UnderGround Style: The Motswako Nation

According to the largest online encyclopedia in the world, Wikipedia, Motswako is a Southern African genre of hip hop most popular in Botswana and South Africa. It consists of a mix of rap lyrics in both the local language (Setswana), and English layered on a steady beat. Other languages used include Zulu, French and Afrikaans as per the rapper's origin. The genre gained popularity in the late nineties as acts like Hip Hop Pantsula (Jabba) and Scar started rapping in Setswana, resulting in an increased followship from the local population.

From an underground perspective, mostwako is an every growing sub-genre of hip hop that should not be overlooked by underground MCs as commercial or sub-ordinate to other underground styles. Just like Cape Town gave birth to Spaza Rap, Mafikeng has given birth to motswako, and with more and more underground MCs preferring the style over the conventional English raps, it has become evident that motswako has firmly cemented its place in underground hip hop culture.

Acts like Jabba, Morafe and Tuks are not necessarily the pioneers or the best at the motswako style. Underground MCs like Katz, Molemi, KT and many more have been actively promoting social awareness through the motswako style and have gained a substantial following whilst doing so. This proves that though many perceive the style as a ‘good party mood tracks’, motswako should not be regarded as just that, and can be utilized to spread knowledge to those who are attracted to the style.

In Cap City, artists like Lyrical Eye and crews like Expressionists have managed to re-define the boundaries set for motswako and subsequently have brought more headz into underground hip hop. Other artists like Hakeem (Flex Boogie) have taken socially conscious lyrics and a message of power and prosperity to a national level through this style.

Disliked by many, understood by few and utilized by a minority, motswako has not only opened up another avenue for MCs to express themselves, but has also given back to the disadvantaged through financial returns. So as corporate companies pump money into motswako, underground headz should be the first to use that money and spread knowledge, social awareness and messages of peace, power and prosperity to all.

Motswako Nation Rise Up!



Pix: K Steph
Writing: Oblivious Truth