"What do you get when you put together two of South Africa’s most seasoned media personalities and most notable DJs? The creation of a podcast aimed at addressing and unpacking the [rubbish] and bringing some realness through their unfiltered views," says The Real Network.
"We can't deny how podcasts have changed media consumption not just locally but globally as well. Not only have they allowed people like ourselves to freely exercise our freedom of speech, but they form these niche audiences that people can relate to without feeling judged or shunned for sharing the same sentiments," say Warras and PH.
While many may find this duo unusual, Warras and PH have been friends for the past 15 years and have worked together on projects such as (PH)ola, The Real Network says.
One of their many goals included starting their own podcast together after years of being in the traditional media space and growing their respective audiences. The creation of their own podcast means creating an expressive platform that delivers the most unconventional and challenging perspectives contrary to what mainstream media delivers, adds The Real Network.
"From the banter we have to the amazing and unexpected guests we'll be inviting onto the show, we really just want to have fun with it and rock," Warras and PH say.
While radio and TV have helped the likes of Warras and PH grow into their broadcasting career, "sometimes you just want to take a shot left and carve your own path and this is why it was important to go into a space that doesn't limit me in terms of my opinions and I can exercise change as and when I feel like it," says Warras.
"The Shady PHodcast is for people who don't live up to societal norms because being conventional has never gotten anyone anywhere," Warras adds.
The Shady PHodcast will premiere on Monday, 11 March at 11:00 exclusively on The Real Network channel on YouTube, with new episodes dropping every Monday in the same time slot.
The Real Network is a new podcast network, spun out of Cliffcentral.com where the personalities and audiences can do their thing in complete freedom.
"We do REAL. Real people, real life, real stories. From real funny to real controversial; real relevant to real know-how," says The Real Network.
"After a decade of pioneering and revolutionising podcasting in Africa, seeing Cliffcentral.com transform into The Real Network will not only take podcasting to different heights, it will also create a platform that is able to accommodate the talent of the future," says Gareth Cliff, founder of Cliffcentral.com.
"For shows like The Gareth Cliff Show, the quality and substance of the show will still remain all while making way for new shows aimed at opening up the podcast industry and attracting new generations of audiences and content creators. I truly believe that PH and Warras will take The Real Network to unimaginable spaces for all to access," concludes Cliff.
The Real Network will be creatively driven by PH and Warras alongside Cliff's guidance to create one of the biggest multi-platform media channels the continent has. The podcast network will host diverse views and content brought to you by personalities like DJ Warras, PH and Cliff with episodes ranging from 30 minutes, to hour-long shows and to all hour streaming and more shows added throughout the year.
All of Cliffcentral.com's platforms will be changed effective, Friday, 8 March.
*Image courtesy of contributor