TEST NTSINI - UMTHANDAZO WeeMCs

Test Ntsini comes out with a brand new Daisy produced track titled "Umthandazo WeeMCs" featuring Unique and Mthinayi all the way from Durban. Follow the link below and download the song free:

http://www.datafilehost.com/d/91fd1fbf

GIGI LAMAYNE ON THE RISE

by Mpendulo Mabindisa

Molo Gigi kunjan, sisi?

Gigi LaMayne is all good dear Sir. Thank you for the interview. It’s definitely gonna be a good one.

Well, tell us a bit about Gigi LaMayne, as someone’s daughter and as an artist.

Gigi LaMayne is the first of her kind. A devoted child who would kill for her mother and a determined individual hoping to make a change in the lives of men and women across the world.  She would like to be known as The daughter of Africa. She thrives to be the epitome of female Rap and to represent South Africa as one of the best artists of her time. She is a beneficiary of a democratic South Africa. She is a young black female hoping to become an iconic symbol of victory for her fellow Africans.  I am an African Female Hip Hop Artist.

Lol I'm sorry but this I have to ask, What is your real name? and where are you from?

My Real name is Genesis Gabriella Tina Manney and I am South African. I am one of the few with diverse roots stretching all the way from Zimbabwe to Botswana to The SA!.

When did you start rapping? And so far, how many projects have you dropped so far?

I started poetry first then moved onto the school of rap between the ages of 11 and 16. I have dropped the award winning mixtape titled, “Circus Café” and have worked on various projects with the likes of Tumi, Bozza, Cassper Nyovest, Slikour, Bozza, L-Tido , Pro, Captain, Maraza, Mr Selwyn, Amu, Captain,  and many renowned and talented individuals in the industry. (Only by chance!) And I am thankful.

When you decided you wanted to rap, did you also draft a plan that you managed to follow or things just started to happen as you kept on dropping records and performing around town?

Things started to fall into place really. People bought into my dream more especially my management teams throughout the years. If they never believed in me… I would have never been on this journey.  I merely started dropping freestyles, remixes, many things and woah!!! Before I knew it, There were people and they were listening!!! I have performed at festivals, shows, on television, live on radio and even as a kid at talent shows. Cyphers were the best. They were confirmation that rap was something I could work with. Something I fell in love with.

I’m sure 2013 is one of the years you will never forget, you also walked away with ‘Best Female Rapper’ award at the 2013 South African Hip Hop Awards. How did it feel like, take us back

Words cannot begin to describe what I was feeling. I remember people of such high statuses such as AKA and Cassper, they applauded, they loved the speech. It felt like my chaining day, only more formal.

On your acceptance speech you mentioned your mom being supportive, and going out with you to watch you on shows. How does it feel having her around with you? and what did she say when you told her you now a rapping and you taking it seriously?

She started the rap thing!!! She has always been a fan of the Fugees and she encouraged  me to start all this. With her education still comes first. I am At Wits University this year and It is my second last year. She is totally for my career and she understands and believes that this is my gift. Sometimes I feel that she believes it more than I do! She is my everything.

Being one of the few female rappers in the industry that is mostly dominated by males, does it make things any harder or if you good you will rise and shine no matter which gender you are?

I want to be the best of the males so I just have to work as twice as hard. It is that simple, or complex if you like. If you are good and everything you do is at levels nobody else can reach, then you are set.

Do you think its a must for artists to have someone managing them? Why?           

Artists get emotional especially when it comes to their craft. It is always good to have somebody who has the expertise, knowledge and subjectivity to stand as an extension of your brand. A manager is crucial.

Are you currently signed to any label?

BENTEY RECORDs #MFE (Money First Entertainment) Dankie San!!!!!! Alongside heavy weights, Pro, RedButton, Captain and SFS.

I heard your new joint “City Lights”, actually on repeat right now lol. Is it your new single from an upcoming project or it’s just you celebrating the deal in style?

It’s a single of my sophomore mixtape and its just tip of the iceberg. Yall gone be super shocked!!!! Celebration?????? I will celebrate when its all said and done. That will be in how many years?????? Many!

It’s dope though I gotta say. Who’s on the beat?

XLR.

Should we expect a video soon? It totally deserves one.

YES YES YES!!!!!

What are you currently working on? Should we expect an album soon?

COLOUR OF REIGN mixtape under Bentey Records, MFE, Dankie  San. That is my new camp and they are moulding me well. Watch this space!

I find it hard to compare you with other female rappers, mostly the ones on the other side of the world. Your lyric game is on point, and you get your message across very well without having to sound like someone else. Which one comes first to you, lyrics or flow?

It is all an art, a masterpiece. Everything is equally important. I just wanna make god music, and if it means everything is on point for every type of listener, then so be it. I never deconstruct. I put together. Gigi LaMayne was put together as a product of society. So is her music.

You are doing very well as an artist and I believe you are also a student. How do you balance the two, music and school?

