Texx and the City

PHFAT (real name Mike Zietsman) is a rapper and producer, who has held the attention of audiences in South Africa, and around the world, for almost a decade with his versatile discography and consistent touring schedule.  Establishing himself as a commercial heavyweight early on in his career – it's been his darker and less radio-friendly work that's set him apart over the last few years, with his...

Majozi is one of South Africa's most beloved indie-pop singer-songwriters. Straight out of Durban, this musician wears his lyrical heart on his sleeve, quite literally, with his tattoos dedicated to his faith and to his mother – two defining aspects of his life that feature heavily in the music that he writes.  His music is also refreshingly sincere and he has crafted heartfelt hit songs like "Fir...

Black Motion is Thabo "Smol" Mabogwane and Robert "Murdah" Mohosana, the duo who have been flying the flag high for Tshwane, the undisputed house music capital of South Africa, for the last decade. Their percussion-driven electronic dance music and wildly energetic performances, helped establish them as purveyors of South Africa's burgeoning house scene, as they travelled the world and climbed the...

Cassper Nyovest is arguably one of the biggest and most successful musicians on our music scene, today. With four of his previous albums being certified platinum a few times over, and a fifth one almost certainly on the way, this rapper, songwriter, entrepreneur and record producer has set and broken records all over the place, and his infinitive drive and enviable work ethic, place him at the ver...

Tems is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and producer whose sound is both sweetly intimate yet global in nature, and having barely been in the game for three years, she has appeared on multiple "Artists To Watch" lists around the world and with good reason.  With a fusion of alternative R&B, neo-soul, and pop-rooted hooks, she's created a sound that is all her own, approaching her music with a freedo...

Nasty C is a multi award-winning rapper who, despite growing up in Durban, the home of kwaito, house and gqom, carved a different path for himself in hip hop.  This path ultimately saw him become the youngest ever recipient of an award at the SA Hip Hop Awards in 2015, release a triple-platinum selling album in 2018, and ultimately go on to sign to a historic deal with Def Jam Records in early 202...

In this episode we're doing things a bit differently, getting African pop phenomenon and good friend to the show, Tresor, back at the mic for our first official catch-up. And it's fitting because his original podcast was one of our most streamed of all time.  The last time we spoke to Tresor, he promised Texx, when we did this again it would be at his beach house in Malibu and we feel like it woul...

J'Something has been the smooth voice and face of SA's most beloved house music trio, from the City Of Gold, for over a decade. Alongside pianist and producer Dr. Duda and trumpeter Mo-T, this singer and guitarist has dominated as the frontman of the chart-smashing group Mi Casa, as their unique fusion of urban jazz and Afro-house took root in the hearts and minds of people all over the globe. Fro...

And just like that our little "break" is over and we're back at it.  We want to thank each and every one of you listening for the amazing support that you've shown us from the very first episode drop. We started with a little idea in March and now, tens of thousands of downloads later , we are about to embark on our most ambitious season yet: a three month run with an episode drop every Thursday,...

**Re-Release** While we continue to put our upcoming Season through its paces, we are continue to highlight the amazing womxn of Texx Talks. This week we bring back one of our favourite episodes... Alice Phoebe Lou Alice Phoebe Lou is a proudly independent singer-songwriter whose creative confidence shines courtesy of her captivating vocals and stripped back compositions.   Having developed her bl...

**Re-Release** Now that all the corporate noise around Womxn's Month has died down, we have decided to bring you some of our past episodes through September featuring our female guests from previous seasons while we take a little break before Season 3.  Zolani Mahola Zolani Mahola can be best described as a South African national treasure. Over her 17 years in the industry, she established herself...

We honestly can't believe that so much has happened over the last two months of Texx Talks Season 2. We just need to get real for a second - the process of recording Season 2 in lockdown has not been without its ups and downs.  And if it wasn't for the whole team, scattered around South Africa, keeping each other sane, we all would have lost our collective minds. But between the support of you, th...

Msaki is a singer and songwriter whose deeply soulful vocals and lyrics carry profound messages that resonate with everyone who's had the pleasure of hearing her sing and seeing her perform. This Eastern Cape-born musician has created songs that combine soulful folk with symphonic movements, Xhosa lyrics with African poly-rhythms and her raw delivery disrupts your senses as she sings of love and l...

