AKA’s Video For The World Is Yours Shows His Intent To Build His IIIRD WRLD Brand
Words By Phil Chard
The Supa Cala Fragilistic Mega just dropped his new video for his single The World Is Yours. Shot in Phuket, Thailand during his baecation with Bonang (who also makes a cameo) the video features scenes cliff side villas with infinity pools overlooking the sea, night time to shots of the country's famous markets and boat tours that have me looking out my office window solemnly.
The biggest takeaway from this video is how AKA has begun to make a concerted effort to develop his IIIRD WRLD brand. After attempting and failing to get out of his contract with Vth Season, AKA has been making an effort to establish his personal and company brands separate from his label.
In April last year long before the tweet trades aimed at Benza and Co, AKA launched the audio slide for his Dreamwork on IIIRD WRLD . Up until that point IIIRD WRLD had been something of a forgotten asset. The platform had launched about three years ago with much hype from AKA and Da L.E.S but quickly became a blog that merely reposted content from international sites. Eventually the site just stopped being updated and it no longer seemed to be a priority for the artists anymore.
However in 2017 AKA seems more focused on building his brand. the website now contains all of his music and even had banner ads for an energy drink! He also has his own cameraman who not only supplies AKA with high quality images for his Instagram page but has also been producing mini behind the scenes documentaries of AKA which are now being hosted on his IIIRD WRLD YouTube page.
Right now it is all speculation as to whether or not AKA is still intent on leaving Vth Season. I've been given a lot of information on the issue but until it's confirmed it is merely hearsay. What I do know is that this is the right direction for AKA and his brand and other artists should take note. AKA has also been building his Supa Mega clothing line which he sells at his SUpa MEga branded shows. Always look to build your brand on your own. Don't rely on anyone to do it for you.
AKA’s Supa Mega Show Rocks Cape Town
Words by Sabelo Mkhabela
Last weekend, South African rapper AKA brought his Supa Mega Show concert to Cape Town, his city of birth. On the bill were his allies Kwesta, Da L.e.s, JR and Yanga. AKA kicked the weekend takeover with a pop-up shop of Supa Mega Show merchandise on Thursday and a meet-and-greet on Friday.
Lost Property shop, Cape Town, Friday 16 September
Two young women are having a conversation with AKA at Lost Property, a sneaker shop in Cape Town, where the rapper’s pop-up shop is held. They are telling him they flew all the way from Joburg for the show happening the following day. AKA is flattered. However there’s a small problem. “But I told you guys on Instagram: I said, ‘Guys, it’s going down.’” he retorts when they tell him they don’t have tickets, and the show is now sold out.
T-shirts and sweaters hang on racks in the small shop, where only about four people are allowed in at a time. His crew is in there, so it’s busy and crammed. “Let me sell you guys some clothes,” the rapper says to a group that has just walked in. He goes through the racks, taking the fans through the merchandise. There’s a pink long sleeve sweater with a line from his song “Dreamwork”: “Dollar sign got me in a good mood”. There are black and white Ts and sweaters with a low-light image of AKA on stage, facing up, arms open wide.
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AKA is a down-to-earth sweetheart today, far from the asshole everyone thinks he is, because of his relentless Twitter persona. He makes conversation with and thanks and hugs everyone who buys something as he signs their shopping bags. While I was in the queue earlier, a group of girls asked me if AKA is in the shop, to which I said yes. One of them couldn’t contain herself; she screamed and jumped up and down, her face gleaming with excitement. The queue is long; fans have come out in numbers.
Shimmy Beach Club, Saturday 17 September
I’m late for the show – I’ve missed performances by Kwesta, JR, Yanga and Da L.e.s, and it’s all good. I’m only here for AKA, and I walk in a few minutes after he takes to the stage. He is Him and the crowd are performing “Composure” as I walk in. it’s the savagery that follows that cracks me up. When he gets to that “I’m the reason everyone had ‘The Saga’ on repeat/ Now you wanna go and charge me 80 000 for a beat,” line he repeats it over and over, and his band transitions to “The Saga”.
The energy is insane. The trendy cool kids in the crowd are rapping and singing along to every word of the rapper’s array of hits. The beach sand outside Shimmy, where the stage is, is not allowing me to be great as it finds a new home in my Chucks. I catch a few elbows as I make my way to the front row to film and take pictures – my efforts don’t yield the result. No one is willing to retreat from the front row. It’s a difficult event to document, but I persevere.
