OLD SCHOOL JHB KIDS : PARK OR RIDE x WANDILE MSOMI

OLD SCHOOL JHB KIDS is a web television show profiling some of Johannesburg's coolest people. We can't sleep on them, the kids shall prevail!!!

WELCOME TO MISS NTHABI: THE INTERVIEW*

I’m not ashamed to use clichés, because they usually mirror reality, so I’m going to use one unashamedly. Dynamite comes in small packages! There, I said it. This is no cliché when it comes to Nthabi, this petite C4 really does pack a punch. We caught up with Miss Nthabi, who chatted to us (ok wait, she just sent us an email…) about her new offering “WELCOME TO ME”, the state of SA Hip Hop and some of her favorite artists.

Your new album is titled “WELCOME TO ME”. From the title, it sounds like quite a personal and introspective album, would you say that this album is a solid representation of who Nthabi is?
Most definitely. The title is pretty self-explanatory. It introduces the listener Nthabi the person, not just the artist.

Who did you work with, how long did it take to complete the project and how many tracks is it?
It’s a 14 track album which took about 3-6 months to complete (recording and mixing). It features the likes of MXO, Lebo Mashile, Maleh and Jazzmen and production from Instro, Dj Kenzhero, Oots, Alias and Helio.

What is your album about?
It’s all about ME! From where I come from, to where I’m at and where the road leads to for me. It’s like an autobiography in way.

Most people have moved towards the more contemporary Hip Hop sound and content, if I may call it that, how different is the sound of this album compared to some of your previous projects you have done? Have you channelled yourself towards the more contemporary sound or kept elements of the golden age/ vintage hip hop sound?
This album is very different from my last offering. From the content to the production and just overall delivery. I wouldn’t classify it as any of the above mentioned sounds. It’s just beautiful music. I’ve made sure I didn’t give people what they expected or give them something they’ve already heard from me. So I went all out with this one and just completely opened myself up and didn’t put boundaries to my creativity.

Do you still think that there are sceptics surrounding a female presence in Hip Hop? It’s quite evident that there are far more fewer female Emcees than male one’s, could that be that because Hip Hop is now centered around male voyeurism and capitalistic aspirations? In such a world, is there a place for the female/ female Mcee and what do you think your role as a female is in hip hop?
Oh my gosh, are you SERIOUSLY asking me the “female emcee” question again….

Who are some of your favourite artists right now both in this country and abroad?
Internationally I’m really digging Jesse J. She has a strong voice and is a beast when it comes to live performances. Locally, my boys Ill Skills are really doing it for me. They work extremely hard and are super focused, which is why I think they’ve gotten to where they are today.

What do you think is the state of South African Hip Hop, is it in a state of progression or regression?
Definitely progression. If you look at where Hip Hop in SA was 10 years ago and where it is today, it’s developed a lot (from both the musical and business aspect). There have been a lot of good and bad changes but overall, I think we are doing well. My only problem is that it seems like a lot of artists are still duplicating what’s already out there rather than offering something new.

There are so many talented Hip Hop acts in the country, the likes of you, Bhubesi, Hymphatic Thabs, Qba, FIFI, Mawethu, Reason, Zaki Ibrahim, Ill Skillz, ETC Crew etc etc , that have so much to offer, why is it that you guys don’t have a strong mainstream presence or even a buzz?
I can’t speak on behalf of other artists, but personally I think I don’t have a strong mainstream buzz simply because I’m not using the “mainstream” formula to market myself and my music. Media tends to want stuff that’s hot right now and that doesn’t always mean hot and different. If autotune is the new hot trend, then that’s what they will be expecting you to sound like when give them your music. Trust me, my team and I do submit songs to radio and a lot of them will tell you my music is too heavy and not “trendy” or marketable enough. I’m not willing to change who I am just to fill the role media expects me to so I would rather find other avenues to promote my music. My e.p was a free offering and it managed to open enough doors for me without forcing me to conform to the expected so I know it’s possible. It may take time, but it will get there someday.

What would you like people to know about your new album and about Nthabi that they didn’t know already?
Well, the album is far from a hardcore Hip Hop album and far from a boom bap album. It’s extremely soulful…just like the artist. As much as I love Hip Hop, I actually don’t listen to a lot of rap music like I used to.

If this track is anything to go by, everyone should go get a copy of Nthabi's album. This track is amazing!

