Friday Night – Magenge (Official Video)
by Phil Chard
Out of Johannesburg, South Africa we have the genesis of a new rap duo dubbed Friday Night. Consisting of SkyCityUno and Yung Tyran the duo say they
““seek to rejuvenate the Hip Hop industry on all fronts. Well written songs, infectious production and a fresh perspective on Africa form the foundation of the duo’s musical ideology.””
The groups debut release Magenge which was produced by Canada-based Zimbabwean producer Charlie Zimbo just dropped with its video. Shot by C.I Jizzle and Orlando Da Costa it makes clever use of simple yet entertaining snots that fit the motif of the band perfectly.
According to Sky City and Tyran “Friday Night is a metaphor for the anticipation and excitement the group generates with every release, performance and project, it’s always something to look forward to.” The groups debut Mixtape which shall be titled Friday ( that won’t get confusing) is apparently completed and is scheduled for a winter release. I am not sure which winter they are referring to because temperatures are rising awfully fast in this part of the world.
#SubmissionSunday | Nash Da King – Umshini Wami
by Phil Chard
Zimbabwean rapper Nash Da King links up with the ZImbabwean Hip Hop duo known as The Hitmen on his new single Umshini Wami. Despite its cringe worthy intro the song utilises a Swing Jazz sound very unique to Hip Hop coming out of Zimbabwe.
The AHHB Podcast Featuring Kweiks, Kagwe Mungai & Takura
by Phil Chard
AHHB Podcast V 2
We might be slightly delayed but the African Hip Hop Blog podcast is back with another incredible episode. I can assure you that we are getting pretty damn good at the podcasting thing. This week Phil shares interviews our #FeatureFridays winner Kweiks, who shares details of his career and how he overcome a life threatening accident to pursue his musical dream. He then crosses over to Kenya to hear about the type of music made by Kagwe Mungai and why his mother is happy that he chose to pursue music and finally we hear from Zimbabwe’s Takura who just dropped his 5 track EP Stripped.
We play Riky Tyler’s new remix for Swerve featuring Tshego and Doto from Kweiks as well a brief discussion onto the serious accusations made by Julius Malema against South Africa’s Mabala Noise label. Enjoy !
Navy Seal – 100 Dollar Bills Featuring Phuture Phil (Official Video)
by Phil Chard
Zimbabwean rapper Navy Seal has just released the the RasquesityKeaitse directed video for 100 Dollar Bills featuring Phuture Phil (i repeat, no relation)and the word that came to mind on several occasions while watching this video is “irony”. It is drenched in ironic imagery.
My only complaint about Navy Seal and his music has been his adoption of American idioms, topics and accents in his music. To me they paint his work with a coat of unoriginality and a lack of authenticity.
In the video Navy Seal is seen exiting a home with a design very common in Zimbabwean low income, high density suburbs. He then takes a long walk to a shopping centre whose amenities feature a car wash amongst other things.. It is clear that Navy Seal is trying to paint the “I'm from the grimy streets but I'm on my grind “ type of visual, which he manages to pull off... However in an ironic twist he helps prove my point for me. Would any of the people at the locations in the video was shot listen to his music? Would they understand what he is speaking about in his accent? Do they understand the phrase “pushing whips” and “stacking chips”. I would hazard a guess and say no.
Until Zimbabwean rappers begin to recognise the value of their own original and unique stories instead of falling over themselves to recreate what they hear coming from overseas, their only believable music will always be about the grind and haters, not about celebrating their successes.
#SubmissionSunday | Victor-J – Strong
by Phil Chard
Zimbabwean born, Cape Town based rapper Victor J activates lyrical mode on his latest single Strong. Over an instrumental comprising of bongos , hard hitting drum pads and haunting strings the rapper speaks on his music, the plight of black people, "rappers rapping with similar similes" and "rappers with fake powers like Pikachu"
#SubmissionSunday | The Dot – Call Me
by Phil Chard
The Dot is a Zimbabwean rapper who linked up with fellow ZImbabwean and label mate MC Tytoh on Call Me. The Bulawayo acts ride over an uptempo BMB beat and deliver some impressive bars. The song was so close to be being smash until the awfully lazy chorus and bridge kicked in . So close. So so close.
#SubmissionSunday | Asaph & MH1 – Arakani Jackets
by Phil Chard
Asaph, Boi B, Kingsley, MH1 and Yiso are 5 Bulawayo artists collectively known as the BurgBoiz who are collaborating on the 7 track #DeepInTheBurg project. They plan to release a song every Friday and the accompanying video every Monday.
