Press Release: Third Wave Teaches “Table Manners”

THIRD WAVE, the Johannesburg-based independent hip-hop group is releasing ‘TABLE MANNERS’, 


A final street opus before their debut album. The special EP is a full menu of classically-styled rap servings for the fun-loving connoisseur, which doubles as a full course in modern hip-hop etiquette for the novice diner. ‘TABLE MANNERS’ gives a varied spread of Soweto wit and funky rhetoric from the five veteran Meadowlands MCs set to a range of piquant hip-hop instrumentals from producer collaborators like MR C (of THE FEDERATION) and two-time DMC scratch DJ champion, THA CUTT. “TABLE MANNERS” is set to hit the streets, selected retailers and hip-hop lifestyle stores around Jo’burg and Gauteng on the 1st of July 2011.

On July 5th, Third Wave will host a ‘Table Manners’ listening, preview and Q&A session at THE RITUAL STORES in Newtown.

In attendance will be many of the ‘Table Manners’ collaborators which include a range of the best up-and-coming independent hip-hop producers (6 featured beatmakers + Karate Chop Pro staff), musicians (2 x DMC Champion, THA CUTT, on scratches; R LAMBERT on tenor sax), filmmakers and photographers (JEFF RIKHOTSO on cover photography), as well as Third Wave, public, media and affiliates. The project is executive produced by LIZO SONKWALA (ON LOC PRODUCTIONS) and DANE ZIJLSTRA (STEINCITE PRODUCTIONS).

The first single, ‘THIS IS IT’ (released in April 2011 and available for free download through www.3rdwavemusic.co.za), is a stark message of intent laced with SA pop culture references and set against urgent cityscape drums and synths by NEO BEATS. It features two of the five members of the group and has made an impact on the independent radio station circuit with its no-nonsense appeal. The second single, ‘TARGET’, debuted on the 8th of June on UJ FM’s ‘The Flow Sector’, hosted by BrainTrain. It features production by virtuoso beatsmith, Nkuli – a new addition to Third Wave’s in-house production team, KARATE CHOP PRO. It is also available for free download (see 3rdwave.bandcamp.com).

The ‘This Is It’ music video, directed by MEGAN GODSELL and NTANDO MARUMO (Crusade of Third Wave) will be released towards the end of July. Videos for ‘Target’ (directed by LIZO SONKWALA, filmmaker and Third Wave manager) and each subsequent single are scheduled to follow. “We are more than just rappers, we are performers, photographers and filmmakers” – EARL QUIZ, Third Wave.

According to Third Wave, “the reception to [the first singles] has been great thus far, especially at the last two big gigs we played, namely, The 2011 Back to The City Festival and Amu’s SAMA Award Celebration at OST”. Solid (Mpho Madi, graffiti writer, animator, producer/MC and drum machine soloist) adds, ‘’The audience is starting to really appreciate our efforts at presenting them with a live aesthetic hip-hop experience, with our use of a drum machine, the MPC 1000, and a DJ doing live cuts on stage”. On Saturday the 2nd of July, Third Wave will be performing at HEAVY HITTERS PRESENT: YOUR KIND OF HIP-HOP at KO’SPOTONG in NEWTOWN to showcase ‘Table Manners’ live for the first time.