Da L.e.s, Yanga and JR come in and out to join Supa Mega on stage for songs they are featured in. One thing I don’t like is that AKA’s mic is on autotune throughout his set. So even when he speaks or raps, it sounds like he’s singing. But the band, though, is the meaning of life. Master A Flat’s face contorts as he strums keys on the corner. DJ Fanatic is on the wheels of steel, and doubles as the hypeman. There’s a drummer and an electric guitarist. So, when you are told the Supa Mega Show is a production, believe it.
The sound quality could have been better, but AKA is bringing it, with a never waning energy.
I catch the Holy Ghost when he performs “I Want It All”, one of my favourite AKA songs, a song which he said he was performing for his day-one fans. Not many of them here, judging from the response.
Bottom line: AKA is still one of the best hip-hop performers in South Africa, I’m just really not sure about the autotune..
LayLizzy Featuring AKA – Hello (Official Video)
by Phil Chard
Mozambican breakout artist Laylizzy has just released his video for the popular trap anthem Hello featuring South Africa's AKA. The video for the motivational joint features lavish scenes of a dapper dressed LayLizzy and AKA rolling around in Maybachs and conducting deals in opulent homes while being served by severely underdressed assistants.
The emergence of Laylizzy on the South African and African Hip Hop scene has been an impressive and steady progression that was spearheaded by the success of his 2015 release Tha Crew. It also certainly helps that he has been able to align himself with AKA. Outside of Hello, Laylizzy was given the opportunity to perform at the first Supa Mega Show in Zone 6 as well as with AKA in Maputo at the Hip Hop Experience event.
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AKA & Patoranking -Special Fi Mi (Official Video)
by Phil Chard
In what I think is a first for Coke Studio South Africa, Vth season have just released a stand alone video to the AKA and Patoranking collaboration Special Fi Mi.
It looks like the label of the Supa Mega managed to also get the beverage company to subsidise the bill for the video as their branding is all over the festive visual.
Corporate product placement aside, the video is reminiscent of Dancehall videos, featuring a cramped and energetic party vibe accentuated by coloured lighting, bright (and skimpy) clothing and intimate dance scenes.
Special Fi Mi could prove to be another continental hit for both artists and the fact that the release of this song and now video was handled this way is testament to the power and leverage held by AKA and the Vth Season machine behind him. If this song proves to be a success I wonder if Coke will start looking to releasing more of the songs produced on their show in this manner.
Event | The Supa Mega Show Cape Town
by Phil Chard
AKA will be taking his signature Supa Mega Show Cape Town this weekend. Supported by : Kwesta, Da L.E.S, JR and Yanga and hosted by Bonang and Kapital K , the event will mark the first time AKA will be performing in his hometown under his Supa Mega Show brand.
The Supa Mega Show will be held on Saturday, September 17th and doors open at 2PM.
Simon & Phil List Their Favourite South African-Nigerian Hip Hop Collabos
by Phil Chard
Nigeria and South Africa are undisputedly the two biggest powerhouses in the African music scene and, by extension, the African hip hop scene. Both countries are home to some of the biggest names in African hip hop, and when the two nations collaborate, it often produces some amazing work. With that in mind here are some of our favourite South African - Nigerian collaborations:
Undeniably the biggest SA-Naija collabo team right now is The A-Team, consisting of Da L.E.S, AKA and Burna Boy. The team has 5 singles in varying combinations since their formation- Special Someone, All Eyes On Me, Baddest, Birthday and Paid. Da L.E.S had discussed his interest in doing a full A-Team project in a few interviews, but noted that scheduling conflicts were hindering its completion. .
The two biggest beneficiaries and the South African – Nigerian Hip Hop Trade Scheme are undoubtedly AKA and Ice Prince. The two have mad enough songs that fit the criteria to fill an album.
AKA has manged to secure a number of big SA-Naija collaborations, the Super Mega was one of the first South African rappers to see the massive potential and benefits with the cross continental collabs. From working with Ice Prince on the N Word remix to the massively catchy Same Shit with Wande Coal to his current single with Nigerian Dancehall star Patoranking titled Special Fi Mi, AKA has been playing his part in facilitating the cultural exchange. AKA’s ear for new sounds and “no fee for collaborations” policy has also resulted in the Super Mega working with a number of upcoming artists and providing them with a much needed boost to their burgeoning careers. This was very evident when AKA got on the remix for one of the biggest songs of 2015 – EmTee’s Roll Up alongside Wizkid.
