It’s hard to believe that the West London All Stars are only in their fourth year.
This minstrel team has already won the carnival twice since they opened and they are the current Carnival Kings at Athlone Stadium.
One can tell when a team has that champion swagger, such teams play every facet of the game to the best of their ability.
West London All Stars, under the leadership of Waleed Hendricks, the man now known in the klopse game as Da Boss, is the fastest growing klops simply because Hendricks plays hard.
He now has some of the best coaches in the industry on every item.
On the Moppie he has Tolla (Da Beh) Blignaugt, who is one of the best of his generation when it comes to this item.
On Combine there is the brilliant Sam Crouch; and now on band, they have Challa Mundhir Mckriel.
This is indeed the Dream Team of coaches.
Blignaugt says: “What I love about Waleed is that he is there for his coaches and artists throughout the year and not only when it is season time.”
That is true, because when the season ends, the next day Hendricks starts signing new members and artists to his team.
Da Boss understands that the carnival is won long before the team reaches the stadium.
BOSS: Waleed Hendricks. Picture: Supplied
I think it starts with your tracksuit, because the supporters tend to look at that and decide whether you have style or not.
But according to Hendricks, winning starts with how you treat people: “As jy kyk na mense dan sal mense kyk na jou.”
He admits that it is difficult at times because of a lack of loyalty.
This is something that cannot be bought, and unfortunately we have a culture where people jump from Pontius na Pilates all the time.
What I have learnt is that you can’t please everyone all of the time, especially in klops.
So you make decisions wisely to protect your troupe.
Hendricks says another thing supporters look at is the type of events you throw.
“We tend to take a lot of pride in this and we like to give our people something different with every show.”
This the All Stars did when they brought rapper Early B to Athlone Stadium for their Carnival Kings comedy show, “and our people loved it”, Hendricks says.
This is evident in the upcoming event that West London All Stars have planned.
The show is titled A Concert for Kings and will be held at Belgravia High School on Saturday at 8pm.
The stellar line-up includes Idols winner and now Sama nominee, Paxton Fielies; social media sensation Bouncy Sê So; the legendary Leslie Kleinsmith who played the role of Cassiem in the first District 6 The Musical; Celeste Schoeman from The Voice SA, Mujahid and Mo George, and Austin Rose.
To book your tickets, contact Shameemah Piekaan on 072 714 9887, Noor Nell on 083 567 8526 or Waleed Hendricks on 073 388 3965.