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Bongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
GETTING shot as a hip hop artiste earns one reverence from peers with fans viewing the artiste as a cool rapper alive.
Gun violence and hip hop often get along with artistes who have been shot and survived the shootings becoming overnight stars. International rappers who have been shot are admired, especially if it is by police. They get what they call street credit or cred for that.
Cred is a slang word that means the quality of being believable or worthy of respect, especially within a particular social, professional or other group.
In the international hip hop world, a rapper becomes worthy of respect if they are shot or survive a shooting. American rapper 50 Cent, who survived multiple gunshots, is a good example.
He always referred to the shooting in most of his albums, something which has partly contributed to his stardom as he is viewed as being cool by his legion of fans.
Another rapper, the late Tupac Shakur was allegedly shot by Notorious BIG in 1994 and survived, prompting him to write the diss track Hit ‘em Up featuring the group Outlawz, where he referred to his shooting in the song. This track contributed to the record sales of his album All Eyez On Me.
However in Africa, it is a different story for hip hop artistes as their form of music is not associated with gun violence, therefore meaning being shot is not cool.
Take for instance multiple-award winning South African hip hop artiste Khuli Chana (real name Khulane Morule) who was shot by South Africa’s police last year.
According to the police, Chana was allegedly shot when he failed to stop at a roadblock which the police had set up at a petrol station on the N1 in Midrand, South Africa on October 28.
The musician sustained injuries to his right hand (middle and ring finger) via direct bullet wound, as well as to his back, predominantly on his left side, via shrapnel.
Retelling the incident to Chronicle Showbiz, the Tswada hit-maker who was in the country recently said there was nothing cool about getting shot, describing the experience as terrifying.
“There is nothing cool about getting shot as you may die. It is a misconception that when one gets shot they can get street credit.
“Being shot is no joke as the bullets which were fired by the police nearly killed me,” he said.
Chana said on the fateful day he was at the wrong place at the wrong time in the wrong car as the police shot him as their suspect was apparently driving a car similar to his.
The 32-year-old father of one said nothing was more frightening than being missed by three bullets that flew past his head.
Chana who was shot in his BMW as he was leaving a filling station, failed to stop at the blockade of Bedfordview police vehicles on the N1 off ramp, prompting police to fire “warning shots”.
However, the shots ended up piercing the side of the car and a bullet lodged in Khuli’s index finger on his right hand, another hit his driver’s seat, burst into fragments which hit his back.
“I had stopped at the filling station and I was driving to a gig in Pretoria. As I moved towards the off ramp, I all of a sudden heard gun shots which sounded like fire crackers.
“Then I was in pain. Afterwards I realised that three of them were aimed straight at my head. No one would like to relive that moment,” said Chana.
He said he could not wait for the whole issue to be over as he is still pursuing his lawsuit against the police from whom he wants compensation.
“Someone has to answer because it was police negligence and I am pursuing the case. All I can say is that I will wait for my day in court,” he said.
The trial against the two police officers accused of shooting at Chana will begin on September 8. The officers face charges of attempted murder, reckless endangerment, failure to take reasonable precautions to avoid danger, and negligent use of a firearm.
Turning to his performances in Zimbabwe, Chana who performed at the Miller Music concert last month in Harare said he was itching for a gig in Bulawayo.
“I hear Bulawayo is the place to be. Every South African artiste who has been to Zimbabwe says I should make my way to Bulawayo one day.
“If I get an invitation from a promoter in that city, I will come there willingly,” he said.
Online Reporter