Justice Mukheli On Film, Photography And Life In Between

Justice Mukheli / 34 / Filmmaker & Photographer

Not everyone can say they are a self-taught filmmaker and photographer, what sparked your interest?

I’ve always felt that I’ve wanted to be an artist, I felt this from a very young age. Both my parents were artists in their own way. My fondest memory is of my brother and I in primary school, when our father drew a picture of us holding a vinyl while we were listening to music. I grew up with drawings, paintings and sculptures around me. My mom would make jerseys with various patterns, even when it came to her baking skills, she way always creative. I’ve always known that I am artistically inclined. In school I was always interested in work that required drawing and creative solutions, I loved painting as well. On the other hand I was also into fixing cars and IT as well. I have Dyslexia and growing up with it was challenging and created trauma for me by the treatment I got from other kids around me. Therapy has now helped me a lot with getting over that trauma. There are still moments where it still kicks in, especially if I am nervous but the therapy has really helped and it’s gotten better.

What projects are you involved in at the moment?

I’m involved in a few projects at the moment. There’s a documentary that’s brewing, a little film for a cool brand (can’t say at the moment) and two amazing music videos I shot for a band called Urban Village with a label called No Format. There’s also an exhibition coming up, firstly online then in a gallery in Braamfontein, it won’t be new work but it’ll be put out in a different manner and package.

Inspiration and consistency keep the work going, who or what inspires you? 

I’m inspired by a lot of people and a lot of things. Music, politics and young individuals living their purpose. I am also inspired by our country and the advantages we have in our generation. The inspirational names that came before us didn’t have access to various opportunities like we do, that inspires me because our voices can be heard quicker and easier than our predecessors. I love people such as Toni Morrison and Chinua Achebe. Current people that inspire me are Vincent Moloi and Tebogo Mahlatse, I believe they have moved our country forward and I am grateful that I get to work with them. My mother inspires me too, so much. My culture, heritage and beautiful history inspire me, as well as Black Power. The increasing need of seeing and acknowledging women inspires me. Being a man, a lot of what I am is easier because of my gender, this inspires me to be mindful of my privilege and be better and create access for women in any way that I can.

The industry is full of talented individuals, how do you keep your work apart and noticeable from others?

I create my work for me. My intention and purpose in my work is different. A lot of photographers follow trends, most creatives try to do the same type of thing. My intention and the feeling in my work will never be the same as anyone’s. Every project I do is for me, how the person receives it is secondary to what’s important to me.

Fashion seems to be one of your interests, how do you put an outfit together for an occasion?

I really love fashion, it’s a way for me to express myself. Fashion is very therapeutic for me. I buy a lot of clothes and lately I’ve been trying to understand why I have an access of items so I gave away about 60% of my shoes. I grew up poor, I didn’t have much. My dad left when I was 15 and he was the breadwinner, my mother didn’t have a job so she had to find creative ways to make money such as selling cakes, Mashonzha, etc. There was no room for me to be fashionable while growing up so when I started making my own money, I started buying stuff for myself. It’s a beautiful thing for me. I mean imagine going from having one shoe to being able to have five pairs a year, but I need to be mindful of how it affects my pocket now.

You’re a twin…how has this shaped your storytelling? 

Being a twin is amazing, it taught me how to be around other people, if even though my brother is me, and I am him, I still have to be mindful of him and around him. He is my right hand, and I am his, you have to be considerate. Him and I have the same interests and competing with one another helps us to always strive to be better. When you’re a twin you are born with a best friend that you can always be yourself around. Even when you’re not seeing eye to eye, you still love one another. Being a twin also gave me separation anxiety, it was hard for me to be alone but you learn to deal with it. The connection we have is still strong even if we’re now in different businesses and are pursing different careers, I can also always feel if something is wrong with him so you always just check up on the other half.

Where can people follow you on social media?

Instagram: @justicemukheli

Twitter: @justice_mukheli

Tumblr: justicemukheli.tumblr.com

Website: justicemukheli.com

Facebook: Justice Rendani Mukheli

 

-Bridgette Makhela

Carissa Cupido On Her Journey, The Industry And Her Proudest Moments

Carissa Robyn Cupido

27 / Media Personality, Voice Over Artist & Content Creator

 

You’ve been in the broadcast industry for quite some time now…how did you get here?

