This dude has come along way, since his YOTV days. He SWITCHED up his looked, did away with the dreadlocks, did away with the kids show and now...

... Morgan van Staden a.k.a. DJ SWITCH has SWITCHED things up once more, this time he is taking the SA Hip Hop scene by storm and begging the question, "What happened to Rap?"


I caught up with this versatile entertainer and here's what went down:

*VL: How did the name DJ Switch come about?

DJ Switch: Well from all the buttons on the DJ equipment after I was referred to as Mr. M as a b.boy

It's the SwitchUP

VL: Hip hop and music is part of your DNA, if it wasn't what would you be doing right now?

DJ Switch: Probably sitting in a office as a graphic designer

VL: Is DJ Switch a coffee or tea kinda guy?

DJ Switch: To the power of TEA!

VL: Putting you on the spot with this one, favourite city Cape Town or Johannesburg and why?

DJ Switch: JHB the HUSTLE is real.

VL: "Now or Never", tell us a little about it, from the concept, planning and the execution, how did it all come together?

DJ Switch: Well I had to make a "Make or Break" song for myself and the title says it all. I just called up the artists and asked them what they think of the current hip hop status and they went at it. I also just requested a few bars and whatever they had on their chest and they should just let it out.


Then along came the Remix:


Shoutout to Switch for agreeing to do this interview - You a Living Legend bro!

Oh and before I go remember to give the man a follow on:
Facebook - Dj-Switch
Twitter - @DjSwitchSA
Instagram - @DjSwitchSA

I still can't find the mountain!

They don’t have a mountain or an ocean (I know… I sound like a typical Capetonian) and even though the scenery isn’t quite what I’m used to, the people make up for it. Beautiful women, cars, buildings and friendly faces (except on the road of course). After hearing stories from my fellow Capetonians, I expected the worst from JHB, however, I only got the best. It was as if the JHB Daily newspaper wrote a front page article notifying the good people of JHB that I’ll be coming to town and everyone is to be on their best behaviour. I spent most of Youth Day 2016 in Soweto (Watch video). As expected, there was a lot of youth. All of them acknowledging what happened in 1976, appreciating the sacrifices which were made to make South Africa a better place for today’s youth.

JHB’s vibe is so chilled (compared to Cape Town). People don’t feel the need to “be better” or “look better” than the next person – like that chick at Cape Town International Airport giving me vuil-kuiker before our departure. People are free to play in the fountain at Mall of Africa, they can leave empty beer bottles in the road (as long as it’s on the white line) – which is sad because you can get money if you return the empty bottle.

Inside Mall of Africa

I was blown away at Goliath Comedy Club. You know that place right? It’s the one where the hostess pulls out your seat for you, asks if the view is to your satisfaction, shows you where the bathrooms are and points out where the bars are situated, very important to do that.

Does this need a caption?

The only negative thing I can say about JHB, in my experience, is that travelling is a bitch! You literally have to use the loo before you leave and, also, please remember to pack in padkos.


I was approached by two beggers during my stay in JHB compared to the eight who approach me on the daily in Cape Town.

That's the headline and I'm sticking to it!

It's quite simple to write a review of an establishment titled "Africa's Premium Comedy Club", but in all honesty this place is so much more than just a comedy club and here's why.

• It's KAK cool
• It's KAK funny
• It's KAK mooi 
• It's not KAK expensive
• It's just not KAK!
• And the Vibe is KAK lekker!

The full wrap up of our #JoziTakeOver blog campaign will be on its way in the days to come but just to wet your appetite in the meanwhile I present you with this little feature.


Not to give to much away as yet, but for most of you who have been following my #JoziTakeOver posts on social media might have seen this video already, if you haven't then enjoy and feel free to share.

YOUNGSTA CPT just dropped his latest music video to the track the Top 10 List, and the vid is on FIRE!



Dropping names of some of SA's biggest Hip Hop artists, asking the questions as to who really deserves to be in the TOP 10 List. But name dropping isn't what he's all about, it's about putting Cape Town on the map and showcasing the talent that Cape Town has.

So "Fuck the TOP 10 list my number is 021" next month myself and my crew will be going up to Jozi for our "Youth Day Special" and I think I'll be posing the question to some Jozi cats, "Have you heard the name Youngsta?!"

While adsorbing the sounds and smells at a social gathering, I over-heard one of the co-ordinators of the event say, “You never see this in Jo’burg. In Jo’burg people are constantly on their phones, Tweeting and posting but in Cape Town people just stand and chat. Why are they not on their phones? Get them to Tweet! ARRRGH!”

I, an invited guest, felt so awkward. I obviously was not supposed to hear that… OBVIOUSLY.
I couldn’t understand why this person (let’s call this person Amy) I couldn’t understand why Amy was upset because people were standing around chatting (as in a verbal conversation, not a conversation using thumbs) and making new friends (yes, Facebook friends) – in a word: networking.

Back in the good old day’s people had conversations whether it be over the fence or over a cup of coffee. Nowadays people inbox (no postman needed), tag (no running involved) and Tweet (a sound nowhere near to what a bird makes). Relationships have changed to cyber-ships.

WIFE: “Honey, this is my friend Jane.”
HUSBAND: “How long have you and Jane been friends? I’ve never heard about her before.”
WIFE: “We’ve been friends on Facebook since 2009 and recently started following each other.”

