SA: Ballantine’s launches campaign with DJ Stokie and DBN Gogo

Stay True Cities explores the lives and music of DJ Stokie (Johannesburg) and DBN Gogo (Pretoria), and shows the uniqueness of the cities they represent. The campaign also highlights the influence of amapiano and how it impacts the two cities.

“South Africa has become world-renowned for its music and we’ve found that different parts of the country produce different sounds,” Ballantine’s South Africa junior brand manager Vuyisile Dlepu said.

“Through our continued support of the music industry, we felt it was necessary to tell the story of two cities with artists that have stayed true to who they are. We’ll continue to tell the stories of different artists, genres and parts of South Africa in the future as we accelerate our True Music platform.”

House music has played a crucial role in shaping the musical culture of Johannesburg and Pretoria through artists like DJ Stokie and DBN Gogo. 

“I’ve always believed that one’s journey can be best narrated by the one who experienced it," DJ Stokkie said. "I am really excited about this Stay True Cities film and how it has captured my journey for everyone to see."

DBN Gogo said: “It’s going to be a movie, literally, my journey and the truth behind what music means to me. Sit back and get comfortable as you enter my daily reality, let’s have fun.”

Ballantine’s has been supporting local artists through a number of campaigns and funding initiatives. In 2019, the brand partnered with Boiler Room to launch a global funding initiative designed to offer financial aid to local music communities. Last year, it injected about $125 000 into community-driven collectives that were featured on Boiler Room's Streaming Isolation series during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also in 2020, the company partnered with DJ Shimza to be the face of its There’s No Wrong Way campaign.

Watch Stay True Cities below: