The Jameson Music Video Grant: We Have A Winner

After working our way through 550 entries, roping in a judging panel of industry experts and meeting with the Top 10 for their treatment presentations, we’re excited to finally announce the winner of the 2017 Jameson Music Video Grant!

Cue drum roll…

AND THE WINNER IS:

Congratulations to Carl Houston Mc Millan, who won R200K to shoot a music video for ‘Impepho’ by Trap Funk & Alivio feat. Morena Leraba & ManKind! 

 

THE CONCEPT:

 

The video is a visual exploration and celebration of Basotho shepherd culture in the highlands of Lesotho.

To be shot on location, the music video will take us to the heart of Lesotho, where the sun rises to reveal a barren mountainous landscape. On this particular day, a clay hut is burning. Smoke peels out. Flames erupt. A group of Basotho shepherds watch, proudly. They’re dressed in signature grey blankets, customised balaclavas, handmade jewellery. Some are holding dogs, others have livestock on their shoulders.

Then the shepherds head to a dirt racing track. Against this surreal mountain backdrop a local horse race is about to start. More and more shepherds gather in the icy wind. Money is being passed around, bets are being placed. Horses are checked; teeth, hooves, legs. Jockeys get ready. They line up. The atmosphere intensifies.

The signal goes. A thunderous sound. Muscles bulge, there’s dust everywhere. The shepherds cheer, walking sticks raised in celebration.

As the sun sets and the sky turns pink the shepherds find a tavern, where a group of flashy visitors from the city arrive. They seem out of place, territorial. A dance battle ensues. The visitors perform series of energetic break dance moves. Unimpressed, the shepherds respond with a traditional Sesotho dance. They simply move their chests to the beat, majestically. Thump, thump.

Exploring the tensions between rural and urban, traditional and modern, African and Western, the music video will offer a refreshing and honest look into an authentically African subculture that’s seemingly survived external influences.

 

REFERENCES & INSPIRATION:

 

THE SONG & MUSICIANS:

 

‘Impepho’ is a powerful high-energy track with lyrics fusing slang phrases in Sotho, Pedi, Tswana and Zulu. The song that was created through inter-continental collaboration:

Trap Funk & Alivio is a DJ from Salvador, Brazil.

Morena Leraba is a musician and shepherd from Lesotho whose lyrics, sounds and aesthetics are deeply rooted in tradition. His delivery is influenced by the poetic freestyles that the shepherds perform.

ManKind is a fresh voice hailing from and making waves in the heart of Jozi.

 

THE DIRECTOR:

 

Carl Houston Mc Millan is a director and writer living between South Africa and Lesotho, the majority of his work explores the latter. Watch some of his previous work:

More about Carl: carlhm.com

 

COMMENTS FROM THE JUDGING PANEL:

 

More?

Find our interview with Carl Mc Millan here.

A conversation with Morena Leraba and Mankind here.

 

Stay tuned for behind-the-scenes peeks from Lesotho!

More about the Jameson Music video grant here.

Find out who helped us choose the winner here.

Meet this year’s finalists here.