upcoming artists find within the Internet music realm. Their first Single ‘Booty Sweat‘ managed to reach a high of 32k streams on Soundcloud. They then made it very clear that they are here to stay when they released their hit single ‘Wrong One‘ featuring producer and songwriter PatrickxxLee. This really put them on the map, with an accompanying video beautifully shot  by Alternative Visuals.

    Champagne69 has promised a good year going forward in terms of their music, as well as other artistic projects. They are set to drop more singles featuring more people. They have also dropped hints about an EP, following the intoxicating single ‘Champain (For The Pain)’ and being featured by PatrickxxLee on his track ‘Punk Shit’.

    The South African music industry is slowly being forced to pay more attention to the “Internet Kids”, and is beginning to join the wave, because once it crashes it’s definitely going to be something as powerful as a natural disaster. This is definitely the time for new and independent artists to bring the heat that will keep people on their toes by releasing more music, more visual content and finding different ways to engage with their audiences. Champagne69 have set the tone and are definitely one of many to look out for in the near future.

  • Onyx – The Ultimate Moshers

    One thing you don’t necessarily expect to see in Braamfontein are the streets shut down by thousands of kids having a rowdy, but fun, moshpit. Or what looks like a scene from a Nirvana music video being sound-tracked by Kayne West and Desiigner. But that’s exactly the positive energy that the Onyx collective have been generating with their various street market and ‘rage’ events.  Bubblegumclub recently had an interview with group member Gondo, who provided us with an insight into the works of this collective of ‘black boys that have good ideas and exceptional vision’.

    As he puts it ‘Onyx started as an attempt to make an event that we’d enjoy cause we didn’t like the event scene that people were giving us. We were always turned away because of the way we dressed and how young we were. The music they played at all these other parties weren’t what we’d expected, we wanted alternative music and all the stuff we weren’t hearing on the radio.’

    ONYX

    The result has been a series of spectacular carnivals which have gathered major crowds. With regards to the Desiigner mosh-pit, Gondo notes ‘Yeah that shit was crazy! We’re the ultimate moshers. There is no average Onyx event. We always come in, play what we love, encourage the kids to be confident and to let all their aggression and issues out in the Mosh pit. Onyx events go on for as long as the music is playing, or until some official comes through to shut us down- which happened the day of the crazy mosh pit you saw. For our major events such as Street Market and Onyx Rage Festival we garner an attendance of 1500. I think this year is going to be crazier we might see a massive crowd of the kids come out to play in their numbers’.

    For the future, Onyx plans to keep delivering special for its niche market.- ‘We’re very rooted in the progression of a culture of confidence and self-sufficiency in South Africa so we’re not going to run to corporations to make more money because of the money. We do it for the people’.

    The next Onyx Steet Market takes place in Juta Street Braamfontein  on the 09 July, from 13H00- 01H00. 

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  • Bubblegum Club mix vol 4 by Uncle Party Time

    SA Hip Hop is experiencing an unprecedented moment of success, the genre has reached a new level of popularity in the country especially amongst young South Africans. Junior Mabunda aka Uncle Party Time is doing his bit to drive the sound through his SA-Hip-Hop-banger-filled dj sets at parties like ONYX, Every Other Thursday and Bohemian Grove.

    We spoke to Uncle Party time about SA Hip Hop, the ONYX parties and the exclusive mix he cooked up for us.

    Can you tell us a little bit about the mix you created for us?

    The mix has a lot of hits that I feel people will appreciate, so It starts off with the King of SA Hip Hop (AKA) and ends off with the current prince, Emtee.

    What type of music do you normally play?

    I usually play a lot of trap music because I try to always play for the crowd and trap is one of the things people want to hear.

    Why do you think SA hip hop has blown up in the last 2 years?

    It’s doing so well because of all the producers that have sleepless night doing their thing in the studio, but then again all these rappers have been trying to chase the number one spot so that kind of made competition pretty tough as well.

    You are a member of the crew that organised ONYX, can you tell us how ONYX was born and how you guys started throwing parties?

    ONYX was originally founded by 3 people which is myself, RĀMS and Gondo (Alternative Visuals). One of our friends was selling weed at the time and we started thinking of ways to make our own money because we were tired of being dependent to our parents, we got a team of dope guys and we all worked hard to get everything right.

    You have played for slightly older audiences at parties like USB Soundsysyem but also really young ones too at parties like ONYX. Are there any noticeable or stark differences between the two audiences? Whether its the music they like, or the way that they dress or the way they behave at parties?

    Playing for a younger crowd like ONYX kids is way easier because I can play some stuff they’ve never heard and they would still rage, but with the older crowd it’s not that simple because I have to play the stuff they want to hear, stuff they listen to on radio or see on music channels to keep them with me.

    You’ve also started producing now, do you have any plans to release tracks this year?

    I’m working on a young EP that I want to drop when I feel like I’m ready to handle the pressure. lol

    I know dj ing isnt your only expression, what else do you do?

    I also work as a photographer.

    Whats next for uncle party time ?

    Uncle Party Time wants to play in Europe one day.