REBIRTH of the COOL: Hip-hop isn’t dead after all

It seems a lot of people think that a cabal that is hell-bent on making a quick buck is doing some of these things.
Some are of the opinion that the huge amounts used to lure these international artistes would put to good use if they were channelled into the local market.

We have local artistes like Winky D, Mic Inity, Stunner, MC Chita, Jay-Boss and others who can stand their own against these artistes but they are just lacking financial support, one reader so posited.
“Totally agree with you, promoters shouldn’t take us for granted, Vachiunza twuma artistes twekuAmerica who don’t deliver.

Every time we go for shows it’s the local artiste’s who perform beta.
“Will gladly go to a Jamaican show, vanoita, If it wasn’t for Sean Paul, Akon’s show would have been a total flop like yaSean Kingston. MaRasta ndizvo,” one reader said.

My anger grew to fury when I learnt that legendary producer Timbaland might be coming to the country in the near future after some shows in South Africa.

Timbaland is a legend in hip-hop, R&B and urban music but I don’t think it would be a wise move by the promoters to bring him here for shows. Timbaland has never been a musician or rapper of note and actually I give him more props as a producer and talent scout rather than a rapper or musician.

When it comes to producing, Timbaland is one of the best in the business but to bring him here for some shows when it’s actually his proteges like Justin Timberlake, Missy Elliot, Keri Hilson who steal the show from him is a bit suicidal.
Coming to the local scene, it seems as if the local hip-hop and urban music scene is alive and kicking or rising from the ashes like the legendary Phoenix.

There is this concept going on at The Mannenberg every Tuesday where a live band plays for some of H-Town’s best rap talents as well as the up-and-coming cats as well.
The brainchild of Dizzy Don of the Freshly Ground hit “The Flow that I Wrote” is proving to be a big surprise and must attend.

Last week, it was at full throttle celebrating the unofficial Hifa after party.
One thing I like about these cats is that they are bringing together formally feuding stables under one roof and from what I have been seeing, this is a good move, uniting the local hip-hop movement into one family.

Also the famed (and) or notorious The Circle gigs will be happening at the same venue starting at the end of this month.
The Circle was one of the best things to ever happen to local hip-hop where you see raw talent at its best but it was also one of the few places to see MCs bloodying each other lyrically and literally — I hope this time it shall be more lyrical than physical.

The Circle has been revived by the devotion and passion of producers Tress from Crook Ave as well as Trayne and Nigel from Icebox Uptown and will be held every last Saturday of the month.

I have worked with these three cats before and I know the kind of energy they put in their works and I’m very confident they are helping start a movement for the youths.

“We are just helping each other to grow the industry locally and also one thing we have seen is that we have a lot to learn from each other. In fact, we shall be having artistes from many of the stables in the city,” said Tress, one of the organisers.

Major Crook and Silent Thief have finally released debut records and these two youngsters have what it takes to make an impact.

Crook has a rather laid back, soulful and cheeky delivery that is infectious whilst Silent Thief is more about “bling” in his outbursts.

The two will be releasing their mixtapes at a gathering aptly named “The Mass Destruction Tour 2” after an earlier tour of the same name that rocked the city and was a remarkable success on the hip-hop scene.

Besides the record launches from the two rappers there shall be guest appearances by ClassCartel, Michar, Tehn Diamond, Jerry Springer, Black Snow, Ruckus among others.

South African rappers L-Tido, Maggz and Hydro, who are regular features on Channel O, will also grace the event.
The gig is being organised by Crook Ave affiliate and Good Times Entertainment honcho MC Russell as well as Beefy from AH SYN Entertainment.

MC Russell will do a collaboration with the South African crew as well as some videos during the visit and also pay some reciprocal visits to Mzansi in the near future.

“The South African guys really like our flavour and we like the way they do their things so we are working together to see how best we can all develop,” said MC Russell.