Swazi Observer

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UNLEASH THE WOLF DRAWS A HUGE CROWD AT SOLANIS

By DEO GRATIAS MAGAGULA | 2024-12-27

UNLEASH the Wolf (UTW) hosted an unforgettable evening of house music, culture, and celebration this past Sunday.

Organised by Antidote Music and !Sooks, the event, was held at, Solani’s Shisanyama, which replaced the usual location Albert Millin.

Despite the venue change, the event maintained its signature high energy atmosphere and introduced a fresh vibe that resonated with the crowd, making it an unforgettable experience.

The afternoon’s mellow start, led by Sedikins, set a relaxed tone, easing the crowd into the groove.

As the night deepened, Mistosoul and Crooks amped up the energy, bringing vibrant mixes that had the crowd moving.
But it was Rekorder and the enigmatic Black Villain who really raised the stakes.

Known for her powerful presence, Black Villain’s performance was a force of nature, her beats pulsating through the venue, the intensity she brought to the stage had everyone entranced, keeping the energy high and the dance floor packed.

Black Villain shared, “This is like the biggest blessing. Last year around this time, I put it on my vision board. I thought I was gonna play here earlier, but it turned out to be this massive blessing at the end of the year.”

She went on to express her gratitude for the warm reception from the crowd, despite the challenges she faced before arriving.

“People received me so well. I was a bit disorientated because we had an accident before we came here. But the love was real, people were texting me, saying they were waiting for me,” she said.
“I’m living in answered prayers right now. I’m truly grateful.”

Kid Fonque was another favourite warming the crowd with a high energy set that left the crowd yearning for more.

Beats
Sibu Manzini, brought a different element spicing up his set with a touch of bongos that brought an African spiritual feel to his set, wowing the crowd with his fusion of traditional African rhythms and deep electronic beats.

The addition of live bongos, infused the performance with a raw, organic energy that connected the crowd to the spirit of the music.

The highlight of his set came when Sibu brought out soulful singer Velemseni for a powerful live rendition of their new track, filling the air with hauntingly beautiful vocals that left the crowd in awe.

Anticipation for !Sooks’ performance was high, and when the internationally acclaimed DJ finally took the stage, the crowd erupted in cheers and most of the audience from the back drew closer to the stage to witness his set and capture the moment .

Although his set faced some initial technical challenges, the crowd’s support never wavered, cheering and chanting “!Sooks we wanna party .

Once the music flowed, !Sooks delivered a master class in electronic dance music that contained most of his own production, with smooth transitions.
His performance kept the crowd entartained.

A proud local fan shared, “I came here to support !Sooks because he’s ours, and his music speaks to us in ways that feel personal. Watching him live is pure energy.”

The love and pride for the homegrown artist was clear as the audience danced and chanted his name. Another fan shared that she always attends UTW even the last one which was held in Johannesburg.

The night closed with a spirited performance by rising star ItsAllBlaq taking over from Sibu Manzini, opening the set with her signature praise name intro that had the crowd hyped up and ready to receive the DJ. Bringing amapiano sounds, she captivated the crowd with her vibrant energy and infectious vibe.

Her performance brought a fresh, youthful edge to the night, and her ability to connect with the crowd further cemented her status as one of Eswatini's most exciting emerging talents.

Reflecting on the venue change from the last edition, Antidote Music’s co-founder Sizo Hlophe explained, “It was about collaboration and making business sense. Solani’s has its own clientele, and working together allowed us to create an experience that really resonated.

The turnout was bigger than at our previous show, which was exciting for us.”
He also spoke about the carefully planned lineup, adding, “We design the sets sonically.

Each house genre had its own tempo, so we begin with a more relaxed vibe and gradually increase the energy.

Every artist is chosen for the unique atmosphere they bring to their slot, creating a musical journey throughout the night.”

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