UnderGround Battles: Nick Explicit retains the War with Words 3 crown

This past weekend was filled to the brim with hip hop events and festivals. We had international flow masters Elzhi and T3, Slum Village, come through to Bassline on Sunday night and the infamous Back to the City hip hop festival on Monday. For the underground, this past weekend was all about ciphers, punchlines and most importantly, Battles!

Crazy 88 was taken over this weekend by surprise after a crowd of cut throat MCs with lethal rhymes invaded the spot for the War with Words 3 Rap Battle for R10, 000. Once again, that crazy white boy came through and ripped the place to shreds! Nick Explicit came out victorious this past weekend when he defeated all opposing challengers in the 3rd annual War with Words Rap Battle to win 10 grand.

The event was originally scheduled to go down at Platinum in Fourways, but at the last minute, 6pm, SMS’ were sent out to inform everyone of the change of venue. What resulted from this late shift was a smallish crowd with not that many hip hop heads out to show support. We could argue that the shift in venue made it a little easier for Nick to take it, but then again, between taking the crown in 08 at the same event, and beating Pro, you can’t really hate on him. Well done Nick, represent for the UnderGround.

UnderGround Business: Getting Paid with MTN Xploaded!

Making money off your music as an UnderGround hip hop artist in South Africa has never been as easy as right now. Cellphone operator MTN has introduced a new portal called MTN Xploaded where MCs can register their music, and have it sold via the MTN mobile portal at costs that range from R2 to R5 a song. This means that on an underground mixtape with 20 tracks, minimal return is 40 bucks, of which the MC gets 33% in the their pocket, for one copy sold. South African artists like Jus Dat, Zaki Ibrahim, Ba4za, Rattex, JR and Shugasmaxx, to mention a few, are actively involved with MTN Xploaded, as well as all the artists that feature on the HYPE magazine mixtape that is released with the magazine every two months.

Not only does having your tracks on MTN Xploaded cut out manufacturing and distribution costs, but also allows headz to access South African underground hip hop from anywhere in the country and beyond!

For so many years the industry has been complaining about the lack of avenue’s to push underground hip hop and the lack of returns when it is done independently. In S.A, underground hip hop artists battle with actually getting their mixtapes sold on the street, securing performances at gigs that cater to mainly commercial artists, minimal compensation for performances because the underground is not considered commercially viable and for extra measure, have to face the humungous task of fighting piracy.

Finally the underground has been exposed to a platform that allows the fans to choose the music for themselves and not be subjected to playlist rotations on commercial radio stations. The UnderGround Angle encourages all headz to get involved with MTN Xploaded and help build the hip hop economy!

Visit http://www.mtnxploaded.co.za/ for more info and details on how to get your material on there!

UnderGround Crew: Backyard Crew emerges from the deep Underground.

Backyard crew is a collective of five Khayelitsha MCs who have been tearing sh*t up in the Mother City for more than 8 years now. Coming through on that Spaza Rap tip, Kideo, Point2, Phoenix, Vannemerwe and Mashonisa, who also does the beats, see themselves as the true representation of life ekasi.

The name Backyard Crew is based on the principal of good hip hop artists in Khayelitsha and its surrounding areas that want to get the recognition they deserve, and the Backyard Crew are the headz out there representing for them. In terms of style, these cats are classic underground Spaza. Kinda like Driemanskap when they first came out.

“Our music is about our township, Khayelitsha, and its social issues. We want to dispel the negative stereotypes associated with townships: violence, women and child abuse, etc.” the crew explains.

Though their names might not be highlighting huge events, Backyard Crew have had their share of successes. Having opened up shows for Zola in April 08 and a getting their track, “Hayi”, to number one on the Yfm hip hop chart in October that same year, proves that these hip hop headz are certainly not wet behind the ears.

Their first album, “Sebenzel’eyadini”, has 17 bangers on it and is available through their label, backyard records. For more info, get on http://www.backyardrecords.co.za/ or email distorshine@gmail.com

UnderGround Art: New by-law threatens CPT graffiti!

Graffiti artists in and around Cape Town have come together to oppose the new proposed by-law that deems authorised graffiti on private property illegal. The by-law states that even if the owner of the building or house has given the graffiti artist permission to spray the wall, it is still considered illegal.

