Weez gives us a Verbal Massacre

Interview by Shirlene Alusa-Brown | July 8, 2008 | Leave a Comment

One of the best things about this job is being able to highlight talent that mainstream media seems to miss all the time. Weez, a hiphop rapper from South Africa, is one such talent. Despite being recognized by several notable producers on the continent, and in the diaspora, he is still a relative unknown. This despite the fact that one of his raps is part of a compilation that has done very well in the United States, and the fact that his upcoming collaboration is with a person who was part of the reason Weez got into rap in the first place. Always ready to put on a show, he had to freestyle at the American embassy to get his visa (they weren’t convinced that he was really a rapper). Jamati caught up with Weez to find out what makes him tick.

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Filed in African Hip-Hop » African HotSpot » Backstage Pass » Music

Wale Folarin - The Next Big Thing!

Written by Shirlene Alusa-Brown | June 27, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Rolling Stone says he has more crossover appeal than weed (oooh, that’s serious!), and he has been featured in several magazines including the New York Times, Boston Globe, Entertainment Weekly, Washington Post, Vibe, Complex, Hiphopgame.com, AllHipHop.com, Entertainment Weekly, and The Source.

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Filed in African Hip-Hop » Music

PiliPili - His stage name is Swahili for “pepper” and yes, his voice is just as hot

Interview by Mkhana | June 19, 2008 | Leave a Comment

His stage name is Swahili for “pepper” and yes, his voice is just as hot. Pilipili is an African artist intent on singing his way into the hearts of everyone, everywhere. With his uniquely recognizable pipes, the singer started off his career as a rapper performing all over Nairobi, Kenya in 2002. The response of the audiences at Nairobi landmarks; ‘F2’ (Florida 2000), The ClubHouse and Vybestar, where he performed convinced him that music was, indeed, his calling.

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Filed in African Hip-Hop » African HotSpot » Music

Emmanuel Jal

Written by Awo Sarpong Ansu | June 10, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Believing that being identified with the “thug life” will give them street cred and help them sell cds, some musicians and rappers hit you over the head with images of violence, greed, and misogyny. And when confronted about the themes in their music, some musicians will try to avoid responsibility by claiming that they are just “keepin’ it real”. But sometimes the music is not very real, but a marketing ploy by artists desperate to sell records. Some have gone so far as to invent criminal histories - not naming any names, just saying that it happens.

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Filed in African Hip-Hop » Music

NIX - Senegal’s Rap Meister

Written by Shirlene Alusa-Brown | May 30, 2008 | Leave a Comment

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NIX is a great rap artist from Senegal who is now based in France. Influenced by the sounds of Doug E Fresh, Kool Moe Dee, Father MC, Public Enemy, he was inspired to try and follow in their footsteps. It was the discovery of french rappers like MC Solaar, Assassin, NTM, and IAM that led him to decide to make a mark as a Senegalese rapper. He formed the group, Kantiolis, with his friends Ibrahim, Bap’ S and GeSer and they won best rap group in 1994 and 1995. » Read more…

Filed in African Hip-Hop » Music

Hip Hop Pantsula - Mr Jabba man

Interview by Prudence Chauke | May 21, 2008 | Leave a Comment

This two-time SAMA award winner whose name is one of the most respected in the SA music industry makes hit after hit, never disappointing and always exceeding his fans’ expectations. Jamati caught up with the man himself and this is what he had to say: » Read more…

Filed in African Hip-Hop » African HotSpot » Backstage Pass » Music

Swahili Nation - Rapping in Swahili and Repping Africa

Written by Shirlene Alusa-Brown | May 16, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Swahili Nation was originally founded by two Kenyan brothers, Andrew and Ken Muturi, and a Tanzanian, Cool James. Cool James went solo in 1992 and they added two Ugandans, Ken Kayongo, and Charlie “King” Todwong to the group. They were very popular and soon signed a deal in 1996 with Dr. Alban of Dr. Records. » Read more…

Filed in African Hip-Hop » Music

X-Plastaz - Reppin Tanzania and the Maasai

Written by Shirlene Alusa-Brown | May 9, 2008 | Leave a Comment

X-Plastaz originally consisted of three members and was formed to address social issues in a form that could connect with the younger generation. The original members, Ruff, Gsaan, and Ziggy, worked in a haircutting salon in the heart of Maasailand in Tanzania. » Read more…

Filed in African Hip-Hop » African HotSpot » Music

Abbass Kubaff a.k.a. Doobeez

Written by Shirlene Alusa-Brown | May 2, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Abbas Kubaff aka Doobeez was born in Nairobi, Kenya in Eastleigh, a rough neighborhood in Nairobi, Kenya. He grew up in Kariobangi, South (K-South) and showed an early interest in music. » Read more…

Filed in African Hip-Hop » African HotSpot » Music » Up and Coming

Young Nations: South Africa’s Hip Hop Innovator

Written by Shirlene Alusa-Brown | May 2, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Young Nations was born in South Central L.A. to South African parents. The son of an activist, he became actively involved in numerous organizations focused on global youth empowerment. Nations helped organize one of the largest protests against apartheid in Los Angeles, and was one the youngest members of Children of War, a non-profit organization of young refugees from war torn countries around the world. » Read more…

Filed in African Hip-Hop » Music

Hip Hop Pantsula (HHP) - Acceptance Speech

Written by Shirlene Alusa-Brown | April 7, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Hip Hop Pantsula, better known as HHP, is arguably one of the most innovative hip-hop artists in African music today. His latest album, Acceptance Speech, highlights his versatility and great ability to utilize different genres of music (a style he calls Motswako which means ‘mixture’ in Setswana) to bring out a unique hip hop flavor. Even more interesting is his use of a 12 piece band (6 ladies [Bass player, Alto Sax, Trombone, Keyboard, 2 backing singers] and 6 guys[Guitarist, Keyboards, Drums, 2 backing singers and myself, the rapper]) to round out his style. He has performed with Will Downing, Angelina Kidjo, Jamie Cullum, Saul Williams, Snoop Dogg, Kwani Experience, Ringo, Bongo Maffin, Mapumba and many more. » Read more…

Filed in African Hip-Hop » African HotSpot » Music