i(m)bali

Flowers for Lee Kasumba

Flowers for Lee Kasumba

Leslie “Lee” Kasumba is an integral part of African hip hop. She consistently held a mirror up to us hip hop girls and just by existing, occupied a space for all of us. And continues to do so well beyond the realms of hip hop. I have a deep love...
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Flowers for Bionic

Flowers for Bionic

Bradley “DJ Bionic” Williams has done so much for South African hip hop. Personally, he’s given me some big opportunities and some hard-to-learn lessons. So when we took i(m)bali from a podcast to a live event (thanks J&B Hive!), it was obvious that Bionic had to be the first guest....
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Flowers for PRO

Flowers for PRO

Where to start. It’s clear that PRO touched many people’s lives. It’s clear that he changed the face of South African rap. It’s clear that he hadn’t lost it. I’ve always thought I had given PRO his flowers while he could smell them. But his passing was so sudden that...
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Flowers for Mshoza

Flowers for Mshoza

One of the baddest kwaito artists - who actually writes her own music - is Mshoza. It’s unfortunate that her skills often get buried under tabloid street posters but once you speak to her about music, it’s clear that she has always had it and will always have it in...
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i(m)bali is back!

I know, I know. I really played myself by not staying committed to the i(m)bali podcast. But today, I was just so restless that I realised my newly mounted priority list was making me crazy. But I realised that too late. Now though... I'm happy to say I got over...
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Flowers for Hugh Masekela

Flowers for Hugh Masekela

A long time ago, I put Bab’ Hugh Masekela on the cover of a publication. The dope publicist who was working on the project that I’d written about for that issue sent me a picture of him holding the publication, smiling. It touched my heart so much. Long after that,...
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Flowers for Greg Maloka

Flowers for Greg Maloka

Greg is a pioneer who has his feet in two worlds: broadcasting and music. As someone who doesn’t seem to like to talk about himself much, it’s not always easy to get the gems out of the DJ/station manager. He’s incredibly inspiring and has the kind of confidence in himself...
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Flowers for Ms Cosmo

Flowers for Ms Cosmo

I had so much fun watching Ms Cosmo work. As the most visible hip hop DJ who happens to be a woman, I don’t know if people are willing to acknowledge how hard she works and the bricks she is laying down on this mainstream hip hop foundation. What’s also...
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i(m)bali: Ms Cosmo

i(m)bali: Ms Cosmo

By now, you know what i(m)bali is all about. This week's episode sees us attempt to get to know hip hop DJ and radio personality, Ms Cosmo, a little better. She speaks to me about taking her career into her own hands. She also exclusively tells me about how Gigi...
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Flowers for Lenyora

Flowers for Lenyora

Kwaito is not just authentically South African music. It’s a definite thread that contibutes to the fabric of black culture. So, it makes sense to look back at some of the pioneers of kwaito and, while they are still alive, give them their flowers. When I had this conversation with...
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