This means that home owners will no longer to be allowed paint anything other than the house number on their walls and may not allow any graffiti artists to do a piece on it. South African underground creative’s have come together to oppose this and a petition to amend the new by-law has been started on the internet.

As many signatures as possible is needed to give to the Cape Town city council during the public participation meeting scheduled to be held soon. Murals like the Faith47’s piece shown above will be painted over and declared illegal if the law is passed. We call on all hip hop lovers, UnderGround and Commercial, to sign the petition and protect a crucial part of our culture.

Get on www.petitiononline.com/art4all/petition.html to sign.

UnderGround Poetry: Street Poets, Freedom vs. Democracy.

Over time, Slam Poetry has worked its way into the foundation of hip hop culture, thus creating another avenue for headz to express them selves. Because of the complex material which is studied at tertiary institutions, University Slam Poetry has often manifested itself as a mouth piece for the solutions of intricate problems, as well as the reflection of thoughts that belong to the leaders of tomorrow.

Street Poetry is an organization on the Tshwane University of Technology Cap City campus that has grown so rapidly that we had to take notice. Consisting of everyday students studying courses that range from Engineering to Criminology, Street Poetry has become much more than a society for students who wanna be cool. Today, the society will host a “Freedom vs. Democracy” slam poetry event, to celebrate yesterday’s national elections, which is scheduled to take place at the Coffee Theatre in building 4 on TUTs main campus.

Performances from an assortment of cerebral students ready to express truth and feed minds with revolutionary views can be expected at the very least. The event kicks off at 1:00pm and entrance is free. For more information, visit www.jamrockexpress.blogspot.com

UnderGround Workshop: Back to the City 09. learn, build, grow.

Unlearn and Ritual Stores presents the “Back to the City” Freedom Day Festival in Newton Johannesburg on Monday the 27th of April 2009. The event is an all day hip hop convention, that features countless hip hop workshops and performances from some the best on the S.A. UnderGround. Sh*t kicks off at 10:00am to 10:00pm, R30 gets you in.

Do not miss this!! This is gonna be a historic day for hip hop!

PS,

Come through and hang with The UnderGround Angle crew. If your an underground MC, and your any good, step up to get your innerview!!

UnderGround Gigs: Flex Boogie, The Pens & Swords launch.

Last Friday, 17 April 09, the much anticipated Flex Boogie, formerly known as Hakeem, launch went down at the State Theatre in Cap City. The event had been waited on by headz for so long and much to our surprise, the attendance did not reflect this. Hakeem is a well known figure on the Cap City underground, so why did headz not come out in support? Was it because the cover charge was 60 bucks? Psh… The turn out was very disappointing and I think we as the hip hop community, especially Cap City, should stop complaining about not enough Underground events and actually support the one’s that we have.

One a lighter note, Flex Boogie’s new album Pens & Swords is another must have for fans of real hip hop. We all know that Hakeem is a lyricist. His exhibition of skill is to be admired, his flow is too dope, and in terms of concepts, H’ got it on lock. The new album boasts some new characteristics from Flex, but the jazzy piano and bass guitars are still there.

Featuring bangers like Tswakomore and Thwantsha Monwana, Flex Boogie displays the lyrical genius of Hakeem that we all know so well and a tribute to his baby girl shows off the soppy dad side of him. With such brilliant material on the new album, it’s almost sad that the event could have been more of a success. Big Ups to Flex Boogie for holding it down for the UnderGround. Cap City, WAKE UP!! Pens & Swords is available in most major music stores around GP. Get on houseofhiphop.co.za for more information.

Look out for features on RAS, Poet the Sonnet and an in-depth look at UnderGround business. [How to get Paid]

UnderGround Wear: KasLam, Back to eKasi.

KasLam is a proudly South African clothing brand that has taken GP by storm. The concept is intricately simple. A t-shirt with the names of the most popular cities around the world is invaded by your hood’s name. The name of your Kasi is then blown up and stands out, as to suggest that your hood reigns supreme. The initiative encourages South Africans to take pride in their roots and support their own hip hop culture.

