What does it take?

Travelling around South Africa it ’s astounding for me to see that the thing replacing skill in Mzansi is swagga. Gone are the days where skill and originality took precedence over what’s out there or what’s hot. I always encounter youths that ask me, “What does it take for me to make it in this music bizz”. It’s simple…..SELF DISCIPLINE. It’s the easiest thing to do yet the most difficult too. It requires you to look into yourself and to be honest with yourself. It’s requires you to acknowledge your weaknesses and to even more build on your strengths. It requires you to indentify your CAPACITY.


Self discipline deals with the self and stripping yourself down on all levels of being and being honest. It’s a skill…in my opinion. Self discipline when cultivated teaches you to expand your mind and tap into the Infinite and indentify the unlimited power that you possess. Relating to hip hop self discipline gives rise to skill, that then with time through assimilation of experiences gives rise to style (individuality). Self discipline is a life skill. How are you gonna “make it” if you don’t have basic self discipline tentants to for example, wake up early, discipline your mind to read and listen, discipline your body to adhere to your mind, discipline your spirit so to be in tune with nature, yourself and The All.

So skill in my opinion is more than busting those multi – syllabills, throwing down triple click flares and being an ego-driven idiot or doing being able to do air flare combos. Skill is the abilty to listen, learn, assimulate then create.

Skill is infinite……

Check it out...

In “Hip-Hop Revolution” South African filmmaker Weaam Williams takes a nostalgic and energetic look at the hip hop culture and its influences on South African youth on the edge of a new post-apartheid South Africa. This film, a favorite at this year’s AFI Silverdocs Festival, has been praised because it gives “voice to South Africa’s hip-hop subculture, and reminds Western viewers of the complexity of black experience, at home and worldwide.”




In the Cape Flats, outside Cape Town, South Africa the music of the South Bronx found a receptive audience who recognized in the American ghettos problems similar to their own. Economic apartheid is not so far from political apartheid, to the person trapped within. Despite isolation by the Western boycott during the 1980s and censorship by their own government, South Africans heard and found inspiration in American hip-hop from early East Coast right up through Public Enemy and NWA and in the break dancing and graffiti art that accompanied turntablism and street poetry.The result is an indigenous South African hip-hop culture, rich with African rhythms far more explicit than the indirect influence of that continent on American R&B, and deeply expressive of the obstacles facing post-Apartheid youth: HIV-AIDS, poverty, unemployment, gangsterism, poor access to education, and gender inequity. In interviews with South African musicians and artists past and present, including members of the influential Prophets of Da City (POC), Weaam Williams gives voice to South Africa’s hip-hop subculture, and reminds Western viewers of the complexity of black experience, at home and worldwide.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKG2uIwD69Y Weaam Williams is a published poet and short story writer. She studied at the University of Cape Town, and works as an insert producer/director for the popular SABC magazine show. Her first feature documentary was The Feminine Divine. Hip Hop Revolution, which has been a three year ‘labour of love’, is her second feature length documentary.

My headphones only been transmitting non hip hop sounds over the last couple of weeks. I’m so in love with the Kyle Shepard album, Fine Art. Yes I said inlove. Kyle is a talented jazz pianist and composer hailing from Cape Town, South Africa. I’m not reviewing this cd just buy it if you love music period! www.kyleshepherd.co.za He will be performing later this month as well. I’m gonna stalk this guy till he says yes to do a track with me, I’m a fan!

Another original source is Marvin Gaye’s “I want you” album. This album though short (in my opinion) is one of hip hop’s most heavily sampled albums besides James Brown off course lol. De La, Pharcyde, EPMD, Ice Cube all got their chance to flip it. I’m sad that I never got to buy the original vinyl and that I have it on cd because I just love the art work that Camp Lo also used for their debut release.

Hopefully this year I will do more non hip hop mixtapes because there’s just too much good music out there. I’m also reading Arrest The Music by Tejumola Olaniyan which is all about Fela Kuti, his rebel art and politics. It’s one of those books that fills some gaps for me because I was (and still is) intrigued by the man and his works. Well for now it’s back to what needs to get done, tonight I can hopefully indulge in that BBE Hugh Masakela cd…

The way it is....

Geesh another year passed and we are to celebrate the second year of Classics hosted by The Chief Rockers and Adidas. I’ve always wanted to do a party of this nature and now I’m content that it’s one of the best events in Cape Town. It’s always inspiring to work with like minded peeps minus the ego, politics and b.s. I’ve always maintained that artists that’s skillfull and humble (not disguising it with arrogance) are the ones that impress me. Mzansi dj’s across the board has so much to offer. We need to move in a direction of ownership and not wait to be booked for events. The South African house scene is the perfect model for all hip hop dj’s in Mzansi. Spindle Crew, Beat Bangaz, X-Rated and a few others are in the forefront of making this happen for the hip hop scene across the board. Respect to Idol Hands, Spindle Crew, Optimus, Codax, Shane Fataar, Beat Bangaz, Chief Rockers for trying to push the envelope in all aspects of hip hop dj culture from radio, mixtapes, turntablism, production, club and events.




I’m busy putting together another “alternative” event for 2010 which I hope will grow on the same level of Classics and Night of The Beat Bangaz. Join the group ” Classics ” on Facebook.

MR.DEVIOUS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEcmXKFOtJQ

Fond memories of Mr.Devious. I especially remember the Nicro jam mid 90's with his partner, PAIN. The illest combo at that time also giving emcees a whipping at spots like Angels. The stuff that Shaheen (P.O.C) and Ready D produced for his album was too nice. R.I.P brother.