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If you own a record label, you very well might be a member of RiSA. Originally known as the Association of the South African Music Industry (ASAMI), the company changed its name to the Recording Industry of South Africa in 2000 because the original name was too broad. RiSA is a trade association that looks after the collective interests of all the record labels that form its membership. But what are the benefits of being a member of RiSA? In other words, how does it represent the recording industry and what does it actually do? This week's overview of RiSA tries to answer those questions.
In the late eighties and throughout the nineties, DJs became better known as artists as well as those who play other peoples music. This was primarily through the rise of hip-hop and other electronic dance music such as house and drum n bass. Dance music DJs not only play music, but they also play their own remixes of other people's music as well as their own productions. Add to this the technical ability to beat-match and mix, and the DJ can be seen as a creative force rather than just an entertainer. Hip-hop DJs have upped the ante on this, by not only playing their own records and mixing, but also introducing the technically amazing and thoroughly enjoyable art of turntablism – the art of using the turntable as a percussive musical instrument.
Now, although electronic dance music and hip-hop are still popular genres, and there are still many DJs who champion these musical styles, the times have changed. A DJ who spins just one genre of music, whether his mixing is impeccable and he's playing his own tunes, is no longer interesting for many punters. And scratching has become almost a cliché', too strongly associated with hip-hop. This week 'Being An Independent Music Artist' column takes a look at what DJs need to be looking at in order to keep pushing the artform.
Sdunkero is not too worried about the future of DJing. His recent hit, 'Maputo Song' is a sign that he has an ear for top-notch dance-floor filling songs. As Goodguy Phash would warn: You better be careful if you hear any of Sdunkero's tunes in a club and you're out with your lady, otherwise the dancefloor might steal your girlfriend.
MIO Radio episode 8 is up and ready for you. My but we've come far. This week is focused on South African R&B, which has never been as popular as many believe it should be. Is it because it doesn't crack it in terms of quality? Listen and find out.
- Richard Rumney
:: COOL COMPANY NOTICES ::
Turnkey Product News Flash July 2007 - Turnkey Music & Multimedia The latest product news flashes from Turnkey includes the Brace Digital Audio DWG 1000 Digital Wireless Guitar System, Prop Heads Reason on the horizon, Korg M3 new generation workstation, Digidesign at Turnkey, Summer of SOund promotion, Sibelius Version 5, Native Instruments Audio 8 and Traktor Scratch, Presonus Firestudio and Remote, Hercules DJ Console Units including new Wireless Option and SE Electronics new instrument reflection filter and USB1000 A Mic.
Technics DJ Mix Club – DJ School - DJ Mix Club The DJ Mix Club has been offering DJ Course's for over 5 years, training many professional DJ's currently involved in the field. Our Diploma DJ Course's have helped many up-comers and new-comers find their feet in this competitive industry. With over 2000 DJ's trained through our system, we are the most established DJ course in Africa.
Hot new Progressive and Electro vinyl and digital download releases! - Stereo FX Our debut vinyl released last month Ricky M Bergmann aka RMB - This Time includes the original mix by South African Progressive DJ/Producer RMB and Side B features a thrilling electro-house remix by Shmuel Flash from The Flash Brothers and Huge-A.
NOFX In SA! No band has achieved more success independently, and no band has turned down major labels and MTV more often. Although they're reluctant to admit it, they're musically influenced by bands like Bad Religion, Misfits, RKL.
SA Songbirds Set To Wing It Abroad In August, two golden-voiced South African singers will join the ranks of Abel Moeng, Nicholas Nicolaidis and Abigail Petersen as winners of the prestigious SAMRO Overseas Scholarships.
Levi's Young Guns Brings The Underground, Up The Johannesburg rock leg of the Young Guns Series takes place at the Sunningdale Hotel on Corlett Drive Birnam this Thursday 19 July. The two hot new bands for he night are Desmond and The Tutu's and Kidofdoom.
Dorp Returns To SA; Simon Says 'Like This Song!' Simon Says is the newest single from South African turned English pop sensations Dorp. Released in the UK during April, the single has just been released for play-listing in South Africa.
Soweto Gospel Choir Set To Tour SA Grammy-award winners, Soweto Gospel Choir, are set to perform in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Durban in September.
Dutch band Cooper to play Oppikoppi Festival! After two extensive two week tours in 2006 and 2007 the great people at Oppikoppi Festival deemed it appropriate to invite Cooper to come play at the most important music festival of South Africa.
Podcast Assault On Dull Radio Programming In SA Newly launched South African music and style blog, The Popular Front ( www.thepopularfront.net), has launched an assault on lame-ass music programming on the local airwaves with the launch of its own podcast channel.
What kind of Dassie are you? Just over a month to go and we thought it apt to spread more knowledge of the Dassie clan to the masses: for once you've accepted the Dassie, the way of the Dassie and nothing but the way of the Dassie, true freedom and happiness is within spitting distance. Of course there are too many flavours of Dassie to mention in a missive such as this but below find a selection of the most easily spotted members of the rock climbing clan.
AVL Distribution Wins GOLD Award At Mediatech was the proud Gold Award recipient at Mediatech this year due to the high quality of its stand. AVL would like to thank all its staff and crew for the hard work and creativity that went into this success. In addition, AVL would like to thank Thebe Exhibitions, the organisers of Mediatech, AVL for this recognition, and would especially like to thank Simon, Bernice and Claire for their ongoing co-operation and creativity.
:: REVIEWS ::
Track Blasters: House Anthems At times when I listen to projects that are due for review, my heart is filled with pride, pleasure and compliments. And once that happens, it gives me more space and liberty to speak my mind aloud!
Various: Splashy Fen 2007 Splashy Fen is one of South Africa's oldest, and certainly most scenic, music festivals. Splashy Fen's focus has always been on rock music and its various bed-fellows and derivatives, and this compilation reflects that ethos.
Carla Diamond - Unearthed Carla Diamond has the potential to impress and does well to do so in Unearthed. Heads up, SA
Mega: Megahertz Mduduzi Gumede, otherwise known as Mega, is one of the few guys in the music industry who's got a big heart and whose production work I really respect. The producer and DJ has been trying his best for sometime even though little has been said about his adorable talent. Even though Mega has not been getting much hype, the brother has held onto what he believes in through thick and thin - which I guess is producing music.
:: FORUMS ::
Vote For Devil's Cartel - fly* Hey all... Okies I have a huge favour to ask...and I normally hate getting these kinds of e-mails but im trying to fix us up for next years Oppikoppi...we didnt get into this years...
Tune For The Day 2 - bot So I thought I'd take it upon myself to re-open 1 of our favourite threads - Tune For The Day.For me... todays tune is - Icons by Cosmo Vitelli.Go mad ppl...
Who Are The Sama Judges By The Way? - MadMuziq Its been a while trying to figure out the SAMA judges... After a couple of months of hoping to nail this matter down, I give up! Though it was for interest sake, I feel it is...
Remix Competition - Dj nk0khi Holla interested in Remixing ? here is ur chance.. http://www.housemusicproducer.com/viewtopic.php?t=596Hope 2 c u de....Moja...
Free Music Loop Packs - Warped Signal These are packs containing a few free music loops I made.Note that you may use them in your songs without asking me. It would be nice if you sent me a link to the song or posted if...
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