#FeatureFridays Interview With Miikah
Words By Phil Chard
“Up until last year I was basically fooling around on [Fruity Loops]without a serious drive for it. Then at the beginning of this year I felt like this was a viable option for my life.”
Michael Bopape aka Miikah is an enigma. That's the only way I can describe him. A 17 year old producer and rapper who balances his time between music, school, binge watching anime and pondering on the various topics of philosophy and introspection.
My first introduction to Miikah came in the form of his 8 track debut project - NegativeXero.
“The whole EP is based on the title Entropy to Nihilism. So the whole thing is idealistic Entropy from the surface of what Miikah’s daily thoughts are, which incorporates the influences from Japanese anime. Like 10 Tails”
For an artist so young and so new to music NegativeXero is surprisingly dense yet impressive. It's not an easy listen by any means. The beats are layered and complex, Miikah's lyrics touch on several abstract topics loaded with nerdy references that even I had to look up. From covering anime, to depression and the existence of God, it is by no means a project that the masses will latch onto.
What it is though is a well packaged window into the mind of an artist with a non linear and developed thought process and how it relates to his surroundings. Much like the Woke Warrior on our timelines, we might always get what they're saying or the references, but you can appreciate the art form. The way Miikah builds his beats with sounds that you would never normally pair to make diverse and palatable soundscapes is impressive. Even more impressive is all 8 beats are completely different to each other. There is certainly a lot of potential in Miikah's work and I look forward to hearing more.
miikah_2d
THe Boiler Room SIts Down With DJ Jimmy Jatt, Don Jazzy & Dr. Sid
by Phil Chard
Boiler Room sat down with the Nigerian trio of DJ Jimmy Jatt, Don Jazzy and Dr. Sid for a discussion that is part of Boiler Room’s Guardian Gateways series. During the chat, DJ Jimmy Jatt ranted about the term Afrobeats and how it unfairly limits African and Nigerian artists, while also chronicling how he helped play a part in the popularisation of new forms of Nigerian urban music during his career.
Don Jazzy spoke of how he first met with Dr. Sid and how they managed to record his debut album Turning Point in just 2 weeks. The Mavin Records front man also speaks of how he started Mo Hits with D’Banj and how they went on to sign Wande Coal, Dr Sid, D’Prince and K-Switch.
#RapShootr | Snapping From Taiwan To SA with Daniel Toro
Words By Phil Chard
#Rapshootr’s a series of interviews with photographers who engage different elements of hip hop culture throughout the African continent with their practice. Some already have their own platforms while others are igniting their own fire beneath the radar of an international gaze.
In this edition of #RapShootr we speak to the Taiwanese photographer Daniel Toro who has been collecting some pretty incredible shots of the South African music scene since relocating from the East Asian nation. All image captions by Daniel Toro.
How did you start in photography?
I love music so much! About 7 years ago I went to a music festival in Taiwan and I fell in love with a British rock & roll band that was touring around Taiwan and attended many of their performances in the clubs. It was at one of those clubs that I had searched for their photos and came across Danny Chu the resident photographer for that club. I eventually met him and he taught me my initial photographic skills, at present I still always learning via her photographic artwork. The rest is practice and learning all the time
What inspires you?
I get inspired by people. I get inspired by the 'moments' of people. For me it is to capture a specific moment or an emotion of a person/performer or a feeling that the person may be processing. Once people see the moments of them that are captured in the photograph it fuels my inspiration more to record more of these moments. That moment captured can be carried through with them their whole life. I remember I walked into a salon of someone I didn't know but I saw she had a developed a photos she found on a website of her and her fiance. I took that photograph. The fact that her fiance doesn't like taking photos yet they both love that photo and that was the photo she decided to put on her business wall inspires me to do more.
Milkee & Oriigenelle were performing at Hipnotik 2016. Milkee was posing a sexy dance and Oriigenelle was acting like “No No”, seems like matching to the song and especially the light on Oriigenelle face, and made this photo completed.
