“Great Marketing Strategy”: Mzansi Reacts to Taxi Drivers’ Responses When Asked To Promote R&B Song

• A video captured a humorous exchange at a taxi rank involving an aspiring musician, his friend, and some local drivers
• The comical clip, shared on the popular video streaming platform TikTok, showcased an unexpected clash of musical genres and cultural perspectives
• Social media users found amusement in the drivers' candid reactions, leading to widespread laughter and commentary
• Briefly News spoke with Nduna, a seasoned taxi driver, about the drivers' love for locally produced music

A hilarious cultural encounter at a local taxi rank became an instant hit, highlighting a memorable clash between an upcoming artist and a group of taxi drivers.

The amusing video, posted on TikTok by @jemapelle.james, captivated a broad audience, drawing considerable delight and discussion.

The video starts with two young men, seemingly musicians, approaching a taxi at the rank. They greet three isiZulu-speaking taxi drivers sitting inside a taxi in their native tongue, before switching to English to ask for help in promoting their song. When asked about their musical genre, the eager gents confidently declared it to be "R&B." The immediate reaction from the drivers was an outburst of hearty laughter.

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One of the drivers, still chuckling, informed the duo that their taxi rank was a true home for Maskandi music and they couldn't assist with an R&B promotion. The comical exchange continued as another driver humorously pointed out the baggy trousers worn by one of the gents, a subtle jest at fashion choices. Another driver then delivered a memorable line, remarking that "English is not a language a person can talk the whole day because you might end up biting your tongue."

Taxi rank music

The Briefly News team spoke with Nduna about the taxi drivers' music preference. We asked the man what his thoughts were about the gents who wanted to promote their R&B track at the taxi ranks. He said:

"R&B? At the taxi rank? It's just funny because it's so different from what most of us listen to. Our ears are tuned for Maskandi, for Afro-soul, for gqom, for the music that makes you want to dance and sing out loud. R&B is too slow, too soft for the rank."

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One of the drivers in the video joked that "English is now a language a person can talk the whole day because you might end up biting your tongue." We asked the man if he shared the playful sentiment about speaking English too much.

"Definitely. That's a classic joke we have. English can be very formal, very serious. Our languages have more life, more rhythm, more feeling. When we are joking and just being ourselves, our language flows better. Plus, some of us left school early to join the taxi industry, so we could put food on our families' tables, and we are not comfortable speaking English and don't listen much to English songs."

When asked what kind of music he listens to in his taxi, Nduna responded:

"In my taxi, I mostly play Maskhandi, sometimes a bit of gospel in the morning. The music sets the mood. If it's Maskhandi, people are happy, some sing along, some tap their feet. It makes the journey more enjoyable. It's important to have good music, music that speaks to the soul, especially on long trips."

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SA cheers the cultural pride

The raw authenticity and straightforwardness of the taxi drivers' responses resonated with viewers, leading to a massive influx of likes, comments, and shares. Many users echoed sentiments of unsurprised amusement, particularly given the strong association between taxi ranks and traditional South African musical forms.

Some light-heartedly suggested that if the aspiring artists wished to succeed in that environment, they should perhaps consider releasing a Maskandi track or album. Others expressed profound pride in the Zulu community's loyal dedication to Maskandi, applauding their uncompromising commitment to their cultural heritage.

User @Victor 🇿🇦 said:

"House of maskandi 😂😂."

User @celyn.ashley advised:

"You know what? I think you should drop a maskandi song next 🤔."

User @TheGirlWithTheBlueHeart said:

"You’re going very far in life because of one thing: you have the audacity 🔥🙌🏼."

User @Lock'D Lady added:

"Doing an anonymous confession video and posting on your main account in the very same fit is wild😂."

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User @Unathi🎀 commented:

"I need you to never stop doing content eRank😭😭 hits the spot all the time😭🤌🏽."

User @Mmathabo Pretty Matl shared:

"Listen, first and foremost. You talking English was so brave😭."

User @Honored Tech Titan said:

"Great marketing strategy, bro. Inkinga nje iqale la esingisini oskhulumile, ukube nje uthe ngicela nidlale umculo wami kulekhumbi bebezikulalela (the problem started when you spoke English, had you asked them to play your song in iiZulu) trust me, everyday thina uma siya noma sibuya emisebenzini silalela eselini diyoni (when we are going and coming back from work, we listen to Celine Dion)."

Watch the TikTok video below:

The TikTokker is serious about breaking into the music scene, with 12 posts on his page promoting his tracks. His content also includes POV skits, lifestyle moments, and viral challenges. In the clip at the taxi rank, he’s joined by none other than Ntobeko Sishi, best known for playing Ntokozo on Gomora. Ntokozo, the bright but troubled teen, was the son of school principal Melusi and social worker Gladys. Gomora wrapped up on 20 October 2023 after four seasons.

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3 Briefly News articles about taxi drivers

• A young lady captured a list of rules in a taxi she was riding in, which included not calling the driver a taxi driver, bathing, and not speaking English.
• A group of taxi drivers did not hold back when a content creator asked them for signs of cheating partners, with some calling Xhosa women heartbreakers.
• A young lady proudly showed off her gifts from her taxi driver boyfriend, sharing that she didn't regret giving him a chance, but Mzansi warned it would end in tears.

Updated by Hilary Sekgota, Human Interest HOD at Briefly News.

Source: Briefly News