If you love something, you will make it work despite the odds. The tides will be ridden. I just do. I have always been a student that performs and I have always taken my education seriously. It isn’t at all difficult especially when you are having fun! Gigi LaMayne and Genesis never collide.

Any big plans you have under your belt we should maybe know about?

Wait and See. There is a storm the weatherman cannot predict!

Where can people get your music? And where can they get hold of you?

Everywhere people/ Reverberation, youtube, newhiphop.com, EVERYWHERE!

http://www.datafilehost.com/d/c2d0acdb

https://www.youtube.com/user/tinamanney

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv8LPcoO6BI

http://www.reverbnation.com/gigilamayne

http://www.gigilamayne.blogspot.com

Any message to all the sisters out there tryna get it?

NO MATTER WHAT THEY SAY, YOU DEAR GIRL ARE DESTINED FOR GREATNESS!

Thank you for your time G

Pleasure's all mine sir, Big up to KMK.

Gigi LaMayne's promo video to her upcoming Mixtape, 'Colour of Reign"

UP CLOSE WITH DPLANET

by Madira

There is a Xhosa saying that goes like "Inyathi ibuzwa kwabaphambili" (Wisdom is learnt from the elders). On the heels of a memoir that boasts untold street stories among other things, I sat down with the elder, one of the Pioneers of SA Hip Hop, DPlanet aka Dumisani (As I,Madira, Call him). He is not your ordinary "Mlungu". 

Dumisani, greetings "Boeteri"!!!

What's up Madira, salute!

Some may only know you as the founder and CEO of Pioneer Unit Records, but before we dwell on that can you please tell our Kasi Music Konas, who is Dplanet.

I love music. I'm a music producer originally from London, UK. I've been living in Cape Town since 1996. I run Pioneer Unit records. I'm a member of Pure Solid and DOOKOOM. I rep K.A.K. I'm a Gooner (Arsenal fan). I'm a proud father. 

So born as Damian Stephens in England, how did you end up in South Africa?

I had an opportunity to come to South Africa in 1995. I was attracted by the fact that the country had just been through intense political turmoil. There was a feeling that anything could be achieved. It felt like the Wild West compared to Europe. There was an intense energy that I had never experienced before. I found it very compelling.

In 1991 you and Simon Atkinson were signed to cult Dutch techno label DJAX UP BEATS, and released the EP "Theme from the Underground" and your music was played regularly on Hobbs' 'Experimental' show. That means you are coming from an old school era right?

Haha. Yeah, you could say that. I actually first got into hip hop in 1981. My name (Dplanet) is partly an homage to 'Planet Rock' by Afrika Bambaataa. I always liked the 'electro' sound of hip hop back then. It opened my ears to other forms of electronic music like the techno music from Detroit , which was actually another form of Black urban music. We were lucky enough to sign a deal with DJAX Records in 1991. Being played on Mary-Anne Hobbs' show on BBC radio came later (in around 2009), she was a big fan of Ben Sharpa. 

Back in those days Hip Hop was not the way it is today, of course time changes and so is life. Please share with us what got you into Hip Hop and who was your inspiration back in those days?

When hip hop hit the UK way back in the early 80s it was like nothing I'd ever experienced before. It was a tidal wave of culture shock. It was beyond simply being rebellious, it was a coherent culture that just blew my mind, the music, the dancing, the graffiti, the DJing and the knowledge of self. It's hard to describe what it felt like coming across this and to quote a friend of mine, "it was like discovering a whole new world".

Other than Afrika Bambaataa, my early inspiration came from a mixtape someone brought back from New York on cassette by DJ Cheese (I think). I'm not even sure who was on that tape. There was no Google back then to check! Later I got into KRS1 and Public Enemy (both of whom I was lucky enough to see when they first came to the UK).

While doing my homework, it did come up that you also had love for DJing, tell me about that.

I started DJing when I was 16. I was never that technically gifted in terms of cutting and scratching, I just loved playing the music. I started out playing hip hop and then in around 1988 I started playing techno, mainly Detroit techno or anything else that was influenced by that more minimalist sound.

This interview is about you but forwarding life to 2005 Driemanskap took part in the Baobab Festival where they opened for the legendary New York hip hop crew Dead Prez. People say language is a barrier of communication yet music is a universal language, how did you link with Drie'?

Like with most of my introduction to Cape Town hip hop, I'm pretty sure KONFAB put me on to them. I remember seeing them perform at a hall in Langa, it must have been almost 10 years ago now. The energy they created was insane. It was like they were in their own world. Even though I couldn't understand what they were saying, I could hear their technical expertise and like I said, the energy was universal. I remember thinking that they were rough diamonds who were destined for greatness.

Forwarding years to 2009, Drie' dropped "Igqabhukil'inyongo" in May, a few months later "Camagu" vid was done and Mzantsi was shaken. Did that strategy work for you guys?

