Actress Jennifer Aniston has unveiled her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Jennifer Aniston unveiled her star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame on Wednesday.

The Wanderlust actress unveiled the tribute on the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street, while boyfriend Justin Theroux and her father, Days of our Lives star John Aniston, 78, looked on.

Jennifer's Just Go With It co-star Adam Sandler spoke to the crowd at the unveiling, telling them: “Everyone loves this girl - my wife loves this girl, Justin Theroux loves this girl.

“She prayed for three things. To have everyone in the entire world be fascinated with her haircut, to one day star in a movie about an evil leprechaun who kills people, and most importantly, receive a star on the prestigious Hollywood Walk of Fame. Well today, Jennifer, the trifecta is here.”

The 43-year-old former Friends star has previously said she was “extremely flattered, humbled, nervous and excited” to be awarded the star.

She said at a press conference: “It feels very surreal to be honest.

“I was born here and it's sort of something you went and saw as a kid and got excited about just walking and seeing the names. To imagine that you're going to be there is really special. It's fun.”

Last July Jennifer's hand and footprints were also immortalised in cement outside Grauman's Chinese Theatre, also in Hollywood. - Bang Showbiz

Jennifer Aniston promises “a lot of penises” and “breasticles” in her new movie Wanderlust.

Jennifer Aniston promises “a lot of penises” and “breasticles” in Wanderlust.

The actress stars as a woman who decides to quit her life and head to a nudist colony in the new romantic comedy, and assured viewers will get to see plenty of naked shots of her and her co-stars.

She told talk show host Chelsea Handler: “There's a lot of penises in this movie! Finally, for once, the men have to disrobe!

“Trust me, there is your fair share of breasticles as well. Penises are promised.”

Chelsea also remarked to Jennifer: “I've been lucky enough to see you topless in our private life, but now America, when they go to see the movie, will get to see her topless running!”

The 43-year-old star replied: “There's a lot of nudity. And a lot of slow motion action nudity!”

Jennifer - who is dating Justin Theroux, who also appears in the film - has previously admitted she was nervous when she prepared for her nude scenes, but quickly adapted when it came to it.

She said: “There was a little bit of nerves, but adrenaline takes you through it. And then, you have the girls come in and cover you up, immediately.

“But I got very comfortable with seeing nude people, pretty much immediately. Shockingly, it was bizarre how at ease we became with having a bunch of naked people everywhere.” - Bang Showbiz

Actress Helena Bonham Carter has been honoured by Britain's Queen Elizabeth for her services to drama.

Helena Bonham Carter was honoured by Britain's Queen Elizabeth earlier on Wednesday.

The actress was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for her services to drama, and attended Buckingham Palace in London to receive it with partner, director Tim Burton, and their children, son Billy Ray, 8, and four-year-old daughter Nell.

Helena wore a red tartan dress and a miniature top hat to receive the award, and posed for pictures afterward. When asked if the pink mobile phone she was holding had gone off in front of the Queen she quipped: “No, but the four-year-old did.”

She added that the day had been “very, very special”.

Helena - who famously portrayed Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother in The King's Speech - has previously joked about the title, and whether it means she can regain order over her own household.

She said: “I am wondering does it mean I get to command? Because at the moment it's my four-year-old daughter who does the commanding in our household. Must inform her of the change in situation.”

Helena has also said she would accept the award in memory of her father, Raymond, who passed away in 2004 after a long period of illness following a brain tumour.

Of being named in the honours list, she said: “I am thrilled, though not sure that I deserve it.

“I always thought my father deserved a medal for facing 25 years of chronic disability with quiet daily heroism so I am delighted to accept such a wonderful honour in his memory.” - Bang Showbiz

Maroon 5 singer Adam Levine would love to see Kanye West guest star on The Voice.

Adam Levine would love to see Kanye West guest star on The Voice.

The Maroon 5 singer and mentor on the reality show thinks the outspoken rapper - famed for interrupting award shows to give his opinions - would be a great person to appear alongside the panel, although he's not sure if network NBC would be so keen.

Speaking on US TV show Anderson, he said he'd pick Kanye “just because he's such a firecracker. I'm sure that terrifies NBC, but that would be fun. I love Kanye, I love what he does.”

Adam - who judges the show alongside Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green and Blake Shelton - also addressed rumours the mentors don't get on, saying their arguments are just for the camera.

