Viewers are set to be taken on an emotional and nostalgic journey with “Brasse Vannie Kaap”.
The new documentary chronicles the rise of the iconic ’90s group of the same name who helped build the South African industry.
The Showmax Original series, which premieres on Monday, October 7, will centre around the group, also known as BVK, who were formed on the Cape Flats in 1996.
It was originally composed of Deon “Boeta-D” Daniels, Roger “Hamma” Heunis, Enver “DJ E20” Pietersen and Ashley “Mr Fat” Titus, who died in 2007, from heart complications at age 36.
Meanwhile, DJ Ready D (real name Deon Daniels) joined the group, which also consisted of break dancers Cheeze, Baby-L and Levi, much later.
DJ E20 left the band soon after the formation of BVK and was first replaced with DJ Big Dre, whose appearance in the group was short-lived as he was replaced by DJ Azuhl (real name Ricardo Nunes).
Rapping predominantly in the Cape Flats dialect of Afrikaans, BVK, who are renowned for hits like "Jy smaak my" and "Kaap van storms", are one of the most successful hip hop bands in the country.
Their self-titled debut album, which was released in 1997, was nominated for Best Hip Hop Album at the 1998 South African Music Awards (SAMAs).
They have since disbanded with many of the members going on to do solo projects but their impact on the local music industry remains monumental.
“One of the most fulfilling aspects about working with the band is the bond that we have with so many people from different areas across the Cape Flats and being able to build towards a common vision and also sharing a passion that we have for hip hop music and the culture and artistic elements that come with that,” explained Ready D, who now a radio personality and music producer.
In the documentary, Brasse Vannie Kaap’s rappers, scratchers and breakdancers reflect on the group’s remarkable journey from the Cape Flats to Pukkelpop in Belgium. But their rise was cut short by the untimely death of their frontman, Mr Fat.
The series ends with Ready D and DJ Azuhl getting the group back together for an intimate tribute show at the Youngblood Africa art studio in honour of their bandmate.
“In all honesty, I wasn’t ready for this,“ Ready D added in a statement. “There were certain things I did not want to bring from the past to where I am right now, but the documentary has been part of a healing process on so many different levels.”
“Brasse Vannie Kaap” is written, directed and produced by Lauren Scholtz, the founder of Dala Films, who previously worked on the kykNET telenovelas “Arendsvlei”, “Diepe Waters” and “Skemergrond”.
This was a personal project for Scholtz as her elder sister, Nadine Matthews, who is married to DJ Azuhl.
She first pitched the idea for “Brasse Vannie Kaap” at Silwerskerm 2023 and returned this year to premiere her debut feature documentary at the festival to a sold-out audience as well as a standing ovation.
“I decided to get involved in this documentary because of the persuasive power of Lauren Scholtz,” Ready D admitted.
“I also felt like the time was right to participate in something like this and to get out this story as well. I think it carries a lot of weight and this story reflects a human emotion that unpacks young men on the Cape Flats, specifically.”
He is thrilled for viewers to watch it and promised them a captivating roller-coaster ride.
“This story unpacks the impact, the force and the phenomenal elements of hip hop culture.” “It also presents hip hop as an art form as well.”
He added: “There are a lot of surprising instances that will unfold and a lot of things that people didn't know about the band or the group overall and it also highlights how impactful we were and the impact that BVK still has in South Africa today.”
The entertainer also hopes that the documentary makes an impact.
“It is filled with unexpected moments and I am hoping that it will have maximum reach and it will break down stereotypes that people have about communities on the Cape Flats as well.”
“I am also hoping that it will give people the opportunity to go and find the music and listen to it with intent and much deeper than what they just get from the speakers of the sound systems and we never know, this might be the reemergence of BVK.”
Meanwhile, “Brasse Vannie Kaap” also features prominent Afrikaans entertainment industry figues who pay tribute to the group. They include David Isaacs and Oscar Petersen of Joe Barber fame as well as Karen Zoid, Kurt Darren, Francois van Coke and Valiant Swart.
“I started rapping in Afrikaans because of Brasse and eventually rapping on stages in Afrikaans thanks to Brasse,” Jack Parow said in a statement.
YoungstaCPT added: “I am a student of theirs; I am a product of what they made.”