Yeah, to some extent. Camagu was directed by Greenhaus who were young and hungry students at the time. They did an amazing job. That video is still very underrated as far as I'm concerned. It should be on 300,000 Youtube by now at least! People slept on it for a long time. It was the video for S'phum'eGugs that really put Drie on the map. That video was directed by Anton Visser, a very experienced director. He perfectly captured the energy of that track, which is a banger by Planet Earth. That video got played on Live and that's when Mzantsi really started waking up to Drie.

Enough about Driemanskap back to you Dee, Pure Solid. Who is Pure Solid and what does Pure Solid do?

Pure Solid is myself and spo0ky. It's a live audio-visual concept. Me on beats, her on visuals. Musically, there are influences of dub, grime, trap and all kinds of 'bass' music. I like to make sure we rep SA by using various emcees and singers. We regularly collaborate with Crosby and Redondo (Driemanskap), for example. We're about to drop an EP through Jarring Effects in France that features both those artists. 

Spooky's videos are regularly shown on MTV Base, Channel O and SABC1. Her work has also been featured at the Design Indaba Expo. Recently she was chosen as a featured ‘revolutionary’ in Nike’s IAM1 campaign. How did that come about?

Yeah, spo0ky is an amazing talent. She was approached through the ad agency that was doing campaign. It was some well-deserved recognition for the work she does. They also featured Rattex. Shout out to Nike!

I've got great respect for you two, I've seen the way you guys work as a team and you're such an inspiration to me for real.

Thanks my man, appreciate that! Teamwork makes the dream work!

You describe your musical style as ‘soundsytem music’, ‘robot army music’ or ‘dark’, who is your target audience and is there a market for it in South Africa?

I never think in terms of target market. We just want to connect with anyone who feels what we're doing. I'm passionate about making sure anything we make is relevant to South Africa. Like I said, we feature a lot of SA artists. But visually, we also want to represent life in South Africa. Dance music is often stripped of any political context so we try to incorporate 'message' without being overly direct. A lot of the music I make is quite dark and angry. Sometimes as a direct response to situations like Marikana, for example. Spo0ky even incorporates footage of the massacre into some of our shows. We're not trying to be shocking, it's just to remind people that aluta continua.

You are part of Dookoom too. Tell me how did that come about? And who is part of it?

Isaac Mutant was literally the first emcee I heard when I got to South Africa although I never met him. Last year, a friend of mine, Roger Young, was writing a piece on Mutant for Rolling Stone. He was basically telling Isaac's story. The story looked like it was going to end up being a typical tale of talent in Cape Town going to waste. Mutant was just bored with hip hop and wanted something different. Roger put me and Mutant together and we discussed a vision for the way forward. I gave him some beats that I thought might work just before I went on tour. When I got back Mutant went into hyperdrive and we ended up recording 30 tracks. DOOKOOM was born. DOOKOOM is Isaac Mutant (vocals), Human Waste (production), spo0ky (visuals) and Roach (cuts).

Jy is Human Waste what's up with that nick D hahahaah. Isaac Mutant is legend-e no doubt about it but when I listen to his style of music I associate it with Die Antwoord is there a link or influence?

Haha! Human Waste because I'm the shit! The name came around because of the service delivery protests where fed up kasi residents took human waste to go and throw at Helen Zille - something we can all relate to, I think.

Isaac Mutant was featured on Die Antwoord's first album, $O$. They hung out a lot together while making the album and Mutant toured with them after it was released. Mutant was inspired by Ninja's showmanship and his dedication to concept and performance. The rest is all Mutant.

"Kak Stirvy" is currently sitting on #2 on Headwarmaz Show (Bush Radio 89.5) and its been on the top ten for over 2 months. That track is sick and I love its video. You guys recently shot a vid for "Dirty" and "LarneyJouPo*s" what is your mission about the "Dookoom" project? Is there a point to prove?

Thanks. Shout out to Ari Kruger from Sketchbook Studios for Kak Stirvy. He always comes through for us. He also shot Izulu Lelam and Ivamna for Driemanskap. The mission for DOOKOOM is simple, we are here to F**K S**T UP! We are the middle finger permy in your play list. It's about getting emotion and anger back into hip hop. Mutant says that rappers have become the biggest pussies, all so scared of not being liked or offending people. Anger is a powerful motivating factor. It has a bad reputation because it's seen as 'negative', but life isn't a bed of roses! Sometimes you need anger to wake people up and change things. Our shows are intense. You're going to feel something. It might be anger, fear, revulsion, hate or excitement. One thing it will never be is boring. You'll feel good afterwards though. Or maybe you'll kill yourself.

Have you ever doubted yourself or career decisions?

I'm a tortured artist. I can't sleep at night doubting myself. I tried doing 'sensible' work and I've never been more unhappy in my life. Sometimes you just have to accept what you are and make it work.

I Almost forgot South African Hip Hop Awards 2013, you were nominated against Akio Kawahito, Lava Magwaca, Mawande “Manez” Sobethwa and Rozzano Davids in the King of Western Cape category and you took it, where were you and how did you feel when you received the news that you came tops?

