Mykki Blanco Celebrates Johannesburg's Born-Free Queer Artists and Activists - Full Film

"I was in Africa for the first time," says Mykki Blanco. "I am 31 years old, African American, and there I was... on the continent in which civilisation as we know it was born, the land which birthed my race, for the very first time."
Out Of This World, a new i-D documentary series, journeys with American rapper and activist Mykki Blanco as he explores queer culture in Johannesburg. Captured intimately in an experimental hybrid-documentary by director Matt Lambert, Mykki meets boundary pushing artists Umilio and FAKA, designer Rich Mnisi and Bradley and Nkulsey, a model and dancer of the 'Born Free' generation - all using their platforms to give a voice to issues surrounding the politics of their sexuality, gender, identity and humanity. As we make our way through the creative epicentre that is South Africa's biggest city, join us in celebrating the thriving alternative queer scene.
Host/Associate Producer Mykki Blanco
Director Matt Lambert c/o Prettybird
Development Producer Kate Villevoye
Story Producer Stephen Isaac-Wilson
Field Producer/ Edit Producer Declan Higgins
Global Executive Producer Eloise King
Fixer Big Banana Films
Director of Photography Cezary Zacharewicz
Camera Assistant Neville Esterhuizen
Sound Recordist Arthur Koundouris
Location Assistant/Driver Zamo Nala
Security Cam Security, George Moriatis
Editor Isolde Penwarden
Colourist Oisin O’Driscoll at The Mill
Sound Mix Matt Cheney
Production Manager Lauran Clark
Production Coordinator Rosa Harris Edmonds
Post Production Manager Tom Lynch
Post Production Coordinator Regina Lemaire-Costa
Director of Licensing Cristina Lombardo
Senior Music Supervisor, EMEA Alex Benge
Music Supervisor Bonnie Reilly
Senior Designer Rebecca Boyd-Wallis
Designer Kristina Britton
Production Accountant David Gray
Equipment Manager Richard Smith
Equipment Assistant Henry Cotsford
Post Tech Supervisor Dominic Brouard
Commercial Creative Director Bunny Kinney
Senior VP Production, UK Bree Horn
Production Executive Shelley Hurley
Head of Post Production Daniel Elias
Channel Manager, UK Jordan Joseph
Music
"Hideaway"
"Loner"
"Fendi Band"
"Rock N Roll Dough"
"Shit Talking Creep"
"The Plug Won't"
"I'm In A Mood"
"Coke White, Starlight"
Written and Performed by Michael Quattlebaum Jr., Yoann Lemoine, Bruno Bertoli aka Mykki Blanco
Courtesy of Mykki Blanco LLC
"Uyang'khumbula"
"Isifundo Sokuqala"
"Bottoms Revenge: Ibutho Lamakhosazana"
"Kgotso"
Written and Performed by Thato Ramaisa & Buyani Duma aka FAKA
Music
"Chain Gang"
"Reciprocity"
"Slima Mina"
"Awunamali"
"Umzabalazo"
"Magic Man"
"Out Of My Face"
"Living Dangerously"
Written and Performed by Slyamukelwa Ngcobo aka UMLILO
Archive Courtesy of Rich Mnisi, GALA, Faka, Laura Skollie
Special Thanks
Johannesburg Metro Police Department, Caroline and Nick at Glory, Brenda Sakellarides,
Charmaine and Boitumelo Magolekgo at The National School of The Arts, Juliette Larthe and all at Prettybird London
Orli Oh, Albans at Generale Hair Zone, David Swartz, Oko Shio, The Mill
Featuring
Nkulsey Masemola
Bradley Kgotlelelo
Laura Skollie
Rich Mnisi
Luke van der Burg
Glow
Fela Gucci
Desire Marea
Umlilo
Genevieve Louw
Negiste Johnson
Bernard Moshabane
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[@mziyanda484]

I FEEL SO PROUD TO BE ABLE TO PROUDLY SAY THAT THESE ARE MY GROUP OF FRIENDS WHO I SO LOOK UP TO!

[@ellerose7416]

Mziyanda Malgas ❤️

[@goldendaysgoldenages]

ID WE NEED MORE OF THESE DOCUMENTARIES

[@raevon6845]

Love this documentary series. Mykki blanco does an amazing job in hosting it. Love all that glamour shit! Wonderfully edited, the cinematography is second to none. Very educational and emotional. It's just good shit.

[@zanemvulane4405]

Thank you for this 💎💕 I’m from South Africa, and queer. This made so much sense and it’s in such a pure, honest way. Thank you.

[@xolanimoloi2885]

This!! 🔥🙌 Makes me so proud to be queer and South African, absolutely amazing!

[@MartinHatchuel]

What a wonderfully astounding portrait of such inspirational young people. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Special kudos to the colourists, by the way - this film is so rich it felt like you could eat it. Delighted they gave you a copy of Queer Africa (look out for my story!) Am I gushing? Fuck yeah! Love Love - to all of you. And thank you again.

