Phil Chard 5/1/16 Phil Chard 5/1/16

PdotO – Forgive ‘Em (Official Video) Featruring BlakLez & Percy Mthunzi

by Phil Chard

Cap City’s PDot O recruits label mate Blaklez, and Percy Mthunzi on the video for Forgive Em. The Kyle White directed video takes the obvious route mapped out by the song’s lyrics by skirting around the topics of religion, sin and abuse.

@PdotO_SA @Blaklez

Phil Chard 5/1/16 Phil Chard 5/1/16

Solo – How Cool Is This Love Feat. Zyon

by Phil Chard

This rap game is tough nut to crack, even tougher if you choose to go it alone via the independent route.

Others I’ll steady decline on some dimishing shit

....they still learning the pace

And I’m very seasoned , I just turned 28

But the flow is a Kyrie Irving disguised as an Uncle Drew

And I know I might be blurring lines as I bother dudes.

South African rapper Solo recently made the decision to sever ties with his label Universal and handle his career independently. Going forward the majority of his releases and exclusives will be releasedd via his BETR Gang website. The site is named after the duo comprised of Solo and Buks was launched with the release of the incredible We Need A Title project.

On the track How Cool Is Your Love , Solo recruits the vocals of Zyon as Solo raps about his love for the game and dealing with industry setbacks while balancing the desire to move his career forward while maintaining his artistic integrity. How Cool Is Your Love is set to appear on Solo’s sophomore offering Dreams.B.Plenty.

@ThisIsSoloSA

Purchase How Cool Is This Love

Phil Chard 5/1/16 Phil Chard 5/1/16

Klutch Kollective – Back to the Roots (Official Music Video)

by Phil Chard

A week after Toya Delazy announced her departure from Sony Music Africa to launch her own imprint - Delazy Entertainment. The South African artist has released visuals from her label’s first signing - the all women rap ensemble titled Klutch Kollective.

Consisting of Genius, Fiah, DK and Toya Delazy herself, the crew just dropped the video for their debut single, Back to the Roots. Though the song’s chorus grates my eardrums it does feature solid verses from the “Kollective. With an impressive video directed Youri Litch the song signals a possible shift in how Toya approaches her music and career going forward. Less Pop, more Hip Hop perhaps?

Phil Chard 5/1/16 Phil Chard 5/1/16

Meyniak – The Werther Effect

by Phil Chard

Zimbabwean MC Meyniak is prepping for the release for the release of his upcoming EP Suicidal Ideation: Colors. The 5 track project will be released sometime in May with Boy Tricky as the sole producer.

The second single off that release is The Werther Effect and explores the subject of a man living an unfulfilling life and contemplating his suicide, burial and the state f his spirit after he leaves.

This is an impressive and powerful piece of art that explores a subject that is often viewed as taboo on our continent.

@meyniak_artist

Phil Chard 5/1/16 Phil Chard 5/1/16

Jay GaklactiK – Lavhu Ne Homwe Yangu

by Phil Chard

Zimbabwe’s Jay GaklactiK just dropped his new single Lavhu Ne Homwe Yangu , a single slated to appear on his Zvichanaka EP. The song has a melodic and catchy delivery that speaks tell the oft untold tale from the side of the would be “blesser”. Ironically Jay describes his song this way

“This is on a different tip though, I fused a lil rnb n dancehall style on it just to create a difference from whats on the market right now” [sic]

Guess Jay has been spending so much time in the studio he never realised his beat sounds like eerily similar every DJ Mustard joint released in the last 2 years.

@jaygalactikzw

Jay Galactik

Phil Chard 4/26/16 Phil Chard 4/26/16

Hoover & SDot Discuss The State Of South African Hip Hop

by Phil Chard

Hoover (Co-founder of Rapfornication) had sit down with SDot (South African Hip Hop writer, Cheka Digital) sat down to shoot the shit on the current state of South African Hip Hop. The conversation went a little like this

Hoover: Yo first off, I’d like to give you props and dabs on the impact you have on social media with regards to this Hip Hop shit. I can’t speak for others but when you tweet your views, I listen.

SDot: My dude, I appreciate. I never look at what I’m doing or who I’m touching. I just speak my mind because the truth is there are men that are running scared or taking sides instead of being about the game.

Hoover: That’s very true. I mean as a dude living in CPT and looking at the game from the outside I see this. Dudes is taking sides and closing up the genre. That kills the growth of the game and hinders where we could be as South African Hip Hop.

SDot: Very true. I mean, dudes trying to eat. I can’t fault that. It becomes a select few and everyone scrapes for whatever is available.

Hoover: And we hear what you’re saying in the music too, rappers have been vocal about it. Do you ever feel like the pie is too small for all our rappers to be eating? Because year in and year out it’s always the usual suspects on our TV’s and radio.

SDot: I don’t think the pie has a size. I mean Cassper filled up the Dome. There were Black Motion fans that supported Hip Hop that night. There were Black Coffee fans, there were South Africans and just people in general. I think we look past the size of the pie, we can decide on the size we want. Speaking of the size of the pie, do you think the attention is mainly on JHB than any other area?

Hoover: Yeah the attention and focus is predominantly on JHB. I mean for example Caps City is right next door to JHB but I ain’t seen any lenses on that movement in a while. Durban is Durban. They got their uniqueness and more importantly, the city supports their acts fully. Maftown rappers have to move to JHB to make it and CPT and Eastern Cape rappers are pretty much overlooked. I can’t really blame Hip Hop or the media for that though. The hub is JHB with regards to our show business. When you look at it, it’s pretty much systematic.

SDot: Very true. I had to vacation to Cape Town to have a sit down with FonZo. I feel that the Hip Hop game is emulating the job industry. People gravitate to the City of Gold. I’ve been a fan of Ill Skillz for the mere fact they are an incredible group. I believe, and might be stoned for this that Cape Town is to SA Hip Hop what New York is to USA Hip Hop. I still believe being territorial is a good thing. It means your area supports your area. Each area can bring out their strength. Charity starts at home.

