KDB!!! If for some reason you have been hiding under a rock and you have no idea what those three letters are, the you need to come up to the sun and have a good time. Ke December Boss and @iambakdraft of the duo Quietude, laced a dope track about the good times ahead. Give it a listen below. Dude is working on a solo project due to be dropped some time in 2012 titled 'Elements of Fire' and if the title is anything to go by it might just be blazing.
A few years ago CapCity mag, which was a digital mag released on DVD, put a video of Ondaground performing 'Women' live on Yfm.This happened to be the first issue of the magazine, which had potential to revolutionise the way hip hop was reported in South Africa.This was sadly never to be, but many cherished moments are stored on those DVDs. Ondaground's Yfm performance of 'Women' was 1 of them.Those who have had the pleasure of seeing Ondaground on stage will know the energy he brings to it. He is very animated.Ondaground had FlexBoogie, another Cap City hip hop stalwart, helping him with the vocals for the chorus. These two brought the song to life.
The song is laid on a jazzy musical master piece, typical of the Cap City sound, which was made by rapper/producer Thir[13]teen. Thir[13]teen is said to have 'never written a wack verse in his life'. He brought some of that precision on this production.The opening line of the song "I love women, yeah I said it, I love women" lets one into what it's all about. The verses are well written and relatable, making it easy to have one's mind drift to the melody and the thoughts it hosts. Ondaground stamps his authority on the subject with a firm "I know my brother's know what I'm talking about" and a grin emerges on my face.He then goes on to croon a gentle "If you're out there be part of my life, girl" as the beat plays out. The cherry on top. It's perfect for a relaxed setting; something to nod your head to and chill out with. Hear it here Ondaground - womenor download it here:http://mp3twit.com/c5n
After reading all the reviews about this project and watching this video, we sure don't need more convincing, we gonna cop ourselves a copy.
On their website the project is explained "an existential re-telling of the short life of one Redford Stephens (1974-1999). Through the use of emotives and Redford’s internal dialogues the album seeks to illustrate the intersection of free will and prescribed destiny as it plays out ‘on the corner’. Utilizing a reverse narrative arc, the album begins as the listener finds Redford disoriented–postmortem–and attempting to make sense of his former life. As he moves through its pivotal moments he begins to deconstruct all that has led to his (and our own) coming undun."
Undun is already rumored to be a possible contender in the Album of the Year category, only time can tell.
Most of us
only became familiar with Kanyi after she was featured on Driemanskap's S'phum'eGugs. Kanyi has been working on her album, Iintombi Zifikile. She worked with
the likes of Mananz, Elnino, Planet Earth, Simiato Matk, Soulpros, JB
and Digi-Analog on the production side. The album features artists such as
Driemanskap, Korianda, Jimmy Flexx, Lady Slice, Souljazpros, Kritsi
YeSpaza and Khanyisile Mbongwa.
The official video for the first single of the
album, Ingoma, is out. Presented by Mo' Fire Music, the video stars Lulama Mali as Zodwa, Anele
Matoti as Solomzi naturally Kanyi as herself. Its definately one of the freshest videos out currently. See
the video below and let us know what your take on it is.
Mutle Mothibe, of Inaudible is venturing out on a solo project tittled: Mutle's Propbox: Rehashed and Rehearsed. A word master of note, Mutle was one of the finalists at the 2011 Word & Sound Poetry and Live Music Festival. He gave an electrifying performance at the festival, a performance which he says was a sneak preview to what we can expect at Bassline this Sunday. We had a brief chat with him about what we can expect from the show.
What can we expect from Mutle's Propbox: Rehashed and Rehearsed? People can expect more than one medium through which poetry is explored. I want to try tap into more ways than just body language to accentuate my words and exploring the topics I write about. I want to try step away from the conventional..." My NEXT piece is!" structure and create a different way of coming at the work. I want to try treat people to a sensual experience at the show and have them walking out of there having a shift in how spoken word art can be approached.
What in your opinion is the relation between hip hop and poetry if at all? I have been attending poetry sessions where there is a Rhythm And Poetry section included and have actually come to feel that I don't want to share such stages anymore. RAP crowds have a different approach to poetry in comparison to poetry which requires that people tune in and listen. The correlation between RAP and Poetry is words but past that I feel poetry sessions should be dedicated to poetry and Poetry to Poetry. Poetry is part of Hip Hop as one of its elements but I've come to feel poetry and hip hop require lots of control from organizers for the crowd to feel the different artists.
Above is Mutle performing Parkinsons, a piece dedicated to Salvidor Dali, Mahommed Ali and Micheal J Fox and everyone with the condition.