Since 2015, the youthful duo of EmTee and Nasty C have presented the most formidable threat to the dominance held by the old guard of successful rappers like AKA and Khuli Chana. In 2015 Nasty C cemented his arrival on the scene with the surprise commercial hit Juice Back. On the remix, the Durban ‘ute manged to rope in Nigerian superstar Davido and Cassper Nyovest.
The Motswakoriginator, Khuli Chana has also began looking further afield in recent years , working with the likes of Victoria Kimani and Muthoni, his two most impressive collaborations with Nigerian artists have come via E-Kelly’s production. The first of which was his massively popular No Lie that saw him working Patoranking. The second was the remix to YCee’s Condo which also featured KidX and Pato once again
South African DJ Dimples and his brand are synonymous with partying and party anthems. The DJ gave his turn up anthems the West African treatment when he enlisted Ice Prince and Emmy Gee for Bae Coupe and Burna Boy on the high energy Clean In This B.
Emmy Gee’s Rands and Nairas could be the poster child for South African - Nigerian Hip Hop collaborations; on the original he enlisted the help of AB Crazy who delivered one of his most impressive pieces of writing to date. On the remix for the massively popular song he upped the ante and recruited Cassper Nyovest & Anatii from South Africa and Ice Prince and Phyno from Nigeria to lend their verses to the hit single.
In 2014 Ice Prince was undoubtedly the biggest rapper on the continent. At the time he boasted over 500,000 followers on twitter (unheard of at the time) and everyone and their mama was clamouring for a verse from the Jos rapper. One of the few artists that managed to secure his services was L-Tido who got Ice to lend a verse to his song Fresh And Clean which was the fourth single off his sophomore album All Of Me.
Around the same time Ice Prince parlayed his massive popularity to get verse Sarkodie, Wizkid, M.I, Khuli Chana (Mercy Johnson dropped half a line. Her feature was window dressing)
Tweezy has had one of the most eventful careers in recent years. After producing three of the biggest songs on AKA’s album Levels, the producer has also been part of a few song writing controversies, awards show ticketing snafus and then a successful rebrand and transition from producer to performing artist. All within the space of two years!
His first singles as a solo artist was the song Ambitions. After receiving a positive response from critics and the populace alike Tweezy linked up with Khuli Chana, Victoria Kimani and Nigeria’s Ice Prince on the massively impressive remix.
In a recent conversation, M.I Abaga revealed that he just recorded a song with AKA and was keen to work with Nasty C. Long before talk of these high power collaborations floated across our timelines, the Chocolate City CEO did a song with Hip Hop Pantsula titled Superhuman that appeared on his Illegal Music II project.
And finally, the last song from this collaborative list of some of the best South African and Nigerian collabs is a song that has been my ringtone for close to a year now. Possibly one the of the best dance tracks to ever be released. A song by a Nigerian Rap/Pop star and a South African outfit more famous for their contributions to House. Banger by Runtown and Uhuru shall be taught in schools one day
There are also a number of impressive collaborations that appeared on albums that were not released as singles such as the only Doc Shebeleza remix we acknowledge featuring Burna Boy and Anatii’s Proper featuring Tiwa Savage. There is also Dreamteam’s Talk That Shit featuring AKA and Ice Prince.
AKA – Special Fi Mi Featuring Patoranking
by Phil Chard
In the latest episode of Coke Studio South Africa, the Super Mega AKA Linked up with Nigerian Dancehall star Patoranking on a song titled Special Fi Mi. The Gospel produced song fuses Dancehall with Trap and Juju / Museve guitar elements.
On the song AKA continues to venture down the path to fusion as he sings most of his verses. The actual debate around how AKA would deliver his verse on the song makes for incredibly entertaining television as the headstrong rapper argues with Patoranking and Gospel about the final mix of the song. The debates culminated in my favourite part of the episode, at the 30:06 mark Patoranking exclaims "AKA is crazy" with a forlorn and exhausted look on his face.
AKA – One Time (Official Video)
by Phil Chard
In his new video for One Time AKA looks to tell the tale of the moral dilemma faced by a Blessee on a night out with friends as they look to woo a cadre of pot bellied Blessers while ignoring calls from “bae”.
The video is shot mainly at an exclusive lounge , the type these blesser types might frequent and is peppered with cameos from BigStar Johnson, Yanga, Cass, Da L.E.S and many more who are all trying to out bless each other to get the attention of the ladies.
