The Afrikan Hip Hop Caravan Concert in Makhaza

It’s still hip – to the hop – hip hop – it don’t stop! The Soundz of the South (SOS) Non-Profit Organisation had organised the first concert of Afrikan Hip Hop Caravan tour 2014 - and they hosted it at Makhaza Wetland Park on Saturday (the 8^th of November 2014). The concert was heralded by the Afrikan Hip Hop Conference - which they hosted at Hubspace in Harare, Khayelitsha - on Friday (the 7^th of November 2014). 

They invited couple of underground music sessions such as 7750, Top Deck, Heads ‘n Raps, Gumba Entertainment, Pass the Mic and EloHIP. Each session was scheduled to have a one hour cypher. There were couple of artists that were invited to perform. The concert was schedule to commence at 12:00 PM; but it delayed for over two hours. 

It started with the open mic cypher by various artists; then the concert commenced officially with the opening by EloHIP. The line-up consisted of Tate, Dimitri, Dirty Twins, Freedom Warriors, Heads ‘n Raps, Pharmacist, Ground Floor, Top Deck, Gumba Entertainment, Inkanyamba and others. There were many artists on the concert and some of them could not perform due to time constraints – the concert dragged on until the evening. 

For more information regarding further Afrikan Hip Hop Caravan concerts – please visit: https://www.facebook.com/soundzofthesouth?fref=ts

Hereunder are some of the pics taken at the concert, courtesy of Amalahle Ashushu and Onele ‘Owza’ Omen:

Ithongo Lam

Hip to the Hop – Hip Hop – it don’t stop! That is the slogan in the street these days. You will often hear those phrases when you attend the underground rap music sessions and shows. But on Saturday, the 25^th of October 2014; those phrases ceased to exist at Rent Office in Delft South; for only that day. They were replaced by new phrases that went like “Aah! Zanzolo!”

Zanzolo (the member of the spaza rap group ‘UzwiKantu’) was launching his single ‘Ithongo Lam.’ The single Ithongo Lam is the promo for his upcoming full length album which would be titled “Umafungwashe.”

According to Zanzolo, the title of the album has been inspired by his mother who is the first born daughter to his maternal grandparents; and also his daughter, who is his first born. 

The show was scheduled to commence at 12:00 PM; but it delayed for nearly four hours. It commenced with the open mic at 15:48 PM. Then it officially started few minutes after 16:00 PM, upon the arrival of Snax – the host.

Zanzolo was supported by the likes of Solitude, Tshova no Ntsikane, Siba, Iphanda laseKasi, True Reflection Crew, Tsviel The Prince, Pharmacist, SLK and the list goes on. He entertained the audience with traditional Xhosa dances when he was performing his Ithongo Lam song. He also wore the traditional Xhosa attire during his entire performance.

The show was the success. Snax asked Tsviel The Prince to come back and close the show with one more song.

Written by:

Amalahle Ashushu

Ndiyabulela

Pictures, courtesy of Amalahle Ashushu.

My Lauryn Hill

You're my Lauryn Hill. 

'Cause you sing the good song that connect my spirit with the spirit of my forebears.

Vocally you connect with me transcendentally.

Spitting my me

Caressing my soul.

You're the fountain that breathe life

To the life of my own.

Squeezing my strength

Exposing my weakness.

You're the tree that produce flame

That brings light to my conscience.

Your voice is so sacred

Your eyes are so different

When you look at me

You cast spells of hope on the palm of my soul

You ignite my brain

Like you're burning the incense.

You leave my lungs gasping

My lips mumbling

NguMakoti lo.

See, you're my Lauryn Hill

When you move you move me

Rolling with me like a rolling stone

Caressing me in my world of fantasy

Your smile just kills me inside.

See, you're the rock of all ages

You're the precious stone

I would love to claim you as my own

You're my Lauryn Hill

Your beauty is complemented by your wisdom

You're singing my song

The Queen of my Kingdom

Written by:

Amalahle Ashushu

Ndatenda



Picture Source: http://www.thefeaturepresentation.com/lauryn-hill-announces-post-prison-perforances/

REVIVAL OF UBUNTU IN MEMORY OF STEPHEN BANTU BIKO

Heads & Raps Session hosted EloHIP REVIVAL OF UBUNTU IN MEMORY OF STEPHEN BANTU BIKO on Saturday, the 13^th of September 2014. The audience witnessed the EloHIP presentation in the form of speeches, music and poetry.

I wrote a poem in memory of Stephen Bantu Biko but I only had few lines on the 13^th of September; so I could not recite it. I wrote couple of lines a few days later and I titled it “Black is Beautiful”

Hereunder is the poem:

Black is Beautiful

Black man

Black soul

Black spirit

Black power

Black woman

Black Goddess

Black beauty

Black pride

“Black is beautiful”

Stephen Bantu Biko said: “being black is not a matter of pigmentation – being black is a reflection of a mental attitude.”

For this African warrior had been robbed of his life at the age of 30

Fighting for the restitution of black dignity

Mobilising blacks to eradicate the psychological feeling of inferiority

Founded self-reliance programmes to build black communities

Under the umbrella of Black Consciousness Movement

That promoted

Black pride

Self-love

Black power

Self-reliance

Stephen Bantu Biko said: “Black is beautiful”

“Black man, you’re on your own”

To view pictures of the event, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/groups/182286005172053/ 

Written by:

Amalahle Ashushu

Ndiyabulela



Picture Source: http://v1.sahistory.org.za/pages/governence-projects/black-consciousness/biko_2/gallery/gallery-BAHA-Biko-Funeral-1977-05.htm