So go check him out for a sensual experience on a Sunday afternoon.
When: 04 December 2011
Where: Johannesburg, Newtown, at The Bassline Time: 15:00 - 16:00 (be there at 14:30) Price: R60 (it's going to be worth it)
Pilzy Lee dropped yet another beat tape and if you've heard any of her mixes then you know its a banger. As a Fuse Academy for Girls graduate, she blends different genres in her mixes with ease incorporating Hip Hop, Jazz and Soul music. Her next project, Dubstep mixtape is expected to drop in a few weeks so look out for it. Hop over HERE to download the beat tape. See track list below.
Capital did a Q&A with Modenine last year, we going down memory lane.
Not
a lot of artists are true to their craft because of the commercial calling, y’all
can rest assured that Modenine is true to his art. With an album out that is 22
tracks deep, Da Vinci Code, he may be from Nigeria but he definitely is an
international force to be reckoned with. Capital knows no boarders so we caught
up with Modenine to hear more of what he is about.
Capital
– You say you the bravest lyricist in Nigeria, how so?
Modenine
- I call myself the bravest lyricist in Nigeria because many Emcees over
here dumb down their lyrics and change their sound to appeal to the masses; I
can’t blame them they all got to play safe. I do music from the heart and if I
can’t put out music that I am satisfied with I’d rather quit. A lot of my
friends say I’m mad brave with my music because it’s hard to survive doing
vintage hip-hop, especially in Nigeria
Capital
– you’re a self confessed loner and you hardly featured other artists on your
work previously, did you feel that they couldn’t compliment your flow or what?
Modenine
-I’m a loner in a way, but that don't mean I don't have friends. im actually a
very friendly guy. Plus I do a few features but I don't like doing songs with everybody
and their mother lol. Sometimes the person bugging you for a collaboration is
wack! It’s as simple as that. I don't wanna do tracks with wack people or
sometimes they don't come up with the right beat. I am a very picky when it
comes to beats. You expect me to jump on any old half baked beats. nahh.
Capital
– On your song ‘Pain’ you say ‘if I don’t make money I got myself to blame coz
I didn’t sell out, and I didn’t make my rhyme lame.’ Which artists are worth
noting shouldn’t have sold out if at all in your opinion?
Modenine
– I’m doing this rap thing because its one thing that I love sooo much and I
know how to do it. I’m actually having fun. I always knew I wasn't going to
compromise. I ain't trying to put nobody on a blast, so I’m not naming names of
other artistes who have sold out. They know themselves and they burn inside
every now and then lol
Capital
– A lot has changed in hip hop with every era that comes, which era stands out
for you?
Modenine -Hip-Hop is crazy yo!! The era that stands
out is the Golden Era. Everybody had to be different to shine and also lyrics were
mad important, cats were mad dope on different levels. Now all you got to have
is a dope producer (killing the beat), an R&B hook, mad promo and it’s on
lol. I love the early / mid 90's that was when most of the cats shining were
real. Even though we still have a bunch of dope emcees they don't get the love
they deserve. It’s the golden era baby!!
Capital
– What projects are you currently working on that we need to be on the look out
for?
Modenine
- I’m currently in London working on "Pay
Attention" which is an all African collaboration album with producer ALIAS
from South Africa.
For now I’ve just got one feature and that's from my man from Botswana, ChubHeights.
I’ts gonna be out for free download in October 2010. We are also putting out an
EP on Itunes that will be a mish mash of Modenine songs old and new. In a few
months I’m looking at making a new genre of Hip-hop (adult contemporary
Hip-Hop) called AFROBOOMBAP which is some serious minded African real Hip-Hop
with heavy high life influences. An album will drop some time next year, so y’all
look out for that.
Capital
– Will you be heading back down to SA anytime soon?
Modenine
- SA is a cool spot, I’ve got many friends out there. I’m pushing out a collaboration
album with a South African based producer Alias so I guess ill be out there to
promote it later this year. Shout out to HHP, Zubz, Proverb and Ben
Sharper!!! Tell Pro and Kaptin to send
their verses I’m getting tired of waiting!!! One
Modenine’s collaborative album with Alias titled “Pay
At-10-Shun” was released on 10.10.10. The album, which has 10 tracks, is up for
free upload here: http://www.sendspace.com/file/5m6ycl
Heavy D, born Dwight Arrington Myers, passed away yesterday. He was the leader of the group Heavy D & the Boys which was very popular in the late 80s and early 90's with hits such as Nuttin' But Love, which went platinum in the USA. He recently performed a medley of his past hits at this years BET Awards.