AKA at The National Arts Festival by Steven Chikosi
by Phil Chard
The South African National Arts Festival festival took place in early July and Zimbabwean photographer Steven Chikosi was in attendance to capture some these incredible shots of AKA's set.
You can view more images by clicking the links below.
Rappers Stop Telling People We Aren’t Offended by The N Word
by Phil Chard
The way societies view celebrity has always been an enigma to me. An artist will become famous because they are a talented musician; they will be loved and lauded because of those talents. But for some reason, we expect these people to be infallible and all-knowing on the issues that matter to us when, in reality, most celebrities are just humans. Humans with an incredible talent. It's why, as the famous Dave Chappelle joke goes, news outlets ran to interview Ja Rule to get his opinion after the 9/11 attacks.
News outlets rush to call celebrities after a tragedy for the same reasons we follow their every move on Twitter, Facebook and Snapchat. Iit because an artist's opinion holds more value than anyone else's because of the influence and following they yield. We're more likely to trust their opinion because they are famous. We'll align ourselves to the politics of our favourite singer simply because their music has touched us in some way. Brands seek for endorsement from celebrities off of this principle of blind trust.
When one of our celebrities on the African continent is granted an interview on a non-African platform, they not only represent themselves, they represent their home nation and Africa as whole (because Africa is a country and what not).
I was perturbed when two of South Africa's biggest rappers were granted interviews on Sway in the morning which broadcasts from America to the millions of listeners of Sirius XM's network (not to mention Sway's 1 million YouTube subscribers). On both occasions the rappers went onto the show and declared that nigga isn't considered a racial epithet in South Africa. They did this while also misrepresenting the origins of kaffir.
When asked about the N-word, Cassper said:
"For us it's like guy. It's just means 'man'.It's never had that racial connotation...We don't get offended when white people say 'nigga to us. For us it's kaffir.....that is like our nigga,....that's what would aggravate or agitate us, that's what they use to call black people, kaffir which means monkey."
Cassper was possibly conflating kaffir with Bobbejaan
AKA was on Sway’s show and got asked about the word’s meaning. His response?
"Well, for us basically if you're a person of colour, you see me, I'm a coloured person and in America that means something totally different.....when we say [nigga], that is something we learned from rap music....even on our commercial radio stations they don't edit the word nigga..... It has no legacy it has no offense to it"
Here is the video of Cassper saying he doesn't get offended when white people call him the N word pic.twitter.com/90P91s7eBx
— Phlynt Phlossy™ (@PhilChard) June 24, 2016
When Sway then asked about the K-word, AKA responded: "You see I don't even wanna say it." He went on to attribute the origins of the K-word, saying that it is some substitute for a monkey.
Firstly, the word Kaffir is derived from the Arabic term Kafara or Kãfir which mean "outsider" or "non believer". It is believed that Arab nomads would refer to the black populace of Southern Africa as Kaffir because they were not practising Muslims and were not of their culture. Around the 18th century white settlers pitched up on our shores and since they couldn't think up their own slurs they appropriated the term used by the Muslim Arabs and shifted it from a simple adjective into an incredibly painful slur used to dehumanise and oppress our ancestors.
The storied origins of the K- and N-words follow parallel paths. It is is widely believed that the word nigger was a derived from the negro or niger (Latin word for black); or nigré (a French pejorative term). Once again, the descriptor was twisted into a painfully biased and powerful term that was used to justify the abhorrent treatment of a people for over 400 years. Both words are extremely powerful and elicit strong emotions, especially amongst those who have had those words used against them.
AKA's refusal to even mention the word is a sign of that.
Today, the words carry different meanings in the respective societies in which they are used.
In America a group of black people attempted to reclaim the word and used it as a term of endearment. I discovered Hip Hop as an adolescent. I heard all of my favourite artists use it freely. I, too, rationalised that we had indeed reclaimed the word and it no longer held power. I recoil when I think back to a time when I would allow white friends to use the word around me as well.
As an adult, I know better.
A few years ago Trevor Noah tried to do the same with the K-word in his special That's Racist. He tried to reclaim it in the hopes of removing the word's power. He argued that to remove the word’s power we should start using the K-word positively, in a similar way to how black America reclaimed the N-Word. Thankfully those efforts failed and were frankly painful to watch . The reasons behind why the N-word is such a divisive word in America and why it is still so powerful and loaded in South Africa require more in-depth discussion. I encourage you to read this and this.
