Tweet Review | PatrickxxLee – Disco Utopia

by Phil Chard

Zambian born producer PatricKxxLee just dropped a 6 track EP titled Disco Utopia. I decided to give the project a live review on Twitter and share my thoughts on the trap offering from the young producer and rapper. My feelings were very mixed, as Patrick's talent is evident but the direction seems a little misguided to me. Read my thoughts below.

*Editor's note: This is not PatricKxxLee's debut Ep , he also released an 8 rack project earlier this year titled Red Hallway

On the 6-track EP, the Johannesburg-raised PatricKxxLee does what most rappers seem to forget about these days: He’s got something to say. Whether reminiscing about raging nights with his homies from The Cabin that end in debauchery (“Dark Paradise”), sharing revengeful and reflective post-break up thoughts (“Vainglorious”), ranting about fake people and friends with wrong priorities (“Wax Face”), describing a seedy state of being and the desire for escapism (“Dirty Dancing”), or suffering from the restlessness that comes with wanting to leave familiar territory and everything else behind (“Anywhere But Here”), DISCO UTOPIA is first and foremost honest, and secondly damn wild. The EP ends with “April 5, 1994”, in which PatricKxxLee pays homage to Kurt Cobain, one of his oldest influences - not only in terms of sound.

Disco Utopia - Curated tweets by AfricanHHB

Chanda Mbao – My Town Featuring Kaladoshas (Official Music Video)

by Phil Chard

Zambian Chanda Mbao just dropped the impressive video for his connection with Dancehall artiste Kaladoshis titled My Town. The song represents the current movement within African Urban music as the lines between Hip Hop and Pop become ever more blurry. On the song Chanda adopts an incredibly simplistic AB type flow that is akin to the most basic of pop songs. I have been noticing number of artists particularly rappers, adopting such styles and flows in recent songs - chief among which is Ice Prince. I am not the biggest fan of this particular brand of popification but its what radio loves rght now, so the trend will continue.

The DJ Lo directed video is stunning as it utilises aerial shots to help show off Lusaka's beauty.

#SubmissionSunday | Chanda Mbao – Selfish (Remix) (Feat. F Jay, Scott, Blake & Vinny Boy)

by Phil Chard

Chanda Mbao dropped his remorseful and reflective song Selfish a few weeks ago and now the song that is a plea to help get his woman back has soulful remix featuring verses F Jay, Scott, Blake and Vinny Boy. This is very smooth.

The Best Of Soundcloud Mixtape Vol. III

by Phil Chard

We are back with another edition of our Best Of Soundcloud mixtape series. As always we have collated some of the best African Hip Hop jams for your listening pleasure. This week we feature music from Cameroon’s TchopDye, Zimbabwe’s Cal_Vin, Rwanda’s Raiza Biza, Kenya’s Benady and many more.

Stonebwoy & Mugeez – We Made It

Witness The Funk – Ncika

Kid Tini – Shay’wei

DexKwasi & Sarkodie – Fine

SlapDee – 10101

Raiza Biza – Bring It On (Demo) Feat. Lukan Raisey

Solve The Problem – Once Was

IFKR – Omi Gbono Feat. Odunsi

Teeklef – Timmy Turner (African Cover)

Gigi LaMayne – Delete Your MF Number Feat. Xtatic

King Lutendo – Lost In July

TTP Presents The Now Or Never Street Remix

Blaklez – Ooh Child

Phyno – E Sure For Me

Xtatic – Jabulani Remix

Benady – Hakuna Matata

JR – 4Four

Epixode – Body Feat. Mr Eazi

Cal_Vin – Izandla Emoyeni Feat Asaph

TchopDye – Passa Passa

VOL III Track List

Mixed Bag Mondays XLII | The Best Of Soundcloud Vol II

by Phil Chard

Vol II Front

The AHHB is always looking for new ways to ensure we are providing with our fans with the most exhaustive and comprehensive coverage of the music from the continent . With that in mind we have created a new mixtape series that will feature some of the best music on Soundcloud that we have come across that has not featured on the blog.

The Best Of Soundcloud mixtape series shares some of our favourite African Hip Hop songs from Soundcloud and is precursor to a lot of exciting things that we have planned.

