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New Video from Outspoken (Zimbabwe)

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Zimbabwe emcee Outspoken just dropped a new music video for his group ‘Outspoken & The Essence.’

This track is an introduction to Outspoken & The Essence and the group’s own interpretation of hip-hop. It is a conversation starter to the double album release, which will come out on May 16 (2013). The track speaks on rapper Outspoken’s influences growing up and where his focus remains today. ‘The SlaveMasters Whip’ represents the duality of taking control of his own future, but in doing so, inevitably having that future control him; drive and determination thus becoming his own master.

Outspoken & The Essence is a Afro Rhythm inspired hip-hop band with Outspoken as a Poet/Emcee frontman who manipulates his voice as another dimension to the instrumentation (which is really just a fancy way of saying that he also sings on most of the tracks…). The band consists of Drum, Bass Guitar, Lead Guitar, Sparse Violin and Horns and Vocalists. Since being formed in 2007, they group has performed in many festivals in Southern Africa. Frontman Outspoken has also travelled elsewhere in Africa, Europe and the United States performing and workshopping on spoken word.

[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/54618274[/vimeo]

Artist: Outspoken & The Essence (Zimbabwe)
Song: The Slave Master’s Whip
Album: Uncool and Overrated: God Before Anything (Release date: May 16, 2013)
Video Producer: Nomadic Wax
Director/DP: Jonathan Weisburst
Assistant Camera: Robin Margolis
Editor: Magee
Shoot Location: NYC

NOMADICWAX.ORG


HOME (the Mixtape), released August 15

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“Home is that peace of mind, the rays of sunshine / will go to war with any anybody trying to take mine.” –StaHHr

Ever-pushing boundaries within the hip hop mixtape tradition, Nomadic Wax has partnered with NYC-based storytelling project Housing is a Human Right, in the creation of an original mixtape project entitled HOME, by DJ Boo.

 

DJ Boo, a veteran of the New York hip hop community, brings the tradition of hip hop mixtapes and turntablism to a project focused not just on music, but on the creation of an entire sonic dialogue around the concept of home, and the idea that housing should be a global human right. With slick production from the DC-based political hip hop heavyweights the Cornel West theory, the project features original verses and songs from artists all over the world, including Gabon, Zimbabwe, the UK, Cape Verde, Haiti, Zambia, Senegal, South Africa, and more.

“Wherever we go, we hear the same story again and again. Insecurity. Uncertainty. But people getting organized.” said Michael Premo of Housing is a Human Right. “The global uprisings that have erupted in the last few years signal a growing global consensus that a change must come and we are constantly looking for creative ways to share stories that reflect this new reality. We have worked with DJ’s playing audio stories in Laundromats and vacant storefronts, and so doing a mixtape just made sense. There is no better way than through the universal language of music to express that the problems we face, while they vary in scale and intensity by region, affect people around the world in profound ways.”

HOME: The MixtapeHOME (Back Cover)

First-person testimonies recorded in the US and South Africa by Housing is a Human Right through the organization’s years of storytelling work and on-the-ground organizing are woven together with the renowned voices from the international hip-hop community.

“I’m constantly reminded of the power of words and how it brings to life oral traditions,” said DJ Boo. “For us, those traditions and that power is continued and honed through hip hop. People from around the world have taken this artform and made it their own, using it to tell their own stories. So when we were approached to do this project with Housing is a Human Right, I felt that it was a perfect match- a project that would help everyday people tell their stories while at the same time give artists a platform to express their feelings on the subject of housing and how it affects their communities as well. This project epitomizes how I feel about this artform and how it can be used to inform, unite and uplift.”
Through mixing the raw emotion of real life moments with the intricately sculpted verses of the different emcees, the result is a unique compilation of perspectives, thoughts, and opinions aiming to establish a voice in the global struggle for housing.

The mixtape will be available to the public online for free download at http://nomadicwax.bandcamp.com/track/home-housing-is-a-human-right on August 15.