What equipment do you use?
Nikon D800 [with these lenses]
24-70 f2.8
70-200 f2.8
14-24 f2.8
Most of your shots are very vibrant with lots of colour and saturation.. What drew you to that style?
My photography is my artwork. Photography is just like a painting. For me, I like colourful stuff. So my artwork will be full of colour and will be deep with emotion. Mind you that I do take some black and white photos which will still be full of depth. Whilst I am photographing I take particular notice to atmospheric lighting, or my synthetic lighting. This lighting influences my work a lot. The job of a photographer is not just to press a button. A photographer has to immerse oneself into the environment, feel the frequency in order to channel the emotions into the photo.
Has social media helped you spread your work?
Social media definitely has helped my work locally even world widely. As I do like to work with people and those emotions, the people viewing my artwork will be the ones giving meaning to the photograph through my lens. But that means people do need to view those photos. But it is a lot of fun for the people to see their faces on my photos.
Riky Rick Makhado was performing at Waves JHB Edition, it’s not always happen in an event, especially in a music concert, when a artist jump into the crowd and sing and dance with them. Not easy to capture the moment due to too many people surrounding you even push you, but the result is amazing. It’s always worthy to try to capture from different angle, then you will know what you love and develop your own style.
What piece of advice (technical or philosophical) would you like to share with fellow photographers?
There is no shortcut. You have to practice all the time, it's a culmination of many experiences whether photographing or training your eye. Then practice your skill to emote that into a visual piece of artwork. Its not as easy as people think it is. Develop your style to be true to what your inner soul sees. Everyone has their own style and don’t let what others say influence or deter you. So that finding your own style is very important as a photographer and this is also my mentor Danny Chu Photography taught me.
#FeatureFridays Interview With Phlow
Words By Phil Chard
Last week's #FeatureFridays winner Phlow simply stomped out her competition in the voting poll by a big margin. With such a large following and a small yet impressive music catalogue to back her, I got hold of the Nigerian rapper to discuss her career thus far, being a women in rap and her career plans.
You seem to have a substantial following based off your margin of victory in the last [#FeatureFridays] poll. Can you give us brief rundown of how long you've been in the rap game?
It's been on and off, technically I got into the the game in 2014. But since 2009 I've been recording stuff. Way back in college I was part of a rap group and we would record songs and covers. My fan base is basically the rap heads here. My sound is not as popular as the usual African sound. But so far i've been able to get a little bit of a fan base
I read that you're a computer science graduate. So are you doing this Hip Hop thing part time or invested in it fully now?
I'd like to say I'm doing both part time. I'm doing the music part time and the work part time. It's a mix of both.
As it stands do you feel that your lifestyle cannot be fully sustained but the music?
In the long I'd like to think so, but between 2014 and now is a really short time so I'm just trying to see where it goes.
How did you link up with Tekzilla?
I met him in 2014. Within two months of meeting we started recording a lot of tracks. I went for this Hip Hop show that happens once a month with a friend. I got there and Tekzilla was the DJ and thankfully they let me perform. It was really good and Tekzilla hit me up and said he was working on a project I got into the studio and we worked on a song that is on the Mind Body and Phlow to [Reputation] the following week he hit me up again and it's been magic ever since.
As a woman in Hip hop how hard has it been to get your name out and get respected and recognised.?
Getting recognised and getting respect in this game are two different things. Getting recognised isn't that much of a problem because not that many of women are doing this. Getting respect is what you really have to work hard at. Some people just assume that you're a girl that you can just throw a couple of rhymes and “it's fine we'll listen to you”but to actually be respected and for them to be like “OK this girl can really really do what she's doing” is really tricky. I was recently part of the Hennessy VS Class [Rap] lyricist competition and it was really fun. I was the only girl and I was hoping I wouldn't have to get picked on that fact. I was one of the winners and I still like to believe that because it was a lyricists competition they really respected what I brought to the table Respect is something I'm working on trying to get every time.