I think I was on tour in France when I heard. I'm very grateful for the honour.

Some take an award as a bonus whereas some take it as recognition, for you to have won it as King of Western Cape how does it make you feel?

It hasn't changed me much, except now people have to kneel down when they talk to me. And no eye contact. Haha! Jokes. I feel good. It's always nice to be recognised for your work.

Is South Africa so superficial that the best lyrical artists are surpassed and outsold by generic mainstream artists?

Haha! That's a big question. I'd rather turn that around on the best lyrical artists and ask what they are doing about being surpassed by supposedly weaker artists? If what you're doing isn't working, try something else! And I don't mean dumb down your lyrics.

Some say Hip Hop in South Africa was born in Cape Town. Do you agree? If so is there still a chance of claiming it back as everything is now in Jozi.

Cape Town is definitely the spiritual home of hip hop in SA. But we have to be careful not to live in the past. We must always respect the history and the pioneers of Cape Town hip hop, but we can't rest on our laurels. We need to earn back that top spot. We have the talent and the skills but maybe we're lacking the vision and the confidence to make it happen. There are exceptions of course. Driemanskap are going to be huge. Die Antwoord are already huge. Jack Parow is killing it.

When we, Cape Town, are hosting big events like the yearly "Festival of Lights" and many others. Example the recent CHAN Tournament that we had here in South Africa, we hardly see our own Cape Town artists on the line ups instead we see artists from elsewhere booked to perform here. Is there anyone to blame for this?

We have to be realistic. When people do events, they don't think, 'let's help out a local artist'. No. They think, 'who will attract the most people to the event'. Let's stop blaming and start making ourselves impossible to ignore!

You've toured the world, what was the best tour of them all?

It's so hard to say. I love touring. I love traveling. I love performing live. They have all been great, but the last tour with Cape Town Effects was a massive amount of fun. Spending time on tour with KONFAB, Jaak, El Nino, Redondo, Tebz, spo0ky and the French crew was an amazing experience that I will never forget.

You have a few nicknames, of which I find rather funny. Do you mind sharing with us and their meanings?

Haha! Outside of Dplanet and Human Waste, I go by Sukwini, Don Hate, Mnqundu, Didiza and Rangoane Letaoa. I think they are all pretty self-explainatory! Rangoane Letaoa means 'drunken uncle' (shout out KONFAB).

Nas claimed "hip hop is dead" and I personally say whoever say that is the one with the killing weapon, what is your opinion?

Like Chuck D said, don't believe the hype! There's so much great hip hop being made around the world. You just need to dig deeper.

You posted this on your Facebook "Cape Town needs to wake up. Too many rappers look outside themselves for the reason they are not successful. Stop blaming radio. Stop blaming fans for not 'getting you'. Stop blaming 'the industry'. Stop blaming 'the media'. It's a lot easier to make excuses than it is to do the work necessary to succeed, but your excuses aren't going to put food on the table. Life isn't fair - get over it." What is your advice to upcoming artists who still have dreams of making it in this industry.

Music is a tough industry. Arm yourself with as much knowledge as you can. Have a vision and be FEARLESS! You're going to need a team to believe in you. Even if it's just your friends at first. Develop your networking skills and remember that business is about MUTUAL BENEFIT, don't be going with your hand out begging for help. Get a proper press kit together, I put a post on my FB timeline detailing what a proper press kit should look like.

At Pioneer Unit Records you work with some of the best producers in the world but you’re always on the look out for new beats. How does one get their beats to you?

The best way is to approach the artists you want to work with and play them your beats. Don't be scared, artists are always on the look out for hot beats. You can also check out the 'contact us' section of PioneerUnit.com for full instruction on submitting beats.

I also believe that as a talent discover you get a lot of requests from musicians who want to know how to go about getting a deal with Pioneer Unit. Although you’re not actively looking to sign new artists, I believe you’re always keeping an ear out for exceptional talent. How can upcoming artists get their music to Pioneer Unit?

To be really honest, we're just not able to take on any new artists at the moement unless they are truly exceptional. If you really believe you are truly exceptional, you can also check out the 'contact us' section of PioneerUnit.com for full instruction on submitting demos.

Before I let you go, please share with us what to expect from Pioneer Unit fam and where to go to get fully updated.

We've got Driemanskap's album, Hlala Nam, coming out soon. It's epic, trust me. These guys are going to fulfill their amazing potential with this album. Also coming out this year, 'Galant' by Jaak and 'The Transition' by Ben Sharpa. Both also amazing projects. We might even manage to get KONFAB's album out this year too.

You can follow PioneerUnit on Twitter (@PioneerUnit), Facebook 'pioneerunit' and www.pioneerunit.com

It has been a pleasure chatting with you. Kasi Music Kona wishes you all the best in everything that you are doing. We do need people like you in this Industry.

