RISE Academy
of Entrepreneurship
Your Passion. Our Guidance.
Your Stage.
THE
DETAILS
RISE Academy was established in 2015 with the aim of transforming raw talent into marketable performers by providing them with both the technical skills and business-know how to build themselves into profitable brands. Our programs and mentoring have yielded impressive results – testament to a winning formula.
RISE Academy is the only school in Africa that focuses on merging artistic talent with business know-how to empower aspiring DJs, Music Producers, Performers and Sound Engineers with the expertise to build successful careers to the extent that it does.
STUDENT SUCCESSES
MAWHOO
Singer-Songwriter | Music Producer | Business Woman
Thandeka Ngema, known as MaWhoo, has soared to stardom, earning the prestigious Golden Award for her chart-topping hit “Kulula” featuring DJ Maphorisa & Kabza De Small, while her irresistible anthem “Thokoza” claimed the number one spot on dance charts. Her captivating presence and soul-stirring vocals led her on an unforgettable journey, headlining a triumphant tour across the UK, establishing herself as a prominent and unique voice in the music industr
MUSIC PRODUCTION
Goodluck Precious
Singer | Performing | Recording Artist
All the way from Nigeria, the multi-talented Goodluck Precious joined RISE Academy, driven by a resolute mission: to hone his music production prowess to absolute perfection and master the intricate art of the music industry’s business domain. He embarked on an electrifying tour through the heart of Nigeria, performing his chart-topping anthem “Taste,” and mesmerized the fashion elite with a show-stopping performance at the prestigious Spring is Alive Fashion Show in Sandton.
READ ABOUT THE COURSE THAT
GOODLUCK PRECIOUS DID
PERFORMANCE
BabyGrllZae
Singer/performer
She catapulted onto the music scene with the release of her debut project’s lead single, “Party,” unveiling a stunning music video expertly shot and edited by none other than the acclaimed Costa Titch. Her magnetic presence isn’t limited to her own work; she also graced screens across Channel O, MTV Base, and Trace, as the featured star in the electrifying music video for “Whatchu Call It,” showcasing her undeniable talent to a global audience.
READ ABOUT THE COURSE THAT BABGRLLZAE DID
PERFORMANCE
DJ Melzi
Platinum Selling & Award-Winning Producer/Dj
DJ Melzi, the Amapiano maestro, stands tall as the reigning champion in the world of music, clinching the prestigious Amapiano Award for Best Amapiano Male DJ Act. His immense talent and success are further underlined by his remarkable achievement, securing the 14th position on South Africa’s list of the wealthiest DJs, as proudly featured on “Briefly.
READ ABOUT THE COURSE THAT DJ MELZI DID
MUSIC PRODUCTION
Scotty london
DJ | Producer
Scotty London, the maestro behind the scenes, orchestrated a musical symphony that took Tanzania by storm with “SOUP,” a collaboration between heavyweight artists Jaiva and Marioo, now serenading over 1.5 million captivated viewers on YouTube.
READ ABOUT THE COURSE THAT SCOTTY LONDON DID
Sundè
International dj | Producer
Sundé is a musical force of nature, whose relentless pursuit of excellence and dedication to his craft, honed through RISE Academy, have now earned him over a million Spotify streams for his sensational hit “SONTAHA.” With an impressive repertoire of 28 songs and 3 albums on YouTube Music, he has left an indelible mark on the industry. With 93,425 monthly listeners and counting on Spotify, Sundé’s achievements are nothing short of remarkable, and he richly deserves this prestigious award as a testament to his unwavering commitment to the world of music.
READ ABOUT THE COURSE THAT Sundè DID
Music production & Live sound
DJ Dimple Nipple
DJ | Performer
Rachel Martins, the electrifying DJ and performer, is making waves in the music scene with her sensational DJ mix, amassing a staggering 236,000 streams on Audiomack. With a devoted fanbase of 694,000 on Instagram, she’s not just a DJ; she’s a captivating force in the world of music and entertainment, commanding attention and setting the stage ablaze with her talent.
