Ahead of local government elections in South Africa–scheduled for May–the Democratic Alliance, which governs Cape Town and the Western Cape, spins about its “service delivery successes.” Of course they’re taking of downtown Cape Town and its surrounding, historically white, suburbs, but tell that to the country’s mainstream media. The truth is the DA’s electoral successes […]

What’s happening in (Cape Town’s neighborhood) Woodstock that makes local hipsters flood the place? The speed at which parts of this area are gentrifying is dazzling. But hipsters also shoot nice images. Cue: shaky cam and hyper-bright colors. — Tom Devriendt

Electronic rap duo and “stereo wizards” Dirty Paraffin at the Faraday Muthi Market in downtown Johannesburg for the cover shoot of the South African online lookbook/zine Cuss. The video and the shoot were done by photographer Chris Saunders.

The South African newspaper Mail&Guardian has a YouTube channel which makes browsing through their occasional video reports accompanying the on-line and printed news a lot easier. The videos include Q&A’s, political news talk, lectures, press conferences, music  and concert reviews. Go here.

Nodding my head to this tune by Congolese artist Pathy Patcheko, a former member of Papa Wemba’s band Viva la Musica. ‘Tchaku’ is a first single from his self-titled solo album. — Tom Devriendt

I could listen to Tamikrest all day long. This is a new song from the Malian band’s album Toumastin. Now, my knowledge of Tamashek is non-existent, but something tells me the song title means “children of Tinariwen”. Whether they’re referring to the band they were brought up with or the actual deserts, I don’t know. […]

Brussels rapper Brams aka L’Insatiable (born in Cameroon) has been working on some promising collaborations lately. This one, ‘Stop Look & Listen’, with wandering hip-hop artist Juba Zaki (hailing from Crown Heights, Brooklyn) being a case in point.

Mo Kalamity and The Wizards, “Autour de Toi” from her album, Deeper Revolution Via Ikenna Azuike

Off his new album, Blitz the Ambassador featuring Les Nubians. Free download here.

South African guitar duo Warongx are two of several artists portrayed in The Creators documentary. Above is an excerpt. By the same makers of the great Invisible Sessions.