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.