Hoover: Very true on the last point and I’m inclined to agree with you with your Cape Town and New York Rap comparison. They going to have to stone us both if they disagree haha. I wanted to ask you this for a while now. Does SA Hip Hop really have legends?

SDot: Look, I believe a lot of guys have done a lot. Some might see it is a little but the genre is still an emerging industry. I mean we gotta respect Ready D, we gotta respect Emile YX, and we gotta respect Tumi. It’s just difficult to say “Respect the Legends” because we have so little of them to celebrate.

Hoover: I’m hearing you. In terms of the discography and projects that are out, it might not be enough but their impact and what they been doing for the growth of Hip Hop in country is not be questioned. That shit must be documented and remembered forever in Hip Hop circles.

SDot: But are we comfortable with having our greats and legends only celebrated in Hip Hop circles? Your Bra Hugh’s, your Don Laka’s, your Brenda Fassie’s, can we honestly put our legends in the same breath as them?

Hoover: it’s a mismatch right now G. The legends that you mentioned are not only legends in our country but they are icons in Africa too. Like you said, the game is still young, and that can also be said about Hip Hop on the continent. The prominent rappers right now are on that path of greatness. So for me it’s only a matter of time till our rappers can be pictured in the same light as say MaBrr. It all will happen with time.

SDot: What’s your take on bars in the game? Are bars a necessity in the current climate?

Hoover: I don’t want to say bars aren’t a necessity right now because I mean you just have to go to the albums and mixtapes being released right now. You will find plenty. We can’t however get away from the fact that rappers here making singles for the radio. So that means hook over bars in most instances. To be fair though, rappers are going back to the culture of spitting and that’s great for Hip Hop in South Africa. What’s your take on it G?

SDot: I think now more than ever, bars are becoming a necessity. As you say dudes is aiming for the radio but radio is a business that plays what we as listeners like. In this day and age, radio doesn’t break records, it hypes them up. So if we say Tumi is a legend, why aren’t we hailing the same silver lyricists? I don’t have an issue with turn up music. I love it but dudes getting lazy. They are spewing garbage in favor of a radio single. I’ve always believed turn up is ignant, have ignant lyrics not hogwash.

Hoover: You just walked straight into my next question. Do you think rappers here are following the American Hip Hop model?

SDot: Definitely, WTF is a carbon copy of Rae Sremmurd. Look at it this way, USA is the biggest Hip Hop demographic in the world. It’s seen as the trend setter. It’s not just turn up, which is growing cause of the number of clubs and events, but everything else. From promotion to marketing, a lot of them are emulating.

Hoover: When you put in that way, you make us question if we can call it “ours”. I mean we got Skhanda, Motswako and the other emerging sounds that have African and township roots to it.

SDot: Yeah, we have sub genres. But what we do have is our stories? Americans have 40s, we have iNgud. We have 11 official languages, tons of heritage. I believe we see a working formula and then adapt it. To be internationally recognised, maybe, but that doesn’t make us stand out.

Hoover: And that’s exactly the difference between African Hop Hop but more specifically Nigerian and our Hip Hop. The states and the world wants to hear WizKid, D’banj and etcetera because there’s only one version of them.

SDot: And they are the only people that can do what they do. I mean, take Youngsta. That accent is unique to Cape Town. That’s his heritage. That’s him. That should be at the very least, what others areas of South Africa gravitate to. He is proudly Cape Town. Proudly South African

@Hooverpapi @SDotJR_

This articlcle originally appeared in Rapfornication

Phil Chard 4/25/16 Phil Chard 4/25/16

Radiofein – Bad For You

by Phil Chard

Seems like it was aeons ago when Radiofein first broke onto the scene with her high pitched voice, vibrant and energetic Hip Pop style. Since she started working with Dutch, Radiofein has settled into a more mellow, moody and deliberate delivery and style that often sees her rhyming over slower tempo beats with rich synth and horn patterns and hard baselines as she dances between rap and melodic vocal delivery.

Her new single Bad For You fits into this theme perfectly fits that mould as she raps

You stole my heart boo, so I had to cop you

Same reason that I had to drop you

The song sees Radiofein reminding the object of her affection that she is basically a savage that will rip his heart out if he makes the mistake of catching feelings.

@_Radiofien

Phil Chard 4/25/16 Phil Chard 4/25/16

Cal_Vin – My Life

by Phil Chard

Zimbabwe’s Cal_Vin just wants to live his life, either you love him or you don’t he declares on his new song My Life. The song marks a shift in the sound Cal_Vin usually gravitates towards with a slower tempo beat comprised of , muffled synths , 808s and marching drums.

Purchase My Life

Phil Chard 4/25/16 Phil Chard 4/25/16

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

Phil Chard 4/25/16 Phil Chard 4/25/16

Kazz – Thinking Of You Remix Ft Cal Vin, Q Rigga & Jungle Bwoi

by Phil Chard

Kazz AKA Mr Boomslang recruits Cal_Vin, Q Rigga and Jungle Bwoi for an all Zimbabwean remix to his Reggae –Pop track Thinking of You. View the video for the original below.

@Mr_Boomslang @cal_vin @QRiggaman

Phil Chard 4/23/16 Phil Chard 4/23/16

The 2016 SAMA Nominees & Controversy

by Phil Chard

Award shows, Hip Hop and controversy. They go together like a gourmet meal and fine wine, like a bottle of Patron and a night of bad decisions, like a horse and carriage they are tied at the hip.

Nomuzi said some words

Earlier today I and many others were invited to board a train to the Soweto Theatre where the announcement of this year’s South African Music Awards would be taking place. After the opening remarks from the host Nomuzi Mabena, the SAMA Chairperson Refiloe Ramogase took the stage to provide some insights on what the SAMAs where hoping to achieve this year before plying us with a barrage of catch phrases and slogans for this year’s awards including the particularly witty “The Future Is Hear” tag line.

Unlike previous years, artists and nominees where not invited to take the stage and awakwardly announce the nominees. Instead all nominations where done via a video reel which can also be viewed below.

Things immediately got testy when the nominees in The Best Rap Category were announced. The most notable big omissions were Cassper Nyovest, Tumi and Reason.