Likewise! Big up Kasi Music Kona.

THE CULTURE OF HIP-HOP

by Nompumelelo Nkatha

Hip-hop is not just a music genre, nor is it strictly the derogatory things that the media portrays it to be. It is a style, a swagger, how one dresses, carries themselves, speaks and express themselves and so much more. The culture of hip-hop is one that has taken the world by storm since the early 70's in the mean streets of New York and now has migrated throughout the world. But what exactly is hip-hop? Because of stereotypes, a lot of people see hip-hop as a genre of music consisting of shallow and violent nymphomaniacs producing vulgar and explicit lyrics about sex, money and the derogatory exploitation of women. But hip-hop is a cultural movement with the four historic "elements of hip-hop" of Emceeing(rapping), DJ'ing, Graffiti and Dancing but of cause it has extended elements which are beat-boxing and fashion. Hip-hop has created a platform through which young people can speak their minds about the troubles they are facing in their communities. It allows them to express their anger and frustrations about the social ills of society in a positive manner.

IT'S LUSH BY THE WAY

by Mpendulo Mabindisa

One guy that has been making a lot of noise in the Eastern Cape music scene is none other than Lush, yes lo weCapital Effect. We managed to connect with this multi-talented artist and this is how it all went down:

Ola Lush, Kunjani fam?

All good my brother.

Awe, okay man. I downloaded your song "Iphupha ne Xesha" and man, I was blown away and really happy that it was playlisted on 5FM. Take us from the beginning to where Lush is right now.

I got inspired, my moms use to sing, and the texture in her voice was like no other. It was so deep and traditional as at home we grew up to traditional Xhosa customs and family gatherings, my mom also use to take me with to her choir practice at church. I remember the lead singer who inspired me, he's name was Chris from JHB. I had actually started writing and rapping by then and it was around 1996 at the age of  12. It was when I saw the likes of Amagroves, Chiskop and Boom Shaka on our screens, and my first song was titled 'ITS ABOUT TIME' lol.....From there on I never stopped, with groups I assembled and also doing it solo up until I met 'Outsiders' my first serious crew members being Luzuko Makasi, Luvuyo Kaulela, Simbone Inyange and Luckeez Mfowetu in 1999. We pushed hard doing shows all over Eastern Cape, some members had to leave for education and I was left with Simbone and Luckeez. We carried the torch until 2004 when we met Zet Entertainment owned by Zama Jaza, the man who made all of us who we are today because of having so much belief in us. In 2006, I started my own solo route at Silver Getho Productions where I met Nathi B, Mavee and Andile Seskhona. We were unstoppable as we ruled the streets doing shows with huge support from the whole Eastern Cape, I then entered the Nik NAks competition and out of more than 2000 entries I made it to the Top 5 in JHB Melrose Arch. Umhlobo Wenene played a big role in pushing my music, especially Luckeez Mfowethu's show 'Abahlali Abangalali' and not forgetting KC's 'Afternoon Drive' for all the interviews.  After I came back in 2007, I started production and between 2008 and 2010 Simbone went solo and I had an opportunity to produce a song titled 'ADAM' on his first project. In 2008, we formed Capital Effect with Slujah and Beegz, Luckeez and Odwa came in and that was when we recorded our first project. In 2010, I worked with Siseko Kondile and CE on production. Till present we as Capital decided to embark on solo projects to explore as we were solo artists before we formed the crew. So yes, that's where we at. lol.... now that was long. 

You really putting in work man, tell us about the hip hop scene in the E.C.

EC hip hop has always climbed up till today. There is a number of artists who took it further, Manskap, Rhyme Squad , Good Fellaz, Abantu, Khulekani, Gino, Dangatye, Marshals, 100 Pecent Black, Mkapakapa, to name a few.

I wanted to keep this one for later but I'm excited man can't help myself lol, Back To The City, how are you feeling? Already pictured yourself on that big stage yet? Hahaha

Back to the City, I also entered last year 2013 and also made it to the Top 20 and ended up on number 7 but they only needed 5 lol...That was so close, this year the votes are going good so far I pray we make it to the top 5 with effort and pushing hard for campaign though. Prayer needs implementation. 

I know a number of artists that are making great music in E.C and you happen to be one of them. What inspires Lush? and what keeps you going? I know its a rough journey...

I'm mostly inspired by the people honestly. Their day to day triumphs and struggles to make it, their joys and happiness. Mostly, by what God gave me, the foresight to keep elevating no matter the odds, Positive thinkers inspire me a lot and of cause my family, they are everything. 

You rap, sing and produce. Equal love for all of them or there is just one that stands out?

In terms of what stands out regarding my music, honestly its all equal love because none is forced to rule, they all come in different manner lol. Like today I woke up just inspired by rap and yesterday around 3 am I dreamnt of a chorus, woke up and recorded it on my phone just to keep the idea lol...So really I just follow what comes out.