 

Tracklist:

1. Fame Nickles (Zimbabwe/Canada), The One Sun Lion Ra (USA), Poetes Fyziks (Gabon): Original Verses produced by the Cornel West theory

2. Outspoken (Zimbabwe): “Life In the City”

3. Def Boyz (South Africa): “Ezomzi”

4. Matador (Senegal): “Catastrophe”

5. Hired Gun (USA), Holstar (Zambia), Ardamus (USA), Avalon the Dawn (USA): Original Verses produced by the Cornel West theory

6. Jason Chu (China/USA): “Back Home”

7. Infinite (USA), StaHHr (USA), Rah Zemos (Lebanon/Canada): Original Verses produced by the Cornel West theory

8. Kelly Zen-Yie Tsai (USA): “The Balled of a Maybe Gentrifier”

9. Vox Sambou (Haiti): “Diabetik”

10. Jarabe Del Sol (Colombia/USA), Shokanti (Cape Verde), Waahli (Canada/Haiti), Dj Nio of Zero Plastica (Italy): Original Verses produced by the Cornel West theory

11. Linkris (South Africa): “Back Home”

12. the Cornel West Theory (USA): “Homebound”

13. Truth Universal (Trinidad/USA), Teck Zilla (Nigeria), Raw-G (Mexico/USA): Original Verses produced by the Cornel West theory

14. Native Sun (Mozambique/UK): “Mother & Son”

15. Invincible & Finale (Detroit): “Locusts”

16. Synik (Zimbabwe): Original Verse produced by the Cornel West theory

 

 

 

Alec Lomami – CLV video featuring Sammus & Badi Banx

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A new video by Alec Lomami for his track ‘CLV’, directed by Tlhonepho Thobejane and shot to the always picturesque (pardon my French) backdrop of Cape Town. Including some amazing custom video game shots and featuring Congolese diaspora artists Sammus (NY) and Badi Banx (Brussels).

Screen Shot 2013-08-29 at 16.23.58

Alec Lomami is a contender for most blogged about upcoming African artist, and this video lives up to the anticipation! The song itself is available on the free EP ‘Melancolie joyeuse’ which can be downloaded at Alec’s Bandcamp page.

Boom Africa! African Hip Hop Radio December 2013

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It’s the last African Hip Hop Radio show of the year already, and indeed 2013 went by without us paying attention to the fact that the show has been in existence for 15 years already (see here for a press release from 1998, when we still used the Rumba-Kali handle).
This month, Red Light Radio has returned all their show uploads to the Soundcloud platform, which we agree are a little easier to handle (fast forwarding is easier).

[soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/redlightradio/african-hip-hop-21-red-light[/soundcloud]

In the December show we have two world premiers: a track from Terror MC’s forthcoming album ‘The Bio’, and all three tracks from the Boom Africa EP which is about to be available in the coming weeks. In the second hour, Amal and J4 interview Bamba Nazar aka Dj Threesixty who produced and recorded the Boom Africa project with the vocal contributions of, among others, Kalaf (Buraka Som Sistema), Gery Mendes (GMB), OKmalumkoolkat and Nastio Mosquito. The EP is a free download that will be available in the coming weeks – keep an eye on our Twitter account or the website for the link.

Other brand new hip hop this month includes ‘Hello Kitty’ by Tumi, ‘Mungu ibariki Afrika’ by Watengwa (JCB’s group), ‘Happiness’ by Zubz from his Dragon Lion Full Circle album (free download here), the Channel O award winning ‘Jealousy’ by AKA and ‘Last days’ from American emcee Asheru’s South African themed album.
boomafrica-redlightradio

Playlist African Hip Hop Radio – December 2013
Terror MC – Feel die vibe
Watengwa – Mungu ibariki Afrika
Celso OPP – Rap di rua
Riky Rick – Amantombazane feat. Okmalumkoolkat
AKA – Jealousy
Burna Boy – Yawadey
Tumi – Hello Kitty
Zubz – Happiness ft Olufemi
Fredy Massamba – Malembe
John Wizards – Lusaka By Night
Tabu Ley Rochereau – Kaful Mayay
Theadora Ifudu – Hello There
Nelson Freitas – Sinti Sabe
Boom Africa – Lobolo
Boom Africa – Good morning
Ken wa Maria – Fundamentals
Boom Africa – Africa
Matador – Yaye Boye
Asheru ft HHP – Last days
Yaa Pono – Amen
Whizkid feat Femi Kuti-  Jaiye Jaiye
Dj Serpent Noir – La Go Attoto
Gery Mendes (GMB) – Way Back Home
Debruit & Alsarah – Jiba Alnuba

If Die Antwoord were real, this is what their video would look like

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The music video for ‘Oemtjokitie’ by Doodvenootskap was shot in the South African city that tops all the world travel recommendation charts – Telegraph Travel Awards, NY Times’ 52 Places to go in 2014, Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2014 and so on. Where do all these people go? Many visitors stick close to the Table Mountain, and few ever get to explore the Lavender Hill or Steenberg, the parts of town Doodvenootskap is representing in this video.