He added: “It's fine. Everyone's so funny. They take one little thing.

“We bicker, like brother and sister kind of thing, but it's all in good fun. No one's carrying it with them anywhere other than the stage.”

The 'Moves Like Jagger' hitmaker also talks about the passing of Whitney Houston, who was found dead on February 11, on the show - due to air next week - saying he tries to think positively about the tragedy.

He added: “I kind of try to think about it though in a positive light and think about celebrating what she did and celebrating her because we all love her so much.

“I'm not sure there's anybody on Earth with a voice like that. We miss her.” - Bang Showbiz

A Los Angeles judge has told actress Lindsay Lohan that she is on the “home stretch” of her probation.

Lindsay Lohan was told she is on the “home stretch” of her probation by a judge on Wednesday.

The troubled actress was at Los Angeles Airport Courthouse for a hearing - part of her sentence for breaking her probation in relation to the 2007 DUI incident - earlier this morning, accompanied by her mother, Dina.

She was told by judge Stephanie Sautner if she completes the last of her court-mandated community service and psychotherapy sessions, their next hearing should be their last.

The judge told the Mean Girls star: “The way I figured it and we talked, there's 14 more days of community service and five more therapy sessions. Ms Lohan, you're in the home stretch, okay?

“The probation officer's pleased with your progress, you seem to be getting your life back on track and that's what we've all hoped for.”

The judge noted a “positive change” in Lindsay and said had glowing reports from the probation office and her therapist.

The 25-year-old star will also have to pay $3 500 in fines, according to probation records seen by E! news, but providing she does and complies with the last part of her probation, she will be free by the end of March.

Judge Sautner added: “After our March 29 hearing, all you have to do is obey all laws, stay out of trouble and move on with your life.”

Lindsay's next job will be hosting Saturday Night Live from New York on March 3. - Bang Showbiz

Adele’s 21 has replaced Whitney Houston’s The Bodyguard as the longest running number one album by a woman.

Los Angeles - The late Whitney Houston was unable to oust Adele from the top spot on the Billboard 200 album chart, and the British singer's 21 replaced The Bodyguard as the longest running No. 1 album by a woman.

Boosted by her six Grammy awards and performance comeback, Adele's 21 saw its biggest sales week yet in 52 weeks on the US chart, selling 730 000 copies according to Nielsen SoundScan.

That gave Adele her 21st week at the top spot, beating the record held by Houston with her 1992 Bodyguard album. 21 which features hits like Rolling In The Deep and Someone Like You has now sold more than 18 million copies worldwide since its release in February 2011, Adele's Columbia Record label said.

The 23-year-old singer and songwriter also saw a surge in sales for her debut album, 19, which sold 87 000 copies.

Houston's songs also saw a huge sales rise following her death in a Beverly Hills hotel on February 11 and a touching tribute by Jennifer Hudson at the Grammy awards on February 12.

Seven of Houston's albums re-entered the Billboard chart this week, led by Whitney: The Greatest Hits compilation at No. 2, selling 175 000 copies. Her self-titled album sold 17 000 to take the 37th spot.

Houston's I Will Always Love You single took the No. 2 spot in the Billboard Digital Songs Chart.

The Billboard 200 album chart reflected a Grammy-influenced boost for other artists.

Pop singer Bruno Mars, who was nominated for six Grammys but went home empty-handed, still saw his album Doo-Wops & Hooligans notch the No. 8 position, boosted by his retro-inspired uptempo performance of Runaway Baby at the Los Angeles awards show.

His album was followed by Grammy's best country album winners Lady Antebellum's Own The Night at No. 9 and newcomers The Civil Wars, who picked up two Grammy awards, rounded out the top 10 with Barton Hollow.

Country singer Jason Aldean, Rihanna, British band Coldplay and country group The Band Perry all saw their albums climb the top 20.

Katy Perry, who stormed back defiantly in her first big public performance at the Grammys after husband Russell Brand filed for divorce in December, saw her new single Part Of Me notch the top spot on the Billboard Digital Songs chart, with 411 000 downloads.

Adele's Rolling In The Deep and Set Fire To The Rain took No. 3 and No. 4 on the Digital Songs chart respectively. - Reuters

‘X-Factor’ star felt like people were "taking" her life away from her after becoming famous.

Cher Lloyd was a "real b***h" during 'The X Factor'.

