SPHEctacula & DJ Naves Featuring Reason, Kwesta & PH Raw X- IDWGH (Official Video)

by Phil Chard

The Dj duo of SPHEctacula and Naves collectively commonly known as the Kings of The Weekend just released the third video from their KOTW album titled I Don't Wanna Go Home. The video which was produced by Uprooted Media sees the duo linking up with Kwesta, Reason and PH for a night of upmarket club fun. The video also featured a cameo from DJ Cleo, which reunited him and with SPHE once again since their first appeared together in a video back in 2011 for Cleo's Bhampa Side To Side video .

Kwesta – Mmino Featuring TLT (Official Video)

by Phil Chard

To celebrate his his DAKAR II double album going gold Kwesta has just dropped a video for Mmino featuring his new label signings TLT. The song is the fifth video off his highly impressive album that has already become his most commercially successful release in his decade long career.

DJ Sliqe – Mercy Featuring Riky Rick, Kwesta, Reason & Thaiwanda

by Phil Chard

SAMA award winning DJ Slique just dropped the video for his latest release Mercy and this is one of the most impressive set of visuals to come out of South Africa in 2016. (Yes I said it)

The video features impressive animation effects that are seen during Riky's verse in a tight corridor and when Thai delivers his bridge on the graffiti decorated pillars in Newtown Johannesburg.

Another impressive feature of the video is how each rapper has their own set. Riky has the corridor, Reason and his troop of krumping, flashlight wielding men are on an abandoned street, Kwesta uses a massive South African flag as his backdrop and Thai weaves in and out of these scenes as he recites the chorus in faux patios.

For Slique anything after the visuals for iLife would be an improvement but he clearly made a significant effort and went all the way to the other end of the spectrum with these visuals.

Morale – Korobela Featuring Gigi Lamayne & Kwesta (Official Video)

by Phil Chard

South Africa's Morale linked up with Gigi LaMayne and Kwesta 5 months ago on the slow tempo trap joint Korobela. The Neo Shanty from man just dropped the video for the song that is filled with beautiful women, brand placements and Gigi in an outfit that inspire many a wet dream. Check it out above.

@Morale_ZA @Gigi_Lamayne @KwestaDaKAR

Three South African Adaptations that (Re)Worked Well

by Mayuyuka

We all have that nagging feeling... when we know we've heard a song before whilst we hear a new adaptation of it. There's actually loads... and due to some pretty epic sampling we've got a list of three South African tracks that utilised samples brilliantly! Hopefully this will save you having to Shazam a thousand times before finally putting your finger on some these original tracks!

The feeling of vagueness caused by knowing (but not being sure of) some sampled tracks is a taunting experience... sometimes without much resolution. Maybe this list will ease some of that curiosity though! First off is Sean Pages with the Blind Remix featuring DJ Dimplez, L-Tido, Towdeemac, Kid X and Kwesta. This song is a take on a house track released in the late 90's, even before the phrase turn up was mainstream. Check both it out, and the source of inspiration below:

SEAN PAGES FT DJ DIMPLEZ L-TIDO, TOWDEEMAC, KID X & KWESTA

SHENA- LET THE BEAT HIT 'EM

Next up we have Vetkuk & Mahoota featuring Dr Malinga... this song had a monster run. It was a mainstay on nights out, and for good reason; it's relatable (the hangover) and re-energises both the party you might be at, and a classic late 80s cut by Monwa and Sun. Check 'em both out below:

VETKUK VS MAHOOTA FT DR MALINGA- VIA ORLANDO

MONWA AND SUN- VIA ORLANDO

Lastly, Killer-A provides us with his twist on a kwaito classic by sampling the refrain on TKZee's Dlala Mapantsula. He makes it his own with a smooth joint that leaves you wanting more. See both the result of this and the original track below:

KILLER-A SIYAY'SHOVA

TKZee DLALA MAPANTSULA

That's our recap... let us know if you have any nostalgic tracks to share with us in the comments below.

DJ Sliqe – Mercy ft. Riky Rick, Kwesta, Reason, Thaiwanda

by twoSeats

It seems that every few months Sliqe turns up with a new posse cut heater.

"When you Kobe Bryant, everybody hate ya. Ain't no science to it, that's just human nature"

This one is no different in comparison to his previous offerings in that he manages to get some of the biggest acts together on a gets them to tear the beat up; in this case, until it begs for mercy. Thaiwanda provides the glue in the form the hook and the Zimbabwean delivers in spades giving a great feel to the track that the featured rappers run all over. RikyRick, Reason & Kwesta bring the heat with impressive deliveries & bars to be found throughout the track.

Dj Switch – Now Or Never (Official Video) Featuring Kwesta, ProVerb, Reason & Shane Eagle

by Phil Chard

In South Africa one individual who seems determined to make songs that focus on quality lyrics and delivery is ironically a club DJ. The name of DJ Switch has been synonymous with Southern Africa pop culture for some time now thanks to his residency on the popularly youth program Yo-Tv at the turn of the millennium. The Cape Town native has found a way to stay relevant and grow with his fan base while producing Hip Hop music that seems to be heading towards a specific point. The evolution of the music is evident, from song like Pick A Box, To Switch , to Way It Go and now, Now Or Never. DJ Switch seems to determined to start making more Hip Hop that focuses on lyrics and skill as opposed to catchy melodies devoid of content.

Now Or Never is a no holds barred onslaught on “Dab friendly rap” as Switch enlists the skills of Reason, Shane Eagle , Proverb & Kwesta to drive home the point. The video for the song is as gritty as the song itself. Directed by Studio Space the visuals depict all four rappers in a rap battle trading bars while Switch provides the beat and the camera rotates around them continuously on a circular track.

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

Check Out Our Playlist of The Best Back To The City Performances

by Phil Chard

Back To the City was two weeks ago and it was undoubtedly one of the biggest Hip Hop festival events we have ever witnessed. Mary Fitzgerald seemed a lot smaller than usual as 25,000 fans crammed their way into the event to enjoy the show that featured three stages, a basketball court, a mini trampoline sports set up, stalls, skateboarding, and a lot of great of music.

Check out our YouTube playlist featuring some of the best performances on the night from Reason, Kwesta and Nasty C

@BacktothecitySA @ReasonHD @Nasty_CSA @KwestaDaKAR