The N-word gaining popularity amongst Africans via Hip Hop culture, and it being seen as a term of endearment, does not erase the pain linked to it. That much is clear when observing how black people in America struggle to find the word's place in their society and how offensive it still is when a non-black person uses it.
Cassper said that we don’t get offended when white people use nigga on us. It’s important to separate Cassper's own feelings about the word from the feelings of people at large. If Cassper has absolutely no issue with being called a nigga by a white person, then that is his personal choice. However, I know a number of South Africans and people in Southern Africa (where the K word was widely used by white oppressors) who would be extremely offended if a white person used that word.
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By framing their answers in the way they did, Cassper and AKA have made it seem like we appropriate the parts of American Hip Hop culture that we like while completely ignoring the significance and history of words like nigga and the pain associated with them
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What both artists failed to articulate is that words mean things, and that the context in which words are used is very important. As we've seen, these two words were derived from adjectives and twisted into something more sinister. In isolation, the words have no power. But when they are loaded with the hate and oppression that coupled their use, the words acquire a new meaning, in much the same way that an innocent word, when used in a racist context, takes on a new meaning.
Let's look at the word monkey, for example. When I was a precocious and adventurous child my sister and I would often climb the trees in our yard. It was great fun but it also resulted in a few scrapes, falls and bone breakages. My mother would call me a monkey. I know for a fact now that my mother's use of the word was not rooted in hate. Just the other day, AKA himself referred to his beautiful daughter as a monkey. No logical human would dare assume ill-intent.
It's this monkey's bday tomorrow 💜😂 pic.twitter.com/pcwF67lrnj
— AKA (@akaworldwide) July 7, 2016
SparrowWhen Penny Sparrow, a white woman, used the word monkey to describe black people on the beach front, we automatically knew the context and intent of her usage of that word.
If a friend of mine were to call me a nigga, I would understand the context. Are AKA and Cassper saying that they wouldn’t be offended by a white person referring to them as niggas?
Are they saying that even if they were called a nigga by white person in America they would fail to recognise its significance?
The N-word may not have any real cultural legacy in this part of the world, but the Africans that live here understand fully the context behind the word. By framing their answers in the way they did, Cassper and AKA have made it seem like we appropriate the parts of American Hip Hop culture that we like while completely ignoring the significance and history of words like nigga and the pain associated with them. Those frustrations were evident in some of the calls both rappers took from listeners while on Sway’s show.
In the same token, we as Africans need to interrogate why we even use such a word in the first place. Why do we want to carry the burden of using a word created by oppressors who look a lot like the people that oppress us, and who used a word to hurt people that look alot like us in the first place?
I Watched AKA’s Interview on Sway On The Morning Then I Wrote Down My Thoughts
by Phil Chard
AKA has bad a busy two week stint over in the states. After attending the BET Awards the Super Mega made his way over to New York where he performed at the Every Afrique event on July 4th.
Yesterday AKA and DJ Fanatic also made their way to Shade 45 studios where AKA appeared on Sway Calloway's morning show. image001 (1)
No matter how hard we all try to avoid the AKA and Cassper comparisons it seems the two artists are almost inseparable when conversations about their careers pop up. Coupled with the fact that AKA was appearing on the same show that Cassper was on a week earlier, all the lazy journalists and timeline terrorists must have been frothing at mouth for this easy layup of a headline.
I tuned into the show yesterday to listen in live as AKA discussed a number of issues with Sway. From his career to his relationship with Protools Bonang, his daughter and his various achievements.
Sadly, once again, much like his compatriot AKA said what I can only deem to be damaging comments with regards to racial epithets and race relations in South Africa. AKAa basically echoed the problematic statements uttered by Cassper on the very same show. AKA's statements also resulted in him getting into a little tiff with a caller who took umbrage to his use of the N word his music.
AKA also couldn't resist the temptation to take shots at Cassper during his freestyle when he rapped "now begotten sitting in the same damn chair as Tsibib"
Disappointingly AKA was rapping his bars off his phone and only managed to drop 4 bars off the top of his dome before he stumbled and then rapped his verse from Bang Out.
The thing that I can't seem to understand is why in two consecutive interviews two of South Africa's and Africa's most popular rap artists went onto one of the three biggest Hip Hop morning shows in THE WORLD and failed to deliver when they were called upon to display their skills as true MCs.