In our second mixtape we have music from the budding musical back and forth between Sarkodie and M.anfest, as well music from Modenine, Wizkid, E.L, Holstar, Xtatic, Cassper Nyovest and many more. The full track list is below, enjoy the music and be sure to share your thoughts and opinions for what we should include on Volume 3

Sarkodie – Kanta

Xtatic – Composure Featuring Lazr Beam

GZE - Vavhurirei Mukova Featuring Sister Flame

Cass – Soudy Soudy

Shane Eagle – Cutting Corners

Tshego – Tell Em Say Featuring. Cassper Nyovest, Gemini Major & Nasty C

Tay Grin – Kanda Featuring Sonye & Orezi

Karizma – Shisha Pipe

Xtatic – BIGH Featuring Devour Ke Lenyora

E.L – Talk Don’t Bother Me

WizKid – Shabba Featuring Chris Brown, Trey Songz & French Montana

Shakes – All Night Featuring Kick

Holstar – Nipempako Featuring Jane Jonanzi

M,anifest – god MC

FOKN Bois Talking Drum

Nathi Mankayi - Nomvula Saga Featuring Naakmusiq, ShoutOutSA & Kwesta

DJ Azuhl – Gimme That Gem Featuring. EJ Von Lyrik, Ben Caesar, Teba

Cassper Nyovest – Same Chair As Kanye

Frank Casino – Whole Thing

Boybreed – Slowly (Remix) Feauring Patoranking

Modenine – No Matter What Featuring Maka

Medikal – Connect Featuring Sarkodie, E.L, Joey B, Kofi Kinaata, Criss Waddle, Omar Sterling & Yaa Pono

VOL II Tracklist

Tipping The Skales: We Take A Look At Bad Recording Deals & Disgruntled Artists

by Mayuyuka

There have been great breakout successes for independent artists all across the world lately. In the States Chance The Rapper hasn't relied on any deals, and in South Africa Cassper Nyovest has built himself an empire with his record label Family Tree.

It's an investment the label makes in an artist, and like any other investment a healthy return is expected

For every great indie success, however, there's a lot more successful artists with label backing. Now what about those successes who we see hit the limelight but are signed to deals which seem aren't in their favour. Once in awhile, the curtain is pulled back and the façade of bottle popping and fresh whips gets put firmly in the spotlight. Well, Skales is a prime example of a major signing gone wrong it seems. Although since resolved; news of his and his managers arrest brought about a slew of documentation online.

The Nigerian allegedly signed a 200 Million Naira deal with the then Howie T and Dipo Abdul-helmed record label Baseline Music. Now if this is all factual, it intrigues me because the deal purportedly included a new car, a lifestyle allowance and a new house (legally, and not mistakenly referred to as property). Now I say that somewhat facetiously but the point of ownership is essential to talk about when we speak of record deals. Along with an artist receiving an advance to record music with the best facilities available to them, all these other perks are considered loans from the record label. It's an investment the label makes in an artist, and like any other investment a healthy return is expected. That means any advances offered to an artists have to be paid back through sales and a cocktail of other revenue streams. Before that debt is settled though... the label has access to any surety it can get. Surety is literally insurance on the prospect of future losses. Put simply, an artist's value is tied to the label for as long as they're contracted to them: until they recoup a return.

Now let us track back a little: A label willing to give an artist an extreme makeover (rapper edition) deluxe package isn't being charitable and is just putting as many eggs into a basket they believe in as they see fit. So it wasn't a surprise to hear that Skale's earnings were reportedly divided in a 70– 30 percentage split in favour of his label.(of course Skales has denied these rumoured percentages to be true, so let us assume that those are splits, or arguments sake.) This agreement applied to income from both his current and any previous deals apparently, meaning he sold off his previous and potential earnings to a corporation. What's most striking is the alleged 10 Million British Pound fee he'd have to pay to buy himself out of the contract.

I'd hazard a guess that the typical 360 Degree Deal is responsible for a lot of artist's unhappiness. In such a deal the label has access to an artist's image rights, copyright, performance fees, syndication fees, royalties, publishing rights and literally any other income the artist earns from. All signed away in exchange for the access and perks the label provides. As preposterous as that sounds, it is somewhat the norm. It sounds harsh on an artist, but when you have access to an allowance, studio facilities, distribution and other perks the price to retrieve your freedom is pretty high! In Nigeria alone there have been a range of artists leaving after being at loggerheads with their labels.