The 'Swagger Jagger' hitmaker admits she was frustrated when she first came to fame on the UK reality show in 2010 because she felt like people were "taking" her life away from her.

She said: "I was overwhelmed by the amount of interest in me. So I was a bitch, a real bitch. Knowing what I know now, I would've dealt with situations a lot more calmer.

"I was just so angry and frustrated that people had taken my life off or me, even though I had gone on the show."

The 18-year-old star - who was mentored by Cheryl Cole on the series - says her life has been "stressful" since the show ended and she launched her pop career and she has had to alter her own personality to deal with the new pressures in her life.

She told heat magazine: "What did I go through? Absolute stress and mayhem. I couldn't go out, because people were constantly on my back all the time. I just felt like I was doing something I loved, but there was another part of it that I absolutely hated.

"I didn't know who I was, people took that away from me." - Bang Showbiz

Michael’s mischievous behaviour included fighting and stealing food.

Michael Buble has opened up about his bad boy past.

The 'Cry Me A River' singer is known for his mellow music but Michael admitted he has a wild past which includes getting kicked out of a basketball game in Canada for fighting and being thrown off the set of TV show 'The X Files'.

He told the Daily Star newspaper: "I have had fights. I got kicked out of the Vancouver Grizzlies for fighting with a fan. And when I was working at a small club in Vancouver I got kicked out for fighting someone who flipped a cigarette at the bartender.

"I got kicked off the set of the 'X Files' when they filmed in Vancouver. I was an extra and they were treated so badly, so I went to catering and took a hotdog. Which was a big thing."

However, Michael insists he has left his wild ways behind him since marrying model Luisana Loreley in April 2011 and recently admitted he wants to have children soon.

He said: "I've said to Luisana a million times I'd love to have kids. But I always say to her when you're ready - when you feel like you've lived and you've partied and done all the things you want to do. When you've worked your butt off, then tell me." - Bang Showbiz

Mel C is "useless" around Madonna because she is such a fan.

Mel C is "useless" around Madonna because she is such a fan.

The former Spice Girl has met her musical idol numerous times and even enjoyed a memorable dinner with her but Mel admitted she gets nervous in the 'Girls Gone Wild' singer's company.

She told The Sun newspaper: "I've met Madonna a few times. She once called me in my hotel room to invite me to dinner - I was convinced it was one of the girls winding me up. I'm a bit useless in her company being such a fan. I think I may even have offended her once."

Mel also revealed she and her Spice Girl bandmates Emma Bunton, Victoria Beckham, Mel B and Geri Halliwell are closer than ever because they are not in competition with each other.

She added: "Luckily, we aspire to different things and we're very proud of each other."

Along with working on her solo career, Mel raises daughter Scarlet with partner Thomas Starr, who she met in 2002 during a holiday in Barbados and Mel admitted she never thought the relationship would last.

She said: "Tom is lovely and tall, has big blue eyes and a cheeky grin. We had a good old dance to The Prodigy and I thought 'He's my kinda guy'.

"I was sure it would fizzle out when we got back to the UK but it didn't - hurray!” - Bang Showbiz

Brooke Mueller is to undergo an "aggressive" outpatient programme as part of her drug addiction treatment.

Brooke Mueller is to undergo an "aggressive" outpatient programme as part of her drug addiction treatment.

The real estate agent - who has two-year-old twins Bob and Max with ex-husband Charlie Sheen - has spent two months in a rehabilitation clinic and is now determined to do whatever it takes to stay sober.

Her spokesperson Steve Honig told E! News: "After successfully completing an intensive three-month drug and alcohol treatment programme, Brooke has returned to Los Angeles and has immediately begun an aggressive outpatient programme that includes a sober companion.

"Brooke is feeling better than ever before, and is committed to continuing treatment for as long as necessary to maintain her total and complete sobriety."

On Friday (17.02.12), Brooke was formally charged with two felony counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and possession of cocaine and misdemeanor offense of third degree assault stemming from her arrest in Aspen in December.

Police revealed the incident came after officers were called when Brooke allegedly attacked another woman at the Belly Up nightclub and eventually found her dancing at Escobar, another nightspot,in the early hours of December 3 and found her in possession of the drug.

Brooke is scheduled to appear in court on March 5. - Bang Showbiz

'True Blood' star Joe Manganiello is happy to bare all for the show.

'True Blood' star Joe Manganiello is happy to bare all for the show.