Miss Nthabi ft Maleh-Fly by Petrolbomb

IN CHEMICALS WE TRUST : IS OUR SEXUAL HEALTH DECLINING DUE TO OUR CHEMICAL WORLD?

"One can only hope that if intelligent cockroaches do become the lords and masters of some misty future, that they will have enough sense to better manage the synthetic chemicals that they create…unlike that former species that once dominated the world and steered itself into oblivion through thoughtless folly." - Terrence Aym

See Link

SKYF THE MOVIE : WHAT ABOUT IT?

Skyf is a witty tale that interweaves the journeys of seven strangers, all connected by their common addiction.

Themba is a family man badly feeling the credit crunch. While trying to somehow conjure up his daughter's school fees and her birthday gift in one day, he wrestles with his biggest problem- trying to stay off cigarettes. His life falls out of his hands the second he surrenders to his craving.

Meanwhile, a group of hype-hungry, horny teenagers experimenting with smoking have their lives turned around in one day as they puff the magic dragon. The young and unwise S'busiso falls prey to the old scavenger that is peer pressure, opening up his world to more action than he ever encountered before.

And central to all this is the cigarette store that satisfies everyone's craving. The owner -an old man facing his own end- experiences an unexpected fatality in a single cloud of smoke.

Skyf! Today will not be an ordinary day.

Peep the Teaser!



MEET THE CAST

THAPELO MOKOENA

SAMKELO NDLOVU

DINEO MOEKETSI

THABO MALEMA

OLWETHU NDLOVU

MTHUNZI NTOYI

NOMPUMELELO MAYIYANE

SPOEK MATHAMBO ft ZAKI IBRAHIM - DON'T MEAN TO BE RUDE

Spoek Mathambo was introduced to many of us courtesy of Watkin Tudor Jones, lead instigator in groups such as Max Normal, The Consrtuctus Corp and recently Die Antwoord. Ever since then, homeboy's been flexing and making moves of his own, even getting himself a spot on the cover of FADER Magazine. Over the past couple of years Spoek has teamed up with well known producers, DJs and music pioneers, Sibot and Markus Wormstorm (Real Estate Agents) to form the bands Playdoe and SWEAT.X respectively, that have been hugely successfull abroad. In 2010, Spoek Mathambo introduced his solo album collaborating with Richard the 3rd and Jacobsnake to create Spoek Mathambo + MSHINI WAM. 'Don't mean to be rude' is the 3rd single from the album. Check it out, Fresh!

Spoek Mathambo - Don't mean to be rude ft Zaki Ibrahim from leneopen on Vimeo.

SPOEK MATHAMBO - MSHINI WAM ft YOLANDA & AVUYILE by Spoek Mathambo

KANYE WEST'S MONSTER: FINE ART OR A FINE DEBAUCH?

I seem to be writing a lot about Kanye West. I think anyone who has followed Kanye's musical career cannot dispute his musical gift and his nack for exploiting his creative abilities. Wherever Kanye goes, controversy seems to follow and the same could be said about his next music video 'MONSTER' from his new record. There have been rumours claiming that there are a number high profile individuals from all sectors of our society that have been initiated into a secret group called 'illuminati', which roughly translated means 'enlightened'. It is said that these enlightened group of people are the keepers of secret esoteric knowledge that has been passed on for centuries and some of the activities this group is involved in is suspect and can also be termed 'dark'. Kanye, amongst other artists like his fellow label mate Jay Z are said to have been initiated into this group. Now back to the video. From an artistic and production point of view, I think the video is well executed, I'm just not sure about the imagery though. It left me feeling quite sad actually. It left me asking the question, where do we draw the line between art and debauch? Is this the next frontier for art, for music? Where do we draw the line?

THE GENETIC UN-REVOLUTION

A large majority of us know the importance of eating healthy foods and watching what goes into our bodies. Something that I have always felt strongly about is GM (Genetically Modified) foods. I'm not for them. I've noticed that in countries across our shores, people take a more aggressive stance against the manufacture and proliferation of genetically modified foods. It's not an easy thing to tackle considering the information we access through the media as well as the circumstance the continent (Africa) finds itself in. I think the least we can do is get informed. I found a group of people a while ago called SAFEAGE who monitor the production of GM foods in South Africa. If you are interested in finding out more about GM foods please call SAFEAGE on Tel No. +27 21 801 1816, + 27 21 447 8445 or mail them on safeage@mweb.co.za and you can also get on their mailing list for regular updates.