[@kamienie1111]

That's so fucking cool

[@Marjol]

Very inspiring and beautiful piece about very beautiful and inspiring people. I hope their voices and their art goes way past all borders and they can create change on a larger and larger scale.

[@mizzsin9505]

This made my day I’m so happy I just really am From a proud South African

[@pattiebell3657]

So proud of these guys for living their truth in one of the most violent city in SA

[@Franadilla]

AMAZING, proud to know some of the peeps in this documentary ❤

[@ellerose7416]

Francesco Mbele I see you ❤️

[@Teeibzy]

This Doc is just so superbly Camp' really awesome... just makes you think that " living in the shadow feels like the safe place to be, but life is to short its time to be free"

[@alienemoji1226]

I’m from South Africa and couldn’t be more proud

[@tiovidela8]

AIDS

[@Watto69]

Oof

[@hopebuhali3887]

@@tiovidela8 Shame that's all you know.

[@nascitadivenere]

this documentary is so cool and every single person in it is amazing *-*

[@DONXMEN]

YALL DID THAT! CONGRATS! Visibility is SUPER important.

[@AbduAliFree]

I like when Vice has black journalists lead their documentaries that are on black culture (which is rare). This is lovely, thanks!!

[@AprilMartinChartrandMS]

Just saw this documentary at the MOAD museum in San Francisco, CA today. They are featuring this film in their mini theater. Wonderful. South Africa....wrekkkkks

[@Blackmermaidrising]

I'm crying this is beautiful. Thank you so much for this 🌻🌻🌻

[@qaqambatalksalot2217]

This is so beautiful it made me so emotional

[@nypupu]

i'm screaming of excitement, this is what i needed

[@LegosDeus]

JESUS is what you need...

[@Watto69]

fthechance preach it pastor

[@GDFilmsLondon]

Great film! Well done.

[@minglis5475]

thank you for bringing me places i can't go to! your films are the best

[@bridgetsayring4085]

most beautiful doco! Thank you, everyone, for sharing and becoming apart of my thoughts. I hope for a future full of love and positivity. Everyone needs to lose the hate and focus on kindness and acknowledging that we are one. Everyone is entitled to be themselves and no one should comment or ignore it.

[@tsikomudau6149]

This is so beautiful 😭. Luke , babe, you're doing great ❤️

[@ellerose7416]

Tsiko Mudau ❤️

[@noemi8324]

This is such a good video. The message, how they get it across, the aesthetic of it. It's really really inspiring me for my final project in photography so thanks

[@guyafrica7894]

ṇoemi that's cool, where can some of us see your work?🌻

[@noemi8324]

Nathan Africa oh hum... I'm still in high school so I don't really have anything displayed for the public (at least anything that I'm proud of). But your comment made me so happy? I'm smiling so hard? Thank you for caring 💙

[@europianbob]

ṇoemi. Id like to view some of it too.... when it's ready of course! ;)

[@Tadders]

justin rogers ROFL I was thinking the same thing

[@paulmetzler1946]

ṇoemi. disgusting bitch

[@alvidadolars]

Proud to say that Joburg's my city 🔥❤

[@shadypikachu4475]

iD always making the best documentaries

[@vikka6670]

DAMN THOSE BOYS ARE BEYOND BEAUTIFUL!!!!

[@RontschDaPontsch]

Thank you! I absolutely love this! It makes me want to go to Joburg so much! I adore every single person in this video and am so glad they do/did/will do what they do! Kisses!

[@marcusfiniosse1477]

Totally awesome, sharing this with my Asian friends! Ah, I miss home now!

[@charlienonya7016]

I feel so, so sorry for him. You can tell he's been through 100 x what the average person has been though and thus why he's such a fighter in life & to help others. It's so sad to see souls like his but also admirable knowing he's such a survivor. He deserves only good in his life...

[@jorgemiguelvieiradeabreuan9501]

OMG! I'm so inspired by this film. It makes me feel so good to see people leaving they diversity and sharing it with the whole world. It's just... amazing!!!

[@caitlin6359]

Absolutely amazing ✨. Well done!

[@MischiefMemoirs]

I dream of being more than my small town allows too

[@EdibleEthnos]

Mischief Memoirs you will be. Your videos are dope!

[@fatimajamall]

What a beautiful and intimate portrait of Joburg. So moved by this!

[@emmaarmo379]

5 minutes in and it's already incredible

[@Farhan917]

Emma Armo You are beautiful 😍

[@Watto69]

Damnnnnnnnnnnn...

[@selmalinnea9870]

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

[@ZHG-zp3mc]

This is seriously beautiful. This makes me want to accept myself, primarily, more deeply. I think my freinds and stuff don't realise it's harder to come out to yourself than others sometimes.

[@cappysun3604]

loved every minute of this.

[@itsqwere]

Bravo! Thank you for this.

[@tshedisodikgang4867]

This was amazing!!! I loved it.