The 35-year-old star plays werewolf Alcide Herveaux in the HBO series and has no problem with revealing his butt when he transforms from occult animal to human because he thinks it would be unrealistic for his character to magically have clothes.

He said: "As far as the butt cheek stuff goes, it just makes sense. It's not gratuitous; it's realistic. If you're a werewolf and you transform, you lose everything and there are your butt cheeks. The show is a deconstruction of supernatural creatures. It's not like other werewolf projects, where you magically reappear with tiny jean shorts on."

'Magic Mike' star Joe works hard to stay in shape for his role in 'True Blood' and says he feels like he has to look good to play a werewolf.

He explained to Out magazine: "I like working hard. It's my letter of gratitude to Alan Ball for giving me this opportunity. Vampires are animated corpses. They can get away with not looking like they go to a gym. I'm a wild animal -- that's how I should look." - Bang Showbiz

Paula Abdul has agreed to pay $900,000 damages to a woman who was injured on her driveway.

Paula Abdul has agreed to pay $900,000 damages to a woman who was injured on her driveway.

The former 'X Factor' judge was sued in 2009 by Jill Kohl, who alleged she fell over in the grounds of her Los Angeles home during taping of the former pop singer's reality TV show 'Hey Paula', and they have now reached a settlement.

As well as the $900,000 she will receive from Paula, Jill has also agreed an additional $100,000 damages from the company who made the show, her lawyer Robert Rodriguez Clayton told TMZ.com.

In her lawsuit - which was filed in March 2009, Jill alleged she fell over because the driveway "was in a dangerous and defective condition".

The news comes just weeks after Paula was axed as a judge on the US 'X Factor' after just one season.

Despite her upset, Paula vowed at the time to stay friends with show supremo Simon Cowell, who she previously worked with on 'American Idol'.

She said: "Yes, it's true; I won't be returning to 'The X Factor' next season. I've learned through my longevity in this industry that business decisions often times override personal considerations. Simon and I, along with Fox and [production company] Fremantle, have been communicating about this for a while now, and I have absolute understanding of the situation.

"Simon is, and will remain a dear friend of mine and I've treasured my experience working this past season with my extended family at Fox and Fremantle.

"I want nothing more than for The X Factor to exceed ALL of their wildest dreams. This truly has been a blessing and I am most grateful." - Bang Showbiz

Scarlett Johansson has been urged to quit making commercials and concentrate on movies.

Scarlett Johansson has been urged to quit making commercials and concentrate on movies.

The 'We Bought A Zoo' actress is the face of Moet Champagne and Dolce & Gabbana make-up but her 'Girl With A Pearl Earring' co-star Tom Wilkinson believes the actress is wasting her talents in promos.

He told BANG Showbiz: "There are times I want to say to actors, 'You shouldn't be doing this, this is the one thing you shouldn't be doing.'

"An actress I know quite well, who I haven't seen for a few years now, but I used to know quite well is Scarlett Johansson. I want to say to her enough is enough already with the ads for make-up, she is such a good actress she's probably making bundles and bundles of money being the face of whatever it is. But nevertheless I want to say she's such a good actress! I was watching her yesterday in something she did with Dennis Quaid 'In Good Company'. It's not necessarily a good movie but she is such a good actress, I want to say that's what you do best, the other stuff is secondary."

However, Scarlett may not appreciate the advice as Tom - who can next be seen in 'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel' with Dev Patel and Dame Judi Dench - admits most younger stars don't ask him for help when he works with them.

The 64-year-old actor said: "I've never been asked for advice, not quite in that sense, most actors just know what to do." - Bang Showbiz

Two years after its screening, a local film still questions the impact the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup had on SA.

As Johannesburg city fathers claim that they are winning the fight against the decay in the once vibrant city centre, the film: “The Battle for Johannesburg” by Rehad Desai has captured renewed interest at the inaugural Jozi Film Festival.

Organisers of the three-day festival which took place last week, said the support augured well for the planned annual event which aims to highlight films about and by the people of Johannesburg.

Desai’s production captured the changing face of Johannesburg as it prepared to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

“It’s a tale of property developers vying for sections of the crumbling city with renewed excitement, of a city council determined to create a world class city and ultimately of how this affects the hundreds of thousands of people who have made the city slums their home,” he said.

