The Block Heats Up Winter with Gourmet Flavour and Cozy Vibes
The Block Restaurant & Wine Bar is becoming Jozi’s go-to comfort food haven, and just in time for winter, they’ve turned the heat all the way up. With their latest menu additions, The Block leans all the way into indulgence, without losing the charm and sophistication that keeps regulars coming back. The new gourmet American-style…
Baby Momo Strikes Back with Kufezekile II and Soaring Lead Single “Ithemba”
After carving out his lane with the emotive and atmospheric debut Kufezekile, Amapiano Baby Momo is back to stir hearts and dance floors once again. His much-anticipated sophomore project, Kufezekile II, arrives 23 May 2025. The lead single “iThemba“ features the vocal dynamite Dinky Kunene, the heartfelt tones of Zimvo and Yanga Grenade, and a…
Top 10 Afro House / Tech Playlist :Curated by Native Tribe
We back with a Monday Playlist! Curated by Native Tribe, this week’s Afro House/Tech selection will get your energy aligned and your week started right. Dive into deep rhythms, soulful synths, and futuristic soundscapes. 1. Cebow M, XtetiQsoul – Anodic (Max SA Twist) 2. Pablo D’orsay, MoIsh, Mabhani – Summer Nights feat. Helen Pantzouri (Original…
Thakzin: Africa’s Sonic Alchemist Breaking Boundaries in House Music
Thakzin, a name now echoed across festival lineups and DJ sets, is carving out a sound so distinctive, it’s earning both critical acclaim and millions of loyal listeners. Recently featured on descendants.rec’s “Moving House Forward” panel/workshop in Amsterdam, Thakzin sat down with Meedy and StateOfff for a deep dive into his production philosophy. The conversation,…
Gino Brown’s “Let Go” ft. Temwah Tops 5FM’s Dance Chart in Triumphant Afro House Moment
South African DJ, producer, and songwriter, Gino Brown’s soul-charged single “Let Go” featuring Temwah has officially clinched the top spot on 5FM’s #5Nights Dance Chart. The announcement, made on Thursday, May 15th during Karabo Ntshweng Molotlhanyi’s high-energy show, marks a defining moment for the genre-blending record that has steadily gained momentum since its release. Released…
Amapiano Weekly Playlist : Curated by FKA Moses
Vibe : Vino, sunsets, and vibrations that move your soul. This Friday, we lock into the groove with a handpicked selection of the freshest Amapiano sounds shaking up the streets, charts, and speakers. This week’s playlist brings smooth vocals, sharp log drums, and undeniable amapiano energy from top-tier names and rising talents. Let’s dive in:…
ChinamacChancer on Music, Fashion, Pantsula Aesthetics & Being Your Own Genre
In a landscape where artistry often gets boxed into singular definitions, Rorisang Magape, better known as ChinamacChancer refuses to be confined. Hailing from the vibrant township of Daveyton, East Johannesburg, this multi-hyphenate is as much a musician as he is a muse, a true creative force bridging music, fashion, and content in a uniquely way.…
Master Jay Rises with “Ta Jay”: A Monumental Amapiano Moment on the Horizon
As South Africa continues to birth genre-defining sounds and cultural powerhouses, few artists have navigated the Amapiano wave with the finesse, soul, and precision of Master Jay. The acclaimed DJ and producer unveils his much-anticipated album, Ta Jay, a 14-track autobiography that positions him not just as a key player, but as a cornerstone in…
What’s On The Menu : Khaeda Serves A Soulful Re-release With “DREAMS”
This week, we’re warming things up with a soulful dish straight from the heart—KHAEDA’s re-release of “Dreams”, arriving on all digital platforms May 31st. Originally shared on YouTube, this neo-soul ballad is now getting a second life and broader reach. “Dreams” feels like a memory from another lifetime—rooted in yearning, spiritual alignment, and the pursuit…
WIN with Control Magazine & LEVELS: Refined Sunday Just Got Sweeter
We’re giving 15 lucky guests the chance to experience Refined Sunday, one of the most exclusive lifestyle events in town, for free. Control Magazine has partnered with LEVELS to bring you an unforgettable giveaway ahead of the upcoming Refined Sunday event happening on 25 May 2025. Known for its stylish crowd, premium setting, curated sound,…
SABBATICAL: A Cinematic Homecoming You Didn’t Know You Needed
