He’s just cycled the Argus for charity, and now DJ Rob Vember is riding into a new timeslot on 5FM, taking over weekday evenings between 7pm and 10pm from 1 April 2009.

Having built up a solid following during his weekend slot, Rob will soon be adding his characteristic zing to the sundowner show, from Mondays to Thursdays 7-10pm.

He will also take over the reins of the 5FM Top 40 on Sundays between 10am and 2pm, while Koula will move into the 2pm to 5pm slot on Saturdays and Sundays.

Koula’s new slot will be a home for highly lifestyle oriented, active listeners who always have their eye out for the latest competitions.  In addition to this her participation in yet another Comrades marathon this year and her koula-than-a-cucumber sense of style is a good fit with 5FM’s lifestyle-focused weekend programming

Apart from Rob and Koula’s switch, the 5FM line-up remains largely unchanged, with Fix taking over the 10pm to 1pm Vinyl Frontier slot on Friday nights and Bongi now occupying both the Saturday and Sunday 1am to 4am slots.

From April, Angie Khumalo will be reading news on Grant and Anele’s 12 noon to 3pm show, with Kim Schulze doing the honours during Sasha Martinengo’s watch, weekdays between 9am and noon.

“5FM currently has a red-hot line-up and we don’t want to tinker too much with a winning combination,” says programme manager Vukile Zondi. “Rob has proved to be a valuable asset to the station and we are confident that he’ll waste no time in putting his personal stamp on his new timeslot.”

No doubt about it – Rob Vember is a go-getting individual who tackles every undertaking with verve and passion. He once broadcast for 126 hours and 15 minutes in a bid to set a South African broadcasting record, and recently he bungee jumped from the Orlando Towers in Soweto.

Earlier in March, not even gale-force winds could deter him and a determined 5FM team from tackling the Cape Argus Pick ’n Pay Cycle Tour to generate awareness for The Chaeli Campaign who work to mobilise children with disabilities – subjecting himself to a rigorous training regimen to prepare for the gruelling ride.

Expect the unexpected in Rob Vember’s new slots on 5FM, turning evenings in front of the radio into an event!

THE SAYING GOES: “WHEN IT RAINS IT POURS”…

And this is true when it comes to the latest upcoming South African music sensation group, Urban Reign. 

If their debut album, When It Rains It Pours, is anything to go by, Urban Reign are inching their way to making a huge success to their names. 

Since joining in 2008, UR members, Kenton ‘Kent-Smoke’ Windvogel, Ferdinand ‘Ferdy-Ferd’ Buffel and Jeremy ‘J-Namic’ Cohen have started collecting an impressive string of credits.

And so it pours…. 

No strangers to the music industry, UR are releasing their highly anticipated debut album; they’ve written and produced one of Denim’s hit singles, Without You, which went to #1 on various radio stations nationwide; signed with local independent record company, Sting Music;  and have performed at Jozi’s hottest spots, including FTV, Blues Room, Tokyo Sky and Emerald Casino. 

Representing Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town, the fusion of music – from hip hop, urban & rock – brings about a unique blend of sound. 

When It Rains It Pours is a 12 track album that showcases the freshest and newest blend of ‘swagga’ music that South Africa has to offer.  There’s a gap in the market for talent such as Urban Reign, and with the release of the album, Urban Reign are the group to look out for in 2009.

Their first offerings off the album have been well received.  We are the Masters filtering a more commercial rock urban sound, while 2 Chains hits it home with a more hip hop urban feel!     

Urban Reign is not merely just a hot new urban pop group – they ooze style, charisma, talent and put on a scintillating live performance.

Gauteng audiences will be treated to one of the hottest launches for 2009.  Urban Reign will be launching their album on 28th of March at FTV WorldWear Centre, Beyers Naude.  The launch has been sponsored by the likes of Motorola, Planet Fitness, African Romance, Blaque, Appelton Rum & Oasys.  The night kicks off @ 21h00 with an exclusive Lingerie Fashion Show; the hottest hip hop & RnB DJs will be warming up the dance floor and then at 23h00 Urban Reign start their live performance.

