At the start of the year we posted an article about South African Electronic music, inspired by the release of the documentary ‘Future Sound of Mzansi’. Directed by Nthato Mokgata (aka Spoek Mathambo) and Lebo Rasethaba, the film is now available in 3 installments on YouTube via thump. Check out the videos below!

Part 1

The focus here is on the different scenes across South Africa, concentrating on the major cities of Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. It introduces the regional influence and importance on the  development of these sounds, noises and beats. From the Gqom of Durban to the Shangaan electro of Limpopo and beyond, keep an eye out for artists such as Black Coffee, Okmalumkoolkat, Nozinja, Spoek Mathambo himself and pioneering Cape Town based label African Dope.

Part 2

The legacy of apartheid on the music of South Africa is explored in part 2 of the documentary, looking at questions of race, authenticity and the gradual dismantling of division, with the potential of electronic music as a force to bring people together. The history and development of the ‘left-field eletronica’ arena of Cape Town is also deliberated, with contributions from Sibot, Markus Wormstorm, Felix Laband and John Wizards (also demonstrating the eclectic mix of electronic music!)

Part 3

The final instalment delves into ‘Towship Tech’ and the innovative, party-based music emanating from the townships including DJ Mujava’s infectious ‘Township Funk’. DJ Spoko, the architect of Bacardi House, his own brand of electronic music, discusses the sound’s domination of the Pretoria scene, but also the difficulties that Mujava and many artists have experienced in trying to gain recognition relative to the attention and praise their music has received both in South Africa and across the world.