When can we expect your album or follow up EP?
I'm working on an EP right now it's basically done. It's with a Swedish producer called Rayko so that should be dropping sometime in September. . It's a bit of a personal project. It's a different side. Then I've got another EP that I'm working with Tekzilla and another joint project with Cyclone. [The friend who took Phlow to the event she where she first met TekZilla ]
Are you trying to get signed or stay independent?
Well I'm approaching it as an independent. I have a production deal with Str8 Buttah that's where Tekzilla is from. I'm just working with them and seeing how it goes.
How frequently are you getting booked for shows out there?
Not very often actually, we have our own crowd but for the mainstream shows item pretty tricky.
Are there any rappers you're planning on working with on the content?
Yeah. Modenine is one, MI, there Poe, there’s lots of people I'd like to work with.
@Phlowetry
#FeatureFridays Interview with GZE
Words By Phil Chard
#FeatureFridays is weekly poll where the fans get to vote on who they want us to profile on the website via a twitter poll. Last week ZImbabwean rapper GZE walked away with the win. I got hold of the husky voiced rapper to discuss his upcoming album, his new movement and what his outlook for 2016 looked like.
AHHB: It's been awhile since we caught up with you. Why don't you tell us what you've been up to?
GZE: Yeah I just been loud behind the scenes, I believe with with great power comes great responsibility. I just laid back trying to to get a few artists up and running, setting up our stable and label and putting out a lot of dope music. I believe that's the only way you can grow the culture. It's not on one man, it's not on two artists it's in the the whole bunch of dope rappers, just come out and be heard and make a beautiful noise and bring that attention on Hip Hop . We did Brian G. We did Jnr Brown, now I'm up next.
AHHB: So what's the name of your label?
GZE: It's a conglomerate, it's a consortium of very open skilled synergies integrating to put put one big explosion. I represent Dream Catchers, Jnr Brown represent Big Boy Business and [Begotten Sun] represents Kings of a Young Nation - KYN records and we just come together to push from front different angles. These guys handle the media, we handle the studio processes and the other guys are Zezuru creatives, they do the visuals and make sure the revolution is televised.
AHHB: So you said you working with Brian G what work has he put out this year?
GZE: He put out Skiri at the beginning of the year, definite banger that's been doing well on charts, 4,5 weeks in the top 10. Just yesterday we were in the mixing session for his new joint featuring Guluva 7 it's called Hustlers Prayer it's a definite banger.
AHHB: What can we expect from you in 2016?
GZE: The album is definitely dropping this year. I'm just cultivating interest around the project. I just finished wrapping up shooting the Imhandu video and I got some deals lined up with Boyz Dze Tonaz, I got a joint that's meant to come out in August, they are endorsing that, they're coming out with the apparel and we'll do like a street bash barbecue in the streets out in the middle of Harare. I also got a mini documentary and short film coming out. All those go by the title of the album so it's the Hustlemania documentary and Hustlemania short film. I wrote the script for the short film, it's gonna be shot in the neighbourhood I grew up, [Southerton Harare].
AHHB: When is Your album expected to drop?
GZE: I'm looking at November, I just need to smash people with three more singles and get the documentary and short film out. I am hoping by then there will be enough pre-orders to make me want to put the album out. This time it has to make dollars not cents. We are here to set up the structures so it's right for the up and coming you know what I mean.. We have to be the torch bearers. We are all independent out here we have to think smart and act smart.
@resilience_gze
#RapShootr | Photographing Ghana’s Yo-Yo Tinz
Words By Tseliso Monaheng
#Rapshootr’s a series of interviews with photographers who engage different elements of hip hop culture throughout the African continent with their practice. Some already have their own platforms while others are igniting their own fire beneath the radar of an international gaze. We spoke to founder Selorm Attikpo, who is a filmmaker, photographer and cultural promoter based in Accra, about documenting the Ghanaian hip hop scene.