The song Ara Kani Jackets gets its name from a Bulawayo designer brand and is a metaphor about how the rappers are ”cut from the finest fabric”
The AHHB Podcast Featuring Rushay, Phlow & GZE
by Phil Chard
The best podcast relating to all matters African of the Hip Hop variety has returned once again. This week Phil gets hold of a true Hip Hop OG - Mr. Rushay Booysen of South Africa to discuss the state of the rap nation and track how far things have progressed over the years.
Phil also speaks to 2 #FeatureFridays winners GZE and Phlow. Where the former shares details of his upcoming album Hustlemania abs the latter shares the details of her introduction into Hip Hop.
We also have music from MarazA, KLY, Flo Dee, YCEE, Ice Prince, Jnr Brown and Well$
Be sure to like and comments on the podcast via soundcloud or iTunes.
Gudntentionz – Joshuas (Cheers)
by Phil Chard
Zimbabwean born rapper Gudntentionz drops the heartfelt and solemn Joshuas (Cheers) a song dedicated to his close friend Kundai Rambanapasi. On the song Gudntenzionz raps;
“If I had known that this would be the last time, I would have said I love you for the first and last time”
There is great deal of sincerity and pain in his lyrics and it reminds to to always tell our loved how we truly feel before it is too late.
@gudatit_
#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
Submission | Muna – Garden Of Eden (Official Music Video)
by Phil Chard
Muna is a 22 year old artist born in ZImbabwe who currently resides in Waltham, Massachusetts. Muna just sent in his video for the sombre and reflective Garden Of Eden taken off his project Amen.
Simba Tagz – No pressure (Official Music Video)
by Phil Chard
In a surprising and muted release Zimbabwean artist Simba Tagz releases his video for No Pressure. The uptempo pop themed song that was produced by Nigeria’s Sarz was first released over a year ago and saw Tagz adopting a more Nigerian Pop style of delivery. The video for the song had been completed and awaiting release for quite some time, I first saw the finished version around February, in a conversation with the rapper a while back he had revealed that the delay was due to compliance issues with TV.
The Chris Shoca directed video has scenes of frolicking in an open vlei cut in between scenes of him spoiling the leading lady, played by Radio host Gamu Chinamasa
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
The AHHB Podcast Featuring Karizma
by Phil Chard
AHHB Podcast V 2
This week on The African hip Hop Blog Podcast we switch u it up a little and I sit down with the winner of our recently launched #FreatureFridays competition – Zimbabwean born rapper Karizma. During our hour long chat we discuss his new single and video for Shisha Pipe as well as his plans for No Guts No Glory 3 before we delve into a discussion about the current scene in Zimbabwe and why Hip Hop is struggling to take off in the Southern African nation.
As always don’t forget to like and comment with feedback and please follow us on twitter @africanhhb , @PhilChard & @Itskarizma
Takura – MaObama
by Phil Chard
It's Peak times for Zimbabwean rappers right now. In the space of two months a pop act has invaded the Hip Hop scene and is doing a pretty damn good job at this rappity rap thing.
On his second rap single as a solo artist Takura hops on a C.O.G. Beatz trap instrumental to wax motivational about his hunt for MaObama (colloquial slang for US Dollars). Takura keeps his delivery pretty simplistic yet effective. I'll be very interested to see the trap sound that Takura and fellow Zim trappers are pushing shift the direction of Zim Hip Hop to something more commercially appealing with the masses.
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.
GZE – Vavhurirei Mukova Featuring Sister Flame
by Phil Chard
When it comes to storytelling on songs in Shona, GZE occupies rare air. His ability to paint detailed and emotionally engaging stories while simultaneously riding the beat is truly impressive. On his new song Vavhurirei Mukova featuring the vocals of Sister Flame he tells a series of detailed about the loved ones he has lost and how he hopes that those watching over us allow them into the next life.
@resilience_gze
Marcques – Nyarara (Official Video)
by Phil Chard
Zimbabwean rapper Marcques has just dropped the video for his YoungNash produced song Nyarara. The song is set to appear on Lost In Translation – a collaborative project between Marcques and Mile.
