Album Tweet Review | Part Time Cooks – 7:30
by Phil Chard
The Hip Hop duo of Saul Goode and Black Moss collectively known as Part Time Cooks recently released their third full length project titled 7:30, this time they partnered with New Zealand producer Soulchef to handle all of the music and the results were impressive. The album is still on brand with the Part Time Cooks message - young adult men who want to get drunk, party, and get hgh, who also have a streak of social consciousness and a love for women. But, on this effort the combination of incredible production from SoulChef, coupled with their evolving rap styles makes for a potent release.
Check out our detailed twtter review of the album below.
Part Time Cooks 7:30 - Curated tweets by AfricanHHB
Three South African Adaptations that (Re)Worked Well
by Mayuyuka
We all have that nagging feeling... when we know we've heard a song before whilst we hear a new adaptation of it. There's actually loads... and due to some pretty epic sampling we've got a list of three South African tracks that utilised samples brilliantly! Hopefully this will save you having to Shazam a thousand times before finally putting your finger on some these original tracks!
The feeling of vagueness caused by knowing (but not being sure of) some sampled tracks is a taunting experience... sometimes without much resolution. Maybe this list will ease some of that curiosity though! First off is Sean Pages with the Blind Remix featuring DJ Dimplez, L-Tido, Towdeemac, Kid X and Kwesta. This song is a take on a house track released in the late 90's, even before the phrase turn up was mainstream. Check both it out, and the source of inspiration below:
SEAN PAGES FT DJ DIMPLEZ L-TIDO, TOWDEEMAC, KID X & KWESTA
SHENA- LET THE BEAT HIT 'EM
Next up we have Vetkuk & Mahoota featuring Dr Malinga... this song had a monster run. It was a mainstay on nights out, and for good reason; it's relatable (the hangover) and re-energises both the party you might be at, and a classic late 80s cut by Monwa and Sun. Check 'em both out below:
VETKUK VS MAHOOTA FT DR MALINGA- VIA ORLANDO
MONWA AND SUN- VIA ORLANDO
Lastly, Killer-A provides us with his twist on a kwaito classic by sampling the refrain on TKZee's Dlala Mapantsula. He makes it his own with a smooth joint that leaves you wanting more. See both the result of this and the original track below:
KILLER-A SIYAY'SHOVA
TKZee DLALA MAPANTSULA
That's our recap... let us know if you have any nostalgic tracks to share with us in the comments below.
Why Vic. O Represents Rap’s New Era Perfectly
by Mayuyuka
I recently watched the XXL 2016 Freshman Class freestyles... I actually burst out laughing at some of them: not because of funny punchlines, but I couldn't bring myself to take them seriously! Now I might be missing something or maybe entering that scary twilight zone where your age is reflected in your music taste. Perhaps this is just Rap's New Era: a rap game that isn't meant for me anymore; and has new heroes and dare I say it... new 'standards'.
It's hard to pinpoint if Vic. O is knowingly playing up to people's view of him and is always in character, or whether his exaggerated demeanour and self-belief is genuine
Whether these standards are lower or higher is debatable and will ultimately come down to each of our own preferences. What's interesting is that what's going on in America- the place that influences most African artists, as Cassper Nyovest recently put it, is actually being mirrored here too. Enter Vic. O... a viral sensation in Nigeria known for confidently displaying his artistic talents. He's somewhat of a walking caricature of himself and has pounced on peoples voyeurism and need to laugh at him by capitalising and creating an actual career for himself. By all accounts he is somewhat of a successful, established artist now; with a firm foothold in the entertainment industry!
vic-o-set-to-give-out-n2-5million-on-twitterIt's hard to pinpoint if Vic. O is knowingly playing up to people's view of him and is always in character, or whether his exaggerated demeanour and self-belief is genuine. Regardless, his constant appearances on several media channels isn't something to scoff at, he is a force... there's a demand for this man! And if other rappers with similar levels of mastery of rap get love anywhere else; who are we to deny him his moment in the spotlight. For better or worse; the sound and face of rap is changing. The things once held so dear, including enunciating your words and rapping in schemes and patterns, have been replaced by the way words sound: in a world where net worth trumps talent and chart success automatically denotes skill. Lil Yachty's freestyle is a great example of this new notion of rapping and so is Young Thug's relative success. There are plenty more new rappers on either side of the map attaining success with similar styles too!
