Unveiling the Musical Tapestry of Vernon White: A Journey of Melodies and Inspiration

Meet Vernon White, a musical virtuoso hailing from Mannenberg, Cape Town. From a young age, Vernon’s musical journey was shaped by the rich melodies of Afrikaans and Xhosa culture, learning the intricacies of the acoustic guitar and keyboard under the guidance of his Grand Uncle and Father in Bulhoek, Eastern Cape.

Today, we invite you to embark on Vernon’s captivating journey, captured in this poignant video documenting his evolution from auditions to the prestigious Beyond Busking Programme. This transformative experience delved deep into the realms of songwriting, vocal mastery, musical arrangement, and studio production, nurturing Vernon’s innate talent and allowing it to flourish.

A defining moment came when Vernon graced the main stage of the annual Cape Town Arts Festival at the historic Castle of Good Hope in December 2023. Here, he mesmerized audiences with his soulful melodies, a testament to the impact of the Beyond Busking Programme and the nurturing support of dedicated facilitators.

Vernon’s latest musical masterpiece, “Drill of Afreeka,” is set to captivate audiences worldwide and is available for streaming on digital platforms. Produced and recorded with maestro Jonny Blundell at Rootspring Studios, the track showcases Vernon’s powerful lyrics and vocals, accompanied by stunning acoustic guitar melodies. He’s joined by a talented ensemble, including Shaun Johannes on bass guitar, Lilavan Gangan on drums, Lonwabo Mafani on piano and keyboards, and Jonny Blundell on electric guitar and recording engineering. Backing vocals by Ivee Soul, Thami Baba, and Vernon White add depth and soul to the composition.

Legendary mixer and mastering engineer Robin Walsh from Assegai Studio lends his expertise, ensuring “Drill of Afreeka” is a must-listen for music lovers everywhere.

Stay connected with Vernon on Instagram @vernonwhitecoffee, TikTok @vernonwhite332, and Facebook @vernon.white.71.

The Cape Town Arts Festival extends heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated music teachers and mentors, including Clive Ridgeway (songwriting), Abigail Petersen (vocal coaching), Jonny Blundell (guitar instruction/music production), Lynne Holmes (Beyond Busking programme director), and Fatima Dike (personal development coach), as well as venue partners Castle of Good Hope and V&A Waterfront.

The Beyond Busking Project 2023 was made possible through collaboration with co-creators and programme directors, Ariva Arts Foundation, generously funded by the Presidential Employment Stimulus 4 (PESP), and expertly managed by Business and Arts South Africa (BASA) and the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture (DSAC).

🎥 by Nur Felix Film Production