In my opinion, despite the fact that Cassper became an award gobbling monster over the last two years (16 and counting) I honestly don’t feel that Refiloe was a strong offering by any means. Outside of Malome the album didn’t really feature any outstanding songs(Cooking in the Kitchen has the potential to be a radio hit, but it’s not my cup of tea either). After only securing 1 award at this year’s Metro FM awards it does feel like Cassper’s incredible momentum is waning in 2016. Surprisingly the rapper who is currently in the USA where he is set to speak to students at Harvard announced that he had deliberately not submitted his music for consideration and would explain in time.

Thanks for all the love.. pls note we deliberately did NOT submit for these awards. I'll explain it all through my music. Stay blessed 😉

— New Album in stores (@CassperNyovest) April 21, 2016

Reason’s Audio Re-Definition was initially meant to be released as a special edition of Audio HD. It sounded more like a compilation than a cohesive album so that effort being overlooked can also be understood.

However the omission of Tumi’s Return of The King has to be the greatest and most puzzling omission since I was not selected for the swim team back in 1996! In our review of the album we lauded the album for being a masterpiece. Return Of The King not being nominated is a massive blemish on the SAMA visage, one that will hopefully be explained. The album was released within the window for nominees – Return Of The King was released in June 2015 while Riky Rick’s nominated debut album was released two months prior in May for example. As a label head himself, I doubt Tumi overlooked the small matter of submitting his work for consideration.

Understandably the rapper was none too pleased after the snub and took to twitter to vent.

Tumi SAMA Rant

Back to those nominated; the last surprise was Kid X’s addition to the nomination list despite ¾ Pace being released and marketed as a free mixtape. Once again, a little clarity around this decision would be appreciated. Granted ¾ Pace is an incredible offering, but is it so incredible it transcends the nomination guidelines? If incredible free releases can be considered I would argue that Nasty_C’s Price City and its follow up Price City Deluxe both deserve consideration. As does Assessa’s Yim Lo Mixtape. As impressive as ¾ Pace may be it is not a better offering that Return Of The King.

There were similar question surrounding the Best Dance category for example with the omissions of Heavy K, Shimza and Prince KayBee. Heavy K and Shimza actually made their way to the event and it was extremely awkward for all parties involved.

Here is the nomination tally for Hip Hop acts.

Artist Nominations

Riky Rick 4

Emtee 4

Fifi Cooper 2

AKA 2

Witness Tha Funk 1

DJ Sliqe 1

Major League DJz 1

Khuli Chana 1

Kid X 1

Da L.E.S 1

Zakwe 1

The 22nd Annual South Africa Music Awards will be taking place on Saturday, 4 June. Tickets to the event are R350 and are available at Computicket.

[toggle title=' Full List Of Nominees.']

Album of the Year

Francois van Coke Francois van Coke

Emtee Avery

Nathi Buyelekhaya

Tresor VII

Black Coffee Pieces of Me

Duo or Group of the Year

Desmond & the Tutus Enjoy Yourself

Witness the Funk Finding Nomusa

Marcus Wyatt & the ZAR Jazz Orchestra One Night in the Sun

Junior Taurus & Lady Zamar Cotton Candy

Big Nuz For the Fans

Female Artist of the Year

Judith Sephuma One Word

Zahara Country Girl

Fifi Cooper 20Fifi

Karen Zoid Drown Out the Noise

Zonke Work of Heart

Male Artist of the Year

Nathi Buyelekhaya

Black Coffee Pieces of Me

Riky Rick Family Values

Emtee Avery

Francois van Coke Francois van Coke

Newcomer of the Year

Riky Rick Family Values

Emtee Avery

Tresor VII

Fifi Cooper 20Fifi

Nathi Buyelekhaya

Best Rock Album

Desmond & the Tutus Enjoy Yourself

Francois van Coke Francois van Coke

Shortstraw Youthless

Karen Zoid Drown Out the Noise

Saarkie Reisiger

Best Pop Album

Tresor VII

Lakota Silva Pop: The Mix Tape

Loki Rothman The Way Back

Can Skylark Overdrive

Vincent Bones Shaded Soul

Beste Pop Album (Afrikaans)

Karlien van Jaarsveld My Hartjie

Brendan Peyper Stop, Wag, Bly Nog ’n Bietjie

Vaughan Gardiner Sit Vanaand op Herhaal

Pierre Rossouw In my Bloed

Suzanne Vuurbestand

Best Adult Contemporary Album

Judith Sephuma One Word

Watershed Watch the Rain

Karen Zoid & Various Republiek van Zoid Afrika Vol. 2

Kahn Salt

Josie Field & Laurie Levine Tigerlily

Beste Kontemporêre Musiek Album

Elvis Blue Êrens in die Middel van Nêrens

Andriëtte Pêrel vir ’n Kroon

Neil Somers Hierdie Hande

Bok van Blerk Sing Afrikaner Sing

Stiaan Reynierse Sonde

Best African Adult Album

Dizu Plaatjies & Friends Ubuntu – The Common String

Kabomo Sekusile

Thiwe Soul Therapy

L’wei Netshivhale Mudzimu washu

Jessica Mbangeni Busisiwe – Tribute to the African Heroines

Best Alternative Album

Petite Noir La Vie Est Belle/Life is Beautiful

Sannie Fox Serpente Masjien

The Plastics In Threes

Moonchild Sanelly Rabulapha!