Not so long ago, you did a song with Buntu Jobela. How did that one come about?

Crazy how I met Buntu, saw an update of his about his clan name 'XHAMELA' and I asked him and he confirmed it, I was like "whaaaaat" lol.... From there on we started chatting, I didn't know much about his music but I once saw 'DSO' on stage while we were on Tour in CPT back in 2010 around September with Iintloko Zeenyoka, Yahkeem, Vnec Revolution, Xman, King Lu, Joe Joe. I was blown away by the confidence of their stage presence and delivery, last year we had talks and a song came out. He recorded and sent me to put in a chorus and the song came to life. It's one of my favorite joints believe me, and we still going to work more together. He's a dedicated artist and I respect that, both him and Bongs. There is also Undecided Crew damn that crew is dope and asemancinci amajita they got a great future yhooo, Test I see you. 

Are you open to collabos? Or you did that one only because its BJ himself?

If you can check, as a solo artist I have never released any project but just singles. Basically, people know me mostly off my collabos. I 'm that one artist who believes in that, I believe collabos create friendship and unity among us artists. Lol....but damn they always want me to sing even when i want to RAP hahahaha eish I guess its my own fault nhee. I did songs with Manskap (EC), Iintloko Zeenyoka (EC), Hasty (EC), Buntu Jobela (CPT), Sphura EC, Sensitive, Ngqayi Yakwantu (Uitenhage), Duntone (Uitenhage). DJ TULZ (EC), SOSO Boy (EC), SNH (EC). Blaqseed (PE), Qalazive (PE) to name a few. Now, on process of recording with JAHKONGO (CPT), Nqontsonqa (Grahamstown), Buli (CPT), Truth Exposer (EC), Lord Normz (EC) some are songs I produced. 

Any plans to support your hustle on the standard that you've reached with your music?

The aim is to continue with growth and also on the business side of music as I have no manager or team, but I have to give it to the people damn they give me support so in a way I do feel like I have a team out there. My Facebook , my Mdantsane, Eastern Cape people, ayii bro the support is amazing and they assist me to push more and my wife is the Pillar of it all. The guidance and support she gives me is amazing, I couldn't ask for no better partner. 

Anything that you are currently working on? A project maybe?

I am currently on the proess of recording my album titled 'L4MP' (Love 4 My People). We just wrapped up Normz's album, from recording, mixing, beats to producing, in fact the whole project and Truth Exposers.

Name three South African artists that your playlist can't do without.

South African artists keep growing and the rate of the music being released is so fast that one can't keep up lol......But give me Bongeziwe Mabandla, Kweriz, Odwa we Capital Effect and my current project due for release any time soon lol........

Ifani is doing very well in Jozi, do you think he's paving the way for more Xhosa rappers?

Ifani is a true example of a hard working artist. Indlela ivulekile, sifikile ebhantini and now they know a sample of what we are about as EC in terms of Rap. Big ups to Ifani, I respect him his carrying the flag high but masizame simncedise umjita, EC rappers need to push hard also for the  mainstream because uyedwa ngoku pha, lonto ithi siyadingeka as an army or EC and CPT artists. Driemanskap is there already. 

Okay back to you, most people I've come across know you as just a rapper/singer but not for your production. Is it because you do the rapping and singing so well that they forget the beat lol (jokes) talk to us about your production man and who have you worked with?

Production wise I've produced for Qalazive - (Ziimbi Iindaba), Sensitive - (Thula Sana), Lord Normz's first album and current album due to be released this year, Capital Effect - (Kuyobanini, I know, Getho Youth Remix), Ingoma (my version with Duntone), Travelling (with Siseko Kondile) - Sphura EC - (Kaloku Ndiyakunga) - not released yet, Nqontsonqa and Buli - (Embo) , Couscious from Mtata, Simbone - (Adam), to name a few, and an upcoming song featuring Jahkongo. Some of the song are still soon to be released.

Again, congrats on making it to the top 20 for BTTC 10K challenge. Please share the voting details.

Dankie skeem sam this means a lot, god bless you and your crew and lets make them dreams come true, the time is now. 

For the Back To The City votes kindly sms BEATMCS - LUSH to 32541 sms cost R1 (you can vote as many times you like) also use this link to vote online once a day http://www.backtothecityfestival.com/p/vote_13.html

Anywhere we can get your music?

http://bozza.mobi/LUSH - Music Link

http://www.beatmagazinesa.co.za/lush-by-the-way/ - Profile

http://www.heavywords.co.za/audio/863-lungisile-mdunyelwa-iphupha-nexesha - Publications

https://www.facebook.com/LushweCapitaleffect?fref=ts - Facebook

Any words of inspiration to the brothers and sisters out there hustling?

Continue to dream and make it a reality. Remember those who dare not to dream will live an ordinary life but dreamers view the world with a different eyesight. Be careful of your surroundings when you are hustling, always put god first in everything you do. Put respect in front, in everything you do, respect people no matter how mean they are towards you. The world we live in today can easily distract you from your goals, protect your mind and surround your self with positive beings. Let there be light in your direction. CAMAGU. 