HOW DID PHOTOGRAPHY FIND YOU?
I think I found photography. My initial interest was and still is film. I was introduced to a Canon 7d, if i remember correctly in 2011. I discovered I could have both photos and videos with just one camera and also the relief of not having to capture tapes. So just trying all the possibilities with a DSLR camera, I gradually developed an interest for photography.
WHAT WERE YOUR FIRST EXPERIMENTS WITH THE CAMERA?
My first experiments was to try how everything work in a manual setting. The shutter speed, aperture, the picture styles, iso -- everything just to understand exactly how they work. But the challenge was that I did not own a camera when I started so between when I get to practice and when I see a camera again, I would have forgotten some things already. But with time I just got it but sometimes a little rusty. Good thing is I managed to get a camera now and i have cameras around me most of the time.
WHAT INSPIRED THE CHOICE OF THE SET OF IMAGES YOU’VE SHARED WITH US?
The thing I like to capture the most is moments. I enjoy my subjects with attitudes or a lot of mannerisms. I want to show you your picture for you to question exactly when you did that move or to say, you got that?! Sometimes the subject is just dull and you would not exactly get some great moments and sometimes you will just love it !!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SUBJECT TO SHOOT? HOW DID YOU STUMBLE UPON IT, AND WHY THE SUBJECT SPECIFICALLY?
I love shooting concert I think, mainly because I get to capture lots moments, so anyone on stage with the right moves is my guy. [It is awesome if] the lighting is great since i almost don't shoot with flash. Apart from getting all those moments, I love to shoot people with style.
DO YOU HAVE ANY PEOPLE WHO’VE INFLUENCED YOUR STYLE OF PHOTOGRAPHY?
No I don't have people that influence me but I really do appreciate a lot of photographers online. I wish I could get my pictures to look as good as theirs. I guess that's where I need to get back to practicing. I have recently been looking to find out what makes some photographers the big deal by looking at their photos. Who knows I might just stumble on one that will eventually influence my photo. otherwise I look for an interesting background, mostly outdoors ask the subjects to be the self then I click to shoot. I don't stress myself too much apart from getting my settings right. But then again I'm sure all these photos online influence me somehow, but I'm not aware of exactly how. Imagery is a big deal in terms of structuring one's ideals or perceptions
HAVE ON-LINE SOCIAL PORTALS HELPED IN YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY? HOW SO?
Yes it has. I get to see a lot of photos online that make me question my photos. It pushes me to find ways to make my photos look better . It also any easy way to show a potential client my works online which I have been bad at promoting especially in the filed of photography.
#RapShootr | Gettin’ Lost In The Music With Andiswa Mkosi
Words By Tseliso Monaheng
#Rapshootr's a series of interviews with photographers who engage different elements of hip hop culture throughout the African continent with their practice. Some already have their own platforms while others are igniting their own fire beneath the radar of an international gaze.
Andiswa Mkosi is one such and for our inaugural edition, the Cape Town-based cam handler told us about the first photograph she took as well as her thoughts about on-line mediums and the opportunities they present to artists such as herself.
How did photography find you?
I was supposed to study film but I landed up in a photography class and I just did not fight it.
What were your first experiments with the camera?
Pinhole photography. The first image I ever consciously made was with a pinhole camera we made with a box at Varsity as part of an assignment. I think I still have that picture somewhere at home.
What inspired the choice of the set of images you've shared with us?
I love photo graphing musicians while they are performing, generally because I am one myself so I am inspired to make images of them the way I would love to be photographed when I am performing.
What is your favourite subject to shoot? How did you stumble upon it, and why the subject specifically?
A number of them but at the moment, musicians/performers.
It strongly has to do with the fact that I love music a lot, so when photographing performances I get lost in the music and I focus on another level while making the images.