READ ABOUT THE COURSE THAT DJ DIMPLE NIPPLE DID
ULTIMATE DJ
Lilnosebleedd
Performer | Music Producer
The sensational artist who skyrocketed to fame overnight and continues to dazzle with his extraordinary talent, most recently collaborating with South African sensation Blxckie on a chart-topping hit. Lilnosebleedd’s meteoric RISE, recognized by industry luminaries like Ian Connor and Corteiz’s Clint, and his new partnership with fashion icon Bloody Osiris’s murd333r.fm, promises to catapult this gifted rapper’s career to unprecedented heights. With millions of streams and no major label support, Lilnosebleedd is a true testament to unwavering dedication and musical prowess. Join us in celebrating his remarkable journey to stardom!
READ ABOUT THE COURSE THAT Lilnosebleedd DID
performance & music production
Son of Dennis
DJ | Event Producer
This South African, Afro and Melodic Tech DJ is a force to be reckoned with, having secured coveted spots at the legendary Rage festival multiple times. Their electrifying sets have also graced the stages of Ultra South Africa, showcasing their remarkable talent on the global electronic music scene.
READ ABOUT THE COURSE THAT SONOF DENNIS DID
ULTMATE DJ
JOHANNESBURG
- 011 447 6651
- johannesburg@riseacademy.co.za
- 173 Oxford rd, Rosebank, Johannesburg, 2196
Cape Town
- 021 300 0384
- capetown@riseacademy.co.za
- 80 Strand st, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town, 8001
Durban
- 011 447 6651
- durban@riseacademy.co.za
- 70 Buckingham Terrace, Westville, Durban, 36291
Stay in the loop and sign up for the RISE Academy newsletter:
RISE Academy © 2023, All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy | Cookies Policy
Sibusiso (Breeze) Shezi
Lecturer
Breeze aka Zulu Bass King is a musician who brings years of experience in studio, on radio, and on the stage to Rise Academy.
He has had tracks played on major SA radio stations, multiple music nominations, and has performed at some of South Africa’s largest music events. He’s worked with a huge array of top artists such as Nasty C, Soweto Gospel Choir, and Ladysmith Black Mambazo, just to mention a few.
He used to dance and play rugby competitively and loves to run fitness drills with our performance students to get them ready to pull off amazing stage routines.
CHAY COOK
DIGITAL
Chay is a Public Relations practitioner who manages all of the academy’s
communications. Her role combines an enthusiasm for social media, digital
marketing, and music.
She is also on hand to help students with their marketing and PR queries by
ensuring that her door is always open, and if students are lucky there might even be
some peppermint crisp tart up for grabs since her recipe is one of the best.
CHAY COOK
DIGITAL
Chay is a Public Relations practitioner who manages all of the academy’s
communications. Her role combines an enthusiasm for social media, digital
marketing, and music.
She is also on hand to help students with their marketing and PR queries by
ensuring that her door is always open, and if students are lucky there might even be
some peppermint crisp tart up for grabs since her recipe is one of the best.
JAMES VERKERK
LECTURER
James is a DJ who got his start at the age of 16. He brings his onstage energy and
enthusiasm for music to the Rise Academy classroom where he teaches students
everything they need to know about the art of DJing. He is a skilled sound engineer
with a background in recording, producing and mixing.
James also trained as a classical pianist and is an avid surfer.
CRAIG GREEN
CO-FOUNDER
With more than two decades of experience in event organising, planning and logistics, Craig knows the ins and outs of the music world. He brings an invaluable
network of industry contacts to the Rise Academy community.
In 1998, Craig began U-PARTY, an event production and management company assisting schools to raise funds through community events and socials. He holds a BComm degree from the University of the Witwatersrand and is a self- proclaimed lego aficionado.
SUE GREEN
CO-FOUNDER & MD
Sue brings her business acumen and passion for youth development to the academy, which she launched in 2015. She is a savvy consultant who is experienced in coordinating music events that attract young audiences.
Sue’s academic background in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (PPE) piqued her interest in business ethics — a subject she ended up teaching at UCT during the final year of her Honours degree. She also loves cats and practices Jiu-jitsu.