What happens when a high-powered life built on ambition crumbles overnight, and you’re forced to return to the one place you swore you’d outgrown? That’s the starting point of Sabbatical, the emotionally layered, darkly funny, and fiercely relatable feature debut from South African filmmaker Karabo Lediga. At the heart of the story is Lesego Tau,…
Control Picks: Top 10 SA Hip-Hop Tracks of the Week – Curated by Kholo Graham
This week’s Control Picks is a sonic cross-section of South African hip-hop’s freshest voices and heavy-hitters, curated by none other than Kholo Graham. From lyrical gymnasts to melodic tacticians, the list celebrates the genre’s evolving identity while giving props to artists pushing culture forward. Here’s what’s been in rotation at Control HQ: 1. Kiddo_CSA –…
UMngomezulu Channels Heartache Into Harmony With New EP ‘Turning Pain Into Music’
UMngomezulu, the KwaZulu-Natal-born producer and DJ known for his emotionally immersive deep house sound, is set to release his much-anticipated 7-track EP Turning Pain Into Music on 16 May 2025. The poignant lead single, Ndizokulinda, featuring the soulful vocals of Cnethemba Gonelo and Brandon Dhludhlu, debuted on 9 May 2025, offering a heartfelt preview of…
Top 10 Afro House / Tech Playlist : Curated by Native Tribe
Native Tribe returns with a high-energy selection of Afro House/Tech gems designed to move your soul and feet. This curated list blends deep rhythms, hypnotic beats, and global grooves, spotlighting both rising talent and established producers shaping the genre. Dive into the pulse of Afro-electronic music with this week’s picks: 1.LaErhnzo & TooZee – Milele…
Bassie Steals the Show at 2025 Metro FM Awards with Kwelanga 2.0
South Africa’s music royalty has a new queen, and her name is Bassie. The powerhouse vocalist lit up the 2025 Metro FM Awards, walking away as the night’s biggest winner with not one, but three major accolades, all for her groundbreaking hit, Kwelanga 2.0. The Amapiano anthem, a bold, high-energy project featuring M-Touch, Ranger, Amaza,…
The Best of Shaunmusiq (Control Essentials)
If you’re not tapped into Shaunmusiq yet, consider this your formal invitation. One of the most thrilling sound shapers in South Africa’s modern music scene, Shaunmusiq is steadily redefining what it means to move a crowd, pairing raw street energy with polished production finesse. The Best of Shaunmusiq (Control Essentials) is a curated journey through…
Busiswa Closes Honey & Grace with “man2man” — A Stirring Reflection on Vulnerability, Legacy, and Sound
With Honey & Grace, Busiswa has carved out a space that embraces complexity, emotional clarity, and artistic daring. Now, the acclaimed South African vocalist draws the curtain on the project with a final offering, “man2man” a textured, heartfelt meditation wrapped in hypnotic rhythm and soul-stirring charged artistry. Released on May 9th, “man2man” is less of…
Amapiano Heavyweights Tyler ICU & Visca Unite For Powerful New EP, ‘Ke Wave ’
When two titans of the Amapiano movement collide, the result is nothing short of groundbreaking, award-winning producers and cultural trailblazers Tyler ICU and Visca release their highly anticipated EP, ‘Ke Wave’. Following their individual chart-topping successes, Tyler ICU with the global smash Mnike and Visca with the street anthem Ba Staata, Ke Wave marks a…
Kwesta Reclaims His Throne with ‘The Big Bro Theory’: A Powerful Return from South Africa’s Hip-Hop OG
After nearly two decades in the game, South African rap icon Kwesta makes a triumphant return with his latest album, The Big Bro Theory, a sonic manifesto that solidifies his position as both a mentor and mainstay in the ever-evolving hip-hop landscape. With over 225 million streams, 8 million followers, and a massive 185 million…
Bad Milk — Uncovering Both Sides Of The Digital Age
Real name, real voice, real message. Ntombikayise Mbali Motloung, better known in South Africa’s dynamic music circles as Bad Milk, and alternatively as Inkomazi, delivers more than music, she’s a disruptor. A genre-bender. A young woman using her art to echo the complexity of modern identity. Born in Durban and seasoned in Johannesburg’s unrelenting creative…
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Whoever writes these articles is so seamless, really enjoyed this flow. Wonderful work Control!!!