Founded by Brix in November 2008, KasLam has been overactive in terms marketing and brand distribution. KasLam t-shirts can already be seen all over Cap City as well as Jsec, Durban and some parts of the Eastern Cape. On the 20th of March 09, KasLam had a fashion show at Zanzu, the popular student spot in Hatfield, Cap City.

We caught up with Brix to hear how things went. “The show was off the hook. The response that the students have given is really good and we’re hoping to infiltrate the different varsities in S.A by the end of year. Hopefully everything goes well.” To get hold of one of the famous KasLam Ts, go to www.kaslam.co.za, email them at info@kaslam.co.za or contact Thato Moloto at 082 929 7453 for any further information

UnderGround Theory: The Rise of Commercialism.

For so many years now, the line between commercial and underground hip hop has been distinctively drawn as a battle field for underground MCs to express their discontent towards the commercial market. But why? As the hip hop community, we should have the final say on what should be considered commercial or underground hip hop, so why is underground considered a sub genre of hip hop when we started this shit.

In the early 90s, corporate America made a business move that would forever change the direction of hip hop as we knew it. By signing the most influential hip hop artists of that time to major record labels, the corporate world was able to enforce their own ideologies on the entire universe, under the banner of hip hop. Leaving the everyday hip hop head on the street, who is all about expression and empowerment of the youth, to submerge into the UnderGround. And so our society of UnderGround artists was born.

This gave rise to a new generation of MCs that were no longer expressing themselves, but pushing the disguised agenda of a corporate giant with hopes of becoming wealthy. i.e. Soulja Boy. So where does this leave us? Fair Enough, we have our Black Thought, Madlib, Mos Def, Ben Sharpa, Hymphatic Thabs, Nick Explicit and so on, but why is the S.A. UnderGround not making the impact that artists like Da L.E.S and Soulja Boy are making?

As the hip hop community we should take to arms and buy into what we believe in, and not what we are being told to believe in. Realistically, none of us are living the lifestyles of the commercially successful artists but most of us can relate to the struggles of Thabs or Ben Sharpa. So why endorse artists that we cannot relate to, and ignore the brothers that are telling our story. The major record labels, in S.A and elsewhere, are endorsing their own ideology that encourages people to aspire to lifestyle that will ultimately keep us in poverty, and keep the corporatist extremely wealthy. So, why endorse that lifestyle in the first place?

Let the UnderGround Unite, Let us create or own corporate world. Let real hip hop have the final say.

UnderGround Artist: The Almighty One

Our Underground Artist Profile for this month will focus on Cap City MCs. So, without further delay, I present, The Almighty One. Bruce is one of those MCs that leaves everyone in the battle venue shook. Coming through on some gruesome lyrical display with vulgar metaphors, The Almighty One, as he is known, is laying the foundation for his Underground career. Though he hasn’t been getting much work in, One plans on dropping some of that fire on the upcoming Expressionists tape and also plans on taking the game to places unknown.

The Almighty One’s career has gotten off to a shaky start though. In 2008, Bruce went up against Cap City underground veteran Phats, at the Expressionists first formal gig. Needless to say, The Almighty wasn’t that sharp on the day and was left on the floor by the intricate word play and over your head lyricism of Phats the freestyle fiend.

I caught up with B’ to get his side of the battle down: ‘Yeah he [Phats] was just on point man. Our styles are completely different, but I guess his was just popular on the day. But the Almighty never sleeps dog, there shall be a return.’ Look out for more of the Almighty One on the Expressionists mixtape, coming soon!

UnderGround Scene: TUT (Totally Underground Thinkers) Hip Hop Sessions.

South African tertiary institutions have always been recognized as the breeding ground for the leaders of tomorrow. At the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), the fusion of these bright minds with hip hop has given birth to Street Poetry & Expressionists.

At first glance, they might seem like just another group of students having a chill session, but upon further investigation you realize that these group of individual’s posses a lyrical gift. From gangster rap and intricate flows to mad word play and some of the sharpest lyricism in Cap City, TUT’s hip hop culture is, for lack of any other word, mad ill.

Every Friday from 12 to 5pm, a group of creative minds gather at the TUT Pretoria campus. Their meeting is in the name of hip hop, rhymes, punchlines and flows, but most importantly, expression. What had started out as a group of friends just hanging and kickin’ ciphers has developed into the birth of a vibrant movement. Expressionists are a collective of students from in and around Cap City that are pushing hip hop on the underground. Boasting with MCs like Lebses, Toxic Verbalist and The Almighty One.

