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.

Jamati: You worked with a Nigerian producer, Maye. How did you connect and what did you work on?
I met Maye at a nightclub in Johannesburg, in Sandton, called The Palms. There was an international hip-hop dj there called DJ Green Lantern. We just started talking and he said he was in the music bizz. I told him that I had been writing my own stuff for 2 years now, but had never been in a studio before. I freestyled right there on the spot for him, he liked what I did, and the next week we started recording. From there I just kept on grinding and growing as I learned more about production, etc. Maye hooked me up with some cats in the game, so big up to him for making it happen.

Jamati: The song you two recorded, “Verbal Massacre” was picked up by DJ Khaled & the Terror Squad, and featured AKON and T.I. Are there any plans to collaborate with them on a song?
Yeah, it was featured on a Khaled mixtape called “Coast 2 Coast” which was released in the States. And it had some big names on there. Just to be on it with those guys was a big step forward for me. I am definitely gonna do as many collabos as I can. But everything will come in good time. Its not worth pushing some things too hard. If you work hard it will come naturally.

Jamati: B-Real from the group “Cypress Hill” has invited you to record a collaboration in Los Angeles. How did you two connect? Is this the beginning of several collaborations?
LA, was crazy. And just to meet such a legend was unreal! I mean when I was young, Cypress Hill were the guys that made me wanna become a rap superstar. And the next thing I’m in studio recording with them! The guys are very chilled out, and we connected instantly; in the end, it’s the same hustle worldwide. The song is called “Step Back” and will be released in August, on “The Harvest Volume 1” and on my album “Get Ready”. Its definitelythe start of many new west coast collaborations for me. I also received an international distribution deal from Fred Sherman’s record label “Latin Thug Records” in LA, when I was there. So they are planning to distribute my project worldwide later this year. And I will be back in LA soon after launching my album in South-Africa.

Jamati: What other producers and musicians have you worked with, and who have your favorite ones been? Have any of them helped mentor you?
I’ve worked with a whole bunch of artists and producers like: Maye and Igho from Nigeria, Big Buff from Zimbabwe, DJ Dino Bravo, Lady Lea, D-man (RIP), Turas from Ghana, Cashless Society, Dem Crack Boys, Luki Mareki, and Draztik. The White Lion from Cape-Town must be my favorite. I’ve learned from all these artists.

Jamati: South Africa and Nigeria have an emerging music industry that is becoming well recognized in the international arena. What do you think needs to happen in Africa as a whole to help bring the industry up across the continent?
What I’ve seen from being in LA recently and working and talking to the people in the industry there is to just be yourself and be original in whatever you do. Don’t try and be like anybody else, cause if you sound different, fresh, and new, you will attract attention to your music and people would want to listen to your story. I think too many African mc’s, try to be something that they are not, and that’s what’s stopping us from blowing up. We have enough talent in Africa to dominate the scene, so work with each other, cause that will more likely help you, than steal your shine. Thanx to Jamati for the interview, go to my website or myspace page for more.
At ease!!!

Jamati: Thank you for your time.