Friday, 31 May 2013
BEHIND THE SCENE: TERRY THA RAPMAN - TESTING 1,2,3
Present on set were Vector, Ketchup, OverDose and a host of others. With the sexy appeal in the video, is terry gradually stepping off ‘real hardcore rap’? Time would definitely tell.
Wednesday, 22 May 2013
Fecko Presents 'Raw African Poetry 2.0'
Promising African rapper, Fecko, is back with another heavy
collaboration. His style has been compared to the like of K'Naan and
this time he's waving the 'green and white' flag on this classic rap
song titled 'Raw African Poetry 2.0' produced by Teck-Zilla.
Sunday, 5 May 2013
Hiphop births the 'United States of Africa'
Africa is the second largest continent in the world with a population of 1.0billion people and a total number of 54 sovereign states "countries".
Is it me or is Hip hop not playing a major role in terms of bridging gaps between all the geo-political zones in the continent. Hence, giving birth to what I call the "United States of Africa".
As I write this article, I am seated at a windy balcony listening to "All In" by Camp Mulla featuring Manifest and "African & Proud" by Banky W featuring L-Tido, Camp Mulla, Vector and Sarkodie. For me, it spells out one thing and that's 'Unity'. I am glad to see a lot of cross-border collaborations within the continent. If you have been a long time follower of my music, you will recall that I released a song with a similar concept, titled 'Raw African Poetry' which featured various rappers from Zimbabwe, Zambia and Kenya. The track was even mentioned in SA's number one Hiphop magazine, HYPE. I am presently working on a reloaded version of that song by the way.
If African artists keep chunning out collabs like that, perhaps someday you might bump in to Nigerians in diaspora speaking Swahili eloquently and also find Kenyans conversing in Pidgin. It is our duty to embrace and nurture our different cultures.
Hip hop shouldn't be the only music genre saddled with the responsibility of uniting Africa. What about Pop, Jazz, Reggae, RnB, Afrobeat or Kwaito? Won't it be awesome to hear Asa and Freshly Ground on one song? Or imagine Femi Kuti teaming up with Ladysmith Black Mambazo. I am sure there is a newer generation of music lovers that crave a breath of fresh air in the kind of songs they listen to.
Apparently, the African music industry is fast evolving and this is evident in the way most record companies operate these days. For instance, Kenyan-based record label Taurus Musik has Zambia's award-winning group, Zone Fam, under its stable. To further illustrate my point; Kenyan songstress, Victoria Kimani is signed to Chocolate City Music (Nigeria). Distance is no longer a barrier, especially when A&Rs are dealing with pure talents. Label executives now go all out! So it is seemingly possible that I could get signed by Sony Music Africa someday...'you never know!'
Late Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikpolakpo Kuti once said "Music is a weapon...". Senegaleese singer Youssou N'Dour knew he held this power in his hands and decided to organise a concert for the release of Nelson Mandela in 1985. N'Dour also discovered Somali rapper, K'Naan during a speaking engagement before the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in 1999, where K'naan performed a spoken word piece criticizing the UN for its failed aid missions to Somalia. N'Dour's goodwill was not only restricted to his home country, but was felt in other parts of the continent. He believed in the 'United States of Africa'.
I was interviewed on a radio station in Malawi a while back, where I extensively talked about 'Unity in Africa' and the need to produce more African Hip hop TV shows. The media can serve as a catalyst in the process of bridging gaps. Don't you think it will be better if the next BET cypher in Africa features different African rappers under one umbrella? Just a thought! The world is looking at the motherland for inspiration. Viva Africa!
Why I went M.I.A...
I owe it to my fans to explain why I seemingly went on hiatus. Actually I
have been occupied with academics through out the past first quarter of
2013. For the recs, I attend Yaba College of Technology (the same
higher institution where popular Nollywood actress Omotola graduated
from). I am studying Agricultural Technology and I am also the Vice
President of the A.A.T.S ( Association of Agricultural Technology
Students) in my school. It is said that with great power, comes great
responsibility. Hence, I have been a very busy young man lately;
juggling my personal life with school, while serving the interests of my
fellow students. Notwithstanding I have been trying to keep up with the
social networking age. Yes, I used the phrase "Keep Up" because my case
is somewhat similar to a scenario where we have a group of Native
Indians in the deep woods gathered around a laptop (laughs). My campus
is situated in the out-skirt of the city and far away from the concrete
jungle. Thanks to the roar of aeroplanes flying in the sky, which
occasionally remind me that I am still in the 21st century. Recently I
just completed my first semester exams, now I am back to civilization.
It's time to chill and relax and also record new tracks!
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