Naledi Sibisi On Content, The Throne And The Mobb

Naledi Sibisi / 26 / Editor-in-Chief at The Throne Agency

Content, what does this mean to you?

Quality, value, tact and reception. Beyond how you carry and pass on information, I think content (creation and marketing) has more to do with how much you captivate and keep your target audience. The people behind the content have to be in the know; research, be on top of trends, understand what is happening in their industries and address or influence their audience through that knowledge. I think that really great content has more to do with the audience than the creator or marketer in the end. Your audience is ultimately who keeps determining what content is and how it translates.

It took you how many years to get to this point?

In theory, eight years. In practice, I would say about three years.

The Throne & The Mobb are dope, give a synopsis…

They feed each other but they also stand alone. Both The Throne and The Mobb explore entertainment, fashion, art and culture in a South African context. The agencies study cultural insights and influencer relations in order to serve as a voice for the contemporary urban and creative landscape. Most importantly, they are 100% Black female owned – aiming to reshape and rethink the creative industry and dynamic for the generation coming on board in the future.

What’s an Influencer to you?

Someone who has the ability to affect how you think and feel about products or services and can ultimately control your purchase power as a result. It goes beyond the surface level and pretty pictures on social media. An influencer is someone who has built up a following based on who they are, what they know and has identified their niche. As a result, brands can use this knowledge and audience loyalty to collaborate with them for marketing purposes to achieve their specific objectives. Influencers are assets.

Writing, it’s either you have it or you don’t. Agree?

Yes and no. I think as with any creative field it’s part ‘gift’, part passion and equal parts practice. You have to constantly study and practice your craft as much as you are passionate about it. You can have a natural flair for writing but if you are not pushing yourself, studying other writers and researching, you don’t have it.

South African social media platforms that praise and promote females, do we have enough?

More than enough. We need to keep promoting and praising them more. Above that, we need to keep putting more women in influential positions and positions of power. The gatekeepers of said platforms are still predominantly male. Life is about balance, it needs to apply in quite simple and complex contexts.

They say the hustle never stops, do you ever stop working and just chill?

I think that when you love what you do, you become a workaholic by default. It’s always important to take time out. I make it a point to not check work related things after a certain point. If it’s urgent, it can find me at 5AM lol.

How would you want to change another person’s life through the work you do?

To keep being a source of inspiration or reference on a large scale. In the near future when I feel I have established myself, I’d definitely like to take a group under my wing; I suppose like a mentorship. I think that knowledge is best when it is shared. I want young people specifically to be able to enjoy the fruits of my labour and pass that on.

Where can everyone find your movement, handles?

Instagram: @thethronesa / @themobb_sa

Twitter: @TheThroneSA / @TheMobbSA

Website: www.thethrone.co.za / https://www.thethrone.co.za/the-mobb/

 

–Bridgette Makhela 

Kutloano ‘Da Kruk’ Nhlapo On DJing, The Axe Ibiza Experience And His Industry Journey

Kutloano Nhlapo / 29 / Mix DJ / Radio Presenter / Radio Music Executive / All Round Creative

How’d you find your way into the industry?

It’s been a really long journey that started during school holidays. I used to job shadow DJ Sbu’s Drive Time Show and eventually had a taste of radio and the Schools Art Festival in Grahamstown, I think that’s when I knew that music and radio are what I’m going to do until the casket drops. DJing started a lot earlier, which was also during my high school days, a friend of mine had equipment and we’d chill for hours on end in his backroom DJing. The defining point, however, was leaving UJFM to produce Mo Flava’s Breakfast Show on YFM 99.2 at the age of 22 back in 2012.

Has your journey been epic or a beautiful struggle? Elaborate…

My journey has been a beautiful struggle and epic at the same time because it’s been really challenging, confusing and torturing all in the same breath. Every time I think of giving up or doubting my abilities, a reward takes me to the next level.

You made headlines last year by winning the Axe DJ search competition, how has that impacted/shaped your brand?

That was a defining period, I mean I was one of the last people to enter the competition because I was in a place where I was fighting who I am and what I wanted from the industry as a creative. So I entered because playing in Ibiza was a childhood dream and this opportunity really took me back to why I wanted to DJ and why I actually started, so it really wasn’t a battle to beat any other DJ but a challenge to fulfill something I’ve always wanted.

How does a typical day for you look like?

I’m a workaholic that’s always ready to outwork everybody, so every time I have time on my hands and doing nothing with it, I feel like I’m cheating myself. So during the week (Monday to Friday) I’m at YFM working as a Music Executive, playing my part in contributing to the sound and direction of the station. During weekends I’m either doing my radio shows on YFM or gigging somewhere in the country.

Ever had/have a mentor?

Yeah, before I got into radio I worked as an intern at a youth marketing agency called Monatefellaz, which was founded by Musa Kalenga. I left Monatefellaz at age 22 as a Junior Creative Director and made sure that I maintain that relationship over the years, so besides not working for him, I kept reaching out over the years and that’s how he became a person that helps me make some crucial career decisions and maintain a progressive mindset. Musa Kalenga is an author, master strategist, speaker and all things progressive African.

What does music mean to you?

Music means ‘Privileged Mindset’ to me because music prepares and makes us overcome any situation or any stage of life. It’s one of the only art forms that gives obvious solutions to our everyday life struggles.

Favourite genre of music? (already seems pretty obvious though…lol)

Well I don’t think it’s as obvious as you think. I’m a big Hip-Hop fan because of how precise the messaging is in the art, so you know exactly what the person is going through and what he/she is trying to say. It’s closely followed by Dance/House music because of the feeling of immunity it gives one and the fact that you are able to comprehend every record the way you want.

When you play for a crowd, what makes it memorable?

I think being able to take a group of people from one energy wavelength to the next regardless of their racial, socioeconomic status or background is an out of body experience for me and is probably the most addictive thing one can do.

You’ve done some traveling too, any type of growth you experienced?

Yeah man, traveling just makes you realize how much more there is to contribute to the culture and world through music. It’s taught me a lot about myself and what I have to contribute creatively.

What’s the plan going forward?

Just being more creative in my approach and not fall for society’s trap and what everyone else is doing or deems as a working formula.

What’s your 2018 mindset yet?

2018 is looking amazing, as we speak my first quarter is almost sorted and it entails traveling, international collaborations and growing organically as a creative so I’m really amped up.

Any closing words for the culture?

ALL DREAMS ARE VALID!

Follow Da Kruk!

Instagram: @dakruk

Twitter: @dakruk

Facebook: Kutloano da Kruk

–Bridgette Makhela