“There is money to be spent, even more to be made and conflicting interests at stake. As whole areas around the stadium get a brush up and the middle classes, black and white, begin to move back in, beneath the scramble for property and space is a human story of survival.”

The film shows how foreign nationals from Africa and Asia appear to be exploited as they try to eke out a living from unscrupulous absentee landlords – their threatening agents on the one hand and the municipality.

But amid the squalor and suffering, there is also the odd positive story of tenants taking things into their own hands as they try to better their living conditions.

Two years after the film was first screened, the questions raised in it remain very valid as the Johannesburg city council relentlessly tries to take back buildings hijacked by gangsters and drug lords and hand them back to their rightful owners.

Desai said Battle for Johannesburg would be shown on SABC1 soon. - POST

WWE star promises to ‘choke out’ singer in threatening video

Chris Brown’s fight for his reputation has been played out on live TV and Twitter, and now he could take it to the mat.

The controversial, Grammy Award-winning popstar didn’t start the fight with WWE heavyweight champion CM Punk, and according to the muscle-bound wrestler, he won’t be in any position to finish it either.

CM Punk has challenged Brown to a no-holds-barred rumble in the ring, with the proceeds to be donated to charity, because Brown “never truly paid” for what he did to Rihanna. The spat originally started when CM Punk added his two-cents-worth to the debate over whether Brown should have performed at the Grammy Awards.

Brown retorted by saying that CM Punk was using steroids, prompting CM Punk to fire back with a video statement. After proclaiming that he is a “proud life-long drug-free straight edge individual”, CM Punk rips into his superstar nemesis.

“Chris and I come from different worlds. I don't have an assistant. I don't have a body guard. I don't have a manager or a PR person telling me to delete tweets like Chris does, and I don't hit women. Period.

“[Chris] has made the wrong accusations to the wrong person because I can defend myself.”

He then issued a fight challenge to Brown with this chilling warning.

“I will choke you out and I will make you feel as weak and as powerless and scared and alone as any woman who has the misfortune of knowing a sad cowardly little boy such as yourself.”

Brown responded via Twitter: “I really hope this 15 minutes of fame is paying you for the long run becuz music last forever! Wrestlers come and go according to ratings!” - IOL

Therese Owen met Die Antwoord's 'Ninja' to find out how a reactionary country, the US, fell in love with zef culture.

The story was never about Die Antwoord signing to Interscope Records. The story was always going to be about what happened when Die Antwoord told Interscope to go f*** itself.

“Its amazing,” commented an SA music industry insider. “Ninja stuck it to the biggest record company in the world. They tried to censure him and he said: ‘F*** you, I’ll walk.’ They never thought he’d walk and he walked. Lady Gaga, Eminem, Marilyn Manson, or whatever big stars have never told Interscope to f*** off. But Ninja did.”

Yeah, well, Ninja, aka Max Normal (dress code strictly formal), aka Watkin Tudor Jones III, is in the habit of telling record companies where to get off. And the fact that Interscope’s head, Jimmy Iovine, thought he could control such a wildly insane spirit speaks volumes about Iovine’s ego.

Ninja cannot and will not be controlled when it comes to his music. While this is an admirable quality in any artist, Ninja is also known in the SA music industry for his temperamental nature. That, and the fact that he loses interest in his projects in his tireless quest to continually reinvent himself.

By now we all know that America (and that includes middle America) has fallen in love with Die Antwoord. According to artists such as The Parlotones and Goldfish who tour the US, the first thing the Americans ask when they discover they are South African is not: “Wow, Nelson Mandela?” It is: “OMG, you’re like from South Africa! Wow, do you know Die Ant Woord?” (US accent).

They appeared on The Late Show With David Letterman, are the face for Alexander Wang and were pictured in the front row at New York Fashion Week – and all this in the past month.

They are touring the US and are riding high on Youtube with their endless number of controversial videos.

Fellow band member Yo-Landi Vi$$er’s hot, young body inspires the dark side of male sexuality – naughty little schoolgirl kinda freak-sex fantasies.

But that aside, why have the Americans gone gaga for a trio who don’t even sing in their first language? Their second album, Ten$ion, is a mixture of hard-core techno and rapping with raw lyrics and sentiments expressed all in the name of zef.

“The US has been raped of content,” explained the talkative Ninja from his hotel in Chicago.

“They gave us everything from cowboy movies to war films. They are big on presentation and we deliver good presentations in our videos. The Americans love us. They come dressed as Yo-Landi. They mosh to our music. But we are also sold out from Poland to Japan. For us, we are the answer.”

