Anthea Bissolati
There is a pretty good reason that I am now only writing about why you should watch this film which documents an important piece of our history.
Way back on 29 August 2024 my family and I had the honour of attending the first screening of the Brasse Vannie Kaap Documentary at RLabs in Westridge. However, I didn’t want to write about it until the Showmax release because then at least those who didn’t get the chance to attend a screening would be able to watch it after reading this article if not before.
Let me start by saying it was beautiful to watch. I think our editor, Ryan Swano, shared my sentiments in saying how amazing it felt to watch something about people we know, love, grew up with and have been around.
Director Lauren Scholtz did an amazing job trying to piece together their story with all the bits and pieces provided to her. I will tell you why she did an amazing job in a bit. First, I will tell you how she ended up doing this.
She explained that her brother in law is DJ Azuhl, one of the members of Brasse Vannie Kaap and after she had to put an idea of a Ready D docu-series on the back burner due to a lack of finance, she considered that the Brasse Vannie Kaap film could be a smaller scale project to start with.
She got the idea because she kept seeing Azuhl post all these old videos of the band and Mr Fat.
Monday the 7th of October was the Showmax release date. Needless to say, she absolutely did it and we are here for it!
Film Director Lauren Scholtz Representing Dala Films at Fame Week Africa 2024
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Why I Say Lauren Scholtz Did an Amazing Job
Documenting our past is a very difficult thing to do especially since we didn’t have as much access to media like we do now. Sure we had cellphones in the late 90s but we initially didn’t have camera phones etc etc. So there were pictures taken with cameras and sure there were videos but not nearly as much as perhaps 2010. I can promise you that many moments were not captured and that cannot be helped. The only way we can keep our history alive is to tell our stories and to document them as best we can. Lauren Scholtz did a stellar job of trying to capture the very essence of the band.
Some of you may not agree. I have spent enough time in the Hip Hop community to know that there will be endless debates about accuracy and who should have been interviewed because I have been privy to some comments and discussions already. Having one of the original band members as my absolute best friend in the world, believe me I know that there is a crucial element missing from the documentary, his perspective.
This is nobody’s fault. He made the choice. The story had to be told with or without some members. It is important that their story, or at least parts of it, is documented and kept safe for the later generations to see how hard all of us in the Hip Hop community and collectively on the Cape Flats, fought to survive and not be drowned out by the watering down of our culture.
WATCH: A Hip-Hop Legacy – Brasse Vannie Kaap Showmax Originals Trailer
The Importance of Telling Our Own Stories
It is important for us to tell our own stories as a marginalised people on the Cape Flats. We complain that other people make money off stories that aren’t theirs to tell. If we don’t tell our own stories, somebody absolutely will.
Now let me address the people who will comment on accuracy and who were members and who weren’t. This documentary depended on the memories of those who were willing to get involved and help tell the story. While Lauren had access to some hard data and video footage, she also had to rely on the members to provide her with information. So please remember that all of us will remember the same events differently. We were all in different places at the time which allowed us different views. Nobody is lying about anything. Everyone is telling it how they remember. Many members came and went from dancers to rappers. We, the friends and fans, loved them all. We, the honourary Brasse Vannie Kaap, family don’t regret any of them.
If you watch the documentary, you will see that Ready D sums it up by saying we were young and inexperienced or something like that. My point is simply this, we were all young and dumb. We knew very little about business. Egos were involved. Feelings were hurt. Back in the day fame was the aim for many people. I’m sure you know just what I mean. Gosh there were so many things to still be learned. To this day, some of our artists still haven’t learned how to run themselves like a business.
What Can We Learn From This Important Documentary?
There are things to be learned from it. I don’t want to say they have no regrets. I think there’s a few small ones, at least that is what I got from the interviews. This story was so moving for me and it also really took me back to the day we buried Mr Fat. When the opening credits rolled, so did my tears for a life lost way too soon. He still had so much to do and learn. He was obnoxious and blunt but he was also kind and funny and so direct sometimes it was uncomfortable. I’m sure many of you had different or even similar experiences with him. I often wonder what he would be like if he were still here. Would he have grown as a person and in what ways? I often joke with Malikah Daniels about what kind of Facebook statuses he would post or would he completely boycott it and call us losers for even being on it.
Anyway, enough with the heavy. I am proud of Brasse Vannie Kaap. I am proud to have been able to go to their shows and watch history in the making. Brasse Vannie Kaap broke barriers. They were phenomenal as performers. They reached a market so broad that I don’t think anyone ever thought they would. I loved this documentary.
You Have To See It For Yourself
With all the limitations Lauren was given i.e time, budget and allowable running time, I think she did amazingly. The film is filled with lots of emotion and you will see that this was therapeutic in a lot of ways for the band members. I got to watch the film with the “cast” and a few of our very own Hip Hop celebrities and it was very evident that even though we were all there during the time that Brasse Vannie Kaap was big, it is something else entirely to watch parts of your life flash before you on a screen. It was a cathartic experience for sure and one that will remain with us always.
Go on and see for yourself. As brown people we must all learn to rejoice in the success of others. Knowledge of self is absolutely crucial in this endeavour. This film will provide some knowledge.
Peace out!
