FROM BARE TO BOLD KZN ARTISTS SPLASH OUT AT THE BAT CENTRE

Watching paint dry has never been so exhilarating! Six of KwaZulu-Natal’s talented urban artists showcased their craft during an unforgettable afternoon at Durban’s iconic BAT Centre today.

“Proudly KZN” was the theme of the day and who's better to illustrate this than artists who flag the provincial flag high in terms of talent and creativity.

East Coast Radio created industry hype around local art when it featured a selection of urban artwork in its 2016 calendar that was distributed to the station’s key clients and stakeholders.

 The event provided a further platform to create awareness about the art form and the stories behind some of the province’s talented artists.

East Coast Radio’s Bongani Mtolo, who broadcast live from the BAT Centre between 2pm and 6pm, interviewed some of the urban artists on-air to draw attention to this vibrant slice of KZN’s sub-culture.

MTV & e.tv LOCK LIPS OVER “LIP SYNC BATTLE”

Viacom-owned youth entertainment channel MTV(DStv channel 130) it to produce a local version of Viacom’s global hit entertainment show, Lip Sync Battle Africa, it was revealed today on MTV’s social media platforms on Twitter, Facebook & online by US host LL Cool J.

Under a partnership with e.tv, this series will air on MTV (DStv channel 130) and sister channel MTV Base (DStv channel 322) before making its terrestrial premiere on e.tv.

Recorded in Johannesburg, the weekly show will go live in April 2015, with series 1 comprising of 13 half hour episodes featuring vocal showdowns between top celebrities and entertainment figures, complete with dancers, wigs, costumes, props and tons of swag.  Each battle will consist of 2 celebrities “syncing” or miming to popular music tracks of their choice.  Each contestant must sync to two songs – one of which will be by an African artist.  The winner is chosen by the live studio audience.

Lip Sync Battle Africa will be hosted by two celebrities following in the footsteps of the US series, version starring LL Cool J and Chrissy Teigen.  Names of the local hosts will be announced at a later date.
Get your regular dose of Lip Sync Battle Africa on MTV every Thursday from 14 April at 20:50 CAT and on MTV Base at 11:30 CAT every Saturday from 16 April. e.tv viewers will be singing along every Saturday from 23 April at 18:30 CAT.  Viewers will also be able to enjoy Lip Sync Battle Africa in HD (eHD) on both OpenView HD (Channel 104) and DStv (DStv Channel 194). 

Lip Sync Battle is officially one of the most infectious formats ever to come out of the Viacom stable with nine signed local production deals in the UK, China, Chile, Canada, Indonesia, Philippines, Norway, Poland and Vietnam.

Commented Dillon Khan, Head of MTV, Africa, “We are thrilled to partner with e.tv on localising Lip Sync Battle for an African audience, with its amazing energy and authentic charm that has celebrities lining up to take part and viewers clamouring for more.”

“We are extremely excited about this ground-breaking partnership. Lip Sync Battle Africa is a fresh and entertaining format, it's an extension of e.tv’s goal to bring the viewers fresh home-grown content with a special twist,” says Monde Twala, MD: e.tv Channels Division.

For further information on Lip Sync Battle, please go to www.mtv.co.za, www.mtvbase.co.za and www.etv.co.za like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mtvza/ www.Facebook.com/MTVBaseVerified and www.facebook.com/etvSA or follow @mtvza, @MTVBaseAfrica and @etvsa on Twitter and Instagram.  To join the conversation about the show, please use the hashtag #LSBAfrica.

RIKY RICK- A STYLE ICON

Rikhado Makhado (born 20 July 1987), better known by his stage name Riky Rick is a rapper, actor, writer, composer and record producer. He was born in KwaMashu, KwaZulu-Natal. His debut studio album Family Values was released on April 3, 2015. He is signed to his own independent label and record company, Makhado Makhado Agency.

 looking at his already blooming music career undoubtedly we  can say  2015 was a pretty good year for  Rick Ricky as he snatched endorsements from side to side and his album titled "Family Values" going Gold. 

Ricky Rick is becoming one of South African stars the youngsters look up to following success in his music as well his sensor of style and more media outlets labeling him as a style icon. Ricky Rick recently went to France,Paris  and mentioned on SABC1's Live Amp that he was shooting a Music Video/documentary which will be released in the coming months.

Below are pictures from his Paris trip taken from his Instagram Page : @RikyRick