Michael David Rosenberg – better known to all of us as Passenger - is an award-winning, chart topping singer-songwriter who commands the stage and your attention, like few solo acts can and do. This Brighton-born musician is a master storyteller, seeking out the charming in the seemingly mundane, and spinning songs that remind us of the importance of human interaction in an all too out-of-touch te...

Karen Zoid is a powerhouse performer and composer who has gained critical acclaim for her music in both English and Afrikaans – with her early work having influenced an entire generation of South Africans. All through her career, Karen has held onto an enviable integrity that allows her to speak her mind, and over the last few years South Africans became as familiar with her face, as they are with...

Over the last 14 years, Culoe De Song has cemented his distinct brand of rhythmic house, infused with traditional sounds and rich melodies, and has played stages from Barcelona to Bloemfontein, all while maintaining his distinct South African flare.  Having gained both local and international acclaim for his pioneering style of Afro-house, Culoe talks to us about his lockdown hustle, and the amazi...

From the first single off of their debut album, GoodLuck have consistently crafted a unique blend of electronica and jazz and pop that has seen them carve out a niche for themselves that's seemingly unstoppable. As the front woman of one of the most hardworking live electronic acts in South Africa, Juliet Harding chats about the group's early experimental days, to the novel recording process of th...

Early B is The United States of Bleomendal's favourite hip hop son, whose slick rhymes and lekker vibes quickly earned him a place amongst Afrikaans rap's elite, from the first few bars of his debut video gone viral, "Leka Djy".   From his early days starting out as one half of the rap duo Earl & Agemi, to his relationship with Peach and Nax from Van Pletzen, to forming an incredible working relat...

Astrology 101   As the frontman of one of the most eclectic pop bands in South Africa, for the last 11 years Pierre Greeff has been leading Die Heuwels Fantasties into all sorts of uncharted waters, most recently having to build a lockdown-style album launch from scratch and executing it to perfection.   From the early days of shooting music videos on the road with little to no money, to how vital...

With a signature smooth, rich voice that sounds like he's been gargling with whiskey since the age of 13 – this Katlehong, native is a SAMA winner, Metro FM Music Award winner and his last album was certified 10 times Platinum, spawning hit singles that have become African anthems.   From keeping busy during lockdown, to rapping in vernac, to the sometimes warped mentality of celebrity culture, Kw...

Hosted by Tecla Ciolfi, curator & editor of South African music website Texx and the City, Texx Talks is a look behind the curtain at what fuels your favourite musicians - from Mzansi to the world. Season 2 features Kwesta, Die Heuwels Fantasties, Early B, Goodluck, Culoe De Song, Karen Zoid, Msaki and Passenger who share their highs, their lows and the secret to their continued successes, in fran...

  For this episode we will be looking back at some of our favourite moments from Season 1, reveal what went into the recording of each episode, and hit you with some exciting announcements in anticipation of Season 2.    But first, we think it's high time we properly introduce ourselves.    While almost everyone who knows our host calls her Texx, her real name is Tecla Ciolfi and she's been a part...

Tresor Riziki is arguably the biggest pop star in South Africa at the moment, having worked tirelessly on building his musical career from the moment he arrived in Durban from Goma in the DRC.    Renowned for his distinct sound, his songs reflect a peregrine of life shared by so many who live in Africa, but few are able to express their experiences in a way that he does – capturing an ear so unive...

Alice Phoebe Lou is a proudly independent singer-songwriter whose creative confidence shines courtesy of her captivating vocals and stripped back compositions.   Having developed her bluesy, folk sound busking on the streets of Berlin, she has caught the ears of a community of music lovers the world over with her honest storytelling and raw, beautiful voice.    From growing up in the quiet seaside...

  *Mature content advisory* - possibly not suitable for the youngsters. Ryan Murgatroyd is a bonafide legend of South Africa's electronic music scene.   Rising to prominence in his solo capacity, but also as one half of the DJ duo Crazy White Boy who consistently churned out massive chart and dance floor bangers in the 2000s, Ryan has played some of the world's biggest clubs and stages.   From his...