That being said... what is interesting is what we can take away from these rappers' journeys to the summit of hip hop; especially Vic. O's runaway success. How do they achieve success, seemingly against all odds and in spite of our better judgment? They must be doing something right! Vic. O's ability to tap into the curiosity of fans... and manipulate social media to his advantage is actually one real lesson we can glean from his ironic existence in this sphere. His over-confidence is clearly counterbalanced by his actual musical abilities and skill level; but he represents the best lesson in branding an artist possibly can as Osagie Alonge, of Pulse Nigeria, addresses below:
As mentioned above, the views Vic's music videos have garnered reflect his popularity and cement his pseudo-famous persona. His comically bad 2011 release After Party is currently on over 600 000 YouTube views, and that's not bad considering, well... him. His diss songs to Falz, and (believe it or not) both Meek Mill and Drake are cringeworthy quite frankly, but provide him with plenty of mileage as the guy everyone loves to hate or take a dig at. That is another facet of Vic. O's persona that is striking though... how he keeps himself relevant and latches on to what's trendy to boost his presence.
What might have started out as a half-joking gesture, might just have all the ingredients of snowballing into a career built on being famous for being famous, rather than the actual quality of work churned out. This makes some sense when you consider that nowadays we declare rappers winners of beefs by how many funny memes their words garner, we react to shock tactics in predictably amused ways and don't critically engage with originality by praising appropriation. Social media has contributed to how we pick our preferred heroes basically. This artist seems to know that and has played that field expertly... gaining a following through his savvy use of the tools at his disposal. As you'll here on After Party below (if you dare) actual rapping isn't one of those tools:
For us fans to honestly dislike Vic. O without any sense of complicity, though, would be to ignore how we contribute to the cult of personality that fuels who our favourite artists are. We as fans need to take that responsibility and at the very least admit that we overlook our favourite artists' flaws, precisely because they are our favourites! But by the same token; perhaps we should extend that same courtesy to other artists; in appreciating their journeys to the top despite their own shortcomings. In short; artists supply what our ears demand, and even if we respond to what is supplied due to our collective curiosity; it's our duty as fans to let all rappers shine... even if they string us along whilst mumbling through 3 minutes and 37 seconds of their victory song!
@VICOTVS
Listen Burna Boy’s Pree Me World Premiere on Beats 1
by Phil Chard
Burna Boy has had an incredibly busy week. The Nigerian artist finally returned to the UK after an almost 7 year absence from the country under unclear circumstances. No matter what the reasons for his absence were (Burna also disputes the widely circulated story that he left the UK after an altercation that resulted in a stabbing) his UK fans were more than ecstatic after hearing the news that he would be performing within their borders once again.
At d airport now. On my way to London. I touch down in Heathrow @ 6:00pm arik air. I need to see as many fans n my people as possible.
— Burna Boy (@burnaboy) June 28, 2016
Burna also announced that he would be dropping a new 7 track EP titled Redemption that will be dropping on the 8th of July. One o fthe tracks off that EP is the reflective Pree Me that has Burna speaking on disloyal friends and those that are intent on his downfall.
Interesting Facts from Burnaboy press conference today: He has a New Ep Coming Out in July with 7 New songs.
— Burna Boy (@burnaboy) July 4, 2016
One of the perks of being back in the UK was that Burna was able premiere the song on Julie Adenuga’s Beat1 radio show. Pree Burna’s new joint below.
Burna also discusses being back in the UK and his new EP in this interview.
