The Connec Presents Zvidhakwa by Denny Dugg
by Phil Chard
Octave Couplet’s The Connec announced their formation last year with the release on their single Post the Miz which we covered here.
A year later one of the members of the collective, Denny Dugg is back with the second single under the collective’s moniker. The song Zvidhakwa features Denny [playing the dual role of rapper and singer as he speaks on “Zvidhakwa izvi” (these drunkards) over a beat with the keyboard synths reminiscent of early 90s Afro House.
The song tells the tale of a conversation Denny has with a woman I a night out.
@TConnec
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
MMT – Live For Today
by Phil Chard
After a long hiatus and a number of solo efforts the Zimbabwean Hip Hop super group MMT hath returned with a comeback single titled Live For Today produced by Young Nash.
The song follows the tried tested lyrical formula that brought MMT to into the focus of the mainstream – use witty, controversial lyrics with a fair dose of name dropping, coupled a catchy hook.
@thatMMTmusic
Producer JayTip’s Top 5 Kasi Rap Heaters
by Tseliso Monaheng
We asked Pretoria-based producer JayTip, who's originally from Durban but now resides in a city where he splits time between lecturing Physics, writing academic papers, making beats for artists such as Sabza (a member of the AHHB team) and winning Back To Cty's 10K Challenge, set time aside to compile this playlist for us, as well as share a few words on each track. You can listen to 'Tip's production on his soundcloud and follow him on twitter.
Ikesi by Maraza
I like the fact that he decided to use the not so common Zulu terminology, like the first line, he says “Lasuka lahlala baphuma abafana beqhol’ amakha amaningi.” You’d probably never hear another rapper use the word amakha, which refers to perfume.
V’walla by Abdus
Well Abdus is known for his witty lines, and this joint offers nothing less. The beat is the type you bob your head to. He is proving a point with this one, “ngifahlaza you favourite rapper, that’s why you calling him your man crush” (fahlaza means crush). And he sure does address most of his haters as he raps “abangifiseli unwele olude oDililah, bahlukumeza uSamsoni."
Ziyasha by Breeze
You can call him a modern “dzansansa”. This is your kasi turn-up type of vibe.
Imadlana yok’gcina by Kid X
I dig the kwaito feel and the fact that he didn’t just let the beat do the work for him, he actually wrote. This is definitely one of my festive jams.
100K macassette by Okmalumkoolkat
This is my act silly jam. Dig the (M'du) loop idea but wish they could have done more to it. Malum’ always has something to say that will leave you in stitches.
TCHOPDYE – Désintégrés
by Phil Chard
Language barrier aside it is very hard to describe the music of TCHOPDYE. The duo are a fusion of Hip Hop, Pop, Alternative music and a self described "Afrofuturiste" style. That being said their single Désintégrés which roughly translates to disintegrates is a deconstruction of the genres I listed above in an incredibly new and entertaining sound that forms a unique pairing of the sounds from the two nations the group calls home . France & Cameroon.
Epixode – Body Body + Ghetto Anthem
by Phil Chard
Theophilus Nii Arday Otoo known also known as Epixode is a Ghanaian Dancehall artist who dabbles in Hip Hop on occasion. Currently signed to Gbevu Music Group, Epixode was a winner at the African Youth Choice Awards in 2015 .
Epixode has just dropped his debut album Spar Junkiez. Amongst the impressive and catchy Dancehall releases is the mellow Hip Hop & R&B fusion titled Body Body featuring Mr. Eazie. Epixode is definitely a talent worth watching in the future.
You can also view his international collaboration with Kerwin Prescott for the Ghetto Anthem remix
Navy Seal – 100 Dollar Bills Featuring Phuture Phil
by Phil Chard
Bulawayo's Navy Seal just dropped his new single titled 100 Dollar Bills featuring Phuture Phil (no relation) who was also responsible for production.
100 artworkThe song itself is a decent trap offering that touches on the much covered topics of sleep deprivation, putting in work, hustling for dough and derivatives of the MOB adage.
The feelings I get when I listen to such music are very similar to how I feel when I see a new Porsche. “It's great but I can't tell what is different with this model over all the other Porches out now.”
The song is a decent effort and clearly displays the talents of both artists. However it also reveals the biggest flaw I've found with the music being made by Navy Seal - it has no identity. Every song I've heard from Navy Seal has been a good exercise in copying and pasting American sounds and dialect. From his song Elevated to the Art Department offering While You Were Sleeping (Navy Seal is one of the three members) I have repeatedly thought that these guys would be great if they stopped trying to be American.
I genuinely wonder how many kids in Bulawayo use words like "skrilla" and speak of moving "keys" in a faux American accent and don't get laughed out the room while doing so.
