Spoek Mathambo's 'Future Sound Of Mzansi' (Part 3)

"South African townships are not so dangerous," begins the final installation of Future Sound of Mzansi—Spoek Mathambo and Lebogang Rasethaba's documentary about South Africa's vibrant electronic music communities. Part three gives us a taste of the fiery music and parties coming out of South Africa's peripheral (and often impoverished) neighborhoods. The music that fuels these gatherings is called Bacardi House, a genre named after the liquor that goes so well with it. As its founder DJ Spoko explains, the style combines elements of garage, disco, and a local style of drumming.

Future Sound also touches on the biggest hit to come out of the townships: DJ Mujava's "Township Funk," an irresistibly simple track with kwaito drumming and a wailing melody straight out of a UK funky club night. The song exploded internationally after a 2008 re-release on Warp and support from DJs like Pete Tong. Its producer, however, was locked in and out of mental hospitals after being arrested for smoking weed. "The rest of Africa, they disregarded me. Outsiders understood me, and they hooked me up," says Mujava, gesturing towards a larger question that hangs over the entire film: how will all of this international acclaim provoke real change at home?

Watch Part One:

Watch Part Two:

Spoek Mathambo Presents Future Sound of Mzansi:

Directed by: Nthato Mokgata (Spoek Mathambo) and Lebogang Rasethaba

Produced by: Black Major

Featuring: Black Coffee, DJ Spoko, Mujava, Culoe De Song, Christian Tiger School, Felix Laband, Aero Manyelo, Okmalumkoolkat, Zaki Ibrahim and many other artists.

Future Sound of Mzansi is on Facebook

Spoek Mathambo/Fantasma's latest album is available here