Vusumzi Ngubane
Al Capone JJ aka the Lyrikal Mafiah grew up in the township of Gugulethu outside Cape Town, South Africa. Growing up amid the crime and violence of the ghetto JJ found a path through music under the influence of his Father. In 1999 he started to DJ and quickly made a name for himself in the South African scene, working with artists like Zoro, Crosby, Black Dillinger and other members from Chronic Clan. JJ established himself with his rudeboy style and massive vocal hooks.
In 2004 African Dope Records released a compilation CD “African Dope Soundsystem” featuring JJ and other great artists from South Africa. JJ has performed at “Afrika Festival” (Germany), Rototom Sunsplash (Italy), LakeSplash (Solvenia), the World Body Painting Festival (Italy), as well as in Austria, Great Britian and Scandinavia. JJ has been support act and shared stage with artists like Gentleman, Capleton, Luciano, Eeek-A-Mouse, Morgan Heritage, Jah Mason just to mention a few.
When not on tour, he is based in Berling where he run tings as MC at clubs like Kiki Blofelf, Yaam, Casiopaia and Frystil. JJ’s first album “No Offense” is a result of the collaboration with Berlin based Sammy Masoud and Aldubb aka Soundwarriors. It features 18 songs, ranging across the Reggae landscape from Roots Reggae to dancehall and even Hip Hop. The album featured addition riddim tracks from Ganjaman, Im Music, Big Finger, Jah Soul Jah, and 40 Fyah and artists featured Black Kappa, Zoro, Crystal Axe and Soultrain.
JJ is currently building his own label, called “Kyd-Records”, named after Kyd native yard 12, the Gugulethu township where JJ grew up. Through his music, he continues his original mission of supporting and empowering the ghetto youths. The media got interested in him right at the time of his arrival in Europe. Interviews at several Radio Shows increased the interest in this amazing artist and lead to bookings for shows all over Europe, like Germany, Austria, Slovenia, UK and Skandinavia. His music is available on iTunes, Juno and Amazon.
Bookings & Info:
reggaefireberlin@live.de (Europe)
ziondistribution@gmail.com (Scandinavia)