Music
8 Music Videos That Capture the Essence of Cape Town
The Mother City depicted in music videos
The Mother City has long been recognised as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Littered with sun-filled beaches, beautiful mountains that demand attention, and a national park in the heart of the city… it has long been a filmmakers dream. However, this isn’t always the view of Cape Town from its inhabitant’s eyes. Here are 8 music videos from the last two years that capture the essence of Cape Town.
YoungstaCPT - Wes-Kaap
No list could be possible without YoungstaCPT, the Wynberg hustler and Voice of the Cape. Honestly (obviously) due to his prolific output, there are plenty of videos to choose from. However, the premise of a foreigner being taken on a tour around Cape Town by Youngsta on this Stanley John Agency film puts Wes-Kaap on top. A sing-along summer anthem, with various shots all around Cape Town.
Amilca Mezarati - From Samp & Beans To Champions
Amilca combines thought-provoking views of his peers, bar-riddled commentary of the road he’s calved and unleashes braggadocios bars on graduating and cementing his position in the game. Set in Langa, Motion Billy brings this wonderful video together, which perfectly encapsulates the underlying message of the song.
Yannick The Rapper feat. Lakei - No It's Not
Shot by Wako Sefara and Directed by Yannick The Rapper, this playful video centred around a classic Ford Cortina has a sweet, short and bouncy feel that showcases Bo Kaap, Rondebosch East and its surroundings.
Uno July feat. Youngsta - Native Yard 57
Uno July invites us to the Native Yards on this Youngsta assisted gem. A Desert Head production, Native Yard 57 showcases Uno’s rap prowess and birthplace of Gugulethu while providing various shots inside Mabu Vinyl; an ode to Cape Town’s love for vintage record stores.
Viibes feat. Yamz - Tower
BlaQ-Slim and Chinga Time form the duo Viibes. On Tower, a catchy bop with an infectious hook provided by Yamz, Motion Billy directs us on a tour of Cape Town, showcasing Langa, Woodstock, Gugulethu and Khayelitsha. The thrift shopping at Voom Voom Vintage and Never New Store in Observatory concludes how quintessentially Cape Town the video is.
Kanyi Mavi - Ngqangqa
Directed and Produced by Kanyi Mavi, Ngqangqa further emphasises what we’ve known since the first time we heard her rap… she’s an immensely talented MC. Set in Gugulethu, the video illustrates township culture and her unique artistic direction, while providing us with profound Xhosa, lackadaisical, click-gymnastic bars.
Patty Monroe - Reminiscing
A film by Stanley John Agency/After Live Talent, Reminiscing is a refreshing, wonderfully shot, Bonny & Clyde-esque video that captures Cape Town with relative ease (The District Six shot/scene being the highlight). Patty glides on this track which finds you singing along at will.
Dope Saint Jude - Grrrl Like
Directed and produced by Dope Saint Jude, Grrrl Like makes a strong reference to the Riot Grrrl movement, an underground US feminist punk movement in the early 1990s. An incredibly shot black, queer, unapologetic video with distinctly Cape Town artistic direction, Dope Saint Jude not only shows us great views of District Six, but also demonstrates why she’s the sh*t.
We’ve included honourable mentions, since they are older than 2 years old. They capture Cape Town so much, they had to be included somehow.