Ice Prince Explains His Relationship With Chocolate CIty Music
by Phil Chard
Ice Prince recently stopped by The Juice to give his first interview on the show in almost three years. While on the show Ice Prince spoke about his new position at Chocolate City as a Vice President who recently signed his own imprint Super Cool Cats to the label. When asked about how he was appointed to be the Vice President he said“ It happened as an honour from my bosses, I am talking about Audu Maikori , I am Paul Okeugo who deemed it fit for me to be Vice President of Chocolate City Music. My role is really to mentor the artists and guide the artist and not sit in an office…..”Ice Prince also spoke about what it is like to have MI as his boss “MI has always been my president ... my mentor, my big dog” before Zamani discussed as now dual role at Chocolate City and running his own imprint Super Cool Cats, “It’s not that difficult, it’s just relationships, it’s just vibes, it’s just how you connect with each other” .
Ice Prince also discussed his current musical direction and was quick to point out that he has always straddled the line between Pop and Rap, before speaking on the drama surrounding his relationship with his current girlfriend that unfolded on social media a few months back and also what it is like being a celebrity dad.
Falz – Soft Work (Official Video)
by Phil Chard
Fresh off his Best Newcomer award at the BETs Falz aka Falz The Bahd Guy has dropped the video for the 6th video off his impressive album Stories That Touch.
The song Soft Work was always one of my favourite tracks on the album and Falz and Mex produced a video worthy of such a beautifully crafted dancefloor anthem that displays Falz talents as a rapper.
The AHHB Podcast Featuring King Dizo, Ghana Rap Beefs & Racial Slurs
by Phil Chard
AHHB Podcast V 2
The AHHB podcast is back once again with another incredible episode filled with news and music from across the continent. This week we play music from Sarkodie and M.anifest as their lyrical back and forth heats up as well as music from Yung Swiss, Truey Donatello, Poe. The podcast also features an interview with our #FeatureFridays winners King Dizo after we discuss Cassper Nyovest’s appearance on Sway In The Morning in the USA.
Uno July – 90’s Laaitie (Official Video)
by Phil Chard
Ill Skillz rapper Uno July just dropped his new video for 90s Laaitie a song that appears on his 21 track offering Uno ‘n Only. Featuring one continuous shot the video featured Uno and a group of sitting on a couch reciting the song’s lyrics while a heavily applied visual filter has us reminiscing of the days we put a magnet a little too close to our televisions.
Stream Uno ‘n July below
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
Beat Tape Submission | Suuth – DarkMatter
by Phil Chard
Suuth - one half of the Lesotho production duo slumREC just dropped his 10 track beat tape titled DarkMatter. The project is filled with jazz and 90s R&B influenced sounds that can easily slot into your Sunday easy listening playlist.
Watch Riky Rick’s Interview on DJ Capital’s Rap Up Show
by Phil Chard
Riky Rick recently stopped by DJ Capital’s show on Cliffcentral to discuss a number of issues in a long and detailed interview. He kicked the interview off by addressing his ”if niggas can buy these awards, then I don’t I want them” line from SIDLUKOTINI and whether or not it was directed at Emtee, he also breaks down his lyrics about his reasons for leaving Motif on Le Mpitse.Riky alludes that he left Motif for the same reasons 50 Cent and G-Unit fell out. He also speaks on his past work with Da L.E.S and their Last Summer mixtape as well as his work with Gotti Gambino.
According to Riky every song on his debut album were beats that he sent to other artists who all rejected the music. Riky also touches on the formations of BoyZBucks and how Riky met OKMalumkoolkat and Scoop when OK was working at the Nike Store in Melville and Scoop was wearing AMA Kip Kip sneakers.
Boss Zonke also had a candid conversation about his drug addiction and why he decided to quit and go into rehab before he returned with Amantombazane as well as tackling the hard hitting topic of his recent choice of outfits at the SAMAs. Watch the full video above.
Submission | Infamous LS & Mendez Fly – Take Flight (Prod. By GHXST)
by Phil Chard
The Angolan teenage duo of Infamous LS And Mendez Fly also Known as Flying Soul just dropped the first single off their upcoming Weekend EP project titled Take Flight. The laid back and melodic song features some well crafted percussion pads and 808s from producer GHXST as the two rappers compliment the best perfectly.
