Women in Reggae

Re-blogged from Joy House Entertainment.
A guest post by Mpho Biggy Khumalo @MphoDaGazaPimp
First Published: 04/09/13

As the celebration of Woman’s Month (August) came to an end, Joy House Entertainment feels the need to continue to celebrate a few (out of many) of these amazing women who are contributing to the growth of Reggae in South Africa. It is well within our responsibility as Joy House Entertainment to promote these women and make sure that the world knows about them and the roles they play in the growth of this beautiful genre of music.

THE QUEENS

Fikile Makhalemele
Managing Director & Owner (Lioness Productions SA)

Fikile Makhalemele is an action-oriented professional, who is passionate about reggae music, marketing, events organizing, and management, brands and branding. Established Lioness Productions SA in 2011, a 100% black owned, youth driven, dynamic Marketing, Entertainment, Event Organizers and Management Company with vested interests in empowerment and skills development in the reggae/dancehall live events sector – focused on Reggae/Dancehall music events and promotions but not limited – which is a culmination of a vision spanning over many years.

Born and bred in Soweto – she completed her matric in year 2000 and 2001 she studied music theory and took acoustic guitar lessons at Funda Community College. She then in 2002 enrolled at the University of Johannesburg and studied a Diploma in Public Relations Management which she completed in 2005. She immediately joined the corporate world as marketing and communications consultant and while working she enrolled to study part time on a mission to further her studies and obtain a Degree in Communication Science.

Fikile come from a Christian family; respectable and humble with very strict values. She is the youngest of the two and the only daughter. Happily married and have two wonderful kids, a son and a daughter. She was exposed to reggae music at an early age through a reggae music collection that belonged to her uncle, an activist; who was unfortunately brutally murdered by the apartheid government. It did not end up there, reggae kept following her – while she and her friends were out clubbing religiously every Saturday at a Hip Hop joint, Lee Club she again got exposed to reggae music and was introduced to Dancehall music. Furthermore, 3 years later she dated a reggae/dancehall selector. Her family have been very supportive, lending an extra hand dating back to 1999, whenever she was assisting Dj Fanta and Terry with their late night dance sessions – her mom will make and package nuts while Fanta’s mom prepare the Ital – The encouragement and support received from her family, friends and in-laws played a major role in the formulation of Lioness Productions SA.

Lioness Productions SA first international event was in June 2011 (Lutan Fyah and Jah Mason) in partnership with Milla Communications. A lot of required experience was gained from this first event which helped them shape and stir their brand to the right direction and further strengthened their abilities as a young reggae/dancehall events company. After the post-mortem and carefully studying the market; they seek the advice and assistance of other well-established productions to assist in the planning, organizing and marketing of their next event. In March 2012 Lioness Productions SA hosted a memorable international event (Anthony B & BornFire Band) supported by our local reggae artists and selectors Colbert Mukwevho, Nkulee Dube, Percy Mukwevho, Nathi B, Tidal Waves Band, Blak Kalamawi, Badda Badda, Dj Fanta, Admiral & JahSeed and Dj Pepe. In maintaining and contributing in the building and growing of the reggae/dancehall culture, Lioness Productions and a group of selectors started a monthly club even at OST, Newtown in April 2012 – hosted Every First Friday of the month. The club event is now a home to a number of local artists and selectors where they showcase their skills and talent – and it has attracted artists and selectors not only from Johannesburg but from other cities, provinces and neighboring countries (Cape Town, Durban, Limpopo, North West and Zimbabwe). The 08th December 2012 marks the highlight of the international events hosted by Lioness Productions – history was made as a dream of many reggae fans came through, Capleton aka King Shango performed Live in Johannesburg, South Africa – and the expectations were met. The event was one of the biggest, well attended reggae concerts thus far.

After the successful events and the excitement from the December 2012 event… continue reading

CONTACT:
Email: info@lionessproductionssa.com
Website: www.lionessproductionssa.com
Facebook: Lioness Productions SA
Twitter: @LionessProdSA @SAReggaeRising
Source: Lioness Productions SA

Mystikal Ebony
DJ/SHELEKTOR

This 20somthing, outgoing and fun loving DJ from South Africa started out in 2004, initially playing at poetry sessions and Sunday reggae sessions. She then, later on that year, moved to producing and hosting her own reggae show on Voice of Wits (VOW) which went off air late 2005. In 2005, she entered a Dancehall DJ competition, hosted by Flames of Fire sound systems and she took second place. From then on her popularity, has risen in the alternative culture circles of Johannesburg and Cape Town. Even opening up for international reggae artists like Lucianio in 2012. After two years of exclusively playing reggae she decided to incorporate hip hop, tribal, dub, drum and bass, raga dub step, and fusion into her set.