Hennessy Artistry launches in South Africa

Hennessy Cognac announces Hennessy Artistry’s four collaborating artists for 2010.

Blending the distinctive sounds of four musical genres and showcasing South Africa’s top homegrown music talent, Hennessy Cognac proudly announces the launch of Hennessy Artistry, an exclusive, star-studded concert featuring SAMA award winning hip-hop superstars Teargas, melodic deep house duo Liquideep, Afro-funk songstress Zamajobe and energetic jazzy groove-injected dance act GoodLuck.

The Hennessy Artistry South Africa finale concert takes place on Saturday 11 September 2010, situated in the vibrant and exclusive Melrose Arch precinct in Johannesburg. Hennessy Artistry will see these four diverse performing artists all share one stage as they create a new, uniquely South African sound – a local expression of The Art of Blending.

This prestigious finale event forms part of the global Hennessy artistry campaign, culminating in an ultra exclusive VIP concert on 14 October 2010 in New York City. This year’s concert is headlined by Grammy Award winning hip-hop band, The Roots and legendary Grammy nominated hip-hop artist, Q-Tip.

During the months of August and September 2010, 7 build up events will take place around the country, featuring a live performance by one of Hennessy Artistry’s four local collaborating artists.

For more information about Hennessy Artistry including event dates, ticket sales, local and international artists, or how to win an all expenses paid trip for you and a friend to New York to see Q-Tip and The Roots live at the global Hennessy Artistry concert, visit www.hennessy.com or hennessysa.mobi

Tell me more about the concept?

Just as Hennessy mixes the finest eaux-de-vie in the world to create each product, Hennessy Artistry embodies this philosophy by mixing unique musical talent and providing the finest mixed drinks to create an exceptional blend of music, style, culture and people. The campaign is structured around four core pillars:

1. The collaboration of 4 artists/musicians to create a new song and music video
2. A series of national build up events culminating in a finale where all 4 artists will perform
3. A consumer competition to win a 6 day trip to New York City and attend the USA Hennessy Artistry event
4. The creation and promoting of unique Hennessy blended drinks

Who are the four collaborating artists?

1. Zama Jobe Sithole from Pop Idols Fame (2003) is a local jazz artist best known for her groundbreaking debut album – Ndawo Yami. Zama’s music can be categorised as R&B, Afro-pop or Afro-fusion.
2. The Liquid Deep duo made up of singer/songwriter/producer Ziyon and DJ/producer Ryzor started their collaboration in 2007 over a mutual fascination with melodically rich, deep house music.
3. TEARGAS consists of Ntokozo “K.O.” Mdluli and brothers Ezee “Ma-E” Hanabe and Bantu “Ntukza” Hanabe. Although the group officially launched in 2004, the band was mostly making its mark in the underground hip hop circuit.
4. Formed in 2008 and known for their electric performances, Goodluck Live has taken the local music scene by storm. Juliet Harding, Ben Peters and Raiven Hansmann forged the group into the finely polished act audiences across the country has been blown away by.

These four artists exemplify the diverse demographic of the Hennessy consumer, ensuring the music compliments the notion of blending. By selecting four distinctly different genres in the collaboration, Hennessy’s premium values are once again highlighted and maintained.

When and how will the events be rolling out?

The national line-up of events (taking place in Durban, Cape Town, East London and Johannesburg) will be launching on 21 August, with an afternoon event hosted in one venue followed by an after-party at a chosen club in the city. The events will be held on consecutive Saturdays starting in Durban, moving to Cape Town and East London with Soweto hosting the Gauteng afternoon party and Johannesburg the finale Halo event on 11 September.

How does Hennessy Artistry in South Africa tie into the international event in New York?

The local finale event hosted on 11 September at The Venue in Melrose Arch, forms part of the global Hennessy Artistry campaign that culminates in a dazzling VIP concert on 14 October 2010 in New York. This year’s concert is headlined by Grammy Award winning hip-hop band, The Roots and legendary hip-hop artist, Q-Tip.