@akaworldwide
Da L.E.S Real Stuff Official Video ft AKA & Maggz
by Mayuyuka
Da L.E.S recently dropped his Real Stuff video online after a prolonged TV exclusive. This video has been highly anticipated and the slick visuals don't disappoint. The camouflage theme ties in pretty nicely with the AKA-helmed hook.
The track sees somewhat of a reunion between this trio, which includes Cashtime's Maggz, as they previously linked up on Da L.E.S' Heaven. This "new collabo" follows previous singles Paid and Summer Time that come off the North God album.
4 Classic African Hip Hop Video Moments
Words By TNGlive
A song, by itself, is a whole world created for us to experience. The founders of the world’s first music television station in 1981, understood that a whole new world is created on top of this first one, when visuals are combined with music.
In a 2BrokeTwimbos podcast interview, Taponeswa Mavunga, former head of Talent and Music at MTV Base Africa and now head of publicity at Columbia Records U.K., spoke about the import role music videos play in launching, growing and sustaining a music career in today's world. Emphasis was placed on the music video needing to be at the correct high fidelity standard, specifics of which can be found on MTV Base’s submission section. In addition, it should possess production value that can compete with international videos because the consumer is now judging all works on the same level.
So assuming these checks and balances are ticked off, there is that extra special touch that can be added. When artists and their directors create a moment within the music video, and it hits the mark just right, it cements the memory of the music video in your brain for years to come. Think Puffy Woods when he was about to take that shot in Mo’ Money Mo’ Problems, or the breaking news bulletin about a man identified only as ODBon top of a building in Staten Island at the beginning of Triumph.
Here are 4 such moments in some of the best African Hip Hop videos.
"Heh, party?"
DJ Vigilante featuring L-Tido, KiD X, Maggz & Yanga - Sorry Makhe
The moment can be comedic because of a subtle character trait a true fan would've picked up. In this case, take K.O's lyrics in his first verse of Caracara. In it, many of us where introduced to the unique “no” that we just have to sing along to every time it comes around. So when a cop is banging on the door about a noise complaint, at timestamp 3.27, DJ Vigilante’s party is about to get him into serious trouble. His pleading is falling on deaf ears and he’s at a loss. In comes K.O. peaking in to back up DJ Vigilante with confirmation about whether or not there is actually a party going on.
The moment lasts 2 seconds and it’s money. You can even hear a split second of the cast in the background breaking character and cracking up before they role again.
Honourable mention to Trevor Gumbi for the genius performance and setting up of the moment.
@DJVigilanteSA @L_Tido @ItsYangaChief @KidXSA @Maggz100
"Serious Business"
AKA featuring Burna Boy, J.R., DA L.E.S. - All Eyes On Me.
Lost count of the number of times you've seen the "money phone" in a music video? Bet you can't think of anything better than how Burna Boy and DA L.E.S. did it in All Eyes On Me. At 3.10, Burna Boy is having a full on conversation bruv, like serious serious. Then cut to a brief shot of the DA L.E.S. impatiently waiting downstairs for his turn on the phone.
This is so dope because, it's also DA L.E.S’s time to rap, but the music video has been paused. I mean, the man has to talk to the money too, in other words, earn those publishing and performing rights and Burna Boy is busy having an extended conversation. There’s even a bridge before DA L.E.S’s verse starts, so he’s been waiting. When he catches that "money phone" and actually goes full serious while everyone else is completely still, that’s the moment, so hilariously genius.
@akaworldwide @burnaboy @JRafrika @2freshLES
"Falling"
Falz featuring SIMI - Soldier (Full Length version)
The brilliance of this moment at 11.13, is that this comedic delivery of the introspective monologue as Falz walks away, the camera work, the editing choice, Falz physical performance, all perfectly capture something universally relatable.
Every man has a moment in their past, or still to come, when he cannot fathom that someone with his own set of specific skills, can go down in flames after applying all his focussed efforts in wooing THE one (or at least at the time someone you think is the one). It’s the stuff friend zone nightmares are made off. This moment captures the entire spirit of this experience, a perfect summary of the song.
@falzthebahdguy @SympLySimi
“Real recognize real'“
NGA - Normal
The special moment in this video is at 2.40, where a lady is explaining during an interview why NGA is so successful.
Every die hard fan you come across is quick to explain to you how NGA’s work ethic is not only unlike any other artist, he is highly regarded as the voice of the voiceless amongst his people, and arguably by extension, a greater part of an African generation that is overlooked when the topics of African vs Western creep up.
NGA, whilst a superstar, is authentically him and this moment captures the fan spirit that recognizes this realness that forms the foundation of his appeal.
