The group comprises
- Lindokuhle (Efelow) Gcwensa (23) - @WTF_Efelow
- Charles (Aux Cable) Mchunu (24) - Twitter : @WTF_AuxCable,
- Nhlakanipho (Moshine Magnif) Shongwe (25): @WTF_Moshine
Aux Cable has completed his Medical Science degree and is currently reading for his Honours, while Moshine Magnif is completing his final year of a BCom degree.
Witness the funk was formed in 2009 by Moshine Magnif, Aux Cable and former members, Muzi and San Season. ‘The group was created during our first year on campus,’ said Aux Cable. ‘After we released our first project titled The Pursuit, Muzi and San Season left. Moshine and I continued making music and met Efelow at a show we were all performing at. We became friends and Efelow joined the group in 2013.’
Their music is inspired by youth lifestyle and their experiences. ‘Other music also plays a part in our inspiration, such as a Durban house genre called Gqom and an international sound called Trap, originally from South America,’ said Aux Cable.
WTF have been acknowledged by highly acclaimed artists including Black Coffee, Zakes Bantwini, DJ Maphorisa (Uhuru) and many more. ‘We’ve also had the chance to work with Cassper Nyovest, Toya Delazy, Uhuru and Okmalumkoolkat on our current project,’ said Aux Cable. ‘We have just got an endorsement deal with international clothing brand, DC Shoes.’
While the music industry is notoriously difficult to break into, WTF has received air play and built up a fan-base by sending their music to different radio compilers as well as to DJs, especially ones who are highly booked and get their mixes on radio. ‘Once the DJs started playing our music, we also promoted our brand through bookings and live performances. We started getting support from university students as we used to perform at some shows on campus. But now our following is from a high rotation of performances, radio play/interviews and our social media presence,’ said Aux Cable.
To balance being students and musicians, they put in as much work as possible with every chance they get. ‘For us the drive is having lots of love and dedication towards our God-given talent. Nothing beats focus, determination and hard work. With those qualities you can accomplish anything in life,’ said Aux Cable.
‘Our plans for this year are to break through the industry and change the whole entire hip hop scene to greater heights in terms of originality and setting new trends which are more South African. We’re also planning on expanding our loyal fan base and following which will grow our passion for music and market sales.’
The talented musos would love to work with “living legend” Chicco Twala someday.
‘We’d like to thank Aewon Wolf who has played a huge role in getting us to perform at big events and introducing us to different promoters; Vivienne Wasserfal; Holly; Zamo (Merve) Mnguni and his sister TDK; Ayanda Makukule; Unathi; Junior Lavie; Kgolo Daguru and the list goes on …’
They initially called themselves College Boyz and released their first single called Funky Laces. After hearing about an American group also named College Boyys, who released a song called Foot Work, they decided the group needed a new name. Witness the funk was born because of the ‘variety of the feeling and elements our music brings’.