Here's a few of the verifiable accounts we have so far:

Milli just parted ways with Chocolate City apparently due to having his music unsupported by the label and a collaboration with Wizkid shelved. He goes so far as accusing label honcho M.I Abaga of stifling his career! We've seen contractual disputes between D'banj and Don Jazzy tear apart their partnership as well in eerily reminiscent fashion. Meanwhile, Ice Prince has moved on to form his own label, an imprint under Chocolate City, after announcing that his original deal with Choc City had expired two years ago.

What seems very unnatural is the relationship with Runtown and Eric Many Entertainment. His label allegedly breached their contract after failing to pay him his 35% split over a couple of years. He has a sordid tale to reveal which includes broken promises, extortion and death threats! The artist was banned from performing due to an injunction and subsequently terminated the agreement.

And now a run-down of other Nigerian acts who split from their labels, as per Pulse:

This sort of strife for artists isn't only isolated to Nigeria, as in South Africa there are plentiful stories with artists signed to labels such as Ghetto Ruff where popular musicians such as Ishmael and Zola have had varying disputes with label head Lance Stehr. The problem is clearly not limited to individuals either as the issues Zambian outfit Zone Fam have with Kenyan label Taurus Musik proves. Kenyan femcee Xtatic recently had an online outburst aimed at her label: she blames Sony Music Entertainment Africa for allegedly shelving her project even though she met her end of the deal. She goes on to list more East African talents she feels have been exploited in her exasperation, such as Ugandan rapper Keko.

It seems year after year we hear stories of beloved artists passing away broke and the like. And this is where stories like these take my mind. There are whispered tales of composers of indigenous music having their work owned by people with foreign names... and even artists' families inheriting their indebtedness! The vast amount of African legends, in any genre, that have been dealt hands they either were unaware of or misunderstood is extensive. Even if a label sounds like the underdog in relation to mainstream players... every label operates like a label: whether it is indie, an imprint or multi-national. In the relationship between artists and label the word partnership only counts in press releases and is rarely accurate. You are employed by a label to recoup its earnings, and in the meantime anything attached to you they own!

The tales of these artists converge to remind us that the music industry functions on a lot more than just talent, hype or the glitz and glamour us consumers literally buy into. Even talented artists require an understanding of what they seek to achieve. Sometimes being independent is the best way and other times a label provides much needed structure, distribution and reach. All this, however, should be negotiated. When signing to a label not every right needs to be cashed in! Without keeping some form of musical ownership... great strides such as the quotas in Nigeria or the newly enforced 90% local music on South African radio will all be in vain (like only play-listing songs from decades ago). With no publishing or royalties to their names, there'll be very few benefits for the talented folk who entertain us!

We've spoken about having a great team around you in a musical sense before. But an artists squad goals should include certified managers, publicists, accountants and more especially lawyers. We need people to turn up with, but we also need people to turn up... when we're signing on the dotted line!

“I see too many rappers, and not Enough CEOs”- Cassper Nyovest (Skelm)

The AHHB Podcast Featuring Award Wins, SABCs, Ice Prince , Anathi And The SAMAs

by Phil Chard

AHHB Podcast V 2

After taking a week off due to unforeseen circumstances (the movers bundling my equipment with the “stuff I don’t really need” box) we are back with another episode of the AHHB Podcast.

This week we have another highly entertaining episode featuring music from Kiss Daniel, Gemini Major, Akan, Worlasi, Phyno, N’veigh, Blaklez, PDotO, Ras, V-Way, Rosah-Joy, AY, Diamond Platnumz, Emtee and more.

We also have interviews with Anathi and Ice Prince and discuss all the latest news from across the continent, including million dollar lawsuits, bad contracts, The SAMA awards and much more.

Don’t forget to follow on Twitter @africanhhb & @PhilChard.

PS: I apologise for the acoustics of the episode, I am still setting up the studio at the new place.

Americana - Aspiring by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution licensed

Source | Artist

Stream Kikwa’s IDES EP

by Phil Chard

They say "oh yeah you speak good English",

Of course I fucken do I am well read

And if i spend a milli to never hear you speak again that will be money well spent- Saints & Ides

Zambian born rapper Kikwa who is now residing in Swaziland just dropped his new 7 track EP titled IDES.

The project is a high energy project consisting mainly of hard pounding basslines and trap influences while Kikwa delivers his voice in a very distinct , somewhat Americanised high pitched and sharp voice. Standout tracks include Finally and Kill Caesar.