Submission | Janea Pol’anrhy – La Danse du Chien Mechant
by Phil Chard
Cameron's Janéa Pol’Anrhy just submitted his new track La Danse du Chien Menchant (The dance of the vicious dog). All I want to see now is a music video for this song with a viscous american pitbull dancing passionately ot this. The song s great combination of traditional sounds with EDM and rock elements.
The AHHB Is Planning On Shooting A Series of Short Films On Rape Culture In Africa
by Phil Chard
The African Hip Hop Blog is looking to shoot a series of short films that highlight the massive and terrifying culture of rape on the continent, particularly amongst the men that are part of the Hip Hop culture. If you have ever been a victim of such a crime and want to share your story please read the press release below and get in touch.
The African Hip Hop Blog Wants To Help Facilitate the Discussion Around Sexual Assault
Contact: Kundai Chitsinde FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cell: +27 782 833 622
Email: kundai@africanhhb.com
Tuesday, 5th of July 2016
The African Hip Hop Blog is looking to do a video series that shares stories from women who have experienced sexual assault at a musical event or a night out. We hope that this series will contribute to conversations about rape culture and put faces to the horrifying statistics
If you have a story you would like to share please e-mail Kundai at kundai@africanhhb.com or message The African Hip Hop Blog. Please note that all identities will be kept confidential. Stories can be submitted via e-mail or voice note. Alternatively, a face-to-face interview can be conducted.
For more information please email kundai@africanhhb.com
Website: https://www.africanhhb.com/
ENDS
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
M.anifest goes on a lyrcical onslaught on god MC
by Phil Chard
M.anifest is in rare form on his new release god MC. The Dram Jay produced song is a hybrid of highlife and trap music as Mdot lays into his mortal competition. When it dropped the Ghanaian lyricist got the internet buzzing as people tried to decipher his lyrics to try and who the veiled jabs were directed at. The major consensus seems to be that the song as was response to Sarkodie’s song Bossy where he dropped this set of lines at the end of the third verse.
Fake niggas, snake niggas , I don’t like
Me I don’t believe shit, is all hype
Friends turn into enemies, it’s called life
…..
M.anifest . Mesrɛ wo [I beg you] lemme just
Use your dot dot dot to dot to end this verse
On god MC Manifest literally returns the favour to Sark by reciting
God mc never been a faker
I dey go see shatta for mahama paper
My guy obidi, let me return the favour
You know what time it is, later is greater
But the cryptic shots and shout outs out to artist are not limited to Ghanaian artists alone. On the first few bars of the song M.anifest raps
I pull up on the feature, screaming hallelujah
In a barracuda smoking buddha in Fallujah
Clash of the titans I had dinner with medusa
Don't turn me into stone, boy I'm a ruler
They sipping amarula me I kick it with a cougar
Tonight will be lit, super
While adopting the flow used by the self-proclaimed Super Mega AKA on Composure. On the song M.anifest also throws shots at artists who are trying too hard to emulate Western artist instead of carving out their own style, while also laying into “yes men muppets” and those that are overly covered with titles, diplomas and the bible while abandoning critical thinking.
Read “God MC” by M.anifest on Genius
@manifestive
Da L.E.S Real Stuff Official Video ft AKA & Maggz
by Mayuyuka
Da L.E.S recently dropped his Real Stuff video online after a prolonged TV exclusive. This video has been highly anticipated and the slick visuals don't disappoint. The camouflage theme ties in pretty nicely with the AKA-helmed hook.
The track sees somewhat of a reunion between this trio, which includes Cashtime's Maggz, as they previously linked up on Da L.E.S' Heaven. This "new collabo" follows previous singles Paid and Summer Time that come off the North God album.
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.
4 Classic African Hip Hop Video Moments
Words By TNGlive
A song, by itself, is a whole world created for us to experience. The founders of the world’s first music television station in 1981, understood that a whole new world is created on top of this first one, when visuals are combined with music.
