Birthed in 2018, Stylin Dredz Creative Conquerors has been an ode to the individuals who live outside of societal norms and expectations, carving a path for themselves in their passions and creative disciplines.
The campaign, which started out as an ode to these hand-picked trailblazers, has had one clear goal: To support and amplify what the creatives have been doing, in line with the ethos of the Stylin Dredz brand. Over the years Stylin Dredz has worked with household names, such as Big Zulu, Karabo Poppy, David Tshabalala and Focalistic- to name but a few.
Who are the Creative Conquerors? They are rebellious, they are expressive, they are unique, and they don’t conform to norms.
In South Africa, the issue of youth unemployment has been a consistent challenge over the years. With COVID 19 and its effects on individuals’ livelihood, particularly in the creative sector, Stylin Dredz evolved the movement to be more inclusive and benefit creatives at a grassroots level. From working with industry heavyweights, and the country’s next-in-line talents, Creative Conquerors was developed to walk the talk as a brand committed to being a hand up for consumers, in a real way.
Launched in 2022 at the iconic Back To The City hip hop event, Stylin’ Dredz decided to give upcoming poets, MC’s or vocalists an opportunity to showcase their skills in a professionally fitted recording studio. The challenge? Share your bars on any one of the 4 beats by renowned producer Sandile aka Big Dreamz and you could win the recording of your own single to kickstart your music career.
After hundreds of entries, a lucky vocalist was picked to be the recipient of the single production worth over R150 000. Don Papa, whose real name is Theo Kganyago, came out victorious with his single Bafethu Bana. The track, recorded in the iconic Don Laka’s Talk Republic studio, was inspired by his journey trying to break into the music industry.
“This campaign has had a significant impact on my music career. By aiming to find a talented musician from the hood, it not only provided me with a platform to showcase my talent but also connected me with industry professionals and a broader audience. The exposure and support I’ve received have been instrumental in advancing my career, helping me to refine my craft and gain the confidence needed to pursue my dreams. This opportunity has truly been a turning point, opening doors that seemed previously inaccessible and proving that talent can be found and flourish anywhere.” – Don Papa
On the experience Brand Manager, Tumiso Mathebula commented, “Stylin’ Dredz wants to be a brand that makes a difference, particularly in the space of the arts. Artists like Boom Shaka made countless hits in this space, so we are hoping Don Papa is inspired further as to what can be for his passion. Our priority is to give people with a dream a platform and opportunities to kickstart their careers.”
