Mthatha born rapper and producer Don Sage is one of 20 up-and-coming South African musicians in the running to perform at the eighth annual Back To The City (BTTC) International Hip Hop Festival in Johannesburg on Freedom Day next month.
Sage – real name Brian Jennings – said two of his friends tagged him in the festival’s Facebook post about the competition and he made a submission three days before the closing date.
“I was sceptical at first, I don’t really know why, but eventually I entered. I submitted my production and received a reply within two weeks,” he said.
The 10k Challenge, in which Jennings is a finalist, is part of the BTTC festival. The top five producers and rappers will be invited to perform at the festival.
One producer and one rapper will walk away with R5000 each.
He said he has always had ambitions to perform on the BTTC stage – and making it onto the shortlist meant he was closer to meeting his goals.
“This competition gives me a chance to perform and network at SA’s biggest hip hop festival with some of SA’s biggest and most talented hip hop musicians,” he said.
Jennings said winning would open doors for him to do productions and collaborations with well-known artists and brands.
“It presents chances to travel around the country working with other producers and artists and, most importantly, the chance for me to perform and spread my music around the world,” said Jennings.
“Opportunities like these inspire other upcoming artists. They spark a fire that tells them that even they can do it. Through a system of hard work, dedication and a strict diet of never giving up, one can do anything. This is the beginning.”
Jennings said he submitted a hard-hitting bass and heavy rap instrumental.
“It’s funny you ask about it because after making the beat, I’d tried offering it to a few rappers and vocalists that I know. None of them were keen on it. I wrote a chorus for it but there were still no takers. When the competition came up I sent it in without a second thought and boom! I was in.”
He has extensive experience in the music industry, having been rapping and producing for a while, and has now expanded his skill set into sound engineering.
Jennings has performed on stages that include the Kool Out Lounge, Kong, Panzula, Ko Spotong, Cool Runnings, Native Summer Party, COLfest, Soul Clap Sessions and Mthatha’s HotBox.
To vote for Don Sage visit
http://backtothecityfestival.com/10k
Jennings is currently working on a solo project and has already released a single titled #Evolution for free streaming. He plans to follow it up with more singles. — ziphon@dispatch.co.za
Don Sage in the running for an international gig
Sage – real name Brian Jennings – said two of his friends tagged him in the festival’s Facebook post about the competition and he made a submission three days before the closing date.
“I was sceptical at first, I don’t really know why, but eventually I entered. I submitted my production and received a reply within two weeks,” he said.
The 10k Challenge, in which Jennings is a finalist, is part of the BTTC festival. The top five producers and rappers will be invited to perform at the festival.
One producer and one rapper will walk away with R5000 each.
He said he has always had ambitions to perform on the BTTC stage – and making it onto the shortlist meant he was closer to meeting his goals.
“This competition gives me a chance to perform and network at SA’s biggest hip hop festival with some of SA’s biggest and most talented hip hop musicians,” he said.
Jennings said winning would open doors for him to do productions and collaborations with well-known artists and brands.
“It presents chances to travel around the country working with other producers and artists and, most importantly, the chance for me to perform and spread my music around the world,” said Jennings.
“Opportunities like these inspire other upcoming artists. They spark a fire that tells them that even they can do it. Through a system of hard work, dedication and a strict diet of never giving up, one can do anything. This is the beginning.”
Jennings said he submitted a hard-hitting bass and heavy rap instrumental.
“It’s funny you ask about it because after making the beat, I’d tried offering it to a few rappers and vocalists that I know. None of them were keen on it. I wrote a chorus for it but there were still no takers. When the competition came up I sent it in without a second thought and boom! I was in.”
He has extensive experience in the music industry, having been rapping and producing for a while, and has now expanded his skill set into sound engineering.
Jennings has performed on stages that include the Kool Out Lounge, Kong, Panzula, Ko Spotong, Cool Runnings, Native Summer Party, COLfest, Soul Clap Sessions and Mthatha’s HotBox.
To vote for Don Sage visit
Jennings is currently working on a solo project and has already released a single titled #Evolution for free streaming. He plans to follow it up with more singles. — ziphon@dispatch.co.za
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