Die Heuwels Fantasties Ja. Nee. Lekker (Deluxe)

Best R&B/Soul/Reggae Album

Nathi Buyelekhaya

Zonke Work of Heart

Olwethu Imbewu

Zahara Country Girl

The Muffinz Do What You Love

Best Rap Album

Emtee Avery

Kid X 3 Quarter Pace

Da L.E.S North God

Riky Rick Family Values

Zakwe Impande

Best Kwaito Album

Big Nuz For the Fans

Dbn Nyts Believe

Kabelo Mabalane Immortal Vol. 3

Dj Bongz Game Changer

Mzansi North Coast Vibe

Best Dance Album

Black Coffee Pieces of Me

Mi Casa Home Sweet Home

Mobi Dixon Tribal Soul Special Edition

DJ Merlon Original Copy

Junior Taurus & Lady Zamar Cotton Candy

Best Traditional Faith Music Album

TYGC Family The Journey Begins

Worship House Project 12 Praise Live

Worship House True Worship 2015

Dumi Mkokstad Ukhona Uthixo

Women in Praise Various Artists

Best Contemporary Faith Music Album

Ntokozo Mbambo Spirit and Life

Mark Counihan To the Brave Ones

Mahalia Buchanan Redeemed to Worship

24 Skies Endless Anthem

Benjamin Dube Sanctified in His Presence

Best Maskandi Album

Imithente Ichakijana

Thokozani Langa Khuzeka Mshana

Shwi no Mtekhala Bazali Bami

Buselaphi Gabi Gabi

Phuzekhemisi Woze Durban

Best Jazz Album

Marcus Wyatt & the ZAR

Jazz Orchestra One Night in the Sun

Nduduzo Makhathini Listening to the Ground

Benjamin Jephta Quintet Homecoming

Amandla Freedom Ensemble Bhekisiwe

Bokani Dyer World Music

Best Classical and/or Instrumental Album

Wouter Kellerman Love Language

Guy Buttery Guy Buttery

Deep South Heartland

Cape Consort Christoph & Sebastian

KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Mintirho ya SJ Khosa

Orchestra

Best Live Audiovisual Recording

Jimmy Dludlu Live at Emperors Palace

Krone Krone 2

Ntokozo Mbambo Spirit and Life

Neyi & Omega Friends in Praise

Benjamin Dube Sanctified in His Presence

Best Collaboration

Dbn Nyts ft. Zinhle Ngidi & Trademark Shumaya

Shekinah x Kyle Deutsch Back to the Beach

AKA ft. Redsan, Burna Boy & Stoneboy All Eyes on Me

Major League DJz ft. Cassper Nyovest, Okmalumkoolkat, Riky Rick & Carpo Sylza Tsotsi

Khuli Chana ft. Patoranking No Lie

Best Music Video of the Year

Jack Parow & Freshly Ground Army of One

Riky Rick ft. Cassper Nyovest & Anatii Fuseg

Al Bairre & PH Fat Caviar Dreams

iFani Ayadelela

Monark Negatives Deluxe

Best Produced Album of the Year

Zahara Country Girl

Mi Casa Home Sweet Home

Sannie Fox Serpente Masjien

Mark Counihan To the Brave Ones

Zonke Work of Heart

Best Engineered Album of the Year

Black Coffee Pieces of Me

Brendan Peyper Stop, Wag, Bly Nog ’n Bietjie

Zonke Work of Heart

Mi Casa Home Sweet Home

Marcus Wyatt & the ZAR One Night in the Sun

Jazz Orchestra

Best Remix of the Year

DJ Sliqe Do Like I Do Remix

AKA Baddest Remix

Mobi Dixon My Sugar

Mobi Dixon Never Let Me Go Remix

The Fraternity Bheka Mina Ngedwa Amplified

Veterans to square off against new kids at 22nd South African Music Awards

Five acts are in the race with four nods apiece, with a cross-section of genres sharing the spotlight

Dreamy Afro-soul newcomer Nathi, house music supremo Black Coffee, rising rappers Riky Rick and Emtee, and sultry songbird Zonke Dikana share the nominations spoils at the 22nd Annual South African Music Awards, grabbing an impressive four nods each.

The contenders for this year’s awards were announced amid great excitement and anticipation in Soweto on Thursday, 21 April 2016. The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), the official passenger rail transport sponsor, ferried the VIP guests and media on the Metrorail Business Express to the Soweto Theatre, a landmark venue, located in Jabulani in the heart of Soweto, for the nominations “reveal”. Guests were escorted into the venue and then entertained by young performers from the Morris Isaacson High School, which is the very school that played a major role in the Soweto Uprising in 1976, forty years ago.

Chairperson of the South African Music Awards, Refiloe Ramogase welcomed everyone with a poignant speech about the stance that the Annual South African Music Awards have taken this year with the statement that “The Future is Here”. “Soweto not only serves as a reminder of the selfless bravery of our youth 40 years ago, but also reminds us that actions motivated by yesterday, taken today, set the course for the tomorrow. If one is bold enough, one can change not only the course of history, but the course of the future. This is the dawn of a bold new horizon within the Industry; the mass adoption of technology, the rise of the independent label, the endless stream of new distribution channels, seemingly limitless opportunities for cross-genre collaboration, Virtual Reality concerts on your phone, Digital Maskandi, Urban Gospel; all indicators of the transformation of our musical landscape.” Commented Refiloe.

Young blood features strongly in this year’s nominations, with three of the five Album of the Year nominees being breakthrough artists: Emtee, Nathi and Tresor, who’ll be competing against seasoned campaigners Francois van Coke and Black Coffee. The same three young guns will also vie against Riky Rick and Fifi Cooper in the Best Newcomer category.

Van Coke and fellow Afrikaans rocker Karen Zoid made a strong showing, with three nominations apiece. Other artists and bands that have been singled out for creative excellence this year, bagging three nominations each, include jazzman Marcus Wyatt and the ZAR Jazz Orchestra, dance music favourites Mi Casa, house DJ Mobi Dixon, Afro-soul songstress Zahara and acoustic pop-folk sensation Tresor.

The race for Best Male Artist is guaranteed to be a closely fought one, with globetrotting superstar Black Coffee and influential rock rebel Van Coke hoping that experience will see them triumph over the newbies Nathi, Riky Rick and Emtee. In the Best Female Artist category, the three Zs – Zoid, Zonke and Zahara – will slug it out for top honours with Fifi Cooper and Judith Sephuma.

