With the fast paced energy of the city, music becomes the pulse that keeps us going. This coming weekend, that pulse gets amplified through Samsung’s electrifying #PreekendSpecial! Here, two forces in the new wave of South African sound, Franabenzo and LINDO, are set to bring the heat to a space where culture, shopping, and sonic elevation collide. Sign up here
Before the vibes jumps off, we caught up with the artists to explore their inspirations, and what this fusion of live performance and brand experience means for them.
FRANABENZO
Franabenzo
How would you describe the Franabenzo experience to someone hearing you for the first time?
Franabenzo is a duo that was bound together by pure synergy. Specialising in sounds which will make your body move in ways you never knew it could, familiar but also new. From house to baile funk, underground hip hop to gqom – a juxtaposition.
Moreover, it is an experience that can be described as a journey that found itself through love, the passion of music and experimentation. Exploring everything without fear sonically. Putting expression at the forefront.
Who are the artists or movements that shaped your sound and performance style?
Francesco Mbele: We were inspired by forces that came together in energy more than rationality such as Virgil Abloh, Heron Preston and Matthew Williams in Been Trill. Combining more than a single medium to create something new.
Lenzo Mangonyane: DJ Kent was a big inspiration, even to me starting my career.
What goes into your music selection process?
Francesco: I am always listening; the Uber is a gem for new music. I have even bought a USB from a driver. Otherwise I am searching for songs which bring back nostalgic feelings and modernise an old vibe.
Lenzo: The atmosphere, time, the people and how we want them to experience the music. Developing a build up that puts listeners on a journey. Being the glue to the audience and ensuring that they leave with something to remember.
How do you view platforms like the #PreekendSpecial in shaping the music experience for both artists and audiences?
Lenzo: It is only the beginning and having platforms such as the #PreekendSpecial pioneering what and how music should be consumed and appreciated means everything! Experiences are slowly becoming redundant, and so it’s good to see such platforms take the edge with confidence to bring both artist and audiences a platform.
Francesco: It’s something new but in a way also quite old school, similar to those Verimark ads you would see on TV, but now contextualised to the new generation.
What does community mean to you, and how do you see yourself contributing to your scene?
Lenzo: Everything. We don’t exist without it. We contribute to the scene through various forms: event curation for youth based audiences (Ebumnandini) and through our music and understanding of that community. We represent them when making intentional decisions about what we play at shows.
Francesco: I always try to remind myself of the larger picture because it’s easy to get lost within your own personal perspective. The least I can do for the structures and people that supported me to get where I am is acknowledgement, from there it feeds back.
If your set this weekend had a theme or emotion, what would it be?
Francesco: Soft as velour.
Lenzo: Expect the Unexpected
LINDO
How did your journey with music begin?
My journey with music began at a very early age under the influence of my parents. Music was always around me. My dad had an incredible ear and played everything from gospel to reggae, and my mom loved dancing around the house to old school R&B.
I think that’s where my appreciation for rhythm and feeling started. Over time, it evolved from something I loved into something I wanted to share with the world.
What does performing live mean to you, especially in a setting like the #PreekendSpecial?
Performing live is one of the most important things for me because I get to express myself and share my energy through music. #PreekendSpecial should be fun because I never really do these types of gigs. It’s a different crowd and energy, so I’m looking forward to stepping outside the usual club circuit and creating a moment. It’s about connection more than anything else.
Are you really a middle child? Middle children are known for being the underrated gems of the family, or the chaos agents, depending on the day. Which one are you, and how does that play out in your sound?
I’m the second born in my family and the only boy between two of my sisters. I was raised in a beautiful and loving household, but being a middle child definitely shaped how I express myself. You learn to navigate different energies, sometimes loud, sometimes overlooked which shows up in my sets.
I like to surprise people, blend genres, and shift moods. There’s unpredictability but also intentionality. I guess that’s the middle-child energy; never one-dimensional.
Are there specific rituals or routines you do before a set to get into the zone?
PRAY PRAY PRAY. I don’t take any performance lightly. Whether it’s 50 people or 5,000, I always center myself first. Then I tap into the intention I want to give and what I want people to leave with. Sometimes it’s about healing, sometimes it’s about turning up, but I always make space spiritually before I start.
What role does fashion or visual identity play in your artistry?
It plays a huge role; it’s a part of the whole thing. Before anyone hears the music, they see you. And I take that seriously. I use fashion to express how I feel, how I want to be perceived, or even how I want to disrupt expectations. Whether I’m in a skirt, tech wear, or fully custom looks, it’s all part of the message. It’s mood-based and layered, just like my sets.
Lastly, what can the audience expect from your performance this weekend?
Get your Shazam ready. I’m going to take you on a journey stuff you know, stuff you don’t, stuff you didn’t know you needed. Expect the unexpected. But most importantly, come ready to feel something.
Production crew:
Device: Samsung S25 Ultra
Photography & Image Post Production: @mishaalganjaz
Cinematographer & Video Editor: @khumo_mongs_modise
Lighting Tech: @hlengiwelala
Digital Tech: @jeffreybrkn
Art Direction: @__________dayyaan__________
Styling Assistant: @lumberjack_james
Makeup Artist: @fistoartist
BTS: @zhinel_photography
Studio & Gear: @glowphotofilm