Their latest single, I Fink U Freeky, is a prime example of their visual presentation.

“It’s like when you whisper in someone’s ear. If you say you like someone for the first time, it is a softly-spoken phrase, but the actual feeling is so powerful. It was a mood. When we were making the song, I told DJ Hi-Tek to do it f****** Mortal Combat-style, but also make it an opera, build it up.

“It was the hardest song to make a video for so far. We tried to make the video three times before we got it right.

“The bathroom scene is the most intimate scene because that is the most intimate you can be, to let someone watch you bath.

“When we create music, DJ Hi-Tek, Yo-Landi and I must freak out about the song first and then we put it out there. We don’t care if people don’t like it. It’s real to us. It’s emotional to us. If they get the same ‘furiosity’ as us, then it is amazing. If you like us you are right. If you don’t like us you are wrong.”

Woah, easy with the ego, young Ninja. Although, we should be used to it by now. Ninja does come with an ego. He wasn’t always Ninja, though. As Waddy he was part of The Original Evergreens, the first hip hop group to be signed to a major label in SA. This was in the mid-1990s. But he soon lost interest and legend has it, he wandered into the forests of Knysna.

He returned as the hallowed Max Normal with one of the best albums of all time, Songs From the Mall. It was around this time that Eminem released his debut, The Slim Shady LP, and unfortunately the comparisons between two white boy rappers was inevitable. The sad reality was that Max Normal was first and far better.

Ninja is a brilliant rapper and a dynamic live performer. In fact, he is one of the most talented artists to have come out of SA.

Max Normal led to Max Normal TV which was an experiment in structured insanity. But that, too, wasn’t enough for his insatiable musical mind. Konstruktus would eventually lead to Die Antwoord and the rest is history.

Ninja has always placed great emphasis on visuals, but with Die Antwoord he has successfully integrated controversial viral video campaigns with his crazy beats.

The theme running throughout their videos is one of suggested violence and not-so-suggested violence. Yo-Landi is vicious, Hi-Tek is terrifying and Ninja stares into your very soul.

“In terms of video per- formances, if you look at Evil Boy, my performance has changed. My face was closed in the earlier videos.

“With the track F*k Julle Naaiers, we worked with these criminals who had come straight out of Pollsmoor. I noticed the way they looked at the camera. They looked like hyenas or lions about to go in for the kill. They taught me how to open my face. Most of them have landed back in jail again.”

Well, that video of real-life gangsters is not as controversial as what they have to say about Interscope’s Iovine. In almost every song, they have a dig at their former boss. They vindictively paint him as a slimy sex pest who enjoys abusing his power.

“In the beginning he was cool, when we were first signed and we were being familiar with him. Like, this guy is huge. He lives next door to Hugh Hefner and produced Bruce Springsteen. Then, at the end, he had his b**** boys referencing us.”

Die Antwoord’s “screw you” attitude to Interscope has gained Ninja even more street cred. The group also apparently walked away with a few million in their pockets.

Ten$ion has been released on their own label and distributed by Universal in SA. It is also Ninja’s most commercial album in his fluctuating career.

The album combines hard-core Euro techno beats with Afrikaans rhymes that are performed mostly by Yo-Landi.

But when Ninja kicks in, you can hear and see why Die Antwoord are on their way to becoming superstars, because talent like that cannot be ignored.

This is only part one.

A band like Kwani Experience is still relevant today, regardless of the fact that they haven’t performed as a band in a while.

There are bands that are so significant that their importance surpasses that of their longevity. A band like Kwani Experience is still relevant today, regardless of the fact that they haven’t performed as a band in a while. This is because they represent something that is bigger than them.

Their presence in the live music scene almost eight years ago brought with it a vital change.

They are a renaissance band that redefined the Afrocentric sound, giving it an urban and worldly trait and representing voices of their generation that were more spiritual and rooted.

What’s special is that they were oblivious to this. They were just serving the music and their ideas.

The band’s frontman and rapper, Kwelagobe Sekele (pictured), known by his stage name, P.O. (short for P.O. Box), is coming up with a self-titled solo album, The P.O. Box Project. The Kwani Experience legacy is about to be extended. And this is its offspring.

But to understand where P.O. is taking the music, you have to know who he was before he joined the band, and the kind of artist he’s become because of it.

