Real Scenes: Johannesburg

Resident Advisor tells the remarkable story of the South African city’s thriving house scene.

South Africans are the biggest consumers of house music in the world, and Johannesburg is the beating heart of their scene. If you’re looking for proof, there is no need to visit a nightclub. In turning on a television, listening to the radio or walking down the street, it’s clear that a 4/4 pulse is the metronome of everyday life. The city’s preferred sound—vocal-led, percussive, melodic—is largely at odds with what’s popular in other international markets; this coupled with cripplingly slow internet speeds goes someway to explaining SA’s absence from the global house music conversation.

Music in order of appearance:

Culoe De Song- Webaba [Soulistic Music] 2010
Black Motion- The Documentary [Kalawa Jazmee] 2013
TKZee- Palafala (Midnight Lover Mix) [BMG Records Africa] 1998
Vinny da Vinci- We Love House Music [House Afrika Records] 2004
Culoe de Song- Ambush (Culoe De Song’s Voyage Dub) [Soulistic Music] 2010
TKZee- Dlala Mapantsula [BMG Records Africa] 2012
Black Motion- Manghoro [Kalawa Jazzmee] 2013
Infinite Boys ft Coco- Teka Teka [Kalawa Jazmee] 2012
Black Coffee- Trip To Lyon [Soulistic Music] 2010
Black Motion- Thrills [Kalawa Jazzmee] 2013
Jullian Gomes ft Bobby- Love Song 28 [Soul Candi Records] 2011
DJ Shimza- Never Loved Anyone [Soul Candi Records] 2012

Credits:
Producer and Director: Patrick Nation
Associate Producer: Ryan Keeling
Executive Producer: Paul Clement, Nick Sabine, Ed Williams
Editor: Dan Higginson
Camera: Sim Higginson, Dan Higginson, Patrick Nation
Researcher: Richard Marshall
Production Manager: Lisa Telfer Brunton
Additional Footage: Sony Music
Film Production: Clockwise Media

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