Slow life presents BCUC at The Olympia Bakery

Bantu Continua Uhuru Consciousness    

PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A STANDING GIG!                                  

BCUC is a live music-performing band from Soweto, South Africa. Their music is rebellious, spiritual and ritualistic. It derives from a mix of genres across ages. Their inspiration is from indigenous music. They sing old South African jazz inspired songs, ritual songs, around the fire hood songs, shebeen music, church songs and infuse them with the rap, rock and roll attitude. They call it Afro- psychedelic! Africa Ngungungu! A sound that is a concoction from their different cultures, with blues, funk, punk, kwaito and hip hop.

The seven piece band is made up of, Jovi (lead singer, percussions), Kgomotso (backing vocals, percussions), Hloni (raps, ad libs, percussions), Luja (raps, backing vocals, marching drum), Cheex (congas), Skhumbuzo (bass drum) and Mosebetsi on the bass guitar .

Since 2003 they wanted to be a band that might change the way people think about African music. 20 years later they are still on a mission to use music as a vehicle to manouever and negotiate the storms of human relations for the purpose of better understanding across color, social issues and demographics. BCUC takes audiences along on an intriguing, epic, journey, sharing their thought-provoking views of modern South Africa without the intention of shock value but for unifying. They tap into the spirit world of their ancestors who inspire them. Their Africa is not poor, but rich in tradition, rituals and beliefs.

Recent highlights have been performing in Glastonbury UK (2019), Afro Punk Brooklyn USA (2019). Having the opportunity to perform at some of the biggest festivals in Europe; Roskilde (2017 & 2018), Trans Musicales (2016), Paleo Festival in Switzerland (2019), Into the Great Wide Open in Holland (2011 & 2019), Flow Festival in Norway (2019). Being part of the 2019 lineup at the Cape Town Jazz Festival, Sziget Festival in Hungary (2018 & 2019). Performing in WOMAD UK as well as in Spain, Australia and New Zealand. As well as performing at various small venues across Europe, the USA, the UK as well as shows in the African Continent. Performing at Sauti Za Busara in Zanzibar (2019), Ethiopia, the DRC, Mozambique, Kenya, Morocco and Zimbabwe.

Performances at Endless Daze, Zakifo, Afro Punk Johannesburg, Homecoming in Pretoria, Oppikoppi, MTN Bushfire, Capital Craft Beer Festival, Rise and Shine, Drum Beat Concert, Rocking the Daisies (CT), Smoking Dragon Festival (KZN), Basha Uhuru (JHB), Splashy Fen, Park Acoustics (PTA)

Since 2016 they have released a trilogy of albums, Our Truth (2016), Emakhosini (2018) and The Healing (2019), capturing the power of their live show with its ebbs and flows. With The Healing came dream collaborations with legendary Nigerian saxophonist Femi Kuti and American poet Saul Williams.

We are the now generation. We are relevant; we are “the man on the street’’.

"Music for the people, by the people, with the people"

Thank you Hugh Mdlalose and Christelle Duvenage for the photos