Documentary on

South African

Hip-Pop Electro Duo

Dirty Paraffin

 

Fun Fact: Smiso “Okmalumkoolkat” Zwane  and Zamani “Dokta SpiZee” Xolo, together Dirty Paraffin (pictured above), are very cool guys.

I am a fan of unfolding cultural phenomena, especially when it pertains to fresh perspectives of youth urban trends and culture. Colloquial-isms, localisms, fashion, hairstyles, and lifestyle all fascinate me.

My interest in making a short documentary on South African duo Dirty Paraffin was inspired by their Slick Rick approach in making lyrically humorous and witty music that has a 1980s, new wave futuristic sound that also references South Africa’s cultural sounds.

Johannesburg is a cultural melting pot that thrives under its semi-chaotic elements. And Dirty Paraffin’s music and visual artistry is not only an example of the city’s growing sub-cultural movements, but they represent an essence of South Africa’s fusion of youth culture and urban lifestyle through their genre-breaking music. They are very South African in their lyrical references but are global in their approach to music, which is also what I think makes them appealing and charismatic.

My narrative goal and approach was to get in the mindset of their music, to understand what inspires them as artists, and what pushes them to make music that is considered a bit strange to your average South African music listener. It was very important to me to capture the essence of their music and unique persona, and put across the notion that Smiso and Zamani  enjoy and believe in what they are doing above all else.

Dirty Paraffin Documentary from Meja L. Shoba on Vimeo.

Guest blogger Meja L. Shoba is a filmmaker from Oakland, California. She is studying for her MFA in Production/Directing at UCLA. She currently resides in Johannesburg, South Africa.

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