By Khaya Ndaba
A South African township is not the first place that will come to your mind when you think of rock ‘n roll music. But that could be about to change.
Soweto has built a strong underground rock scene away from the dance music of amapiano, house and hip-hop.
This community of young punk, metal and alternative rock enthusiasts are coming into the mainstream and they are going to take South Africa by storm!
One of these change-makers is Dennis Ramashiga, 32, a Pimville resident who started his band, Dennis Express, in 2016 in the garage of his family home.
Like a true rock ’n roll artist, he doesn’t conform to a particular stream in his art form.
He is a songwriter, a visual artist and an art teacher.
“I would like to think of myself as an eclectic artist. I write songs, paint, take images and play music. I don’t like to limit myself to one medium or category of art. I love making it, in whatever form it takes,” he told Scolla.Africa.
Dennis Express has shared stages with other underground rock bands such as Iphupho Laka Bhiko, BCUC, Drain Brain Experience and Troggs-Wild Thing.
“The rock underground scene in the hood is wild and it’s growing. I see youngsters as young as 17 and 18 come to our performances every Tuesday at Sawubona Music Jam, and realise how much the culture of rock is growing in the township,” Ramashiga said.
He hopes that the current generation of rock lovers will pick up a guitar and some drumsticks and carry on the movement of rock in the township.
Currently he is working on a project scheduled for release in August under Dennis Express.
He is also working on his paintings and his photography classes at the Market Photo Workshop in Newtown, Johannesburg.
Pictured above: Dennis Express performing
Image source: Supplied
