Loading home…
"With a background in hiphop and over a decade on the local scene in various guises, Bravestarr's interest in music began upon hearing the likes of Public Enemy, Tricky and Run DMC. Gatvol of the materialism of hiphop, Bravestarr raps less, sings more and toys around with all that electro has to offer. This JHB native is into beats not bling, and won't compromise his vision for anyone" - SL Magazine - 2008 Bravestarr is one of the most celebrated young alternative artists to emerge out of South Africa in the past decade, making a strong impression on critics while amassing a sizeable following across the country. His sound is a driving concoction of crisp breakbeats, edgy guitars with a rough, evocative singing and song writing style. First appearing on the SA hip-hop compilation "Tha Mutha Load" in 1996, Bravestarr's track "Strive" received massive airplay around SA and countries such as Angola and Mozambique. In 1999 he produced and rapped on the Electron album "African Werewolf in Japan" which also featured Kanif the Jhatmaster and Alkabulan. The album was an ode to an era that saw the likes of Public Enemy and Rakim push the envelope of hip-hop, and fused an old school hiphop style with electric guitars and the darker triphop sound that was emerging out of Europe at the time. Bravestarr's sophomore solo record Toy City, released late 2008, is an eclectic blend of rock, hip-hop, electro and blues, and would have to occupy a genre of it's own. Exploring issues of love, spirituality, mysticism and the universe, on this album he has successfully managed to produce challenging, provocative and forward-thinking music. The album exemplifies the agility with which the musicians were able think out of the box. Toy City is a theme based on that which is real and that which is illusion. The album was put together with Kanif who understood the progressive sound Bravestarr was searching for, and also features Mpume Mcata from the internationally acclaimed rock band "Blk Jks" on guitar. Managing to produce a beautifully experimental album which has attracted a strong cult following, it was recently used as a soundtrack to Vincent Moloi's film on South African World BMX champion, Sifiso Nhlapo. Due to avoiding the uncomfortable formality of big company studios, Toy City was recorded in a yeoville bedroom studio between 2004 and 2007, and thus the music has a homely feel… home grown, home made South African.