In a 2BrokeTwimbos podcast interview, Taponeswa Mavunga, former head of Talent and Music at MTV Base Africa and now head of publicity at Columbia Records U.K., spoke about the import role music videos play in launching, growing and sustaining a music career in today's world. Emphasis was placed on the music video needing to be at the correct high fidelity standard, specifics of which can be found on MTV Base’s submission section. In addition, it should possess production value that can compete with international videos because the consumer is now judging all works on the same level.
So assuming these checks and balances are ticked off, there is that extra special touch that can be added. When artists and their directors create a moment within the music video, and it hits the mark just right, it cements the memory of the music video in your brain for years to come. Think Puffy Woods when he was about to take that shot in Mo’ Money Mo’ Problems, or the breaking news bulletin about a man identified only as ODBon top of a building in Staten Island at the beginning of Triumph.
Here are 4 such moments in some of the best African Hip Hop videos.
"Heh, party?"
DJ Vigilante featuring L-Tido, KiD X, Maggz & Yanga - Sorry Makhe
The moment can be comedic because of a subtle character trait a true fan would've picked up. In this case, take K.O's lyrics in his first verse of Caracara. In it, many of us where introduced to the unique “no” that we just have to sing along to every time it comes around. So when a cop is banging on the door about a noise complaint, at timestamp 3.27, DJ Vigilante’s party is about to get him into serious trouble. His pleading is falling on deaf ears and he’s at a loss. In comes K.O. peaking in to back up DJ Vigilante with confirmation about whether or not there is actually a party going on.
The moment lasts 2 seconds and it’s money. You can even hear a split second of the cast in the background breaking character and cracking up before they role again.
Honourable mention to Trevor Gumbi for the genius performance and setting up of the moment.
@DJVigilanteSA @L_Tido @ItsYangaChief @KidXSA @Maggz100
"Serious Business"
AKA featuring Burna Boy, J.R., DA L.E.S. - All Eyes On Me.
Lost count of the number of times you've seen the "money phone" in a music video? Bet you can't think of anything better than how Burna Boy and DA L.E.S. did it in All Eyes On Me. At 3.10, Burna Boy is having a full on conversation bruv, like serious serious. Then cut to a brief shot of the DA L.E.S. impatiently waiting downstairs for his turn on the phone.
This is so dope because, it's also DA L.E.S’s time to rap, but the music video has been paused. I mean, the man has to talk to the money too, in other words, earn those publishing and performing rights and Burna Boy is busy having an extended conversation. There’s even a bridge before DA L.E.S’s verse starts, so he’s been waiting. When he catches that "money phone" and actually goes full serious while everyone else is completely still, that’s the moment, so hilariously genius.
@akaworldwide @burnaboy @JRafrika @2freshLES
"Falling"
Falz featuring SIMI - Soldier (Full Length version)
The brilliance of this moment at 11.13, is that this comedic delivery of the introspective monologue as Falz walks away, the camera work, the editing choice, Falz physical performance, all perfectly capture something universally relatable.
Every man has a moment in their past, or still to come, when he cannot fathom that someone with his own set of specific skills, can go down in flames after applying all his focussed efforts in wooing THE one (or at least at the time someone you think is the one). It’s the stuff friend zone nightmares are made off. This moment captures the entire spirit of this experience, a perfect summary of the song.
@falzthebahdguy @SympLySimi
“Real recognize real'“
NGA - Normal
The special moment in this video is at 2.40, where a lady is explaining during an interview why NGA is so successful.
Every die hard fan you come across is quick to explain to you how NGA’s work ethic is not only unlike any other artist, he is highly regarded as the voice of the voiceless amongst his people, and arguably by extension, a greater part of an African generation that is overlooked when the topics of African vs Western creep up.
NGA, whilst a superstar, is authentically him and this moment captures the fan spirit that recognizes this realness that forms the foundation of his appeal.
@NGA_reidals