The SAMC encompasses music conference and workshops for budding musicians-that since its launch 10 years’ ago has made inroads and changed lives of the ordinary to extra-ordinary!
Spearheaded by DJ UNITE legendaries DJU-DJ Fresh, Oskido, Vinny, Christos & Greg “The Maestro” Maloka, it begins from July 3 to 6 in KwaZulu Natal.
On July 4 Umlazi takes centre stage with speakers ranging from Ralf Gum (Germany/SA), Rocco (France), Monique Bingham (USA), Black Coffee, DJU, Afrotainment head DJ Tira, Umlazi’s Big Nuz, Professor, DJ Zinhle, Cndo and other local acts.
According to Mandla Motua, spokesperson for the event, all workshops are for free.
Workshops include topics such as producing, taking advantage of the digital world, branding, the female touch (whatever that means), and getting inputs from well-travelled DJs, producers, vocalists and musicians.
SAMRO will tackle music rights and publishing issues, whereas SABC radio & invited community radio stations will engage music makers on how to get their material on the relevant airwaves, etc.
With workshops and deliberations out of the way, the “Mother of All Parties” goes down at Kings Park Stadium July 5 July, evening.
The demo session and ‘one-on one’-wraps the activities on July 6 at Claremont.
Oskido adds that this year’s conference, like previous ones, is staged to help attending music minds “to better understand the music business”.
“With the presence of SABC radio, they will also get a better understanding on how to submit their music and voice their concerns with present radio stations. We are bringing the conference to where they live and they should come prepared,” he pointed out strongly.
His counterpart and Kaya FM boss Greg Maloka says: “The tenth year is about linking several economies together and sharing ideas on how to make that work. Arts and culture together with tourism can be key avenues to create economic activity for communities across the country. We are moving to packaging ikasie and all its content for greater things.
Extraordinary ideas usually come from ordinary people who are given a platform to think laterally and share that thinking.”
This year’s show-piece will be divided into two stages at Kings Park Stadium. The one stage will feature international household brands namely vocalist Monique Bingham (US), Rocco (France), Ralf Gum (Germany), and locals DJU, Zakes Bantwini, DJ Siyanda, DJ Sox, Ukhozi FM DJs and more.
The other will be a DJU celebrating 20 Years of Kalawa Jazmee Records Stage.
It features BOP, Mafikizolo, Bongo Maffin, Uhuru, Professor, Black Motion, Trompies, Dr Malinga, Mahoota vs Vetkuk, Heavy K, Character, Busiswa, DJ Zinhle, Tzoz, DJ Pepsi, Nokwazi, DJ Bobsta and others!
Tickets are available from R180 and R500 for VIP.
Those interested on workshops should visit: www.djusa.co.za; follow on twitter @DJUSAMC or search for Southern African Music Conference (SAMC) by DJU on Facebook.
Yep, its Durban July time and it rocks! Amen…
