Selfish Politics - Reason

The Local Government Elections (LGE) are just around the corner for us South Africans - voting happens on the 18th May. You'd literally have to be living under a rock to not be aware of this. We were recently listening to a music on shuffle mode and happened across a song by Reason titled 'Selfish Politics'.  During the build up to the National Elections which were held in April 2009, Reason wrote a song titled 'Selfish Politics'. In this song Reason expresses his thoughts on politicians and the government in a no-holds-barred manner, encouraging the listener to consider what 17 years of democracy has translated into for the citizens. Taking the LGE's into consideration, we got a hold of Reason to find out what lead him to write the song, and whether his feelings have changed since then. Take a listen to the song and check out what he had to say. The lyrics to the song are also below.

CM: When you wrote this, it was around the national elections in 2009. What was your frame of mind then and what made you write the song?

Reason: Honestly... I was hurt. I had personally amped myself two years before, to actually participate in the elections. I wanted to vote. I didn't at first, but my pops made me understand the significance of a vote. It’s about making the right choices to change things. To my demise... I had no choice. Voting had become a head count event. Votes are given to "whoever came first to fixes my tap/toilet/streets/ issues first" these days. Not, "who’s fighting for my rights or understanding the relevance of making my environment a decent place to live in like you promised". They're even throwing parties for votes. I mean common!! 

CM: We are now counting down to the local government elections, has anything changed regarding the way you see elections, campaigning and the government?

Reason: It's getting worse. Now they've gone from "beating" each other by "buying" the peoples favour, to pointing fingers. "You didn't do a good job here", "Well YOU did a kak job yourself there". Like kids arguing about "Who Started"... "You did", "No YOU did". The reality is... THINGS AREN'T GETTING DONE. It shouldn't matter who had to do it. If it’s not done and you know it, why should we praise you for getting it done? The government you BOTH serve said it would get it done.

CM: What is your feel on the youth and their stance when it comes to politics? Are we apathetic? Are we involved enough? 

Reason: I think we're as involved in politics, as it is with us. The reality is, the government doesn't have anything to offer us. We don't want basics. We not even planning to stay in the hood that long. We want money. WE NEED MONEY. So they won’t holler at us until they find something to get us involved. Right now, history is running politics, not change. What they’re doing in the meanwhile though is give you a good time. Throw the youth big ass parties in their name and let us have the fun FOR THEIR NUMBERS. That’s our current relationship with the government... Entertainment.

CM: As far as I'm aware you won't be voting in the LGE (based on comments on twitter). What is your reason for this?

Reason: I have nobody to vote for. If any of these candidates win, I’m unhappy either way! If anything... chances are, the guy that’s gonna win, is the guy I was gonna vote for anyway. Not because I want to, but because the rest are worse. 

CM: You performed this song acapella at Back To The City and received a raving response. How important is it to you as a hip hop artist to discuss real life issues in your music?

Reason: It reminded me that, above the idea that we (artists and fans) are separated, we're actually not. Cause we all have the same issues. It is unfortunate that we would be at a freedom festival & only a handful of artist would try and be responsible with their time and make relevance to "Freedom" through their music. Especially when you're addressing +/-10 000 young people at the same time. On another scale... I also got to remember who I am, what i do and to never be afraid to say what’s on my mind cause chances are... there’s +/-10 000 people out there who feel the same way.

CM: Last words?

Reason: If you have a choice and you believe in it... Vote! But if you don't... then have yourself a great holiday. Peace!

Lyrics

“Selfish Politics” (Slumvillage  - “Selfish”) Remix

Written: Reason

Album: “WenzTheAlbumCuminOut?Mixtape” (2009)

They said: Vote for me, vote for us

Vote for a better life and for the party you trust

Vote for jobs, health care and poverty cuts

But 5 years from now, we’ll still be voting for such

They promise people alotta relevant things

Stressin that things - will be better if veterans win

But then in the end, the government’ll battle again

Coz they plannina win your votes with celebrity spins

(Ha!) -and that ‘s what breaks my heart now

pops fought for a freedom he ain’t felt since he got out

Raising us now, seems harder coz he got out

To see cats he ran with, snatch water from dry mouths 

-But wait! Let’s take some time out

And give props to everything the governments piled out

Child support grants, power cuts and how bout’

Fake ass condoms and some 45 houses

-Ok! Maybe 45 thousand

In 4 to 5 towns, you can afford with 5 000

the force of 5000 shouting!

Fuck the Gautrain we got falling down, falsified house

-And then u tell me vote for ya!

Vote Zille, vote Lektota, vote Zuma

Vote coz it’s what we fought for and “vote coz ahhh…

…If you vote for me, I’ll rob and not kill ‘em”

So I say - Fuck the government!

Fuck whoever’s the cause informal settlements

The devil is runnin this city metro police

And all we gotta show for it, is ink on thumb on ya shit

-Thinking I’m dumb and shit!

After 2010 we might be where Zimbabwe is

And you’ll also be laughing in ‘em garden chairs

Sippin on them cheers, drowning in ya selfish

Hook x4

Politician’s is selfish/

Ya wannit to ya’self you can’t help it/