Yintliziyo - Usiba - Nephepha

Zealot is a Rastafarian Poet, Spoken Word Fanatic, Raggae Artist, Activist - I can go on and on. He is the brain behind EloHIP Session - Art Beyond Limit (Heart, Ink and Paper). This session takes place at the basket ball court, corner of Jeff Masemola Road and Cekeca Road, just adjacent to Desmond Mpilo Tutu Hall and Chris Hani High School. The session was schedule to start on Saturday, September 21; but due to rain, it was postponed to Saturday, September 30 at 12:00 PM. The session shall proceed at the exact time and venue on Saturday, November 2.   

I went there last Saturday, September 30; but I was little bit late. I got there just after 14:00 PM, but there were few people there at that time. Zealot told me that other artists came and left, and they were to return later on. Consequently, the session delayed and started just after 16:00 PM. Prior the official commencement of the session, there were couple of artists who were reciting verses and freestyle verses on top of different beats that were dropped by the selector. I saw the versatility of Master P.

I was the first artist on the line up, just to lace few poetic lines before others could sing, chant and rap. I went there without rehearsing. That was a huge blunder. My plan was to recite two poems, one from my head and read from the script for another. But before I could recite, I got nervous by just looking at the audience. It was my debut performance. As I was reciting my first poem, I forgot one word and the rest of the remaining lines slipped out of my mind. I couldn’t finish the poem. I could see the disappointment in the faces of the audience which intensified my nervousness. Then my confidence fell instantly.

With the intensity of my nervousness, I even told the audience that it was my debut performance. Others were like “Huh! Hay’ mani!” Then I quickly read from the script. I was very nervous at that time. I cannot report about the names of other artists who were performing there because they slipped out of my mind. But Master P and Zealot stood out. All the artists were filled with consciousness. I had been writing for a minute but when it comes to performances, I’m just a novice.

EloHIP: Yintliziyo – Usiba - Nephepha  

Visit: https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/182286005172053/


Written by


Amalahle Ashushu

Ndiyabulela

The Second Annual Hip Hop Kaslam Spaza Awards

The Second Annual Hip Hop Kaslam Spaza Awards came and left. The event was

hosted by Coomz and Fundi at Baxter Theatre on Saturday, 14 September

2013. I couldn't make it to the event due to problems that I could

have tackled and remedied beforehand. I knew about the event couple of months

before it took place. I guess it's strictly due to negligence. I shall

hit the theatre very soon. This initiative needs our full support. It

is about the elevation of the unrecognized and underrated talent.

With no further atonement from me - let me present the winners

according to the information I picked up from the Hip Hop Kaslam Facebook

Page.

Hereunder is the winners:

Best Hip Hop Kaslam Supporter - Snax
Best Spaza Beatmaker - BigWeazy's Classics
Best Vernacular Poet - Black-Chick
Best Spaza Lyricist - Ndlulamthi (Sizakele Gegana)
Best Spaza Group - Uzwi Kantu
Best Spaza Video - Ndivoteleni by Slippers
Best Spaza Performer - Lolli
Best Spaza Song - Sphura Ec: NDIYABULELA
Best Spaza Album - Ndlulamthi: IS’BHILIVANE
Best Spaza Male – Lyrix

I say to the winners, “Huntshu!” and I say to Hip Hop Kaslam, “Nangamso!”

Kindly view some of the event pictures underneath, courtesy of Thembelihle Ntshayi and Hip Hop Kaslam:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Second Annual Hip Hop Kaslam Spaza Awards

Hip Hop Kaslam is the movement (registered as an NPO) that is committed to uplifting the youth from disadvantaged backgrounds by showcasing Spaza Hip Hop Music in spaces which are normally inaccessible, and by providing an opportunity for artists to learn marketing skills, develop creativity and gain inspiration. It was co-founded in 2010 by Archie "Dat" Sopazi (The Creative Director) and Phila "Lady P" Nkuzo (The General Manager).

They hosted numerous shows including a major event (The First Annual Hip Hop Kaslam Spaza Awards) at Baxter Theatre. They toured to the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown for more than once. They recently crossed the border and toured around Zimbabwe, killing ‘em shows.

