• Sabelo Mkhabela

    South Africa Arts & Culture Editor.

Stories by Sabelo Mkhabela

A poster for ‘Yasuke: Way of the Butterfly’ showing Yasuke stretching his sword.
Literature

‘Yasuke: Way of the Butterfly’ Tells the Origin Story of a Real-Life African Samurai

The story of the first Black samurai, who’s often wrongly portrayed as a slave, is told from an African perspective for the first time in the South African graphic novel ‘Yasuke: Way of the Butterfly.’

Woman wearing all black sitting on a bar stool.
Music

Interview: Tecla Ciolfi On The Journey To Starting Her Popular Podcast ‘Texx Talks’

South African music journalist Tecla Ciolfi launched her podcast 'Texx Talks' at the height of lockdown in 2020. Since then, it has become one of the most notable music platforms in the country.

Interview: Kwesta and The ‘Ghost of DaKAR’
Music

Interview: Kwesta and The ‘Ghost of DaKAR’

While making his latest album 'g.o.d Guluva' during the 2020 lockdown, Kwesta opened up to vulnerability and, as a result, left some parts of his old self behind.

808s & Log Drums: How South African Hip-Hop and Amapiano Fell in Love
Music

808s & Log Drums: How South African Hip-Hop and Amapiano Fell in Love

As South African hip-hop strives to regain broad mainstream prominence, more rappers and producers are tapping into and incorporating amapiano elements into their music.

Coming 2 America: New Yorkers in Zamunda
Film + TV

Coming 2 America: New Yorkers in Zamunda

Coming 2 America: If one can sit through cringey "African accents" and take the elephants as hyperbole, they could score some laughs for nostalgia's sake.

Interview: Nasty C on The Importance of Sharing His Story
Music

Interview: Nasty C on The Importance of Sharing His Story

In light of his latest podcast series, we speak to Nasty C about the importance of sharing his story: "I think it's always good to document something if it takes a lot to do it."

Interview: How Stogie T’s ‘Freestyle Friday’ Became a TV Show
Film + TV

Interview: How Stogie T’s ‘Freestyle Friday’ Became a TV Show

Freestyle Friday started as lockdown content but is now a fully-fledged TV show on Channel O. In this interview, Stogie T breaks down why the show is revolutionary and talks about venturing into media.

ProVerb’s Memoir Is A Huge Slap In The Face To South African Hip-Hop
Music

ProVerb’s Memoir Is A Huge Slap In The Face To South African Hip-Hop

In his memoir, one of South Africa's revered lyricists ProVerb and his co-author compromise his rich story with trite motivational talk.

Some of the artists featured on The Boom.
Music

Interview: ‘The Boom’ Compilation Showcases New Cape Town Talent

The Boom compilation album showcases the talents of Cape Town's emerging hip-hop and R&B artists.

The 20 Best Flvme Songs
Music

The 20 Best Flvme Songs

A beginner's guide to South African hip-hop artist Flvme's best songs.

10 South African Artists & Labels to Support on Bandcamp
Music

10 South African Artists & Labels to Support on Bandcamp

As Bandcamp waives its share of revenue, here are 10 South African artists and labels to consider supporting.

Interview: Boity Takes Her Jump Shot
Music

Interview: Boity Takes Her Jump Shot

With the release of her first EP 4436, Boity cements her place as a rapper and aims to inspire her listeners. "I hope everyone takes away from this moment the fact that when you chase your dreams, honestly, the universe will reward you," she says.

Interview: Ranks ATM Makes ‘Substance Music’
Music

Interview: Ranks ATM Makes ‘Substance Music’

South African hip-hop artist Ranks ATM on his latest EP 'Substance Music', working with Riky Rick and his crew African Trap Movement's new chapter.

Interview: Speedsta On His Newly-Opened Skate Shop, Leaving the POPcast & His Latest Single
Music

Interview: Speedsta On His Newly-Opened Skate Shop, Leaving the POPcast & His Latest Single

Speedsta's new skate shop is the first of many to come as the deejay, producer and entrepreneur continues his streak of shining the light on emerging talent.

AKA's 'Bhovamania' Decoded
Music

AKA's 'Bhovamania' Decoded

AKA's referential style of writing and producing, on display in his new EP Bhovamania, speaks to his hip-hop roots and varied musical taste, while the wrestling references on the project mirror his persona and the different stages of his career.

Prince Kaybee Gives New Women Voices a Chance to Shine in New Compilation Album ‘Project Hope’
Music

Prince Kaybee Gives New Women Voices a Chance to Shine in New Compilation Album ‘Project Hope’

Prince Kaybee's new compilation album 'Project Hope' highlights unheard women voices in South African music.

Interview: Focalistic’s Blend of Hip-Hop and Amapiano Is Working
Music

Interview: Focalistic’s Blend of Hip-Hop and Amapiano Is Working

South African rapper Focalistic doesn't fixate on genre. He wants you to know his music "is for South Africans, by South Africans that sound South African."

808x poses in front of a white backdrop.
Music

Interview: 808x On Crafting Different Sounds For the Diverse Innanetwav Roster

808x, the in-house producer for South Africa's popular hip-hop collective/labelInnanetwav, breaks down his working process with artists and the importance of energy.