@NGA_reidals
pH – Shares His Top 5 South African Hip Hop Songs
by Phil Chard
South African super producer and label head pH of RawX production dropped a tweet yesterday where he shared 5 of his favourite and most prestigious Hip Hop tracks to come out of South Africa. So I got hold of him to ask what significance each song on the list had from his vantage and this is what he had to say.
Please note this list is in no specific order.
Most prestige Hip Hop songs to come out of SA in my opinion are as follows:
— The Artist pH (@pH_rawX) June 3, 2016
1. TswaDaar - Khuli Chana Featuring Notshi
The beat, the raps, the DJ cuts, the video, and on top of that Lost In Time became the 1st hip Hop album to win Album Of The Year at the SAMAs. Making history in SA being the only album up to date to win that category. Hoping it changed in 2016.
2. All Eyes On Me - AKA, Burna Boy, JR and Da L.E.S
This song just showed what a good collaboration of great artist can produce. Tweezy messing with that classic Brenda Fassie sample just took it home for me. I think this song was the one song that really stabilized the relationships between SA artist & other African artist.
3. Caracara - K.O featuring Kid X
This song to me is the personification of what SA hip hop sounds, feels, looks like. Everything about this song was on point, from defining a new sound (Skhanda) by young king Lunatik, to the dress code, the dance & the VW caravan itself. Everything about this song was so South African. Than it did the numbers on YouTube hitting a Milli views.
4. Umoya - Skwatta Kamp
The video....GEEZIM bro!!!! The video at the time was a movie to me, the song was EPIC....EPIC in every way! Skwatta Kamp was officially LEGIT in every way, HIP HOP WAS LEGIT!!!....They became the legends they are with that song.
5. Harambe - HHP
This was and could still be SA hip Hop National anthem if we ever had one. It was such a powerful song at a time when hip hop was probably at its lowest...at the time it wasn't getting any easier for hip hop artists even though the game was growing. A time when hip hop was confined to a couple of hours a week, on 1 radio station, on one show. It reminds me of Bad Boy T & Lee Kasumba...if SA Hip Hop was a BEE Company, they would be the CEOs. Harambe is Just our anthem!!!
AKA- Dreamwork Official Video ft Yanga
by Mayuyuka
AKA and Yanga combine on Dreamwork to provided a certified hit laced with quotables from these two stablemates. The two hit the right notes just as they did on AKA's previous single, alongside Khuli Chana and Burna Boy.
The highly anticipated video for the KJ Conteh-produced banger has been exclusively on television screens for the past week, and is now finally freed to the internet...so we can all shout-out art director Don Design! The cinematic release explains the trailer-styled roll out employed during the promotion stage: which piqued many people's interest. With the SAMA's upon us soon, it'll be interesting to see if AKA's previous collaboration Baddest "goes the distance". This one certainly impresses visually with some powerful storytelling, courtesy of director Adriaan Louw.
5 Reasons To Go To Delicious Fest
by Phil Chard
I hope this life has taught you a thing or two about saving money because the hottest tickets to the most sought after food and international music festival are moving fast. DSTV’s Delicious Fest is set for the weekend 8-9 October at the revamped Kyalami Race Track in Johannesburg. The sun will be back and there is nothing that’s better than a weekend of great food tasting and day drinking. God knows we’ll need the warmth after this struggle winter so prepare yourselves.
Summer Will Be back
If any of you live in Joburg and are suffering the plight that is the cold, be advised that Delicious Festival is on when the sun is back out to love on us. The event will take place on the weekend of Saturday the 8th October and end on Sunday the 9th. Sun and fun go together beautifully.
The Food
Guest celebrity chefs include Reuben Riffel, J’Something and my personal favourite, Somizi to mention a few. These guests will grace us with some of their trusted recipes; there will be a food market and several gourmet restaurants ready to tantalize the taste buds of all the wonderful attendees.