On hosting the 22nd Annual South African Music Awards, The Mayor of the City of Durban, CLLR James Nxumalo said "For us as the City of Durban, we are very excited to host the SAMAs. The City of Durban has worked hard to build its brand, and our partnership with the SAMAs will further strengthen the position of Durban as the number one tourism destination in the country and one of the best in the world. As the City of Durban we are ready to welcome the music and entertainment industry to Durban, the warmest place to be”

The shortlist of nominees for the Amstel Record of the Year will be announced on Live Amp this Friday, 22 April on SABC 1, with the public being invited to vote for their favourite song of 2015. The 22nd edition of the South African Music Awards will take place at the Durban International Convention Centre on Saturday, 4 June 2016, and will be broadcast live on SABC1.

Ticket sales for the 22nd Annual South Africa Music Awards taking place on Saturday, 4 June will be open to the public on Friday, 22 April at 12 noon. Tickets are R350 and available from Computicket.

Notes to Editor:

The annual South African Music Awards are organised by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA).

The City of Durban is the hosting partner for the Annual South African Music Awards; SABC is the official broadcast partner; Apple Music and iTunes is the Digital Music Partner; PRASA is the transport partner.

SAMA 22 Nominee Announcement will be live streamed from 10am on all SAMA digital platforms.

The new SAMA app is available for all Android devices via Google Play Store and will soon be available on iOS.

Follow the South African Music Awards on the following digital platforms:

Twitter: @OfficialSAMAs (www.twitter.com/OfficialSAMAs)

Website: www.samusicawards.co.za

Facebook: South African Music Awards (www.facebook.com/SAMusicAwards)

Apple/ iTunes Music: www.applemusic.com/SAMA22

Mobisite: www.samatv.mobi

Instagram: @OfficialSAMAs

YouTube channel: samusicawards (www.youtube.com/samusicawards)

Flickr: samusicawards (www.flickr.com/samusicawards)

Guest User 4/23/16 Guest User 4/23/16

The 2016 SAMA Nominees & Controversy

by Phil Chard

Award shows, Hip Hop and controversy. They go together like a gourmet meal and fine wine, like a bottle of Patron and a night of bad decisions, like a horse and carriage they are tied at the hip.

Nomuzi said some words

Refiloe Ramogase

Things immediately got testy when the nominees in The Best Rap Category were announced. The most notable big omissions were Cassper Nyovest, Tumi and Reason.

Thanks for all the love.. pls note we deliberately did NOT submit for these awards. I'll explain it all through my music. Stay blessed 😉

— New Album in stores (@CassperNyovest) April 21, 2016

Understandably the rapper was none too pleased after the snub and took to twitter to vent.

Tumi SAMA Rant

Here is the nomination tally for Hip Hop acts.

Artist Nominations

Riky Rick 4

Emtee 4

Fifi Cooper 2

AKA 2

Witness Tha Funk 1

DJ Sliqe 1

Major League DJz 1

Khuli Chana 1

Kid X 1

Da L.E.S 1

Zakwe 1

The 22nd Annual South Africa Music Awards will be taking place on Saturday, 4 June. Tickets to the event are R350 and are available at Computicket.

[toggle title=' Full List Of Nominees.']

Album of the Year

Francois van Coke Francois van Coke

Emtee Avery

Nathi Buyelekhaya

Tresor VII

Black Coffee Pieces of Me

Duo or Group of the Year

Desmond & the Tutus Enjoy Yourself

Witness the Funk Finding Nomusa

Marcus Wyatt & the ZAR Jazz Orchestra One Night in the Sun

Junior Taurus & Lady Zamar Cotton Candy

Big Nuz For the Fans

Female Artist of the Year

Judith Sephuma One Word

Zahara Country Girl

Fifi Cooper 20Fifi

Karen Zoid Drown Out the Noise

Zonke Work of Heart

Male Artist of the Year

Nathi Buyelekhaya

Black Coffee Pieces of Me

Riky Rick Family Values

Emtee Avery

Francois van Coke Francois van Coke

Newcomer of the Year

Riky Rick Family Values

Emtee Avery

Tresor VII

Fifi Cooper 20Fifi

Nathi Buyelekhaya

Best Rock Album

Desmond & the Tutus Enjoy Yourself

Francois van Coke Francois van Coke

Shortstraw Youthless

Karen Zoid Drown Out the Noise

Saarkie Reisiger

Best Pop Album

Tresor VII

Lakota Silva Pop: The Mix Tape

Loki Rothman The Way Back

Can Skylark Overdrive

Vincent Bones Shaded Soul

Beste Pop Album (Afrikaans)

Karlien van Jaarsveld My Hartjie

Brendan Peyper Stop, Wag, Bly Nog ’n Bietjie

Vaughan Gardiner Sit Vanaand op Herhaal

Pierre Rossouw In my Bloed

Suzanne Vuurbestand

Best Adult Contemporary Album

Judith Sephuma One Word

Watershed Watch the Rain

Karen Zoid & Various Republiek van Zoid Afrika Vol. 2

Kahn Salt

Josie Field & Laurie Levine Tigerlily

Beste Kontemporêre Musiek Album

Elvis Blue Êrens in die Middel van Nêrens

Andriëtte Pêrel vir ’n Kroon

Neil Somers Hierdie Hande

Bok van Blerk Sing Afrikaner Sing

Stiaan Reynierse Sonde

Best African Adult Album

Dizu Plaatjies & Friends Ubuntu – The Common String

Kabomo Sekusile

Thiwe Soul Therapy

L’wei Netshivhale Mudzimu washu

Jessica Mbangeni Busisiwe – Tribute to the African Heroines

Best Alternative Album

Petite Noir La Vie Est Belle/Life is Beautiful

Sannie Fox Serpente Masjien

The Plastics In Threes

Moonchild Sanelly Rabulapha!

