Must-Watch Trailer: Showmax Music Doccie Brasse Vannie Kaap
Showmax has just dropped the trailer for Brasse Vannie Kaap, a nostalgic documentary that delves into the rise of the iconic 90s group that helped shape the South African hip-hop landscape. Set to start streaming on Monday, 7 October 2024, this feature-length documentary is set to capture the hearts of both longtime fans and newcomers alike.
Featuring interviews with some of the biggest names in the Afrikaans entertainment industry, including Joe Barber stars David Isaacs and Oscar Petersen, alongside Karen Zoid, Kurt Darren, Francois van Coke, and Valiant Swart, the documentary celebrates Brasse Vannie Kaap’s undeniable influence. These cultural heavyweights reflect on the band’s legacy, paying tribute to how the group paved the way for South African hip hop and Afrikaans rap.
“I started rapping in Afrikaans because of Brasse, and eventually rapping on stages in Afrikaans thanks to Brasse.”
Hip-hop star Jack Parow highlights their personal impact, stating,
This sentiment is echoed by YoungstaCPT, one of South Africa‘s biggest hip-hop acts, who proudly identifies himself as a “Bra Vannie Kaap.”
“They give you the confidence to not feel ashamed of where you come from and to use your own language or slang,”.
says YoungstaCPT, underscoring how their music inspired future generations
For Early B, another contemporary rapper, Brasse Vannie Kaap’s legacy goes beyond just music.
“They make guys like us look in the mirror and say, ‘You can do better,’”.
he reflects, acknowledging the group’s dedication to giving back to their community
The documentary not only celebrates the band’s rise from the Cape Flats to performing internationally at festivals like Pukkelpop in Belgium, but also reflects on the personal loss the group endured. Their journey was tragically cut short when their frontman, Mr Fat (Ashley Titus), passed away in 2007 at just 36. The film closes on a poignant note, with band members Ready D and DJ Azuhl reuniting for a tribute show at Youngblood Africa in memory of Mr Fat.
“In all honesty, I wasn’t ready for this. But the documentary has been part of a healing process on so many different levels.”
Ready D speaks candidly about the emotional process of revisiting the past, admitting,
Written, directed, and produced by Lauren Scholtz, founder of Dala Films, Brasse Vannie Kaap is a deeply personal project. Scholtz’s connection to the group runs through her family—her older sister is married to DJ Azuhl. Scholtz first pitched the idea for the documentary at the 2023 Silwerskerm festival and returned the following year to premiere it to a sold-out crowd, receiving a standing ovation.
For Scholtz, the documentary represents more than just a film.
“Azuhl kept sharing videos of Brasse Vannie Kaap on social media, and I saw the visceral response from people. I knew I had to tell this story,”.
she says
DJ Azuhl describes the documentary as an “emotional, visual rollercoaster ride,” while Ready D sees it as a reminder of the strides made by South African hip-hop culture.
“It’s been a long hard battle for people to grasp what we were trying to do as the first generation of hip-hop artists on the Cape Flats. This documentary breaks all of those stereotypes and shows how far we’ve come.”
Brasse Vannie Kaap is already earning rave reviews, with Joel Ontong of News24 giving it 4.5 stars, calling it a “heartfelt tribute to SA hip-hop legends… captivating and emotionally compelling.”
As excitement builds ahead of the documentary’s release, fans are encouraged to join the conversation online using the hashtag #brassevanniekaap. Don’t miss the chance to relive the glory days of South African hip-hop and witness the story of a group that changed the game forever.
Brasse Vannie Kaap streams from Monday, 7 October 2024, exclusively on Showmax.
