Boiler Room x Ballantines

Over the last six years we’ve partnered with Boiler Room, the world’s biggest broadcaster of new underground music, with a simple mission – showcase & celebrate the most credible music scenes & stories from around the world.

From spotlighting the birth and legacies of House and Afrobeats coming out of South African townships to thumping techno beats played in sub-zero temperatures of Russia, we’ve documented every step of the way.

The world’s second-largest Scotch whisky brand Ballantine’s and long-term partner Boiler Room have done it again. The two brands have just completed yet another successful True Music Studios series where music was used as a tool to highlight the diversity and inclusive culture that unites these two brands.

 

After a successful turn-up at the Playground in 2022, Boiler Room x Ballantine’s True Music Studios took it one step further by making its township debut in the iconic township of Johannesburg, Soweto, a place that is popularly known for the bubbling sounds of amapiano.

 

This music-led experience highlights the best of South Africa’s influential sounds by having music maestro Njelic host and curate the line-up and activities that were presented to the globe on the Ballantine’s and Boiler Room platforms.

 

This massive showcase of the best of Mzansi’s sounds came to life for 4 days in Soweto at the popular Chaf Pozi which is home to the iconic Soweto Towers. The shisanyama spot was transformed into a mecca for inclusivity and a shared love for music and creatives.

 

The True Music Studios experience kicked off with a conversation around how this year’s host Njelic became the household name that he is known for and how his township influenced his pursuits in this fast spreading sounds of amapiano. Njelic was also joined by Kwaito legend ‘The Godfather’ M’du Masilela, the lead singer of Soweto global jazz sensation BCUC Nkosi Zuthulele, Lady Sakhe, and singer-songwriter Nobantu Vilakazi who all unpacked their music experiences through this session hosted by Mpumelelo Frypan Mfula.

 

The second event was curated by Njelic, who collaborated with Boiler Room and Ballantine’s by putting together a line-up of heavy hitters that keep the sounds and culture of amapiano ever circulating across social media and even more through their performances. This line-up had one half of Scorpion Kings, Kabza De Small, Mzansi’s acclaimed amapiano queen Kamo Mphela, amapiano producer and hookmaster Daliwonga, uMlando hitmaker TOSS, Mzansi’s top female dj’s Playgal and KMat, and ending off the epic broadcast party experience with the curator himself Njelic. Check out the vibes here, more images of the broadcast party can be found here

 

On Friday, Ballantine’s took the True Music Studios series to Zone 6 The Venue where Uncle Waffles, Kelvin Momo, Mawhoo, Mr JazziQ, Tango Supreme, Stakev, Leeart, Success SA, Shakes, and Les added to the massive celebration and endorsement of inclusivity and authenticity of True Music Studios.

 

The last day of the Ballantine’s x Boiler Room True Music Studios series was double-packed with a masterclass hosted by the critically acclaimed amapiano dancer and songstress Kamo Mphela who is well known for her moves on the dancefloor. She hosted a dynamic dance class where she gave a lesson on some of her favourite moves.

 

The day was topped off with an over-the-top glitzy experience with Le Grand Ball who brought together four Hauses from all parts of Jozi to showcase the best of the runway through multiple categories. The winning Hause was celebrated with more exciting performances by immaculate DJs.

 

If you missed any of the performances please check out the Boiler Room YouTube page or the Ballantine’s Facebook page.