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The final note

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Author Profile

Name:
Nikita Ramkissoon


Biography

The lesser spotted Nikita Ramkissoon can be found grazing around Johannesburg, hunting for fresh music, supporting South African artists at local watering holes or trawling the Web for the most obscure music. This column is an extension of this obsession with good music.


Latest Columns

Kashmiri all-girl rock band should still be rocking

Music has always been used as a tool of protest. Whether it’s been for our right to freedom or to party, it’s been the weapon of the people.

And Alderon's not far away, It's Jozifornication: Red Hot Chili Peppers in Joburg

It was a road trip to Splashy Fen in 2009 with my fiancé and his best friend.

Ermahgerd! Cerncerrts!

International artists have recently discovered that South Africa is in fact a country and not a mere general location on the map.

Hands off the Mother Monster

The whole of Johannesburg has gone Gaga.

Yes, Chris Brown is Rihanna's choice - but a bad one

My mother once told me that if you are in a position in society where you are not wondering where your next meal is coming from, you are lucky, and should use that position to stand up for those who can’t.

If it weren't for music, I'd think love is mortal

Victor Hugo once wrote: “Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent.”

File sharing is the gateway to theft

Many people say that file sharing isn’t really stealing. They justify it by saying that they bought the music in the first place and should be allowed to use it as they wish.

Familiarity breeds contempt - especially musically

You hear a band. You like their music. You buy the album. You play it on repeat. You almost kill it because you love it so damn much.

Gaga for the Lady's activism

I don’t particularly like Lady Gaga, but I have to admit, the woman is a phenomenon.

Adele. Is. Overrated.

I love a few of her songs. Two or three of them are works of genius. Her voice is something special. But Adele is overrated.

In defence of '80s music

My brother-in-law is having an ‘80s-themed birthday party this year, and I must admit, it’s been so much fun getting into it.

The bleeting truth about Idols

Hi. My name is Nikita and I am an Idols fan. Don’t judge me. Yes, I am.

Extremely loud and incredibly dangerous

Every South African knows when a taxi is approaching. Blaring speakers spewing nothing but ear-raping bass and vibrating windows warn us well in advance.

The everlasting

Some musicians are always around, yet always in the background. Some are one hit wonders. Some live in the limelight for one or two albums and then die out. And some are just eternal.

The protest song is dead

I’ve already ranted about the factors that dig the grave for access to protest music such as radio play, nightclubs and bling culture.

Music: The bat out of hell

While walking through a store a few days ago, I heard a mother tell her child that she shouldn’t listen to the music being played on the shop’s stereo. It was Tool.

Decomposition of music to dust

My dad once said that there is nothing inherent about age that makes one listen to classical music.

Life's too short to listen to bad music

I often switch from CD to a local radio station in my car to hear something entertaining to get me through traffic. Then promptly switch it off.

Teach your children well

My parents are to be thanked (or blamed) for m0y obsession with music.

Live concert ettiqette

I have been to many concerts and experienced the awesomeness of watching my favourite bands on stage. From Muse and Coldplay to Massive Attack and Skunk Anansi, every show holds some special place in my heart. But some of those memories are tainted by the one or two horrid people who just made the experience unpleasant.

On the twelfth day of awful

I love this time of year. It’s sunny, warm and happy. People are friendlier to each other.

Bollywood music for dummies

You hear drums. Chiming of bells. Dramatic pauses. People making funny noises. Then the music turns orchestral while a duet is sung. No, it’s not an Abba musical.

Idle idolatry

I used to love watching music awards ceremonies.

The day the music dies

As much as the secrecy bill doesn’t really affect the entertainment industry aside from hiding how much Mbongeni Ngema may get paid for another failed Sarafina, it’s something everyone should worry about.

The digital deception

Ooooh. Digital music. Aaaaah. I want! I want! I want!

The Sound of Sellouts

A lot of people use the terms ‘selling out’ and ‘going commercial’ interchangeably. They equate album sales and radio play with pandering to the mass market and deviating from original and good music for the sake of sales.

Don't touch me on my music taste!

We’ve all had that conversation. You meet someone new. You start talking about stuff. The topic of music comes up. Then, suddenly; “Hell no! That band’s kak!”

Fokofpolisiekar: Bring on the noise

Afrikaans music has gone through a bit of a whirlwind transition in the past few years. From the classic folk and annoying sokkie treffers, we now hear Afrikaans rock.

Who sings of the people?

Growing up in a family of activists meant I was surrounded by great music, revolutionary and set apart from the rest. Pink Floyd, Uriah Heep, Paul Simon... all of them informed my musical upbringing.

Mind the (generation) gap

We all know the feeling of our parents shouting at us to turn the music down, coupled with comments like; “What is that trash, anyway?”

The curse of the hipster playlist

So, we know hipsters are pretentious and often obnoxious. They aim for intellectual and cultural superiority at every turn. This includes dropping names of obscure bands you’ve probably never heard of.

Colour me musical

My skin is brown. I have long, straight hair. I occasionally wear saris and quite enjoy Bollywood. I am of Indian descent. But does that mean I am limited to listening to Lotus FM?

Of REM, Nirvana and flying pigs

Of the few musical milestones over the past few weeks, three have caught my eye. Not just because the music is what I was brought up with, or that the artists’ albums have sold in the millions, but because these musicians changed the face of music as we know it.

The Chili Peppers still fiery as ever

One would think following up behemoth Stadium Arcadium would be a near impossible task for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, seeing as though they're moving on in years. But five years on, the funk rockers from California are proving nay-sayers' to be talking utter nonsense.