Thank you for your time my brother and all the best for the 10K Challenge, bring it home.

Ndiyabulela.

HIP HOP SESSIONS: GOOD? BAD? WASTE OF TIME?

by Mpendulo Mabindisa 

After attending almost every hip hop session in Cape Town, I've had so many questions in my mind, which some of them I never failed to answer. Hip hop sessions are where most talented artists got discovered from, and its still a place where most promoters go to when searching for fresh new talent. In the last year, I attended sessions and noticed that people were coming out in numbers to watch artists perform. Some say people only come out because its free as we know most hip hop shows with entrance fees don't do that well in attendance. Nevertheless, people come out on sessions and that is good.

What gets to me, is seeing artists doing the same thing, performing the same songs for the whole year and getting the same reaction. I fail to see growth on most artists, don't get me wrong I don't say artists are not growing out there. There's a few that have elevated to the next stage, which is paying shows, events, festivals etc. but as much as we are getting new faces on sessions every month we need more artists breaking into the next stage. Recently, I asked my self a question "Are hip hop sessions still helping artists or we are just stumbling in the same place, doing the same thing and we just don't see it?". I was lucky enough to bump into people that were willing to share their views and understanding in response to this question. This is what they had to say:

SABZA

The purpose for sessions is to help up-and-coming artists get their names "out there" so I guess since they are still doing that, they are "helping" artists. But it's up to the artist to grow and progress which is very hard in Cape Town because Cape Town hip hop is not an industry but a scene - there aren't a lot of paying shows here so artists because they love performing and still want to take their craft to the people, go back to performing there. So it would be silly to blame the artists and it would also be silly to blame sessions for anything. Sessions are what make Cape Town hip hop "raw" in that you start there and prove yourself to heads first before you can progress further. Or at least, in a perfect world. 

ELLO: Well, I'm going to be as honest as I can. Hip hop shows are not what they used to be or must I say are not doing what they are supposed to be doing. In my own understanding, they are suppose to help an artist grow and expose those who still want grow. What we see these days is the same line up show after show. Same people, it doesn't matter if there are 2 events on the same day still we going to see the same people we see on sessions doing the same thing. That being one of the reasons why you'll never see me again, I can't spend all my money and time to see same people performing same songs.

MADIRA: To be honest, sessionS are still helping upcoming artists. Remember, sessions are where peoplget motivated and inspired. So for upcoming artists, its helping a lot. For those who have been doing it for long, I think they are driven by desperation. Most cats are so desperate to perform due to shows being scarce. I feel that established artists should use sessions when they have something new to offer that will open spaces for the young'uns/upcoming artists to be recognized. Today you can't see a difference between a show (Paying) and a session. It's because what you see at the sessions is what you will get at the shows. Mad-Era #Team_Huslin

CYCASTIQ

Personally, I haven't been to sessions for a long time now as I didn't see much they did for me on a personal level but for others they might have been good so to answer your question, no they not doing  much. We now live in an era where technology is very influential and everything is on the internet so MCs feel like what's the point of going to a session with a few people from your hood to perform your music while you can get on the net and share links to your music and reach thousands of people at once. With that being said though they still are necessary in preserving the true culture of hip hop because after all it did start in those sessions and many MCs were born there so its basically a 2 way stream as to which is the greatest between the two Cyber world or the Streets, I take cyber though.

"To me, sessions are really helping, because I take them as a tool to sharpen the art." - NDLULAMTHI

LARRY

The state of hip hop development is hideous and its more of benevolent, artist aren't getting paid for performances, that's killing motivation. Artist that are getting paid either they got a good management team that handles all the A&R duties. The moment you demand your own rights from a promoter which they can't meet they becoming dingy towards you. As well artist turn to fail undertaking enterprises, form an ensemble where there's discussions, about unity, creating easy platforms for artist accessibility(database to be specific). Entertainment is no promenade but a cut throat industry, and very few artist are successful in Cape Town other than that Hip Hop here is retrograde. That's just my point of view.

DIZZ

It's all up to the artist, that's just how I feel about it. It's what you as an artist do with the platform given to you. I know artist with skill but are too arrogant to use sessions to gain the popularity and fan base they need because they want to get paid. The industry has sold us the idea that its easy to blow, they just didn't tell these dudes that before blowing up you need a fan base. Hard work and a positive attitude bro, there is too many expects and very little rappers who can actually penetrate and hold their own at sessions.

MINKY

As for me, I don't feel the urge to attend a hip hop session because it seems like its a just a place for a bunch of friends to catch up and bond. If ubani uyaya then sure thing nobani uzoya screw whoever is on the line up, but somehow they do help artists in terms of building a fan base i think..That's just how i see it.