With more than an eye wink to gangster culture, it’s a reminder that Cape Town is a city that ‘works for a few’ (as the Tokolos artwork below illustrates) while a majority – and many of those living on the Cape Flats – do not benefit equally from Cape Town’s status as one of the world’s greatest cities.

thiscity

The DoodVenootSkap video was apparently inspired by Terror MC’s ‘Liberate yourself‘ (2008), one of the first Afrikaans language hip hop videos that portrayed some of the people living in Ravensmead and other townships around Cape Town. Terror MC has a new album coming out, if you want to hear some of his new tracks check out the last three episodes of African hip hop radio.

Meanwhile, Die Antwoord have also positioned several of their videos in the Cape townships, but the difference with Doodvenootskap and Terror MC is that Die Antwoord neither live in, nor come from these neighbourhoods (instead, they come from the affluent and largely white part of Cape Town with an unemployment rate of 2%), and they have been accused of merely borrowing the backdrop and some of the people living there rocking prison tattoos to create the hip hop equivalent of poverty porn. Of course we can ask ourselves the question whether videos like ‘Oemtjokitie’ are fundamentally different in that respect, but for a large part of this word’s greatest city, what you see in this video is part of their every day reality.

DoodVenootSkap have recorded several tracks and a mixtape ‘Skolly hood’, check them out on Soundcloud.

 

Rabbit joins HHP and Wangechi in Tulia Tu, Wangechi joins VEVO

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Some of our favorite emcees together come on one track in the brand new video ‘Tulia Tu’; not only Rabbit aka Kaka Sungura (Kenya) but also HHP (South Africa) kicking the vernacular verses and Wangechi, one of Kenya’s most interesting discoveries of late, whose first appearance was on a remix of a Rabbit track.

In other news, Wangechi now has a VEVO channel. VEVO is an initiative run by some of the industry’s top players (Universal, Sony and others) and provides distribution of video content across different platforms. It’s also a way for the major labels to share advertizing revenue with the likes of Youtube. So… which deal did Wangechi sign to be part of this major league?

*Update: seems like it does not require a major label deal to be on Vevo. See this page (and possibly there are other online services like this one) – cost is 20$ per year.

Morumokwano and linguistic turf wars in South African hip hop

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When the now famous Motswako sub-genre started in the late 90’s by acts such as Baphixile, it included a mixture of languages, namely Setswana, Sepedi and English and to some extent isiZulu. But Setswana rappers have since dominated the sub-genre and claimed it as theirs. A prominent Motswako rapper, Khuli Chana, even asserted on his song ‘Wannabeez’ that some rappers want to be part of Motswako, presumably because of its fame, and alleged that they are not welcome. Although other role players such as DJ Lemonka, who featured Sepedi rappers SpaceMunna & P.O. Box in his Motswako Tape 2 mixtape, understand the original meaning of Motswako, the damage is already done, and any rapper who doesn’t rap in Setswana and attempts to categorise his/her music under the umbrella of Motswako will forever be classified as a Motswako wannabe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDb3eJdLLUg

Video: Dj Lemonka ft Spacemunna PO Box – I’m A King

Morumokwano (also known as Morumo Rap) is a style of hip hop music that evolved from Motswako in the early 2000, in South Africa. Sepedi rappers became discontent with Setswana domination of Motswako and stopped calling their music by that name. Initially known as Sepedi/Pedi Rap due to the exclusive usage of Sepedi language, RATASepedi coined the name Morumokwano in 2013. It is typified by Sepedi rap lyrics which usually consist of proverbs, idioms, figures of speech, rhyme, pun and other creative forms of Sepedi language, layered on a steady beat.

Etymology: The term Morumokwano was borrowed from poetic term by the same name which means rhyme in Sepedi language. The use of the term signifies the commitment to Sepedi language promotion.

Origin of Morumokwano

ngomaThe origin of Morumokwano is attributed to Mr Blax Myth, member of a hip hop group Baphixile, who are recognised as the pioneers of Motswako. They were the first act to commercially release a full length Motswako album, Ngoma in 1998. Mr Blax Myth became the first rapper to rap in Sepedi language when together with Prof, another member of Baphixile who rapped in Setswana, they released their debut single Ngoma in 1998.

In 2004 a duo, Kepsool & Mash under the name ‘Thy Kingdom Come’, released a classic track, Lengwalo. It was the first full Sepedi rap song with a story telling theme that depicted a young boy (Molatelo) writing a later to his father (Moloto), explaining how difficult life is at home without him & his support and his father writing back clarifying certain issues underlying his absence.