“Before joining Kwani Experience in 2004 I was working at a library in Newtown – loved books, but hated the job.

“I was a rapper on a street level and was with a number of crews, aspiring to big things.

“I started rapping in 1998 and I used to go to joints like Le Club and Metropolis. People who were big then were Amu, Skwatta Kamp, Tumi (and the Volume) and Omen.

“I’d hang with rappers like Pro Kid, who was not very popular then. I was confident in my raps and I had my cliques who supported me.

“But I had an identity issue when I was 18. I questioned why I sounded American. And the album that was instrumental to my awakening was Talib Kweli’s Reflection Eternal. I started getting into indigenous music,” P.O. says.

“And when I joined Kwani, there was something about the band that hit a nostalgic chord. It was funny how many things we had in common. We were grounded, spiritual, we all loved indigenous music and there was no religion. It was all about having fun and exploring this sound we had created.

“All we wanted to do was to perfect it. And we were open to a lot of things – from jazz, avant garde to bebop. I have absorbed so much from being and travelling with the band. It has made me a better musician. It has given me a deeper appreciation and passion for the music.”

Talking about his quirky stage name, it becomes clear that its origins are vague. P.O. is an urban legend, he says. A lot of people he does not know call him P.O. and someone even suggested that he do a comic strip with it.

He maintains it is not his stage name and acknowledges a band that already exists with the name P.O. Box in France and that’s why he’s going with name The P.O. Box Project.

Kwani Experience has performed a lot in France and this is one of the places that P.O. is targeting with his solo work.

“It’s a place I love and would like to tap into. But most people don’t know that east Africa is a musical market to also tap into before thinking of going overseas,” he says.

We start listening to some tracks, some still very raw, and he reveals how conflicted he was at the beginning of this project.

“I was looking for a sound. I was conflicted because I wanted it to be different from Kwani’s. But Victor Masondo told me, ‘What do you mean you’re looking for a sound? You already have a sound.’ From then on I relaxed and let the music come through me. And I had fun.”

The P.O. Box Project will be released in two parts and Part 1 comes out in April. This includes the first single, Positivity, and a track inspired by the 21st anniversary of Mandela’s release from prison, called Mandela the Symbol.

P.O. wrote the song after last year’s heated Mandela Day Facebook debate he was part of and after noticing how opinionated and divided the youth and the older generation were when talking about the icon. With the ongoing mixed feelings on the decision to put Mandela’s face on banknotes, this is topical.

“It’s a neutral song, but it reflects on what the man symbolises. We need to debate this, but we need to go beyond the politics.

“There’s a lot of victimhood in SA and people cage Mandela to be how they think he should be,” P.O. says.

The music is very progressive, experimental and playful. There are dubstep, electronica and urban influences, supported by an African backbone found in its drumming and percussive nature. We listen to Mahofi, which is still just an instrumental, boasting a resonant Sepedi percussive style.

But it’s the song Inspiration Got No Enemy that shows off P.O.’s production skills and musicianship, and we both agree, it should be the next single. Mahlatsi from Kwani Experience plays guitar on it and it’s an unapologetic, indulgent, ambient, groovy tune with a global but rooted vibe.

“With rap, you have to listen. But I wanted to experiment with making people move and listen at the same time. I want to introduce a different signature to what people normally rap to,” he says.

On the album P.O. will feature artists such as Pedro from 340ml and Zubs, to name a few. And he’s also worked with a producer friend from Holland. It has taken him four years to do this project. And judging by the alternative sound he has come up with, he’s about to give South African rap music a new face.

“I can’t wait to perform this project,” he says gleefully as the interview draws to a close.

Once in a while, a crew changes the course of rap music. Heads have debated whether Teargas did that, but it looks like with their new group, Cashtime Fam, they plan to do just that.

Smashis is in stitches. “You sound so hyped,” he tells me between guffaws. “Your voice is like a TV presenter’s.”

I try not to wince: “Like a YoTV presenter?” I ask.

He does not waste any time thinking about it: “I don’t know, I don’t watch it.”

“Why?”

“Because I write raps and record them. That’s what I do with my time.”

While not the most punctual of rappers, time seems to be a significant theme in the lives of Smashis, Bonginkosi “Kid X” Mahlangu and Tumelo “AB Crazy” Dibakwane. As in, they have none of it to waste.