How can I enter to win the trip to Artistry New York?

For a chance to win coveted tickets and a 6-day trip to the Big Apple to experience the star-studded sights and sounds of New York, all you have to do is purchase a limited edition bottle of Hennessy and SMS the URN code found on the pack or purchase Hennessy at any of the national events.

Artists:

TEARGAS

Teargas is made up of Ntokozo “K.O.” Mdluli and brothers Ezee“Ma-E” and Bantu “Ntukza” Hanabe. The group officially came into being in 2004, after making a name for themselves in the underground hip hop circuit.

Their debut album, K’shubile K’bovu saw the trio making a splash with their hit track Chance. The album was incredibly well received and earned the group three Metro FM awards. Their second album, Wafa Wafa introduced a more mature sound, while still speaking to their fans at grass roots level. This album earned the group a SAMA award for Best Rap in 2009.

Not known to rest on their laurels, Teargas released their third album, Dark or Blue in late 2009. Featuring the likes of Prokid, DJ Tira, Danny K and HHP, Dark or Blue earned Teargas their second SAMA for Best Rap, as well as two SAMA nominations for Best Group and Album of the Year.

LIQUIDEEP

Liquideep is made up of Ziyon (singer, songwriter and producer) and Ryzor (DJ and producer). The duo hooked up in 2007 over a mutual love of hook-laden, melodically rich, deep house music.

Just two years after their formation they caught the attention of the entire nation after their popular track, Fairytale was play-listed on every major radio station in South Africa. The track went on to receive a nomination for Song of the Year at the 2010 SAMAs (South African Music Awards).

Their distinctive beats have already attracted remixes from popular underground international DJs including Suges, Lars Behrenroth, Jonny Montana and House Device. In addition they’ve been commissioned to remix seminal acts like Stephanie Cooke.

Following their Oscillations mix contribution on House Afrika Sessions Vol. 1, they finalised their debut album, Fabrics of the Heart, which was released in May 2010.

ZAMAJOBE

Zamajobe is a South African jazz musician whose music can best be described as Afro-funk.
Growing up in Vosloorus she began singing with the local choir from age nine and started playing the guitar at 17. She is also a talented dancer and spent a year dancing Latin American professionally.

In the 2003 Idols contest she finished in the top ten. Not long after that, she released her debut album, Ndawo Yami, which was hailed by critics as groundbreaking and remarkable. The album achieved Gold status in South Africa, selling more than 25,000 copies. Zamajobe is produced by Sony BMG Music Entertainment/Giant Steps label and she writes her own songs. Her debut album, which has won countless awards and nominations, was recorded at the legendary Jazzworx Studio in Randburg, Gauteng.

Zamajobe’s second and latest album, Ndoni Yamanzi, was released towards the end of 2008. According to Zamajobe, Ndoni Yamanzi means ‘a black stone’ or it could mean ‘a beautiful black woman’. Ndoni Yamanzi is produced by Erik Paliani.

GOODLUCK

This upshot act from Cape Town has ignited the cities of South Africa, fired up parties in Ibiza, the UAE and Switzerland, and heated up season long residencies in Cape Town.

Formed in early 2009, Juliet Harding (vocals), Ben Peters (production & electro-percussion) and Raiven Hansmann (keyboard and sax) forged the group into the finely polished act that audiences across the country have been blown away by. The electric performance staged by the trio has seen dance floors packed and fans chanting for more.

With a debut album burning time in the studio and videos in pre-production, airwaves will soon be buzzing with the hooky brilliance of GoodLuck. These electronic geniuses seem to have a very determined plan for their success.

GoodLuck have taken their fresh, distinctive act to the dance floors of St Ives, FTV, Taboo and Club INC. They’ve also performed alongside South Africa’s most popular performers including Just Jinjer, Shaun Duvet, Euphonic, Cassette, and toured as the opening act for Goldfish.

_________________________

Press release sent to info@musicreview.co.za