Check Johannesburg Duo Moonchild's Video for "Go Starring"

Moonchild "Go Starring" - Director: Roger Young/DOP: Justin McGee/Styling: Moonchild/Editor: Natalie Perel

“Go Starring” is one of the only welcome surprises that has come to me via random Facebook chats. An unwelcome surprise being the day I accidentally replied all to a random group message when I wanted to tell my BFF about losing my virginity. ANYWAYS. One day video director Roger Young, fired over the link to this video and as soon as I heard the low bass hits combined with Moonchild’s mesmeric tripped out visuals, I was hooked. Hailing from the glorious city of JHB, South Africa, Moonchild is comprised of vocalist and stylist Moonchild Sannelly and producer/DJ/BLK JKS drummer Tshepang Ramoba.

When I asked Young about the inspiration for the shoot he responded: “Inspiration? We had no money. But we had two disco LED's and a strobe… and Moonchild had a suitcase of clothes, so we bought some beer and that was it. But seriously, Moonchild is so fucking right now, in terms of what SA music and youth culture is, that all I need to do was show her. Any notion of a concept would just detract from her utter freshness.”

The man speaks the truth—it's unlike anything I've ever heard. And as for the lyrics, Moonchild packs real power in her words.

Tshepang had this to say: "I first got the idea for the song when I was thinking of my childhood. Growing up in Soweto was the best thing that happened to me. When we were young we used to watch movies a lot and when a movie starts it used to say 'starring' in the beginning. So we used to call the main character (the Hero) 'starring' but pronounced it 'Sterring.' So when the 'sterring' is in action we used to say, 'Go Sterring'." So thats where the chorus comes from.

Here's the translation of the lyrics, because honestly, it’s worth it: There are the thieves
007 come quick
Obviously we need you
Hurry up they'll disappear They have taken my jewelery
Wow starring, they're leaving you behind
Chase them with your talking car
Hurry hurry
They have finished packing everything
Chesa chesa (GO GO) Go starring
You are an alcoholic
Go starring
You're confused
Go starring
Be like spider man
Go starring
Stop drinking alcohol

I’m going to interrupt here to just ask you to respect that chorus. Respect. Go starring go
Go starring go
Go starring go
Go starring go Look at you
Still planning
These thieves have gone
You are busy taking your time
You didn't even need to run You love to prepare yourself
How do u expect to fight for us
When you're an alcoholic
You are worried about your martini being shaken not stirred
Then you simply pass out

Tshepang and Tannelly ended their email to me explaining that the song is really about is South Africa's justice system, with the main actor being the one who is supposed to save the citizens from criminals, but is more bothered about alcohol which leaves people hopeless—much like South Africa's justice system that never serves nor saves.

I just felt something. Hallelujah. There are people out there actually writing songs with some meat in them.

If you want to just be wowed by her vibe one more time here is an early clip of Moonchild singing under and overpass? Or a bridge? Whatever it's super cool.

Moonchild's debut album will be released in May/June.

Related:
More music from South Africa: Meet Beast.