Right now Expressionists are planning the release of their first mixtape, which will be pushed on the Cap City street hustle. Look out for interviews with Expressionists members and a review of their upcoming mixtape.

UnderGround Style: Spaza Rap, More than just a Cipher outside the Corner Store.

If you’ve ever heard a Driemanskap joint and found yourself wondering, is that a South African language? Well the answer is no. That is Spaza Rap, and it’s straight from the streets of the Mother City!

Spaza is a slang word meaning informal, and is more commonly known for its reference to a township store without the legal formalities. Spaza rap is a sub – genre of hip hop, with its roots in isiXhosa, which originated in the Western and Eastern Cape.

Back in the day when cats first started rapping in their mother tongue, (vernac) the unwritten rules were very rigid. If you were spittin in Zulu, then it would be pure Zulu and nothing else. The same rules applied for all of the other languages. As early as 93’ Western Cape hip hop crew, Maniac Squad were mixing up their mother tongue, isiXhosa, with English as well as the
slang used at the time.

This new kind of rhyming went on to be known as Spaza rap and wasn’t received well at first. Maniac Squad crew member and now renowned Spaza rap artist, Rattex, remembers when they used to call it a Spaza – rhyme. When they would rap in isiXhosa and English in one verse, and weren’t taken seriously by heads who claimed that it wasn’t pure hip hop.

“Spaza was small back in the day – it was all about English raps. English rappers used to call us Kwaito MCs.”

The criticisms of the first Spaza MCs were their weak rhymes and predictable flows, but after the new generation of MCs, which included Rattex, Driemanskap, Ben Sharpa and Kristi Ye’spaza, came through and changed the whole perception about Spaza rap with dope flows, rhymes, metaphors, similes and multi syllables the industry started to take notice.

In 2004, after a chance meeting with Eastern Cape rapper Trusenz, Damian Stephens aka DPlanet decided to launch his own production and publishing company, Pioneer Unit, to release Trusenz’s debut album Nomadsland. This label would go on to be the driving force behind Spaza rap.

Over the next few years the Unit would go on to release a number of mixtapes and albums, including Planetary Assault and Rattex’s Bread and Butter, which has cemented Spaza rap’s place in South African hip hop history.
Most recently Pioneer Unit played host Lyricist Lounge all-star Wordsworth and managed to get him in studio with Cape Town hip hop veteran Ben Sharpa to lace another D Planet classic.

In 2005, Driemanskap, a Spaza rap group from Gugulethu in Cape Town, went on tour to the Baobab Festival in New York, performing with the legendary Dead Prez. This in turn brought a lot of attention on the Spaza rap culture and recently landed the trio a deal with Pioneer Unit.
Now with the likes of Ben Sharpa, Rattex, KONFAB, Kristi Ye’spaza and Driemanskap in studio, DPlanet and his team seem set to take the market by storm.

With the recent hype surrounding Spaza rap, another compilation, titled Spazashop, is set to drop in 2009 with the only information being available on myspace.com/spazashop. Spazashop boasts Soundbourne on production, featuring Korianda, Kritsi Ye’spaza, Driemanskap, Khanyi, Chronicseed, Soulja, Mfanekiso Ngqondweni, Unic, Lady Slice, De ja Vu and Lungelo on vocals.

UnderGround Artist: Tujay Harmoniquez

Straight outta Cap City and crunkin up the streets we have Tujay Harmoniquez. With the 2008 release of his debut LP, 16 Bar Wire, and launching his own entertainment/music company (4site), the Rustenburg bred MC has made in name for himself, and left heads in anticipation of his next blessing, R18 VSNL (Visual Sentences n Lyrics) scheduled to drop in 2009.

Tujay’s unique style and voice mixed with a sick flow guarantee’s that he’ll leave his mark. After dropping tracks like “boxing ring” and “do what you want” from his first offering, he has definitely become someone to look out for in 2009!

Right now Tujay is busy setting up his own studio and working on a new management team. Look out for more updates and an exclusive with Tujay.