Die Heuwels Fantasties Ja. Nee. Lekker (Deluxe)

Best R&B/Soul/Reggae Album

Nathi Buyelekhaya

Zonke Work of Heart

Olwethu Imbewu

Zahara Country Girl

The Muffinz Do What You Love

Best Rap Album

Emtee Avery

Kid X 3 Quarter Pace

Da L.E.S North God

Riky Rick Family Values

Zakwe Impande

Best Kwaito Album

Big Nuz For the Fans

Dbn Nyts Believe

Kabelo Mabalane Immortal Vol. 3

Dj Bongz Game Changer

Mzansi North Coast Vibe

Best Dance Album

Black Coffee Pieces of Me

Mi Casa Home Sweet Home

Mobi Dixon Tribal Soul Special Edition

DJ Merlon Original Copy

Junior Taurus & Lady Zamar Cotton Candy

Best Traditional Faith Music Album

TYGC Family The Journey Begins

Worship House Project 12 Praise Live

Worship House True Worship 2015

Dumi Mkokstad Ukhona Uthixo

Women in Praise Various Artists

Best Contemporary Faith Music Album

Ntokozo Mbambo Spirit and Life

Mark Counihan To the Brave Ones

Mahalia Buchanan Redeemed to Worship

24 Skies Endless Anthem

Benjamin Dube Sanctified in His Presence

Best Maskandi Album

Imithente Ichakijana

Thokozani Langa Khuzeka Mshana

Shwi no Mtekhala Bazali Bami

Buselaphi Gabi Gabi

Phuzekhemisi Woze Durban

Best Jazz Album

Marcus Wyatt & the ZAR

Jazz Orchestra One Night in the Sun

Nduduzo Makhathini Listening to the Ground

Benjamin Jephta Quintet Homecoming

Amandla Freedom Ensemble Bhekisiwe

Bokani Dyer World Music

Best Classical and/or Instrumental Album

Wouter Kellerman Love Language

Guy Buttery Guy Buttery

Deep South Heartland

Cape Consort Christoph & Sebastian

KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Mintirho ya SJ Khosa

Orchestra

Best Live Audiovisual Recording

Jimmy Dludlu Live at Emperors Palace

Krone Krone 2

Ntokozo Mbambo Spirit and Life

Neyi & Omega Friends in Praise

Benjamin Dube Sanctified in His Presence

Best Collaboration

Dbn Nyts ft. Zinhle Ngidi & Trademark Shumaya

Shekinah x Kyle Deutsch Back to the Beach

AKA ft. Redsan, Burna Boy & Stoneboy All Eyes on Me

Major League DJz ft. Cassper Nyovest, Okmalumkoolkat, Riky Rick & Carpo Sylza Tsotsi

Khuli Chana ft. Patoranking No Lie

Best Music Video of the Year

Jack Parow & Freshly Ground Army of One

Riky Rick ft. Cassper Nyovest & Anatii Fuseg

Al Bairre & PH Fat Caviar Dreams

iFani Ayadelela

Monark Negatives Deluxe

Best Produced Album of the Year

Zahara Country Girl

Mi Casa Home Sweet Home

Sannie Fox Serpente Masjien

Mark Counihan To the Brave Ones

Zonke Work of Heart

Best Engineered Album of the Year

Black Coffee Pieces of Me

Brendan Peyper Stop, Wag, Bly Nog ’n Bietjie

Zonke Work of Heart

Mi Casa Home Sweet Home

Marcus Wyatt & the ZAR One Night in the Sun

Jazz Orchestra

Best Remix of the Year

DJ Sliqe Do Like I Do Remix

AKA Baddest Remix

Mobi Dixon My Sugar

Mobi Dixon Never Let Me Go Remix

The Fraternity Bheka Mina Ngedwa Amplified

Veterans to square off against new kids at 22nd South African Music Awards

Five acts are in the race with four nods apiece, with a cross-section of genres sharing the spotlight

Ticket sales for the 22nd Annual South Africa Music Awards taking place on Saturday, 4 June will be open to the public on Friday, 22 April at 12 noon. Tickets are R350 and available from Computicket.

Notes to Editor:

The annual South African Music Awards are organised by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA).

SAMA 22 Nominee Announcement will be live streamed from 10am on all SAMA digital platforms.

The new SAMA app is available for all Android devices via Google Play Store and will soon be available on iOS.

Follow the South African Music Awards on the following digital platforms:

Twitter: @OfficialSAMAs (www.twitter.com/OfficialSAMAs)

Website: www.samusicawards.co.za

Facebook: South African Music Awards (www.facebook.com/SAMusicAwards)

Apple/ iTunes Music: www.applemusic.com/SAMA22

Mobisite: www.samatv.mobi

Instagram: @OfficialSAMAs

YouTube channel: samusicawards (www.youtube.com/samusicawards)

Flickr: samusicawards (www.flickr.com/samusicawards)

Phil Chard 4/22/16 Phil Chard 4/22/16

AKA – Dreamwork Featuring Yanga

Words By Phil Chard

Fresh off his 2 nominations at the SAMAs AKA has just dropped his new single Dreamwork featuring Yanga. Produced by American KJ Conteh (50cent, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa, T.I.) the song is slower tempo track made up of sparse keys, trap beat pads and a monotonous chant.

“Who got the bright idea to clown me, last five years ain’t s*it without meMost consistent, I go the distanceLately though I don’t pose for picturesI just hope I’m home for Christmas,”

On the track The Super Mega raps about how “his team’s work has made the Dreamwork” and allowed him to cop a better whip at 25 than his Dad had back when he was in high school. AKA’s delivery is once again sublime as he weaves in and out rapping and a melodic delivery. The standout on the track however is Yanga who employs a completely new flow and cadence that fits the song beautifully.

The marketing assets and imagery for this single are an ode to the classic Super Nintendo game Contra. Fans washed old enough to remember what playing 32 bit games was like will remember the artwork to be a play of the games start screen. AKA also released a “play through” video to accompany the song that features a speed run video taken from this play session by DK28.

AKA is still yet to release the song Once Time which he teased us with a few weeks ago on LiveAmp so it seems he is sitting on a fair amount of material in the run up to the release of his third album.

@akaworldwide

Phil Chard 4/22/16 Phil Chard 4/22/16

MI Just Dropped a Video For Everything and I Couldn’t Talk About It Before Giving Illegal Music III The Praise It Deserves

by Phil Chard

While I was enduring my unwanted and ill-timed Internet hiatus Nigeria's MI was out here collecting bodies. Literally. Two months ago MI released the third and final instalment of his Illegal Music series subtitled The Finale.