The Line-Up
de_la_soul_32It’s going to be a fantastic weekend filled with good food but it is the headlining acts that are going to blow your mind. Taking the main stage on Sunday as the final act are The Jacksons. The siblings to the late King of Pop are bringing their renowned act to Africa to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their band that was started by them when they were children in their humble hometown of Gary Indiana. The Jacksons, yes, the brothers to Janet, of “ABC” fame. This will be their first performance as the Jackson Brothers in South Africa ever. Historic? I think so. Louie Vega will take the stage accompanied by his orchestra Elements of Life bringing to your ears a “delicious” mix of Latin, Jazz, R&B, Brazilian, Gospel amongst others, I’m eager to watch this. Grammy Award winning Arrested Development will perform on Saturday. The group rose to fame in the early 90s and is the first and last group to win the Grammy for “Best New Artist” award. Lira, Roy Ayers, Judith Sephuma, Mi Casa – just a mixed bag of international award winning acts. If you thought DSTV was done, they have invited HIP HOP LEGENDS De La Soul. If you love Hip-Hop as much as I do, you will agree that this is the most important performance of the entire festival. Saturday night, let it be said, with no question, that I will be at this performance. This is the closest I will get to Run DMC. Not only will there be live acts, but there will be a host of local and international DJs on the Kaya FM dance Stage. It should go without saying (I will say it for clarity) that based on the musical line-up alone, attendance is necessary. It will be a world class experience, one you can’t afford to miss!
The Venue
The venue of choice this year is the Kyalami Grand Prix Race track. The 55 year old race track has just undergone a multi-million rand upgrade. Ease of access, to enter and enjoy world-class facilities which will house a multitude of restaurants, food market as well as the Nedbank Green Wine Garden.
3. Aerial View - Full Circuit
The Vibe
Gates open at 10am on both days, and with 40000 estimated guests, food, music and fun all round, you are bound to have a good time. If you enjoy the festival circuit you will be right at home. Feel free to bring your own camping chairs and umbrellas, it’s going to be amazing. Tickets are available on; www.ticketpro.co.za , ranging from R475 for a general day pass , all the way up to R5925 for the Decadence Weekend Pass.
Twitter - @DeliciousFestSA, Instagram - @dstvfestival
Stanley Enow Featuring AKA & Locko – Bounce ( Official Video )
by Phil Chard
South African rapper AKA made his intentions to actively branch out into the rest of Africa and expand his brand beyond his own borders last year. Recently the Supermega has worked with Diamond (Tanzania), LayLizzy (Mozambique),Joh Makini (Kenya), Wande Coal & Burna Boy (Nigeria), and Sarkodie (Ghana)
Cameroon’s biggest rap export Stanley Enow can add himself to that list as the two artists link up with the vocalist Locko on their new collaboration Bounce. Directed by Studio Space Pictures and set in Johannesburg the video sees Stanley rolling around the Gauteng streets in a drop top Bentley where he meets AKA at swank mansion for pool party .
Kwesta – Day One Featuring AKA & Tweezy
by Phil Chard
Do you ever read the papers, do you think the money changed us,
Do you blame us? Roof back for my day ones
Started with the wolf pack buy I ain’t Aewon - AKA
The controversy behind Tweezy and the writing of the hook on Day One is well documented, yet we are still awaiting conclusive answers around the song. Despite the storm surrounding the song Kwesta has decided to go ahead and release the song as his next single. In preparation for the single launch which will take place this Sunday (May 28th) in Zone 6, Kwesta has dropped the song on his Vevo channel for our streaming pleasure.
The song sees the K1 rapper and AKA in incredible lyrical form as they trade a set of impressive replay worthy bars
Cassper Nyovest Surprises A Lucky Fan With A Performance
by Phil Chard
Amstel Lager & Cassper Nyovest recently surprised one of the Maftown rapper’s fans with a performance at the Bannister Hotel in Johannesburg. Reginald Manamela got a massive treat when what he thought was a regular night out turned into a personalised concert after Cassper Nyovest popped out from behind the jukebox where Reginald selected Cassper’s last single Le Mpitse.
The Jukebox prank is part of Amstel’s #AmstelAmplified campaign that see the beverage brand partnering with South African artists to surprise unknowing fans. Back in March Amstel partnered with AKA to surprise one of his fans at a Karaoke events at the Hard Rock café.
[button url=http://www.amstel.co.za/ icon=laptop]You can get more information on the #AmstelAmplified campaign here[/button]
Ma-E – Lie 2 Me Featuring AKA (Official Music Video)
by Phil Chard
Ma-E just dropped the video for his fifth single off his debut solo album Township Counsellor. The song Lie To Me features AKA trading bars with the Soweto born rapper as AKA lends his auto-tuned voice to the chorus.
The song which features a slower tempo trap sound was produced by the Zimbabwean duo of Brian Soko & Mr. Kamera.
Directed by Ma-E himself and Uprooted Media the video makes for interesting viewing with clever use of sets, props and lighting.