Viber Public Chat with Rosah-Joy

by Phil Chard

The African Hip Hop Blog was chosen as one of Viber’s launch partners when they launched their new Viber Public Chat feature a few months back. Since it began we have experienced tremendous growth and engagement on the platform. We use our Viber public chat as a forum to allow for discussion and debate cantered around the African music industry and the culture. We encourage anyone interested in getting the latest news and opinions from influential voices across the continent to follow along. If you would like to be part of the debates and contribute, please get hold of me on twitter @PhilChard.or the blog @africanhhb

This week for our Viber Public Chat we interview Zambian artist Rosah-Joy.

Review : Rosah-Joy – Pressed EP

by Phil Chard

The best thing about being a music blogger is the rare occasion when someone introduces you to an artist so impressive you are angry with yourself for not discovering them sooner. That is the feeling I experienced when I was sent the new EP by Rosah-Joy titled Pressed.

Rosay-Joy is an artist that fuses Hip Hop, R&B, Soul and Spoken Word into her music to produce an incredible product. Born in the Southern Province of Zambia and raised in Queenstown, South Africa who then went onto attain a Bachelor of Arts degree from The Art Institute of Washington. This eclectic mixture of cultures all play a help in shaping the artistic identity of her music. Her delivery has the distinctive cadence of a Zambian (I can’t explain it but when you talk to a Zambian you will understand), that fuses the isiXhosa she learned in South Africa and the Western influence that paints her style and accent.

I did a brief Tweetview (Review on Twitter, see what I did there?) of Rosah’s latest offering. In summary it is a massively impressive project that takes the listener on a brief and emotional ride from the vantage of a woman as she speaks about the emotional experience of dealing with a failing relationship.

Rosah - Pressed Tweetview - Curated tweets by AfricanHHB

Jay Rox – Glory ft Tim (Thugga)

by twoSeats

Last year, the news that Zone Fam was experiencing some possible troubles was met with a great collective sigh from some of us in the Zambian & Southern African hip hop media & fanbase. It is no secret that hip hop music groups in general are very prone to differences be they creative, developmental or otherwise & with Zone Fam's long awaited follow up to their album "The Business" seeming to have stalled in the studio & one of their members was leaving the group in order to pursue a new direction with Gospel music many of us, including myself worried that we'd never get to hear the

Fans were reassured that the split was amicable but there wasn't any proof of that until cameos in Dope G's My Hair video showed that there was still a good relationship between the artists. Now we have reason to celebrate because the award winning Jay Rox just released evidence that we can look forward to more collaborations between our favourite Zone Fam artists.

Roxa keeps to his recent dancehall-esque delivery on this & brings us a very special treat indeed both in the visuals with the video having been shot at a water purification plant & the first verse we've had the privilege to hear since Thugga Tim left Zone Fam. Quite simply it doesn't matter what the content is, Tim spits flames.

This is the first Jay Rox offering from an as yet unnamed project from Roxa. In fact because of an extremely kind Roxa who allowed me a quick early listen to some of the material he's working on; we can definitely look forward to a good project from him.

Chanda Mbao – Selfish ft Scott Official Video

by twoSeats

Zambia's Chanda Mbao released a new song and video yesterday in celebration of his birthday with a very romantically inclined offering. His partnership with producer Shom C, is proving a strong one with the pair putting out song after song that are extremely well produced. Mbao enlists vocal assistance from the talented Scott & the collaboration is flawless as the video spins a tale of Chanda losing his girl due to not paying her enough attention then working to get her back once he sees the error of his ways

Chanda's next project will definitely have a sound unlike projects he's put out before & so far, this is far from a bad thing

Favourite Producer-Rapper Partnerships

by Mayuyuka

In the spirit of focusing on the sterling contributions to the game by African producers, we decided to have a look at a few of our favourite producer-rapper combos. What we had in mind was a duo (or any other size and shape set-up) that's managed to come together three times or more to produce classics. We also try to give an update on what the producers may have branched out to from their roles behind the scenes.