Then Lahzee released The Rebel MC through Hype Magazine’s mixtape Hype Sessions in 2005. The same year Mokhure released Hlaba Lešata, and then Jam Square featured DJ Skrfl in the 2006 hit Mababy waka. 2007 saw Renovator Lepara dropping Fast Move. The following year Lekkersweet came to the picture with Dlisa, as did X Man who released Hip and Happening. In 2009 Showcase Showza released his first single Afrika Bowa, out of his album Mahlomola le Matshwenyego.

mohlolo
Image: Mohlolo

The following year Mohlolo released Sekgosese Dream Episode I. His first single was Dikgoši, which was also reintroduced as a deluxe edition in his second album Sekgosese Dream Episode II – The X Files which went on to scoop the Best Vernacular hip hop Album in the 2012 South African Traditional Music Awards (SATMA). In the year 2011 Makzi, who later changed his stage name to Pedi Katse, released Sushi, Mopapa featured Mokgaga on Hip Hop Ya Mampela, and Papzito dropped Kea ba Namela.

Rise in Popularity and Evolution

The year 2012 proved to be a turning point for Morumokwano. A lot of artists released projects (EP’s, LP’s & Mixtapes), most notably was Mohlolo’s second album Sekgosese Dream Episode II – The X Files which went on to win the SATMA in the category ‘Best Vernacular hip hop Album’. He was subsequently invited to perform in Bulgaria (Europe) the following year. 2012 was also an inaugural year for the South African hip hop Awards (SAHHA). Mcdonald ‘Chocos’ Mpogeng (DJ, presenter & producer at Sekhukhune FM) was crowned King of Limpopo for the work he has done organising events (such as Hip Hop in the Park) and promoting young talent in the province. His show, The Trail Blazer, was instrumental in promoting Morumokwano, especially its battle division popularly known as Spora Rap, which was started by rappers such as P Mopastola and AT Lenyora.

Limpopo2013 became the year of Morumokwano. That’s the year RATASepedi coined the name after releasing his self-titled hit, RATASepedi. It is also the year that a veteran rapper, Spaceman who changed his moniker to SpaceMunna released the famous Limpopo Mixtape which featured a lot of upcoming Morumokwano rappers such as King Solomon II – Tla ka Matla, Lekkersweet – Molobedu wa Swagga (Remix), Vic Mash – Ayeye, IceMan & Dezry – Limpopo Rise and Madin – One of those Days, to name but few.

The project accompanied by a DVD, showcased the vast talent and challenges rappers faced in Limpopo province. The DVD was nick-named LimpHop, and inspired the name of the BEM LimHop Awards, formed later that year. The mixtape, led by his hit single I’m a king featuring P.O. Box & Mama Rose, went on to be nominated for Best Mixtape category in the SAHHAs later that year. He was also nominated for Best Male and King of Limpopo awards, and won the latter. Also that year, Lekkersweet received nomination for Best Vernacular hip hop Album in the SATMAs.

Raymond Shihawu, one of the nominees for King of Limpopo award in the SAHHAs, through his foundation formed BEM LimHop Awards (BLHA), an annual awards ceremony which recognises and honours rappers, producers, dancers, models & other role players from Limpopo province. Some of Morumokwano rappers nominated include AT Lenyora (Best Rookie & Best Lyricist), BTM (Best Lyricist), Fletcher Mog (Best Single & Best Lyricist), Vic Mash (Best Solo Artist, Best Video & Best Mixtape), Lahzee (Best Single & Best Male) and Generale (Best Lyricist). We also saw new Morumokwano rappers coming through that year. E-Level released Gake Tlale Remix, featuring T-Shu, Pantiti, AT Lenyora, Louis CheQBeats & P. Mopastola; Skillz Max released Huduwa and Tu Sky also joined the movement with Thwantsha.

ratasepedi2014 saw various Morumokwano rappers releasing commercial albums (i.e. Mopedy – Moletangwedi, Renovator Lepara – Kgomo Ya Mokopane, Fletcher Mog – Tja Limpopo & Showcase – The Journey). Most notable was Showcase Showza who received multiple nominations (Best Vernacular hip hop Album, Song of the year & Video of the year) in the SATMAs. He also collaborated with the legendary Steve Kekana on Lerato la Mmino. New artists on the block included GVN – Lehlabula Rap (ft. Mopapa), Whale Brilo – Balabala & Zub Zero – Lenyora, among others.

RATASepedi’s Morumokwano Tape is one of the eagerly awaited releases in 2015 (download ‘Limhop’ off the mixtape here) and a number of Morumokwano artists vowed to stamp their authority in the mainstream African hip hop industry this year.