True story guys, that’s just the way it is.
Facebook, for me personally, has the worst:

• POSTS – I don’t care what time you woke up and what you had for breakfast, lunch and supper.
• PICTURES – Pictures of your food (really?). Selfies, selfies and more selfies!!! I even viewed some of my friends (on Facebook) selfie albums, all I got from looking at the selfie album is that I now know which side is your “good side”.

*mental note: de-activate Facebook

So there I was at this social gathering feeling alienated while at the same time wondering if I’ll ever figure out how Twitter works.
Oh, Amy, people want to talk to each other because carpel tunnel is a painful thing to have. Don’t complain if Capetonians are standing around having verbal conversations, maybe at your next event you’ll have free WiFi and some cellphone charging stations.

However the event was fun and I enjoyed it thoroughly, EVEN without my cell.

Can I sing?

Yes but probably not good enough to save my life.

Let me paint a little scenario for you all.

Say I get "taken" hostage and my captives threaten to torture me if I cannot give them a vocal performance of my life. Now I know, this is in all reality is quite obscene but what if my pending release was left entirely to my vocal capabilities. Not only would I be torturing them, I would be left for dead thereafter. Not because no one loves me enough to pay the ransom but because of my angelic voice.

Au contraire, the same cannot be said for this guy, Mr Chad Saaiman. He is a talented singer/songwriter and recording artist, who has been performing professionally for over a decade. He has graced stages in Cape Town, London, Spain, Johannesburg and several other big cities around the world. Not bad for a local Cape Town guy!

I recently caught up with him and this is how things went down:

VL: Name one role model you looked up to growing up and why was this person so special to you?

CS: Gary Lineker, the striker for Tottenham Hotspur ('89-'92) . He was the reason I wanted to be a soccer player (didn't work out so well!) and the reason I scored so many goals in my teens. 

VL: What does Chad Saaiman absolutely love to have for breakfast?

CS: Eggs Benedict. 

VL: Give us one word that best describes your music and why?

CS: Urban, because it contains elements of urban genre's such as R&B, Soul and sometimes House, but remains popular throughout. Not a fan of genre, but a fan of good music. 

VL: Tea or Coffee, red or white wine, Cpt or Jozi?

CS: Coffee! Red Wine! Bloem! Just kidding, I simply cannot choose, both cities give me so much and I love them both. If there was a gun to my head - I'd say CPT because it's my hometown. 

VL: Your talent must have taken you to many places in SA and the world, where would you say is the best place you performed and what made it so memorable?

CS: I've performed in London, Spain, and a few other countries but the best place I've performed is Kirstenbosch Gardens in Cape Town, 2011. What made it memorable was that 2 R&B Artists (Myself and Loyiso) had a sold-out show. Wonder why they haven't booked me again. Ha! 

VL: Lastly do you have any words of wisdom for aspiring singers just starting out.

CS: Yes. Realise that for talent to succeed, you need other aspects of your career covered too. Hard work, commitment, research, education about the music business, understanding social media, networking, branding and knowing that you may not have a 9-5 but you'd need to be ready for a 24/7. It's a marathon, not a sprint. 

VL: Hold up, hold up!!!

I know this segment is called "Quick 5" but I just have to slip this one in.

I listened to your track "Dragons" (LOVING IT!), how did that song come about? Are you a Khaleesi (Game of Thrones) Fan? I'm only asking because my son is obsessed with all things dragons.

CS: I had written the bulk of the song and needed something to take the concept to the next level, the song is about escaping to get away from the things that hold you down. 

I came up with the idea of using "Dragons" to get away probably after watching Doc McStuffins with my daughter, as there's a character called Stuffy on there. Not related to Game of Thrones, unfortunately. 

Chad Saaiman's latest studio offering entitled "Cinema" is laced with urban and popular sounds, which features the singles All On The Wall, Dragons and Loving You Is Easy. It is available via iTunes here and all good music stores.


Here's Chad to give you the down low:

#win with #VersatileLyle and @chadsaaiman all you have to do to win the #cinema #album is head on over to #facebook and like my page to enter www.Facebook.com/versatilelyle #goodluck #capetown #southafrica #blog #blogger #music #competition

A video posted by VersatileLyle Blog (@versatilelyleblog) on Oct 28, 2015 at 3:25am PDT

To win Like my facebook page and you could be the lucky winner!


Winner will be announced on the 2 November on the facebook page.
Good Luck!


Thanks to ASnap Photography for the awesome pics and thanks to Chad for being so awesome!

Twitter: @ChadSaaiman
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChadSaaiman
Blog: http://saaimansays.tumblr.com/

Well I would like to think that this is not true but hey to some of the Capetonians I've met in my life half of them probably never ever left the Western Cape!




"Versatile Lyle"

Out!

I simply cannot wait to check this out it should be awesome entertainment!

The Comedy Central Roast Of Steve Hofmeyr

"The Comedy Central Roast Of Steve Hofmeyr" (#RoastZA) will be recorded at The Lyric Theatre, Gold Reef City, Johannesburg on 11 September 2012 in front of a live audience (details of public tickets will be made available closer to the date). The Roast will premiere on Comedy Central on Monday 24 September 2012 (time to be confirmed).


For more info Click Here


"Versatile Lyle"


Out!