Local hip-hop musos cook at Boiler Room

BOILER ROOM began the launch of their four-city True Music Africa tour in the city, giving local artists access to an international online platform of 159 million viewers yesterday.

“I have always been a fan of Boiler Room and now I am actually playing at one,” said local DJ, Lyle Satram, 34, adding he could not explain how excited he was about the opportunity.

This year, the event celebrated and promoted local hip hop, and featured artists K$, Dope Saint Jude, Youngsta CPT, Aux Womdansto and DJ Lyle, who dare to be different and true to who they are and their music.

With Africa being hugely diverse across several musical styles, from gqom to Nairobi nu wave and eclectic afro-fusion, Boiler Room and Scotch whisky producers Ballantine’s partnered to support uncompromising artists who would do things “their way” for the event.

Georgia Meyer of Boiler Room said: “Music is best when it’s personal and expressed in a limitless way.

“On our platform, we allow artists to be free; we do not dictate what they need to perform. Like everyone, we find out on the night and trust that they will be amazing.”

Boiler Room is opened to the world via an online television platform as well as YouTube, and the live event is quite intimate.

“It is an intimate moment because we want it to be special, and then make it accessible to the world through other means,” said Meyer.

She said the style of the event made it accessible for the audience, with artists performing among the crowd, as well as bold camera work that created the feeling for those watching online that they were at the event.

Elsies River rapper Catherine Dope Saint Jude, 27, said: “It is a great opportunity and I feel like my city is taking note of me.

“True music celebrates authenticity and I am happy that my audience recognises me.”

Patrick Venning, marketing director for Ballantine’s, said: “Africa is full of diverse sounds and artists pioneering creativity. As the influence from a vast range of music genres across the continent is increasingly felt in European and American production, global taste-makers are looking towards their thriving underground scenes for inspiration.

“We’re looking forward to getting deeper under the skin of diverse nightlife cultures with true music artists.”

CAPE TALENT: DJ Lyle Satram, 34, played on a platform he has always dreamed of, as one of the headline acts at the Boiler Room True Music Africa event.