| Genre: | Soap opera |
| Creator: | Rolie Nikiwe Neil McCarthy |
| Creative Director: | Eric Mogale Rolie Nikiwe (20072013) |
| Director: |
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| Starring: |
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| Country: | South Africa |
| Language: | English |
| Num Seasons: | 13 |
| Num Episodes: | 3,660[1] |
| Executive Producer: | Harriet Gavshon |
| Producer: | Yula Quinn |
| Camera: | Multi-Camera |
| Runtime: | 22-26 minutes |
| Company: | Quizzical Pictures |
| Network: | e.tv |
| Related: | Scandal! |
Rhythm City is a South African television musical drama series produced by Quizzical Pictures. It is an e.tv original production that premiered on the country's free-to-air television channel e.tv from 2007 to 2021.[2] The story revolves around the trials and tribulations of people trying to break into the music industry. The series also airs on e.tv Ghana.
| Actor | Role | Seasons |
|---|---|---|
| Mduduzi Mabaso | Suffocate Ndlovu | 1 - 13 |
| Amokgelang Zoe Chidi | Reneilwe Khuse | |
| Mpho Molepo | Fats | 1 - 13 |
| Setlhabi Taunyane | Bra Kop Khuse | |
| Tebogo Khalo | Puleng Ndlovu | |
| Itumeleng Bokaba | Mampho | |
| Jamie Bartlett | David Genaro | 1 - 13 |
| Pam Andrews | Gail October | 1 |
| Mncedisi Shabangu | Khululekani | |
| Actor | Role | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Zamani Mbatha | Pule Ndlovu | 13 |
| Jesse Suntele | Mzi Ndlovu | |
| Mapula Mafole | Mmapula | |
| Duma Ntando | Zinzi | |
| Nolo Phiri | Niki | |
| Dumisani Masilela | Sifiso | |
| Connie Chiume | Mamokete Khuse | 1 |
| Peter Se-Puma | Miles Vilakazi | 1 |
| Lungile Radu | S'bu Vilakazi | 1 |
| Lucia Mthiyane | Rachel Phakathi | 1 |
| Mmabatho Montsho | Thembi Phakathi | 1 |
| KB | Lucilla Vilakazi | 1 |
| Nokuthula Ledwaba | Tshidi Khuse | 1 |
| Zenzo Ngqobe | Stone Khuse | 1 |
| Robert Hobbs | Bernard Markgraaf | 1 |
| Kelly Khumalo | Sunay | 1 |
| Siphiwe Msimango | Mandla | 1 |
| Wandile Molebatsi | Samuel | 1 |
| Oros Mampofu | Banele | |
e.tv announced the series in 2007, as a replacement to the cancelled youth-orientated soapie Backstage.[3] While the series itself was hinted as being a youth-orientated series as well, producers of the series revealed that the focus will be on the cutthroat music industry.[4] The series was filmed in Stage 6 of Sasani Studios's Highland North complex in Johannesburg, with footage from surrounding areas used.[5] [6]
Auditions for the series were held at Windybrow Theatre on 12 May 2007.[7] Throughout its run, the series has been a victim of audition scams, which e.tv had responded to.[8] [9]
On 2 September 2014, a fire broke out at Sasani Studios. The fire partially shut down production for Rhythm City, alongside e.tv's other soapie Scandal! and M-Net's Big Brother Africa Hotshots.[10] Unaffected by physical damage, production for the series resumed the next day.[11] [12]
In August 2017, production was paused for two days, due to the death of Dumi Masilela, who was killed in a hijacking attempt.[13] A commemorative special on-screen memorial service episode was filmed and aired on October 18, following extensive consultation with Dumi's family.[14] [15] [16]
In March 2020, Rhythm City along with other productions, went on production break due to the COVID-19 pandemic, adhering to the president's call for a national lockdown. Production was paused again in June 2020 due to positive cases of COVID-19 recorded from staff, which e.tv confirmed in a press release.[17] [18] The set went under a thorough cleaning and production resumed later.[19] During the entire period, new episodes which were pre-filmed continued to air on e.tv uninterrupted.
The original soundtrack for the series, including title sequence, was produced by Alan Lazar, under his Lalela Music Library, and Simon Sibanda, with several cast members and artists such as Bongani and Gemini Major. A selection of soundtracks was released through music streaming services Apple Music and Spotify, in 2015. A second title sequence was introduced on 23 October 2014, coinciding with the channel broadcasting in HD.[20] [21] [22] The title sequence was created by Punch Club Studios.[23] Music for the title sequence was done by Alan Lazar and Simon Sibanda, with vocals from Samthing Soweto.[24] The sequence was filmed with aerial shots over Soweto, Alexandra and the Johannesburg CBD, and on the street level in and around Gandhi square.[25] The series also accepted music submissions from upcoming and emerging artists.
On Friday 21 November 2020, e.tv announced that the series would be cancelled.[26] [27] While no concrete reason was given for its cancellation, e.tv only stated that it was part of a "business strategy" by the channel.[28] The final episode aired on 16 July 2021.[29] Rhythm City was replaced with the telenovela House of Zwide.
The series premiered on e.tv on 9 July 2007. Premiere episodes were also aired on the now defunct eKasi+. The series was also briefly uploaded to YouTube, e.tv's online catch-up service eOn Demand, and PCCW's streaming platform Viu,[30] before being removed and added to e.tv's streaming service eVOD.
Across the African continent, the series was broadcast though the channel's eAfrica feed, as well as affiliate channels e.tv Ghana and e.tv Botswana (now YBotswana). The series was also broadcast in Namibia on NBC.
The South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas)|-|2011|Rhythm City|Best TV Soapie||-|2016|Rhythm City|Best TV Soapie||-|2020|Rhythm City|Best TV Soapie||-|2021|Rhythm City|Best TV Soapie||}