Motivated by conversations that happen daily in a friend’s Fish Hoek salon, Uitenhage-born artist Vakele Genu intends to get tongues wagging with his hip-hop EP Conversations in a Black Salon.
The Rhodes University alumnus in drama, music and African languages who goes by the stage name of AG Akel, recently started an independent music and film company called NoziWorld1988, which he named after his late twin sister.
In early September he released a single, titled Kid Brother – an acoustic song dedicated to all the women who have played a role in his life.
Genu said the four-track EP was a form of protest art motivated by daily events in the country, specifically the abuse of women and children.
“Femicide has become a norm in the country and as men we need to march against all those who mistreat women,” he said. Genu added that the death of his friend, Lelona Fufu, who was brutally stabbed while hitch-hiking to Rhodes University in Grahamstown on her way to her graduation in 2012, had also motivated the EP.
“The country was robbed of an intelligent, strong woman.”
He said the sooner men and women started standing together, the sooner the next generation of young boys could learn women should be treated with respect and dignity.
“Malicious acts of violence against women should be frowned upon and it is our duty as artists to tell these stories to educate the public.”
Genu wrote and produced all the songs on his EP.
“I’ve been making beats for artists and other producers and now I want to be more than just a producer. I want to perform my own work.”
He is working on his debut album, titled 51 Years, which will also feature Malawian artist Keysia on vocals.
He said having previously worked with Shekhinah’s producer David Scott, he hoped he might get the chance to feature Shekhinah on an album one day.
Genu is also travelling between Uitenhage and Cape Town in a bid to source funding for an upcoming web drama series he has written.
Conversations in a Black Salon is available on digital platforms such as Apple Music.