With a dynamic cast of young actors, including leads Ama Qamata and Khosi Ngema and highly lauded Durban rapper Nasty C in his acting debut, one thing about the series really got fans excited – its soundtrack.

Africa Creative Agency, the leading Pan-African talent agency, and their Africa Creative Publishing division was responsible for the music supervision and curation of the Blood & Water soundtrack and score. Nasty C and Tall Racks recording artist Rowlene lead the charge with The Gobbla produced lead single I Need You, which chronicles series character Pulang’s journey of frustration, fear and insecurity. Featuring the likes of Sho Madjozi, Amanda Black, Youngsta CPT, Tellaman, Gemini Major, Cassper Nyovest and Lady X to name but a few, the soundtrack reads like a who’s-who of local musical talent.

This comes off the back of ACA’s musical involvement in another local production and Africa’s first Netflix Original series, Queen Sono, which launched earlier this year and stars client Pearl Thusi.

Colin Gayle first landed on the continent in 1998, bringing Stevie Wonder and Kenny Lattimore to perform for Nelson Mandela’s 80^th birthday concert. He began his work in Africa in 2004. Drawing on decades of experience across music, media, and television and film, he introduced a myriad of entertainers and brands to the continent for the very first time. He implemented the launch of the 2010 World Cup Inaugural Event, and 50 Cent’s storied Tour of Mozambique and South Africa, which ended with the rap superstar meeting Nelson Mandela for a highly publicized MTV segment.

He implemented the rebrand of SABC with top global performers and produced the number one-rated show for Channel O/M-NET, Diamond Life as well as The Beef, Behind the Scene, and O’Access. The latter saw Soweto-born host Nonhle deliver American music to the African audience for seven years, and it offered a platform for local talent. In 2016, Colin along with partners Yvette Gayle, Kevin Boakye and Roger Patton opened the doors of Africa Creative Agency.

ACA represents the strongest collection of talent assembled across Africa. Their powerhouse stable of clients account for a collective social media presence of over 58 million. Artists like Kenyan afro-pop band Sauti Sol, who signed to Universal Music Africa, and Nasty C, who recently signed to Def Jam Recordings are already making waves on an international level.

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Netflix, World-Famous internet entertainment service, has started production on its second original African series, Blood & Water, a coming of age, mystery drama based in Cape Town

Blood & Water will be directed by one of South Africa’s most recognisable black female directors, award winning Nosipho Dumisa and produced by Gambit Films led by Bradley Joshua and Benjamin Overmeyer as producers, with Daryne Joshua & Travis Taute as co-directors and writers and Simon Beesley as lead editor.

The series will include a line-up of fresh, talented young cast including two newcomers as the female leads. Blood & Water follows the exploits of the intelligent yet spontaneous 16 year-old, Puleng Khumalo played by Ama Qamata as she investigates the cold case of her abducted-at-birth older sister. In the search Puleng meets beautiful, alluring Fikile “Fiks” Bhele from nearby private school, played by Khosi Ngema starring in her debut role. Joining the female leads is Thabang Molaba playing Karabo ‘KB’ Molapo, resident bad boy and high school heart throb who is struggling to live up to his father’s high expectations. In her on-going search Puleng finds an ally and assistant investigator in Wade, played by Dillon Windvogel, while also having to handle the opinionated Wendy Dlamini, who at times is a bit too ‘woke’, played by Natasha Thahane.

Talking to the casting process, Director Nosipho Dumisa, said ‘Blood & Water presented us with the opportunity to bring a mixture of fresh new faces alongside seasoned actors. After seeing hundreds of actors and newcomers from both Cape Town and Johannesburg, we’re excited to be a part of opening up the industry.’

Completing the diverse cast are Gail Mabalane, Sello Maake, Arno Greef, Ryle De Morny, Getmore Sithole, Xolile Tshabalala, Sandi Schultz, Monique Rockman and Cindy Mahlangu.

The series is expected to launch globally on Netflix, in 190 countries, in 2020.

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