Ferdinand Buffel (A.K.A. Ferdi-Ferd)

Born (17 September 1984) in the small town of Paarl Valley in the Western Cape, Ferdi started his career as a musician at the tender age of 9.  He decided thereafter that he was destined to perform as an artist in the music industry.  Whilst still at school, he started expanding his vocal abilities.  At 14, he formed a group with his friends and they won the ‘Radio Pulpit Tehila Gospel Competition’.  Barely 1 year after Ferdy started studying music, one of SA’s most sought after bands, The Rockets, offered him the chance to travel abroad with them as their lead vocalist.  After returning to South Africa in 2007, he continued to perform on national tours and has graced the stages with the likes of Shane Ward, Will Young and Ronan Keating.  He parted ways in 2007 to pursue his own dream and relocated to Johannesburg. 

Jeremy Cohen (A.K.A J-Namic)

He reigns from a family whose name is established in the music and entertainment industy.  Born (24 April 1984) in the ‘mini New York’ of South Africa, Johannesburg.  At the age of 12, Jeremy discovered the art of DJing.  It came as no surprise when Jeremy discovered his passion of performing.   This led to him DJ’ing on a local community radio station and playing in many of Joburg’s finest clubs, including WhooZoo, Intasection & Tiscalli, as well as performing with many of South Africa’s finest up and coming DJ’s.  After matriculating from St Davids, he chose music as his career.  In 2001, he started a hip hop group called Sounds Explicit, which went on to release an album and created a frenzy in the streets of Jozi where more opportunities arose.  Jeremy did many collaborations with other artists.

Kenton Windvogel (A.K.A Kent Smoke)

Born (9 January 1984) in Durban, Kenton’s musical aspirations started as a youngster in the church choir.  After matriculation, Kenton furthered his musical studies and did a 3 year course, majoring in drums, at the Durban Institute of Technology.  He also did a further 1 year bridge course in Jazz and this is where he used the opportunity to master the art of guitar.  All this enable Kenton to build a firm foundation and knowledge and led to the enhancement of his production skills.  He moved up to Gauteng and worked as a graphic designer and art assistant for the drama series, Isidingo, where he began testing songs and songwriting.  Two of his songs landed the mood music for ‘Parson & Nandipha’s wedding’.  He left the series to pursue his music and take a more hands on approach.  He then started guitar sessions for the likes of Dawnay, Bianca le Grange, Lira and Denim.  He co-produced Soul Stone’s first album and went on to produce Strini Pillai (Generations-fame) album. 

Ndumiso Dlamini (A.K.A Mr Boardman) on keyboards

Lagan Breda (A.K.A. Big L) on drums

Vuyo Mnyike (A.K.A V-Power) on bass

For Bookings or Band Queries:

Dylan Grewan
Manager
Urban Reign
T: 011 704 7256
E: dylang@iburst.co.za

To listen to tracks visit www.myspace.com/urbanreignent

Electromode Music is proud to announce that 6 of their acts have received the music industry’s nod bagging several nominations at last night’s SAMA party.

Hip Hop acts Teargas and JR will no longer be fellow record company mates and the category for Best Rap sees these two acts seeking the same gold gong. The Best Dance album also sees two More Music artists gunning for the title as Cape Town’s Iridium Project and drumming phenomenon 1st Project go head to head.

And just to prove that Kwaito is certainly not dead, ex-Genesis member Sanza Tabalaza S has received a nomination for Best Kwaito Album.

Not forgetting our Durban talent, newcomer Aylos has proven that she’s not only beautiful but has the voice to place her in the Best African Pop Album category

BEST RAP – JR

BEST RAP – TEARGAS

BEST POP ALBUM: AFRICAN – AYLOS

BEST DANCE ALBUM – IRIDIUM PROJECT

BEST DANCE ALBUM – 1ST PROJECT

BEST KWAITO ALBUM – SANZA TABALAZA S