When they are super-late for our meeting, the trio’s spent the day braving the rain and contending with electrical problems at a university performance during orientation week.

Comprised of Teargas members KO, Ntukza and Ma-E and the three aforementioned up-and-coming rappers, Cashtime Fam has run through the past year like sands through the hour-glass in Days of Our Lives’ opening credits. And they’re not about to stop now.

When Smashis, whose real name is Sthembiso Simelane, finally stops laughing at me, I ask him what it’s like to be performing their debut album, Now Or Never, at campuses around the country to people in their age group. The 21-year-old says: “For me, it’s the coolest thing ever. Like literally, ever. We are performing in front of people my age and older, and they want to be like me.”

Delivering a sound that is big in terms of production (think Rick Ross’s Mayback Music vibe) and lyrics that are signifiers of what’s on the minds of young men, it’s no wonder this group seems to be cashing in on fame.

“I’m that boy your mom warn-ed you about,” they talk-sing in No Good. And, of course, punchlines such as paedophile flow idla abantwana – which girls go crazy for upon hearing – that are lost in translation.

“Following a model that the likes of TKZee Family set up, Cashtime Fam includes the multi-award winning Teargas.

A group that has had to win audiences and hard core hip hop heads over, one hit single at a time. Part of their winning formula has been delivering their lyrics in Zulu and Sotho – something Smashis wasn’t used to.

“I was an all-English rapper back then,” he recollects.

“I had never rapped in vernac. So it was a very difficult transition for me. Not only did I have to go from all-English to including vernac, but now I also had to be a good vernac rapper.”

And if he hadn’t told on himself, we wouldn’t have guessed that mixing SA’s indigenous languages into his rhymes (as on the chart-topping feel-good song, Goodbye) wasn’t his forte. But, luckily for him, the group’s dynamic just goes together.

Teargas give their industry experience and take a swig from the fountain of youth through the boys. Kid X is a solid rapper. Smashis has the playful steez (style and ease) and punchline-driven rhymes on lock. And the ace up Cashtime Fam’s sleeve is probably AB Crazy, a double threat rapper/producer who was once a part of the popular Octave Couplet. But they weren’t always the tight-knit unit they are today.

Smashis, who was raised in KwaZulu-Natal before he moved to Joburg to study drama, was rapping on Siz ’n’ Scoop’s Full Clip show on YFM when Teargas called him up to be a part of Cashtime Fam. Back then, known rapper Molly and AB Fab were a part of the original line-up.

A self-described “Teargas groupie”, Smashis swears that semi-snort laugh KO is famous for laying on tracks is not what he’s learnt from Teargas. “Laughing on songs is a rapper thing,” he chuckles. “But personally, I have learnt a lot from working with Teargas. I think I went from being a rapper to being a musician.

“I was all about killing it and punchlines. Now I’m about saying things that may sound cool, but have people be able to relate to it.”

Time will tell if Smashis achieves what he sets out to do with his music.

• Cashtime Fam’s Now Or Never is now in stores.

Today's DStv highlights.

l Restoration Home, The Home Channel, 20.00

Presented by Caroline Quentin, this show follows the plight of private owners of crumbling historic buildings as they save them from ruin and restore them into 21st- century homes. With the aid of architectural expert Kieran Long and social historian Dr Kate Williams, Restoration Home turns detective to unravel the properties’ history. As the new owners transform the buildings into their homes, the family trees of these crumbling ruins start to emerge.

l Forrest Gump, Sony Entertainment Television, 20.30

Tom Hanks stars as Forrest, a mentally challenged man with a naïve yet refreshingly simple approach to life. He accidentally finds himself in the middle of key moments in contemporary history, from meeting JFK to fighting in Vietnam, inspiring people such as Corporal Dan along the way. But this remarkable Everyman always comes back to his troubled childhood friend, Jenny, ultimately making selfless love his most extraordinary achievement.

l The Ghost and the Darkness, M-Net Action, 20.30

An engineer and a hunter stalk two lions killing a construction crew in East Africa.

l Rare Anatomy, BBC Knowledge, 22.00

Imagine breaking a rib just by coughing, or having an organ turn to bone. This show explores the science of blood, bone, muscle and skin, using cutting-edge animation to take viewers inside the bodies of people with extraordinary genetic conditions. Delve into the worlds of brittle bone syndrome and a condition that progressively encases a person in a second skeleton.