STEVEINHIO

I'm not an artist or something big in the music scene, I'm just a big fan. In my own opinion sessions are good for beginners, people who wanna horn their skills and make a name for themselves. Your more established artists should however avoid these sessions and get a good PR person who will make sure they get paying gigs.

MZK

I think they are helping, especially for young and upcoming artist because that's where they test their skill of rapping, nurture their skills and launch their new songs.That's where most of us started performing and gained confidence.It's also a great platform to network with other artists. Hip hop session are a good platform, where artists can gather and socialize. It's a platform where everyone from every corner is welcom to perform and expose themselves to the public and also get a chance to showcase their latest projects..All in all I think they still benefit some other people.

MEET THE FUTURE OF CAPE TOWN HIP HOP: WAH-LI

by Mpendulo Mabindisa

Catching up with the freshest kid on the block. I had some time with the man himself to discuss, the past, present, and the future. Check it out:

Awe fam, Ugrand?

Awe bra. I'm all good.

So who is Wah-Li?

Well, Wah-Li is a 19 year old kid from the streets of Delft South. He's a very ambitious young fellow. He's just like any other teenager out there but with a bit more edge to him. Always going out of his way to achieve his goals which are often ''BIG'' and ''UNREALISTIC'' to many. Which kinda makes him a bit special lol.

It's quite clear that you doing something right, last year you made it to the finals of Rawkus which many believe you should've won, now you made it to the top 20 MCs for the BTTC 10K challenge. Take us through your journey.

Yeah, as I said I'm a person who's very ambitious. I'm forever setting goals for myself and people around me. Seeing us in a better place, and me being that kinda person I grasp at every opportunity that comes my way and make the best of it. Unfortunately I didn't win the Rawkus competition because I think most people were certain I'd win which wasn't the case. I lost through votes and I hope #BTTC2014 10K Challenge won't be a case of de javu. But I got over the loss the same day because it never helps crying over spilt milk. Not to sound egotistical but I know I'll go further than Rawkus anyway irrelevant of what happened there.

I've noticed that you have mad love for Proverb's music. Does his music inspire you in a way or you just simply relate to most, if not all of his songs.

Hahaha. Uhm, I believe I've lived some of his experiences during his teenage life meaning I relate to most of his recent songs. Me knowing that there are certain things I have in common with him always inspires me to reach further heights and believe in myself more than I did the previous day.

Any other South African cat you put up there with Proverb on your playlist?

Yeah, there are a lot of cats I listen to. It's not just 'Verb. I listen to Mothipa a lot as well. But I mostly listen to ''Spaza'' which some people find strange seeing that I rap predominantly in English.

Not so long ago, you were on Hectic Nine9 with your crew mate promoting your new joint with J Loyd. How did the song come about?

Basically Rap Legion & Jay Lloyd are part of BarcodedMusic. Most heads listen to our music and say: ''Now that's Real Hip Hop''. As such as we were trying to broaden our fanbase by bringing RnB into it (Jay Lloyd) and reach a bigger market. Not just be limited to heads. But we don't compromise on lyrics though, never!

Tell us about your relationship with Principles?

Well Prince is a friend and a brother above being our manager and producer. He's the mastermind behind Wah-Li, Maximum & Rap Legion

With the beef that's been going on between Philly and Delft cats what's your take on it?

Delft and Philly have nothing to do with anything. Niggaz got their own beef which they'll sort out their own way.

The 10K challenge, must be exciting to be in the top 20 nhe?

Flip it's super exciting but equally scary at the same time. I mean we're talking about the top 20 in SA out of thousands of submissions.

You couldn't win Rawkus because of votes. You need votes to make it to the top 5 of the 10K challenge, any new strategies to get more votes?

It's like I said before I lost because of votes and I hope that won't happen again. Nah I'm silent about my strategy. But I know my people got my back. Shout out to them. Respect and much appreciation. God bless.

Please share all the voting details with us.

To vote via SMS:

''BEATMCS - WAH-LI'' to 32541. R1 per SMS. Vote via SMS as many times as you want

To vote online:

http://www.backtothecityfestival.com/p/vote_13.html scroll down to the very end. Click next to my name then vote.

What do you think of Cape Town hip hop scene? And if you had to change one thing about it, what would that be?

We have too many people complaining about the scene but none of 'em doing nothing about it. We have enough artists to make it anywhere but we lack seriousness. That's what i'd change about it. Niggas need to start acting professional.

How can people get hold of you?

Is it safe to give out my number? Hahaha emails address: anelab2r@gmail.com & barcodedmusic@gmail.com. Tweet me @WahLi_Barcoded. Facebook: Anela ''Wah-Li'' Mrubata

Any shoutouts?

Shout out to everybody showing love to a brother and my team @BarCodedMusic. I knows there's a long list of such people and it's unfortunate that I can't name you all because people might hate me if I leave their names out so i'd rather say none. I hope ya'll understand though. And also shout out to all the radio stations playing our music. Highly appreciated, stay blessed ya'll. Peace