It’s impressive to see how artists are fighting their way through this pandemic and not allowing the Coronavirus to stop them from making big moves and aspiring towards their dreams.
The industry is dead when it comes to live shows, but as far as producing content goes, the local artists here in Cape Town have continued to find innovative ways to remain relevant.
One such artist is Tashreeq de Villiers, aka TDV or Ricky Vannie Frontline.
He made his first appearance on the klopse stage for District Six Entertainers almost 10 years ago and today he is one of the most exciting talents on the entertainment scene.
Just prior to the pandemic he was nominated for two Fleur Du Cap Awards for best supporting actor in a musical, but the virus sort of broke his momentum.
However, he came back strong when he was given the opportunity to work on Culture Shock as the lead singer for the Hats Off Pennsylvanians.
He swept the moppie category and dominated the stage completely with every performance and one could sense he missed the stage.
Later he was cast in the lead role as Yusuf Daniels in Living Coloured, the stage play which had a short run at the Baxter over the December festive season.
He is a definite star and has the charisma, charm and talent but more importantly he is hardworking and it shows whenever he puts his foot on stage.
De Villiers has now ventured into the rap scene, revealing another talent and one he dearly loves.
He writes clever lyrics, but also delivers it with such kwaainess that the young kids almost immediately start looking up to him as a role model.
He recently released his new song, titled Ricky Oppie Beat, and recorded a music video.
This song, he says, tells the story of the preparation for a toppa Friday Night Frontline style.
“It was a bit different because I directed my own music video, making sure everyone knew exactly what was happening, so much so that I hope my performance was okay, lol.
“I do want to say thank you to Sneaker Cartel for allowing me to use their space and share this with me, also Freshcutz by Domingo for giving me an actual fader in my video, my videographer Shoot Your Shot, my dancers Kyle and Keegan who came the night before to put in that hot choreo on a rap number, yassis, Merrim, Catline drivers, almal wat liefde gewys het vir die hele project. I’m so grateful. Thank you.
“It's gonna be fire, stay tuned for updates on all my media platforms, and subscribe to Tashreeq de Villiers on YouTube, Instagram (@tdv.91) and on Facebook, TDV - ’n bietjie van alles.”
You can catch Ricky Vannie Frontline and Young OG on Kaap, Kerrie en Koeksisters episode 8 coming soon, and he also let us in on a surprise - he’s got the hottest feature on a new song with YoungstaCPT’s Thug Love, so much respect and love.
With that said, TDV is proof that hard work pays off and you have to be patient because the local entertainment industry is a tough one to crack.
He has real love for the stage and enough desire to make it all the way to the top and I have no doubt that he is going to make Cape Town proud in a big way.
I am always taken by how important it is for him to do well, so that the kids who look up to him are not disappointed.
He is the man of the moment and deserves every good thing that is coming his way.
One thing nobody can deny is that De Villiers stays true to his religious beliefs, no matter how high up the ladder he has climbed, and that alone is admirable. Much respect, TDV, keep pushing, greatness awaits, if you can do all this in the middle of a pandemic, imagine what you can do when it's all done.