![]() ![]() ![]() But for Ganja Beats’ Heemal Gangaram, the inspiration goes both ways. With work that includes cuts for rap royalty, including Cassper Nyovest, Youngsta CPT and the late Riky Rick – the producers are sought out for their skills at spotting and nurturing young talent from early on. The music workshop mentors’ “contribution to the local hip hop scene” is undeniable – “some of the biggest songs in our industry are because of them,” he explains. “When we started out, we didn't have many people who we could go to for advice or just how to find supplies,” Sakhile explains.įor another young creative in attendance, Leslie Muzuwa, the opportunity to engage with South African production trio Ganja Beats at the 2 Day Exchange was unmissable. Sakhile grew up seeing Patta on Tumblr and blogs, drawn to the brand’s focus on building communities alongside their business, which resonates with Unknwn Projects’ aim to give back, educate and continuously learn, too. Working with Nike has “been a fruitful relationship so far,” Sakhile explains, “because for us they are also helping us do one thing we're really passionate about, which is teaching and giving back through these workshops we've done with them.”Īt the event, young creatives found themselves in the same room as mentors further down the creative path – sharing their knowledge, experiences and skills in a multi-directional exchange. Swamped, he asked Khotso for help, and Unknwn Projects, an “experimental and ongoing research project” that centres upcycling and sustainability, was born. Their creative partnership, however, began when multi-hyphenate South African artist Manthe Ribane, who Sakhile created stage looks for, suggested he rework Nike gear into a look for her. “I was like yo, where did you get these sneakers and that became the start of our relationship,” he explains. Introduced by a mutual friend, “ was wearing these crazy dunks – sneakers I had wanted for years, and I never got,” Sakhile says. But each time he does, he’s “in awe at how the community is actually using it,” explaining that there’s “always activity happening.” Unknwn Projects – founded by Sakhile and Khotso Mohlokoane – also has its origins in the Swoosh. ![]() ![]() Held at Nike Shapa Soweto in Johannesburg – a training centre grounded in giving the township’s residents free, daily access to a range of sports and built on Nike’s maxim that “everyone is an athlete” – the event saw inspiration flow freely between the multi-generational creatives gathered from across oceans and disciplines to form The Next Wave.Īs part of the team leading the fashion workshop, Sakhile Cebekhulu of upcycling label Unknwn Projects has been to Shapa Soweto often, collaborating with Nike on workshops. As an extension of The Wave’s digital experience, The Next Wave manifests the ideas that shape the short film’s celebration of Black culture and creativity in real, physical spaces. Turning to magic is apt for a Nike x Patta collaboration that began with the dreamily poetic The Wave, a four-part film by London-based storyteller and multifaceted artist Mahaneela, where creative aspirations float through scenes held together by a sense of community and identity. Such amazing talent all across the board,” he shares. “It’s just the closest thing to magic – having people come together: working, laughing, talking, listening and eating together, I felt so inspired. Lost for words, the co-founder of the coveted Amsterdam-based streetwear brand settles on a sense of the surreal. It saw 30 of the city's young creatives come together for a series of talks, interviews and workshops by luminaries across fashion, photography and music. “Words can’t really describe it.” Patta’s Gee Schmidt is trying to express the feelings that followed the brand's recent 2 Day Exchange – an event held in Johannesburg in collaboration with Nike. ![]()
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