On September 17th he released his fourth solo album, Love Opus, who knows, like many artists it might just become a best seller post his death. see Nuttin' But Love below. He will surely be missed.
Tomorrow is the official dropping date for Audiophiles mix-tape, Here It Is, but we got a sneak preview to the download link to share with y'all . The tape will only be available for download on the net, but depending on the demand they might print it. They first dropped Smash (listen below), a track with which they are showing those in the game that its open and that Audiophiles is switching things up, and not politely too. Hop over to HERE to download the mixtape. Dont say we never hook y'all up, hahahaha.
Have you ever wondered whereTrompie began with his journey as a producer and which mixtape got him the respect he has now? He went down memory lane and dug up his first mixtape, Blekmarket scenarios vol.1. He explains the title saying that"since most songs there are somewhat international and I bootlegged their vocals and made them mine, the scene is set with an emotional radio/street hustler called Rabu. He goes in by playing these joints but dissing the characters/artists. RABU is "THAT NIGGA" you dont wanna mess with"
The weekend is closing in on us so if you have no plans for Saturday go through and check this out.
On The Real Presents Real Talk:
A lounge session wherein you will be treated to a...
Presentation of a thesis on the use of African linguistics in Hiphop culture
by Nicholas Welch
Show reel presentation by Sakhile Gumbi (Filmmaker)
Discussion on the current state of S.A Hiphop industry with Tongogara "Battlekat" Ntlokoa
Poetry perfomance by T.O.T
And many more...
Real fee: R20
For more info please contact Thabo Pie and Teboho Serobe on 076 074 7835 and 083 745 7571
K-OS has been on repeat today, more specifically his fourth album Yes, released in 2009. The album peaked at #9 on the Canadian charts and was on the initial list for the 2009 Polaris Music Prize before the shortlist was released. "4 3 2 1", “Burning Bridges" and "I Wish I Knew Natalie Portman" are some of the popular tracks on the album. Peep the video for "I Wish I Knew Natalie Portman" below .
Trompie aka The CHEF brings you "Music about H.E.R Prelude" an advanced version of his forth-coming album, *Music about H.E.R* In the Prelude he uses story telling of Dan Browns Angels and Demons which he says represents the two characters of a person, because one can be an angel and a demon. H.E.R can be a woman too, one who exudes both angelic and demonic characteristics. The prelude is more on a story telling tip about the good side of H.E.R being the angelic side, the demonic side will be revealed in the official album. Hop over HERE to download the prelude.
See below for the track list:
1. CapCity cruising (performed by Quietude)
2. The First Time (performed by The BAND Academy)
3. Back II the Streets [remix] (performed by Ill Skillz & A HugeImpakt)
4. Hold Up (performed by Indegenus VC)
5. Propose a toast (performed by Sebukwe "PROF" Seramane)
6. Live and let love live (performed by The BAND Academy)
7. The Bump digidy [remix] (performed by Oxy,The Alliance,Cryogenic,Ribcage Infamy,Mmusa The Commissioner)
8. How can I? (performed by P dotO, Ras, N'veigh & Les-B)
If you looking for something to do on Saturday night, Bassline will be the place to be. Organik Soul featuring The Federation with their Hardcore Styles For Street Presevation and Meat The Veggies, offering a cosmic jazzy sound. With DJs Bobbi, True Jones and others on the decks, there sure will be good music to warm the soul.
Check out The Federations dope video for Cold Of The Night ft Dark Spark below.
Check out the video below and get to know Meat The Veggies.
Doors open at 7pm, Ladies free until 9pm. The Federation's Hardcore Styles For Street Rap, a double disk, will be on sale so make sure you get yourself a copy if you dont already have one.
3rd Wave is dropping their EP, Table Manners, and if Target produced by Nkuli is anything to go by, its gonna be a dope release. The guys will be hosting a listening session at the Ritual Stores today so if you can still make it rush over to hear what more is on the table. Fot the 1st single from the EP hop over HERE and also listen to Target below and tell us what you think.
If you follow TheBeatOven on twitter then you would have seen the tweets with which he took us down memory lane to Vol.2 of Straight From The Oven released in 2006. The idea of the mixtape came about after a failed attemp at releasing one with N'veigh after which he hooked up with a number of artists to work on it. The mixtape boasts verses from the likes of Damola, Blaklez, N'veigh, Verbal Assassin, Stas, Vision of Spirit and Ras and Reason among others with the mixing and mastering done by Boitumelo Molefi of Toxic Studios. Pop over HERE to download the mixtape.