Despite my inability to cover the release during its release I could not speak on anything on Illegal Music in good conscience without explaining how incredible it is. As with previous Illegal Music releases MI utilises the instrumentals, melodies, and hooks of existing songs to create his own unique renditions. What is new however with this release is how polished the reworks and mash-ups are. We are treated to blends of Jay Z's La Familia and Kanye West's Never Let Me Down on Head Of The Family and the seamless transition on NotJustOK-Savage which incorporates AKA's Composure before switching to Rihanna's Needed Me while also splicing in Greg Hardy's infamous interview after a Dallas Cowboys loss, all while MI raps about his ChocNation empire. Illegal-Music-III-Art

“At this stage in my career and life, finding the time to record another Illegal Music was purely a labor of love. I hope that Nigerian HipHop will rise and claim its place at the table on Hip-Hop’s mount Olympus. I would like to see a lot of rappers remix and recreate the song ‘The Box‘. The team was GPLUS, Ckay and I. And I want to appreciate them for their love in making this ‘FREE’ project. LOL. To the fans.. I love you #LoveYours.”

MI is undoubtedly one for the continent's most skilled wordsmiths and Illegal Music III is a boisterous and triumphant reminder that Jude Abaga still wants to be considered as one of the finest. Throughout the project and in its footnotes MI declares that he no longer wants to be considered one of Nigeria's or Africa's finest rappers. But one of the world's best. As he states "at the Hip Hop Vatican I'm seated right next to Hov ".

Illegal Music also provides MI the platform to address the controversial NotJustOK Hottest rapper list that I ranted about last year while also addressing the Headies and his disdain for unqualified opinions on his music.

Ultimately, Illegal Music III is an exhibition match that allows MI the opportunity to flex on us all and remind those who ever questioned his ability as an artist and leader not to make that mistake again. His lyrical prowess and use of various sound clips and songs to narrate a very clear story makes for an impressive offering that will have you hitting repeat repeatedly.

MI also just dropped the visuals for Everything - the introspective song about his career and his untimely sabbatical from music. Produced by Capital Dreams Pictures the song utilises stop motion animation, cutaways and slow pan shots in a single set to narrate MI's message.

Download Illegal Music III

Phil Chard 4/22/16 Phil Chard 4/22/16

KO Just Is Papa Action But He Can’t Seem To Stop Stepping On His Artist’s Toes

by Phil Chard

It's an interesting time over Cashtime Life. The label's front man KO just released the video for Papa Action that was mainly shot during his recent visit to Austin Texas for SXSW.

Along with that the label's recently recruited presenter cum rapper Nomuzi Mabena aka Moozlie aka Skhanda Queen (that title might be getting nixed) announced she was departing the label to go solo.

DSC_0341Then we have the situation with MaE. A week after the Ganda Ganda released his much anticipated debut album Township Counsellor, KO released the single Papa Action. The timing of this couldn't be worse in my opinion. Granted, Cashtime have released multiple singles and videos at the same time before. I'm not convinced that it's in the best interest of an independent label to stretch their resources across the promotion of multiple efforts simultaneously. But it seems to be working for them, why else would they keep doing it? However an album (a solo debut at that) and a single are not the same. The former requires a well formulated strategy, to capitalise on the massive investment and commitment that goes into producing a full offering. Single releases, radio drops, and interviews press, touring, distribution all need to be coordinated to ensure the album secures a decent return on investment and hopefully introduces the artist to new fans.

With all these moving parts in place for the release of MaE's album it was a shock to me that a week after the album dropped online, KO announced that he would be dropping a new single. It should also be noted that physical copies of MaE's Township Counsellor were not available for purchase on the release date due to unspecified delays.

As the label head and the marquee artist I would expect KO to use his influence on social network and in the media to promote the album of an artist on his label before distracting his fans with his own releases.

Musical fans of today may have short attention spans but the idea of expecting them to sample and purchase the music of your artist while you are premiering your new song on LiveAmp doesn't seem realistic.

On the other hand I can totally understand KO reasoning that he needs a single to perform if he goes on tour with MaE around the country to bolster attendance and potentially convert that into album sales. But the methods seem flawed. Instead of boosting MaE and his new album, KO is taking screen time, radio spins, interviews, and media attention away from his own act to promote his work.

Just before the release of the video for Papa Action. KO engaged in what I would describe as an ill-advised publicity stunt to help generate interest in the video on Twitter (The tweets have now been deleted). Tacky stunts aside, he did this less than an hour after Kid X's surprise mixtape 3/4 Pace had just been nominated for Best Rap Album at the South African Music Awards. Having a mixtape nominated for the an award at the country’s biggest awards ceremony is an incredible achievement within itself. However, instead of drawing attention to Kid X and Cashtime's win in lieu of the nomination, KO once again took the attention away from his act and ensured all eyes were on him and his efforts.

It's hard to understand what is motivating KO, he has grown into a seasoned solo artist, Papa Action is testament to that. However, his acumen as a label head who can promote his other artists is only really being tested now. Outside of the single releases from the Cashtime roster and Kid X's mixtape, the release of MaE's Township Counsellor will be his first true test in handling a full release outside of his own work since the formation of the label.

Considering that Skhanda Republic was released in November 2014 and had 7 singles which were being pushed for almost a year and a half, I must wonder how much of the proverbial creative pie is left for the rest of the roster that includes Mae, KidX and Maggz.

Purchase Papa Action here

Phil Chard 4/21/16 Phil Chard 4/21/16

Review: The People Vs The Rainbow Nation

by Phil Chard

“We talk about ’94 as this momentous point in our country’s history, but we didn’t change anything, really, structurally and institutionally - we just… added blacks.” That is the quotation from radio personality and writer Gugu Mhlungu from the documentary The People Vs The Rainbow Nation. That quote aptly fits the narrative of the documentary and the source of frustration that has been brewing amongst South Africa's youth who have grown up in what we have all been told was a post racist, equal opportunity society that was dubbed The Rainbow Nation

But as these youth come of age the thin Rainbow Nation veneer has been worn off by the abrasive surface of reality. The film tackles the subject of the Rainbow Nation from the vantage point of university students, professors, writers, and activists. As Tim Horwood admitted in an interview after the screening, the producers and the director Lebogang Rasethaba deliberately chose to share the stories from a specific set of people to help explain the frustrations of the disenfranchised youth and deconstruct the image of the post-apartheid South Africa.