This time around, they are hosting The Second Annual Hip Hop Awards on Saturday, September 14 at Baxter Theatre. The ceremony will start at 17:00 PM and ends at 20:00 PM. The tickets are available by the value of R50,00 at Computicket, Shoprite & Checkers and also at the door.

The transport is also available at no extra charge courtesy of Solomons Bus Service.

 

The pick up points are:

Pick up point 1: Radio Zibonele 98.2 FM - Ilitha Park (Khayelitsha)
Departure time: 15:00 PM
Catering for all areas in Khayelitsha and nearby townships

Pick up point 2: Delft Parking lot (opposite SPAR on Delft Main Rd)
Departure time: 15:45 PM
Catering for Delft, Mfuleni and nearby townships.

Pick up point 3: Gugulethu Sports Complex (NY1)
Departure time: 16:30 PM
Catering for Gugulethu, New Cross, Phillipi, Nyanga and nearby townships.

Written by

Amalahle Ashushu

Ndiyabulela

The Learnership Tour

I wrote the below article on Sunday, April 21 and I saved it on my laptop. About two weeks later, I submitted it to one of the big South African Hip Hop Magazines. After almost five months of it not being published, I considered to publish it on this blog but my mind decided otherwise. Then a friend of mine in Rhythm and Poetry “Acumen Sikutu” advised me to publish it.

Without any further shenanigans from me – hereunder it is:

The Last Poet has put together The Learnership Tour gig which was hosted by Sim The Bhaynari at Ragazzi Live Bar in Loop Street, Cape Town CBD on Saturday, April 20. The gig was strictly the promo for Tsviehloheem The Prince’s “Learn You” EP. Tsviehloheem The Prince was the headline artist and he was supported by the likes of Ndlulamthi, Sistah Anela, Blaq Umntu Omnyama, Khusta and Zanzolo (Uzwi Kantu).

The gig was scheduled to start at 19:00 PM but it delayed for nearly over two hours (African

Time). It started just after 21:00 PM. Sim The Bhaynari started by reciting on top of the dope beat that the Dee Jay dropped. The beat was too dope, even Zanzolo enquired about the man behind it when he was on stage. The opening artist was Khusta. His set kept the crowd bumping heads and it was more about socially commentary.

Khusta was followed by Ndlulamthi who kept most people listening with little movement. I still recall that I was breathing with my mouth than my actual nostrils. When he was rapping about his ghetto (New Crossroad), he reminded me that one should stay vigilant in this side of the world. He was followed by Blaq Umntu Omnyama who got the crowd bumping and jumping. I like the way he rides the beat. Sim The Bhaynari (The Host) kept on reciting every now and then, in between. Blaq Umntu Omnyama was followed by Tsviehloheem The Prince with energetic delivery.

That head doesn’t compromise on truth. The way he rebuked white supremacy in front of couple of white faces, I must admit that he is brave. There was a ten minute break after his performance. After the break, Sistah Anela hit the stage. I was breathing with my mouth again as I did when Ndlulamthi was on stage, with very little movement. I would love to see her performing again. After her performance, Zanzolo hit the stage. As he was approaching the stage, Sim The Bhaynari asked us to hail “Ah! Zanzolo!” but prior his performance, The Last Poet recited a poignant poem.

Zanzolo started by reciting in English. At the end of the song, he said: “Ubucinga ukuba andisazi isilungu – usivile esasilungu besipha? (You thought I do not know English – did you hear that level of English?)” I am not sure about the essence of those words but I believe that he was reacting to something. I enjoyed his “Ibhokhwe” song. He is very talented. Tsviehloheem The Prince came back again for his second set and killed it. After Tsviel’s second set, Sim opened the platform for rappers and poets who would like to recite. I only stayed to watch a certain head by the name Smokey who got the crowd laughing and jumping with his comic freestyle.

I left just after 00:00 AM with a written piece tucked in my leather jacket’s inner pocket. I was not brave enough to recite it.