Why: There are special moments on stage, I live to anticipate these, finding the one thing an artist constantly does when performing and freezing that in a moment.
Do you have any people who've influenced your style of photography?
Various people but there is this guy called Nemesis. Ja neh. That guy, his photography, see for yourself.
Have on-line social portals helped you in your photography? How so?
Yes, a lot! Its easy nowadays to put together a body of work on Behance, share it a bit and the right people come across it with opportunity. I mean for me personally nothing major has happened yet but I mean in terms of places to host and present my work to the public a lot.
#FeatureFridays Interview with Kweiks
Words By Phil Chard
Last week Ghanaian artist Kweiks walked away from the 4 man battle royal to be the winner of our Twitter poll that secured him an interview on our #FFeatureFridays series. I called up the Accra based rapper to discuss his burgeoning career, recovering from a serious accident, working with Edem and how he manages to fuse 5 languages into into his music.
Who is Kweiks and when did he start making music?
Kwiks is one individual who works with one of the biggest youth creative agencies in Ghana right now, however I started doing music way back. I just had to pause at a point so I could be in school for a while and I just jumped back into the game. Kweiks is signed to Gab Music. I have a few singles out and I put the latest one out last week [Doto] and it's been making waves.
Who else is on Gabs Music besides you?
Currently it's me and another artist named Jackie Morris she is a very great singer. She’s amazing.
The first time I really got introduced to your music was Whisper In Your Ear with Wanlov. Had you been making for a long time before that release?
I have been making music for a long time, I have a number of stuff out. Officially this will be my fourth release. Prior to Whisper In Your Ear I had one high life release titled Ankwandobi after that came Whisper In Your Ear then Kweku Sekyi then this current one called Doto. The issue with the space between Kweku Sekyi and Whisper In Your Ear was that 4 hours after releasing Whisper In Your Ear I was involved in a car accident that took me out for a year, so Kweku Sekyi was my comeback single
How bad was this accident?
I suffered a left humeral fracture. I was in hospital for a while. I had to undergo a some surgery to fix the broken bones. I've been to and fro [from] therapy and it's been great so far.
We're glad you made it out. In terms of videos what can we expect from you? I’m pretty sure Doto is going to get a video since you are pushing it right now.
We have plans of shooting a video very soon [for doto]. Hopefully we might shoot the video in South Africa somewhere in October and September and hopefully we can shoot for all the videos for Doto, Kweku Sekyi and Whisper In Your Ear
What's the Hip Hop scene in Accra like right now?
For the past few weeks it has shot up drastically. It's Amazing how many people have gotten involved in the whole Hip Hop thing because there was a feud between the top artists like Sarkodie, M.anifest and E.L. It became the talk of town, they took to radio and TV and everyone was talking about them. It has actually brought some focus onto the Hip Hop scene because it was one genre that people really weren't paying attention to because they felt it's foreign. They would rather vibe to something they can dance to [rather] than a Hip hop tune. I think gradually everyone is just accepting it and it's a good feeling knowing that the work that we are putting in wouldn't go to waste. It's something we can be thankful for.
That's surprising considering what I've heard from other artists in Ghana. It's always interesting when you listen to another point of view. Are you planning on releasing a project anytime soon ?
I'm actually planning on releasing an EP titled Kweku Sekyi. It will probably have 10 to 12 or 14 new songs. I have a lot of songs lined up, I just needed to drop the singles to inform people that I have something really awesome for them. I chose that strategy because I need people to understand my versatility. So the first single was a high life song, the next was a slow tempo club tune, then I put out a Hip hop song.. I chose to do that so people can know that the package I'm bringing out isn't just like ordinary they've been listening to all the time. I fuse 4 different Ghanaian languages onto my songs in addition to the English that I do. I try to diversify what I do so every Ghanaian out there understand something in what I do.
@KweiksLive