Early on the tone of the tone and direction is set as black students relate the struggles they and their families endure just to try and secure them a decent education. These scenes are juxtaposed with the stories of two privileged women students - one white and one Asian, who both understand their privilege and are seen as allies in the #FessMustFall movement.

The opening scene of The People Vs The Rainbow nation depicts a young black man relating his challenges in growing up in South Africa and how his mother "tried to raise him white" in the hopes that this would help secure him a better future. As he relates this story the camera zooms in uncomfortably into his face. Revealing the subjects facial blemishes and a lone spittle resting between his lips. It makes for uncomfortable viewing but metaphorically it sets the tone for the narrative and direction of the film. The People Vs The Rainbow Nation is an uncomfortable yet necessary close-up analysis of the effects and blemishes left on South Africa following over 350 years of slavery, colonialism and Apartheid. The film examines the frustrations of those that believe they grew up in a system created by white people that allows white people to prosper on the backs of the black populace. A system that was created during Apartheid South Africa that was never addressed even after Apartheid was abolished.

At the screening of the film Rasethaba shared how making this film forced him to rethink how not only he approached racism but also patriarchy. In one Chapter of the film the role men (both black and white) in the oppression of black women is explored. Rasethaba described the process of exploring and deconstructing his own opinions with regard to this topic as "visceral" and something that forced him "to rethink my relations to my wife, to my mom and my siblings, … in the same way that white liberals might protest and be down with the cause, I am still someone that benefits from Patriarchy everyday"

The People Vs The Rainbow Nation is a powerful piece of art that is timely and needed. It is uncomfortable to watch, sometimes almost painful. This film isn’t just about free education, or racism or rape culture or white privilege. It is a film about oppressions and how, because all oppression is linked it can still allow itself to cover a multitude of various subjects and still stay focused and on topic. As one of the subjects in the film says “all we want is for people to listen and recognise the pain.” This film is one chapter in the to that effect, but also as Rasethaba said everyone need to figure out their position relative to everything else in society.

The People Vs The Rainbow Nation will be airing at these times

MTV Channel 130

Premiere: Thursday 21 April @ 21:15 CAT; Repeats: 22/04 @ 19:10 CAT, 23/04 @ 18:15 CAT; 24/04 @ 23:45 CAT; 27/04 @ 09:30 CAT, 16:00 CAT, & 22:00 CAT; 29/04 @ 18:30 CAT.

MTV BASE Channel 322

Phil Chard 4/20/16 Phil Chard 4/20/16

Scientific – Rotate Featuring Quincy B

by Phil Chard

Liberian rapper Scientific has just released the visuals for his dancefloor focused song Rotate that features his long-time collaborator Quincy B. The song is mesh of Afrobeat and electro dance that invites listeners of the female persuasion to contort themselves on the dancefloor.

Shot by Brian Ohene at a Liberian resort the video features the two artists enjoying the company of a bevy of women who took up the challenge I highlighted in the last paragraph.

Watch Scientific - Rotate ft. Quincy B

Phil Chard 4/20/16 Phil Chard 4/20/16

Simba Tagz – Zvakanaka Feat XQ & Ba Shupi

by Phil Chard

Zimbabwean Simba Tagz continues his dalliance with his newly adopted Afrobeat/Pop sound on his new single Zvakanaka. The song feature Urban Grooves star ExQ and the yodel gawd Ba Shupi. Produced by DJ Tamuka who was responsible for several massive hits over the last year it is clear Tagz is positioning this release towards mainstream and radio play. Ironically however, Tamuka produces a song that sounds like something Tagz would make for himself with the strings, beat patterns and pads that we have grown accustomed to hearing from him.

@SimbaTagz

Guest User 4/20/16 Guest User 4/20/16

Event: Back To The City: 10 Year Anniversary

by Phil Chard

One of the biggest Hip Hop Festivals on the continent is back yet again. On the 27th of April (South Africa’s Freedom Day) Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown will host the 10th Anniversary edition of the Back to the City Festival.

The event will feature DJing, graffiti, emceeing, beatboxing, skateboarding and helicopter rides. This year three international Hip Hop acts will grace the stage; Camp Lo, SkyZoo, J-Live and Elzhi as well as almost every rapper in South African Hip Hop. Except for AKA and Riky Rick who both pulled out.

Tickets

Pre Sold tickets are available until 26 April at Edgars, PostNet, Legit and Jet stores nationwide

[button url=http://backtothecity.nutickets.co.za/2382 icon=cart]Click here to buy[/button]

10K Challenge

The Play 10K Challenge is a competition sponsored by Power Play. It is an opportunity for upcoming artists and producers to gain exposure by competing for a spot to perform at the festival. Prize money is R10,000 for each winner.

The Top8 Emcees: Boxis; Zwes Tornado; Kayswagg; Neo Pitso; Ash; Chris Of Peace ; Zoey and Tsviel The Prince.

The Top8 Producers: MTK; Jojusbeats; Siga Jobe; Cyrus Beats; King Junior; Gobi Beats; Helteezy and J Smallz.

Battle of The Bands

R30,000 is up for grabs! Congratulations to the following bands for making the Battle of The Bands list: Guru Logic; Motsatsing and The Rays; Leomile Official, The Lovestains; Slim Swerve; Dookoom; Transkei Republic Band; STTA Live; Melo B Jones and VJTA; Automatic.

Phil Chard 4/20/16 Phil Chard 4/20/16

Jakk Wonders – Kids Back Then Beat Tape

by Phil Chard

South African producer Jakk Wonders is back again with another free beat tape. On Kids Back Then Wonders utilises his signature sampling and cutting techniques on a new set of mostly soul music samples. Though his talent and work ethic are above reproach I would love to hear Jakk cutting up some African samples.

Download Kids Back Then Beat Tape

Inspired. Innovative. African