A range of old and new alliances have formed over time so here's an overview of matches made in musical heaven: We sometimes take producers for granted and to borrow from a phrase swirling around; this is our little offering to the 'producers must rise' movement. Tweezy and AKA have a promisingly formidable partnership. From churning out hits like Run Jozi and All Eyes On Me to the brilliant Sim Dope, these two are hand and glove when it comes to dropping hits. Recent exchanges on social media might dampen this relationship, but despite a controversial start to a solo career Tweezy hasn't shied away from leaving life from behind the decks. An example of his solo offerings are the trap song Ambition and the controversy-surrounded Bonang performed below:

Priddy Ugly's project You Don't Know Me Yet is entirely produced by Wichi 1080. Apart from the impressive fact that a solitary producer on an album is exceedingly rare nowadays... the different kinds of beats included on this work keeps it a refreshing listen! From standout tracks like Cocaine Ghost and the Big Star Johnson assisted Nobody, to the certified banger Bula Boot: the production deserves a string of fire flame emojis. The dope beats work in tandem with Priddy's delivery and voice to provide a unique offering you can sample out here:

Sarkodie, the criminally underrated rapper hailing out of Ghana has an unfailing ear for melodic beats. Jayso is responsible for most of them, also managing to fuse Hip Hop and Dancehall to create irresistible Hiplife cuts like the catchy Special Someone that features Burna Boy and AKA. Jayso runs his own label, Skillions Records; where he's also released a solo album named Making Tasha Proud. This debut release, inspired by a true story, features a few other Ghanaian mainstays such as Efya and M.anifest. Peep the title track ft A.I to track his journey from behind the decks:

Wizkid's dominant run has seen him stride mammoth paces over the past couple of years. He has, however, been on this journey with the dependable Sarz who has helped mould Wiz into a globally recognised pop star. This partnership has led to regular stays on pop charts across the land. Here's an early Femi Kuti-featuring, Sarz-produced example of the fusion between Afrobeat and Pop we've become accustomed to over the years:

pH Raw X is responsible for working with pretty much everyone in the South African Hip Hop scene. His CV reads like a dream, either solo or part of music production team Octave Couplet. The famous Raw X Studios are responsible for work on albums such as Zubz' Coachella and AKA's Altar Ego. What stands out is his linking up with Khuli Chana on both his albums Motswakoriginator and Lost In Time. pH spreads is talents further than just Hip Hop releases. He shows his versatility on his album From Giyani With Love alongside Thandiswa Mazwai in Wa N'Tiva(Bo't) below:

Shom C and Zone Fam carve out a distinct Zambian sound by mixing elements of Hip Hop and a sprinkle of both Zed and Afrobeat. Rappers Jay Rox, Dope G and Yung Verbal prove that this is a successful formula by featuring Badman Shapi and Nigerians Ice Prince and Patoranking in Slow Mo. This track showcases the best in both the production and lyrical aspects this combination of a trio of rappers and one beat head offers. Have a listen after the jump:

A relationship that allegedly went through a period of acrimony was that between Thasman and HHP who brought us hits like Harambe and the Cassper Nyovest-featuring Wamo Tseba Mtho. It's Bosso that got a huge ad placement from a local mobile operator though, and probably ranks amongst the greatest success of a duo. Revisit it here, and see if it rings any bells:

From the producer-rapper who specialises in Batman and Robin styled duos, to those that have the skill to work with a range of artists: the value of solid production is something we'll always appreciate. For some of the producers we've covered, they continue to strengthen partnerships with specific acts whilst others focus on their solo endeavours now. Whichever way their next chapters play out... we hope it's not strictly by ear!

Let’s Meet – Teliq

by Phil Chard

Let’s Meet Masaku Chrispine Sapele better known by his stage name Teliq hailing from Zambia. Teliq has been rapping since he was 15 and in 2013 he made his first dent on the Zambian scene after dropped a joint album with fellow Zambian rapper Smaq tiled The Genesis.

Teliq has an aggressive rap style coupled with a gruff voice reminiscent of Sticky Fingaz (Check out Gehena). Currently Teliq is signed under Mzenga Man’s M.Beats imprint.

@Telikanatik

Holstar – Spirit Of A Champion Featuring Rosah

by Phil Chard

Zambian Holstar just dropped the first single off the album Dreaming In High Definition titled Spirit Of A Champion. The song features the vocals of Rosah formerly known as Young N9ne on the hook. The song opens with the words of Maya Angelou’s poem from her book On The Pulse Of Morning which was made famous when she performed it at Bill Clinton’s inauguration ceremony. The song then closes with an excerpt from Kofi Anan’s exit speech as the UN Secretary General.

Sandwiched in-between the metaphorically rich clips Holstar rhymes raps about his ascendency and struggles over a string laden instrumental courtesy of Zimbabwean born Nigel.