I have been interested in media and entertainment for as long as I can remember. As soon as the opportunity to job shadow came around in grade 11, I approached a radio station and magazine to spend some time learning in their space. It was affirming and so enlightening. University wasn’t too long after, beyond picking my electives I knew exactly which societies I wanted to join. The University of Cape Town Radio and Cape Town Globalist were the ones I committed myself to. 4 years later I knew radio was exactly where I was headed. I would still travel by bus to campus radio after graduating with two degrees and zero in my bank account every other day to do my show in the hopes that someone would recognize my talent. Good Hope FM finally heard me and the rest is history.

 

What has your journey been like?

If there is any theme that’s been prominent in my career so far it’s the question I’m always faced with: “How badly do you want this?” It’s what kept me going through doing graveyard Monday to Friday 1am-4am in the morning for a year, it’s what fueled me when I bought a one way ticket to Johannesburg to pursue my dreams with no guarantee, it’s what gets me up in the morning today as I continue carving out my path. Ambition and drive is one thing but no one ever talks about how gruesome and grueling the process is. It’s been my greatest reward pushing through every obstacle, breaking down doors and shattering glass ceilings; I respect my calling but I would never glamourize the journey. 

 

Your proudest moment so far?

I have many. My first commercial job being on Cape Town’s biggest commercial youth radio platform was a biggie. Soon after that I won TLC’s Next Great Presenter, being the first woman and South African to gain the title. I then became TLC’s official voice over for the continent. The show I co-hosted alongside Thando Thabethe, ‘Thando Bares All’, won a South African Film & Television Award. I was honoured to have hosted a show on Gauteng’s biggest youth radio station, YFM. Every move I’ve made has been intentional, divine and fruitful. I’m really grateful.

 

What have you promised yourself this year?

Something I’ve told myself for 2020 is that I am showing up for myself in action. I’m a big dreamer and have plenty of vision boards and notebooks filled with my dreams and aspirations. My approach now, though, has changed from fantasizing to doing. Instead of overthinking my way into procrastination and sitting for days thinking of the “what if’s”, I now act.

 

What’s a typical day like for you?

I’m a freelancer and work from home so routine is vital for me. I wake up and exercise. I shower and eat breakfast, something nutritious to fuel me. I make sure to not work from bed, so I’ve set up a designated place as my desk and work space. Then I just get stuck into my to do list for the day. Admin, brainstorming proposals, calls, meetings, castings, voice over work, content creation, etc. I then try to switch off at around 5/6pm.

 

If you weren’t in the industry, what would you be doing?

I would probably be a writer or working in the humanitarian space. 

 

What’s your take on content curating in the age of social media?

It’s so important. The internet is flooded with information even more so is social media which is saturated with people trying to do something significant. Carving out your niche is vital. Curating your profile so that it authentically speaks to who you are and your interests will just help you in staying invested in what you’re doing. Never take your audience, building or establishment for granted. People can smell BS from a mile away. Just slay in your lane, man.

 

One true thing you’ve learnt?

Speak truth to power always. It’s landed me in sticky situations many times but not compromising who I am and what I am willing to do is something I’m not willing to budge on.

 

Any hidden talents?

I’m pretty artistic. I’m a great doodler.

 

Where can followers keep up with you on social media?

Across every platform it’s @carissacupido

Come say hi!

-Bridgette Makhela

Rudzani Netshiheni: HYPE Magazine’s Editor And How He’s Changing The Game

Rudzani Khorommbi “Roo” Netshiheni / 26 / Editor at HYPE Magazine / Chief Information Officer at TEMPLE AGENCY (super exclusive, to be announced soon)

You’re changing the game one word at a time, how’d you become HYPE Magazine’s editor?