This post maybe a bit delayed but aint no time like the present right? We remembered the track Dj Hamma, part of the Spindle Crew, did featuring Reason in 2009 and we still got love for the track, haha
Reason dropped a dope track titled 15 Grand recently, the first single from his upcoming album which will drop 10 2012, plus dude is now signed to Motif Records owned by Tumi from the Volume. We are definately gonna keep our eyes peeled for this project.
Randhustle is a crew that hails from Durban with seven members, namely: Renovatio, Crazyee Kidd, Floda, Pulchritude Queen, General Ace, SHY and Cee-Cee. The crew is currently working on a mixtape titled “The Wreaths Mixtape.” We all know wreaths are associated with funerals so when asked why they chose that title they say it’s because they are burying the hip hop revolutions that exist as they are the future of hip hop offering a diverse sound opposed to the sound that currently exists. The mixtape should be out by August and Pardon my swag is said to be a favourite with the masses. To hear more from the group logon to these sites: reverbnation and soundcloud and tell us what you think.
Deep Soweto, known for their unrelenting vernacular lyrics, have become one of the fiercest underground hip-hop acts to spring out of the soil of this beloved kasi. Native Pitso caught up with the movement for a quick Q&A unraveling their secret for the game and turning a few pages of Deep Soweto’s history book.
CM: When did the idea of Deep Soweto come about? DS: The idea of DS was given birth to by Salas on the 7th of September 2005, that’s when it all began. DS is a movement and not a crew as commonly mistaken. The movement is all about addressing isimo sa boDaki (black people’s situation) in the everyday community life we all live in. And because we love Hip Hop, we use it as a medium to convey messages and share knowledge of how to conquer our situations by standing up and actually doing things for ourselves, we say vuka uzenzele!
CM: How has Deep Soweto grown? DS: We can’t really sum it all up but in terms of fan base it has grown tremendously! From the East to the West Rand, Orange Farm, Durban, Cape Town and even internationally, we have fans in Germany, Holland, USA (Boston in particular) and also in Dubai. Our music is even banged in prisons cells, you know! Its ironic that our hometown doesn’t grasp us like these other places, but more growth is yet to come. People have showed love to our clothing line, which is still to be properly introduced. Over and above we are trying to break into the mainstream and hope to reach greater masses!
CM: What do you think about the local Hip-Hop industry? DS: The perception we share about Hip-Hop in Mzansi is that the real or true essence of it is being forsaken by a lot of heads, you know! More of hip-hop artists nowadays focus on ‘punchlining’ rather than being relative to their audiences, and it’s basically all about throwing the best punchlines and getting props for it, which is really not the entirety of hip-hop. Hip-Hop is greater than that, it’s about content, skill and relativity. Another detriment to the local industry is how the genre of hip-hop is handled by record labels; “you cannot treat a hip-hop artist as a Kwaito artist, you know!” the two are totally different. Hip-hop artist reqiure more investment that will go into the essentialities of promoting such an artist, gigs, videos, marketing all of these need to be done differently than in the case of artist in other genres. So we believe a lot of this record labels need to begin to understand that hip-hop is huge.
CM: How do you plan to change or contribute to the local industry? DS: Deep Soweto has long begun to change some perceptions about hip-hop, especially within the South African context. To a certain extent, we’ve re-introduced rappin’ in our own languages. We’ve inspired a lot of up and coming heads to feel free and actually express themselves in vernacular and will continue to do that. Even the perception of wearing clothes seen on TV in order to be seen as a ‘real’ hip-hop head is untrue and we’re also trying to change that by the type of clothes we wear. Basically back to what we said before, hip-hop is about content, skill and relativity more than any other thing and we’re all about that!
Its Wednesday, no wait, its actually Frwednesday. For the past couple of months Fratpack has been dropping songs on wednesday and they termed the leaks Frwednesday. Today they dropped the official video to Dream. Check out he video and see the brothers working up a sweat while chassing their dream and tell us what you think.
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!
On this project San the Instru-Monumentalist (Lesotho) and Phil the Kritik (Uganda) hooked up to produce this mixtape, Classic Dirt. Featuring the likes of MSU, Core Wreckah and Pitso Ramakhula on the Sotho-Hop side and a couple artists from elsewhere as well, we think its definately worth a download so click HERE, after all 'dirt is good' so said OMO
Ras Rayz and Al da 3rd are Audiophiles, a name that Ras got while paging through a magazine and one which Al did not oppose. The duo is soon to drop their album and they just droped a track that they did with Mothipa, hop over to HERE for the track and while you there listen to Brighter Day.