*The information contained in this article was obtained through thorough research which included telephonic and electronic interviews with various stakeholders. A questionnaire was also used to gather further info.

Jagermeisters Back the Artist Music Initiative

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Jägermeister’s ‘Back the Artist’ Music Initiative

Creating Tomorrows Legends – Tonight

Jägermeister is once again giving South African musicians the chance to showcase their talent. Officially launching July 15th, the ‘Back the Artist’ initiative is one that inspires the youth, helping talented musician’s build strong careers through their artistry and passion.

As Charl Greyling, music and events manager for Jägermeister South Africa says, “Too often music and creativity suffer because of time and funding restraints. Back The Artist is there to remove these elements and help nurture and grow talent. Opportunity comes round once and when it comes knocking at the door, nothing should be in the way of you passion.”

Greyling goes on to say, “Music knows no colour, creed or wealth, and still it connects to each person in a way that makes you feel like that song was written for you.”

Thanks to Jägermeister, musicians are being given the opportunity to share their songs and to connect with South Africa through their music.

The process for entry is simple; musicians simply upload their track to the Back the Artist website http://backtheartist.co.za/ and a voting process begins. The winner of the competition will get their single produced by legendary South African South African Hip Hop star, HHP and be rewarded with contracts that encourage and enable career longevity.

Greyling explains“This year we are growing the campaign and taking a more 360 degree approach to the campaign. We have lined up top managers, artists, bands and producers to give the finalists some industry knowledge to assist with their growth and planning for their futures. The reason for this is that we have found that artists and bands often get removed from the planning aspect of their careers, and we want them to know where to focus their efforts and how the industry works.”

The winning artist/band will receive the following:

 

  • A track produced by HHP
  • A music video
  • A gig at one of SA’s biggest festivals
  • Full artist support contract for 1 year by Jägermusic programme
  • Band merchandise
  • Top 5 will play live at a show in JHB in front of celebrities and music industry’s best
  • Top 5 will spend the morning with Top artist to share a bit of knowledge
  • Plenty of PR to kick start their career

I am very excited to see what talent we will be unearthing this year, and even more excited to change the life of the next winning artist or band.” Charl says. Watch this space! Follow the competition here: http://backtheartist.co.za/.

Tweet or Facebook with the hashtag #backtheartist2015 and help launch tomorrows legends- tonight!

For full details,please go here: BTA Press Kit

 


Alpha Royce drops new release Without You

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screenshot_2016-11-22-13-18-17-1

Alpha Royce, previously known as ‘Beey Royce,’ is a 21 year old artist from Soweto. The name change marks a significant change in the artist’s life as she is in her final year of a BA degree in Media Studies at WITS University and plans to focus on music fulltime.

“Beta” is the second letter of the Greek alphabet and “Alpha” is the first letter of the Greek Alphabet. The move from ”Beey(ta)” to “Alpha” signifies a new beginning and a transition musically where her art has progressed to the point where she feels she is ready to make a significant impact in the music industry. She went from second (Beey) to being the first or the head (Alpha) and a strong character who is able to convey emotion in her music through the use of different types of subject matter which makes her relatable as well as the versatility and uniqueness of her sound which combines mainly R&B, hip hop & minor elements of other genres such as the iconic synths present within disco music.

img_20161114_164522

The artist refrains from showing her face in her pictures and says “it’s because I want people to focus on the art, not how I look. I think I also like being mysterious. It’s also a play on my name ‘Alpha,’ nobody really knows what happened at the beginning of time or what it looked like. If you want to see my face, watch my vlog on YouTube REAL ONES SA,” she says.

Alpha Royce’s first release of the year “No Love” is followed by a song called “Without You.” In No Love, she speaks about her experiences with depression and how abandoned she feels by those around her. “Without You” is the perfect follow up as it focuses on being whole without someone you thought you could never live without. The song is short yet very empowering (particularly for women) as it sends the message that the only person one needs is themselves and that one should always believe in what they do. Alpha Royce is anticipating her first project which drops next year in 2017. “I was supposed to drop in 2016, but I was still finding my sound,” she says. Alpha Royce adds that she would rather take time to craft a unique sound than rush to release a sub-par project. She is ALPHA, after-all.

2016-11-15-07-20-34-1-1

For more information:

Bathabile Modiba (Alpha Royce)
Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/hernameisalpha
Email: alphamuzik.za@gmail.com
Twitter & Instagram: @hernameisalpha
Phone: +27626520824
Postal: 3158 Naledi Ext
P.O. Kwa Xuma
1868 Soweto
South Africa

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