It’s quite a simple story of how just reaching out can open doors. After my Matric year in 2010, I decided to take a gap year to find myself. Initially I wanted to study architecture (still do & will do soon) but the thought of it didn’t excite me that much anymore compared to when I was in high school. During that gap year I reconnected with one of my primary school best friends and we had so much in common after all these years of not communicating that it made sense why we were close in primary haha. Anyway, one of our interests was Hip-Hop culture and all the cool things that were a part of it. From the fashion, events and music, we were just obsessed with knowing what was going on. That sparked us to create a blog in 2012 called Temple Revolutions (one of TEMPLE AGENCY’s inspirations you see). The blog started when I was a first year student at Boston Media House. Every day we would rush over to some internet cafe in Hatfield and write about current Hip-Hop news and other cool things like sneakers, etc. As time progressed, people started noticing the blog and we started to get more confident in what we were doing, which led to us being more experimental and going out to Hip-Hop events, documenting them and just drowning within the creative atmospheres. I call those days our “studying” days because we were studying the game.

I remember we attended our first Back To The City festival event also in 2012, by then I had grown a taste for writing which helped with my studies, at that BTTC festival, I remember us standing in a long que waiting to get in and I noticed that they were handing out free HYPE Magazines. I took one of course and started going through its content. There were also some other Hip-Hop platforms at the festival and even though they didn’t compare to HYPE, I was still intrigued by them. I approached one guy that was a writer for one of the other Hip-Hop magazines, I won’t mention the name of the magazine as I don’t want to seem like I’m dissing it. I approached the guy and he gave me the editor of that magazine’s email address, that same night I sent an email to the editor asking to be a part of it. He replied once, I replied to his reply and after that never heard from him again. That disappointment was the tipping point that encouraged me to approach HYPE because initially I thought that the biggest Hip-Hop magazine in Africa wouldn’t have time for a young hungry kid like me. Simone Harris was the editor at the time, and I reached out to her. She replied and I responded to her without high hopes for things moving forward but Simone hit me up again. So, before I sent emails through to editors, I would always have about three articles I wrote to submit so they could review my writing skills. I sent Simone about three articles I had written at the time, she liked them and asked me if I would love to contribute to the HYPE website and I said hell yeah! Oh, I also had an article published on XXL’s website about South African Hip-Hop that gave me some credit. Also had HYPEBEAST connects but that’s a different story.

Four years later, I graduated. While at home chilling, frustrated because Simone had moved on from HYPE around that time and I didn’t know if that meant my time with HYPE had ended. Keep in mind I wasn’t getting paid or anything, but I truly felt blessed and cool for having been given the opportunity. Fred Kayembe was the new editor and we weren’t that close at the time. I think I only met him once at some HYPE event before Simone’s departure. I was in Venda getting my driver’s licence when I got a call from Fred who said that he loved my work and wanted me to come work with him. The timing of everything was perfect because when he called, I has just passed my driving test and then I got my first car, which helped with getting to the office on time. For a year I was Fred’s assistant, then in 2016 he moved on from HYPE to do crazier things and I took over. I probably skipped some parts because  it’s a long story.

What’s the vision for 2019?

The vision for 2019 is to really celebrate the future superstars within the music industry. Personally, I want to expand HYPE’s influence on the other genres too that are also still part of our community. Also have a vision to create more interactive experiences, collaborations and higher quality content. Its going to be a crazy year.

Hip-Hop, define it in your own words…

Hip-Hop is God’s gift to the world. Those are my words. This culture has changed so many lives and continues to do so and grow.

Who’s quickly making their come up in the industry according to you?

You have a lot of young artists and unique artists coming up. The likes of ByLwansta, who was one of our first HYPE Freshman, he is really set on dominating. ByLwansta is also the first South African (and only) to have appeared on the famous COLORS platform, which is crazy. Then you have new wave artists such as The Big Hash, Lethabo Acid, Yuang, PatricKxxLee and so many more paving their way to the top. Other artists like Touchline, Luna Florentino, Kingsweetkid, King Lutendo and a whole lot more are working hard. Then you have our HYPE Freshman 2018 winners such as Rowlene, ASON, 3ple B, Tian and others I mentioned before gearing up for a takeover. I’ve also been keeping an eye on the alternative guys like Tron Pyre, Angie Santana, Una Rams, Espacio Dios and so many others who are special.

Music, Fashion or Alcohol, one’s gotta go lol.

Alcohol can go bruh…

What are you grateful for the most?

I’m grateful for the opportunities I’m constantly given to make a mark and super grateful for the support structures I have.

Favourite jam at the moment?

I currently have Mac Miller’s ‘Wings’ on repeat now. R.I.P

When you started, you never thought…?