[@b3naqua]

Soooooo lovely 💖💖💖 thank you for this gem

[@goldendaysgoldenages]

This touched my heart.

[@somilacaba447]

Nkuley and Skits 😭😭😭😍😍🔥🔥👏💕

[@vuyox]

This is inspiration❤️❤️❤️

[@hotdudenl]

Watching this was an amazing journey, pure talent creativity beauty thank you 🙏🏽🌹🌈

[@tiagordon2438]

Wow I loved this so much !

[@Buarfx]

So cool! What's the song at 35:55??

[@hanliefx]

Also want to know, it's so nice

[@BassilWedBenedict]

this film made me so emotional n so strong at the same time, we need to create positive vibes, positive spaces with amazing ppl. UNION

[@mandisashabalala6466]

"I'm looking for a R2 pile" Gawd! I did that once for R5 though, I got a lovely skirt lol.😭😂

[@GrillWasabi]

Bravo! More power to you!!! ✊

[@eduardovaldez6716]

This was amazing.

[@igorknown8608]

thank you very much ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

[@tapiwamazibuko]

This is so beautiful it touched my heart.

[@loumousset1926]

Omg this is incredible ! it's pure and raw wow I have no words just so much talents here

[@straightupmedia3835]

Beautiful film, captures the essence of Joburg so well.

[@arayakomai843]

beautiful story, and cinematography

[@shinebabyshine.]

Beautiful documentary. And Rich and Mykki have great chemistry.

[@cjam9457]

So many beautiful people with beautiful accents.

[@lennoxdraws]

this is really healing to watch, joburg is my homeplace, i love seeing this

[@laiah.chinelle]

Love🌻 and I’m not apart of the LGBTQ+ community but I’m a proud supporter...I guess I am apart of it.♥️

[@CallMeMFor12345]

Imlaiah 7 It sucks.

[@Watto69]

No they literally suck each other

[@bruhhh7803]

Any ally is a loved member of the community ❤️

[@mphodibakwane6109]

I love this . This is amazing .

[@Brabldibrablmann]

Does anyone know the track starting at 35:30?

[@edwinparra690]

thank you

[@kazirosa799]

This is beautiful like i cant😭such inspiring gems

[@TNM12457]

this is so important

[@anb819sub]

All i can say is thank you. INSPIRATION! You are inspiring

[@jordiblu2131]

This Documentary got me choked, I loved it and love Blanco

[@guyafrica7894]

This more than I even ever thought I wanted 🚨🚨🚨🍍

[@ItsThato]

Gave me chills, this.

[@lukhanyovelelo1281]

Nothing but incredible!

[@samkemakhoba7981]

My girl Glow ❤️

[@resonaterenaissance]

This makes my body vibrate with electricity, I feel love, I feel souls. So perfect.

[@strawberryjpeg6000]

yes

[@rabelaniratshimolorabelani2915]

Yesssss nkuley

[@nkosinathintshingila4128]

This is beautiful!!!! I hope we meet one day guys 💙❤️

[@itstshidi3719]

lauras art is so beautiful enjoyed this x

[@brittripudio]

Mykki Blanco! 😍

[@saintdiamond6490]

OH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH MY GOD

[@rm.6138]

thabo hlalele SAAAME SIS.

[@Thwin101]

I AM FUCKING EDGELESS!!! This is stunning. I cried 😭❤️ I wish people were kinder.

So so good! This video saved me!

[@ntandobuthelezi]

truly iconic

[@brianlutchman7554]

This is excellent.

[@BrandonFer]

Magnificent!!!!

[@Fauxshizzzle]

Can anyoooone tell me what the song is at 35:30??

[@ambermaehayes]

What's the song at the end!!???????!

[@rabelaniratshimolorabelani2915]

I love this

[@massimosalerno3075]

Please anyone that can tell me the song that starts at min. 20.05 ? Many thanks in advance

[@ЕкатеринаСидорова-ъ9р]

Beautiful

[@dalanium98]

Anyone know the tune around 14:34??? It's so immediately infectious

[@marcelodiz]

Also want to know!

[@tifu]

Slima Mina by Umlilo (its not on youtube i think.. find it on soundcloud) c:

[@larag8774]

sooooooo dopeeeeeee

[@alicewicks8501]

Please help whats the song that starts at 14:33?? thanks

[@testsd69]

whats the name of the song in the beginning the electronic one

[@MaryGarcia-ke4bs]

Awesome! Be the way you are ❤️

[@katdesir]

Loved this.

[@MrMaddieisawesome]

what is the song @ 20.50 ?? plssss im desperate !!!

[@garyhartley2007]

Hi Madeline- it's Umzabalazo by Umlilo, who is featured in the doccie. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b4fVlJ-th8dmmaM

[@MrMaddieisawesome]

THANK U !!!!

[@Reikoikura]

Loved it

[@puljiun1]

Good job i-d so proud of you

[@hoganteaoh]

the fuckin clothes on that designer god damn. 👌🏼

[@dawnmullen4348]

very interesting!