The Chris Shoca directed video was shot on location in Mbare and a Westgate studio. Much like my opinions on the song when it first dropped I am not sure where Marcqyes is going with this offering. The video was shot in Mbare but features nothing more than tight shots of Marcques and his crew performing awkwardly in scenes that could have been captured at any location in Harare. The studio shots are equally as awkward and I struggle to see why they were even necessary.
After breaking into the scene in 2013 the last 2 years have been relatively quiet for Marcques. Nyarara is his somewhat flat footed re-entry into the scene as he slowly dips his toes back into the water and finds his footing (See what I did there?). It is also his first solo video, surprising when you consider that we never got a visual offering for Zunguza. Without a doubt Marques has a great deal of potential and talent once he zeros in on exactly what sound he and brand he wants to build.
@Marcques_
Review | EyeAmI – Y, Songs About You
by Phil Chard
I decided to title my new project Y, Songs About You after going through some extensive soul searching. I was born in the early 90’s, so I identify best with “Generation Y”. For a while, I was in a space where I was trying to figure out why my first project did not do as well as I’d hoped and what direction I was going to take as an artist. My intention was to write stories from the perspectives of other people. I believed that if I sought to first understand others, I will learn how to make them understand me. So I started with the generation I best identify with - Generation Y, the 90’s kids. The more I wrote the verses for these songs, the more I understood about my myself - why I was making music and the legacy I would like to leave behind.
Zimbabwean born, Toronto based artist EyeAmI (formerly known as Lewis The Artist) has just release his new 5 track EP title Y, Song About You. The project is a brief glimpse into the EyeAmI’s growth as an artist and his currently mentality. When comparing it to his last release Far From Home I noticed how his sound, delivery, and even rapping voice have changed as Lewis becomes more ingratiated in the culture of his newly adopted home.
Upon first listen I struggled to find the anchor of this project and EyeAmI as the reborn artist that he is. But on second listen, once I began to notice the small touches and the fusion of “African” sounds and those of his new home, Toronto shine through. The drums on Uber and Africa. Far From Home, the Afrobeat like Saxophone on Wagadugu and the small inflections and adlibs peppered on the songs all point to this growth. Lewis also credits this melting pot of sounds to a new genre that he hopes to pioneer called AfroBounce.
I am not particularly fond the of flow and delivery adopted by Eye on the project’s first two tracks, I have always felt that he would be better served as a rapper adopting a slower and more deliberate cadence. On Wagadugu (not the capital of Burkina Faso, the word seems to be euphemism for sex) which was actually originally a song I had sent to EyeAmI two years ago for this blog’s project with Rymez. Since then Eye has reworked the song and added that distinct saxophone to the beat.
It is the LP’s third song – Uber ,that I truly feel EyeAmI hits a home run. I have never been the biggest fan of rappers with limited vocal ranges attempting to sing. Especially the type of singing spearheaded by a certain rapper who also hails from Toronto, but it is on song where Eye truly shines. From the catchy and repetitive hook filled with emotion as his voice cracks and breaks to emphasize his words, to the excellent production and the perfect backing vocals from Sydne Barnes.
Y, Songs about you COVERThe song Mary which has also been a long time in the making, (I received rough draft of this track about a year ago) tells an abstract tale that likens the experiences of a promiscuous woman to marijuana over a chopped and screwed beat meant to signify the state of being high which switches as Eye’s lyrics become more “conscious”.
The closing track Africa. Far From Home is another great piece of production that features a marriage bongo and electronic drums with chants and passionate lyrics from EyeAmI
"Whats a child without a family to go and love him, what's a soldier without an army to go and cover for him?”
With Y, Songs About You I feel that EyeAmI is still finding his musical identity. The time and effort that went into a 5 track offering is evidence of that. There is certainly a great deal of potential in him as an artist, provided he sticks to his strengths and addresses up his weaknesses ad song writer. Sonically I can see where he is going and the sound of Afrobounce looks and sounds promising,.
The AHHB Podcast Featuring Solo, Rouge and Kwesta
by Phil Chard
AHHB Podcast V 2
Welcome back to the African Hip Hop Blog Podcast for another incredible and potent dose of high grade African Hip Hop music and news. This week we play music from R2Bees, VENGEmuzik, King Dizo, Blayze, Assessa, BETR Gang and Reason.
We also have throwback interviews with Kwesta, Rouge, and Solo, while also sharing news about album release dates, slap happy DJs, and ghost writing accusations.
Be sure to hit us on twitter and Facebook with your feedback
@africanhhb @PhilChard