Never thought I would be such an influential voice in South African Hip-Hop and get event invites from London, New York & Los Angeles. Crazy.

Who is Roo really?

Roo is a grown-ass Venda kid from Shayandima who over the years has grown in confidence, appreciates all that God has blessed him with and is destined for overwhelming great things. That’s Roo.

 

Follow Roo!

Instagram: @_rooat

Twitter: @Roo_AT

Facebook: Rudzani Khorro Netshiheni

 

-Bridgette Makhela

Tellaman On His New Single, South African Artists And His Dream For 2017

Thelumusa Samuel Owen aka Tellaman / 25 / Singer, Songwriter & Producer

When can you say you made a recognizable mark in the music industry?

2016 was the year for me. A lot of people started recognizing Tellaman as a musician then. I released a mixtape titled ‘Mind vs Heart’ and I was featured on Dj Speedsta’s hit single titled ‘Mayo’, which was one of the biggest songs of 2016. I was also a part of the most anticipated album of 2016 titled ‘Bad Hair’ by Nasty C.

Was this always the path you wanted in life?

No it was not. I had other interests when I was younger, such as playing soccer. I was introduced to music by a friend who was making beats, I used to watch him work all the time. I then started making beats as well; eventually I realized my love for making music. I then decided to pursue it as a career.

Why the name Tellaman?

Tellaman is a nickname that was given to me by my friends, it comes from my real name Thelumusa. I decided to stick with it because a lot of people know it and it carries so many memories.

Your new single ‘Dandy’, how is it being received so far?

The response has been really amazing, I can’t even put it into words. I really appreciate the love and support my people are giving me, I am grateful.

Do you have a favourite project that you’ve worked on so far?

Yes, ‘Lucid Dream’ is my favourite project so far. I think I have grown as a musician and that’s always been the motive.

Your dream for 2017?

To see my family and I doing great, and that is not just my dream for this year; it’s just my all-time dream.

What’s the one thing you wish you could change about South African artists?

I wish we’d stop releasing bad quality music. Mixing and mastering is as good as making the song.

Music or Money?

Music, because when you make good music, the money follows.

Any more dope music from you coming soon?

Yes! New collaborations are coming soon. I really cannot wait for you guys to hear it.

 

Follow Tellaman!

Instagram: @real_tellaman

Twitter: @Real_Tellaman

Facebook: Real Tellaman

 

–Bridgette Makhela

 

Shane Eagle On Vuzu, His Music And The Special Lady In His Life

Shane Patrick Hughes

19

Rapper/ Musician and TV Personality

What kind of a guy is Shane?

Really humble and confident, generally very easy going and patient. I’m extremely ambitious and 100% focused on my path and career in the entertainment industry. I value important things/people in my life; I’m not a superficial person.

What’s the next move after the success of your Way Up song?

Well I’ve just landed a spot on Vuzu TV as one of the new presenters. This does not mean I’ve comprised my music though, I have a few singles which are yet to be released and currently dedicating a lot of my time to an E.P. which is aimed to release soon.

Would you say Vuzu’s The Hustle put you on in a major way?

Absolutely, and I’m forever grateful. If I had not been on The Hustle, I really think it might have taken me twice as long to get where I’m at now. As a result, it has definitely opened a lot of doors for me.

The rap scene is an unpredictable one; would you say you have the staying power to continuously reinvent your brand?

Yes. Longevity is very important to me. A lot of the time, you have to conform to current trends in music in order to remain relevant with a specific era. Those trends however may not be a true reflection of your personal interests or artistic genius. I therefore think it is important that, once you get the attention of people, to then reinvent yourself according to what YOU want to do so that your brand does become more diverse. Essentially, I plan on creating music which will resonate with people for years to come, as opposed to creating something which is easily forgotten.

Any special lady in your life?

Yes, there has been one special lady in my life for 6 years.

Timbs or Air Max’s?

Timbs for sure.

What other avenues in the industry would you like to start exploring?

I’d definitely like to go more into modeling, specifically in the health and fitness department. Other than that, I’m open to any opportunity that presents itself which does not interfere with my music.

What can your fans/followers expect from you this year?

GREATNESS.

 

Follow Shane!

Instagram: @shane_eagle

Twitter: @Shane_Eagle

Facebook: Shane Eagle

 

–Bridgette Makhela