I'd be more interested in Navy Seal using his talents to tell a meaningful tale about his life and surroundings delivered in a voice that he uses when he speaks to everyone on his "block"
V-Way – Queen Twerk
by Phil Chard
You can marry Minnie, I just want a shot at Queen Twerk.
Faith Nketsi more popularly known as Queen Twerk finally has the song she deserves. The young South African lady has improved the lives of so many people with her general aura, dance skills and curvature that it is about time artists began to pen songs in her honour. The pioneering artist that delivered a song good enough to bear her name is from South African rapper V-Way. On the uptempo single V-Way uses his lyrical skills to elaborate on all the ways he adores the object of his attention.
Submission | Karhu – Got u
by Phil Chard
Karhu (Kenneth Vuvu) is a 20 year old rapper originally from Kinshasa, Congo now residing in Sweden. Karhu claims that the Flex On The Beat produced single Got U is his debut effort, frankly I don't understand how an artist can get this polished on his first try. This joint is definitely worth checking out.
Stream Lore & Ofentic’s – All In A Day EP
by Phil Chard
Lore & Ofentic are a Rustenburg based three-man rap group made up of Lore-la-Batho (Rapper/Singer/Song writer); Ofentic (Rapper/Song Writer) and Mo-Town DJ (Disc jockey).
Lore & Ofentic were officially formed in late 2013 and just dropped their impressive 5 track EP titled All In A Day. The project features some impressive production that merges modern sounds with a numbers of instrumentation from the 80s and 90s.
Apart from this release expect to see Lore & Ofentic on DJ Switch’s upcoming compilation.
Ricky Tyler – Swerve
by Phil Chard
Fresh from our inbox is this smooth, mellow & melodic Trap-R&B fusion from Ricky Tyler. This joint is as smooth as melted butter.
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.
#SubmissionSunday | Solve The Problem – Jolly Good
by Phil Chard
Its has been a few months since we heard anything Solve The Problem. The South African rapper just announced his return to music with the release of his lead single Jolly Good and the announcement that his debut album Gap Life is set to drop on July 30 this year. Solve has definitely working on his craft with this release.
Submission | QzA & Solo – Above All (Official Video) + Forever Stream
by Phil Chard
The raspy voiced QzA just dropped the video for his song Above All featuring BETR Gang member Solo. Directed by Mandla N and Scott Ross the video utilises low light studio shots and tinted lighting to create a dark visual ambience.
The song is part of QzA's 13 track release Forever which you can stream below.
Submission | Darne Maćino – Alcoholix 2.0
by Phil Chard
Darne Maćino is South African rapper on the rise who has been featured in Hype’s final March/April ’16 issue. On Alcoholix Darne speaks on his lifestyle that is filled with late nights, sex and of course, alcohol imbibing.
Submission | Twelve – Djimetta Featuring KAE EM & Exodus (Prod. by Kae Em)
by Phil Chard
Djimetta , Kae Em and Exodus are three Mozambican Hip Hop acts who just linked up on the trap song Twelve .
Submission | Karabo – Karabo x Majik Zar – Right Now (Prod. Jan x CYnnam0n)
by Phil Chard
South Africa's Karabo and Majik Zar link on a song produced by Jan x CYnnam0n . The song titled Right Now provides some current social commentary through the eyes of villainous youth.
Submission | Postman L & Blaze 5th – Press Record + Paid In Full
by Phil Chard
South African Postman L & Mozambican Blaze 5th have linked on a song titled Press Record. The track is set to appear on their upcoming EP titled All Nite Godly.
The multi national duo also released a follow up (the third off the EP) titled Paid In Full after the classic Rocafella Films offering
Submission | Deck Geeks & Playshis – Legacy
by Phil Chard
Deck Geeks a collective consisting of 3 members (Beat Slanger, Loudima.Dreamer & SebbyNgeteya) who are sound engineers, producers & DJs,looking to push and make changes in the Namibian Hip Hop scene. The production trio linked up fellow Namibian spoken word artist Playshis The Poet, and put together the 6 track Legacy EP. All songs on the project are produced, mixed & mastered the Deck Geeks and features acts like Lioness. Metamorph and Johny Be Good.
Submission | Snymaan – Susibamezela
by Phil Chard
Snymaan delivers a mix of traditional Xhosa music and Hip Hop with Trap influences. Sinethemba, who goes by the name Snymaan makes music called Qaba Nation and also composes Hip Hop. Originally he is from Umtata, Eastern Cape. His main lyrical subject matter is story telling and significant recordings include Susibambezela, Makhulu and Oztyele.