In my life and time I have come across dozens of rappers and the classifications while vast are very simple. Rappers raised by Skwatta Kamp, H20, Slaghuis, 1808 , Teargas before skinny jeans have a different approach to the rap business than your #FiLLupTheDome guys. The first distinction would be the style of music which is the palpitation of this article.
There are a lot of vodka faces as far as the status of rap goes in relation to rappers pre Nyovest era. We can agree that a lot of the rappers we loved were phased out by evolution. The few that survived the sharp turn had to panel beat themselves to be worthy of a highway of tech-era.
Riky Rick used to drop real verses (not that his verses now are not real. In perspective they might be the bible). The new Rick sings and slims himself through a 16. The first thing we will have to admit is that Hip Hop/Rap on its own is a growing culture. Growth is synonymous with change. Facts !
This would follow the line of reasoning that supports the argument that says one must adapt if they will survive. An understanding of the mentality stated above would have avoided the blood spatter we saw between Cassper and Tumi (now known as Stogie T in attempts of evolution).
I downloaded a few mixtapes over the past year looking for something worth listening to. A body of art that has direction and purpose. The above paragraphs were supported by a wordsmith from Jane Furse , Limpopo who currently resides in the East Rand. I was not able to immediately identify him as he changed coats like Tumi did. DizzyMan Ape now known as Mochene perfectly articulates what adapt or die means in the rap world. What previously was a “I can rap” artist is now a “I can make you listen “guy.
I have learned a few things from his offering which I am keen to share. First things first, create something unique. I have never been a big believer of the soap box advocates who preach that rap is saturated. It is not possible. There are eight billion people on earth and they are all unique. If you give the market yourself it will consume faster than cocaine in one’s bloodstream. Mochene created a genre called Chantrap.
My findings are subject to correction as I did not have prior consultation with him for this particular article. What I heard from the genre was a mixture of Kiba and diphala , which are ethnic music of the Bapedi denomination. You can pick this up in ad libs and choruses. He identifies with his origins in a subtle manner. The last time we heard this was when there was an attempt to mix Maskadi and rap. It faded quickly because the maskadi was too obvious on the ear. Mochene was able to wrap the vegetables with good looking food in you get what I am saying.
Secondly, Brand imaging. It does not help to call yourself the street king but you hardly in the streets. After becoming Mochene he made sure on social media platforms he is identified as such. He is a musician and that is what his brand is about. It is disappointing to see an artist dedicating themselves to narrating jokes on their timeline rather than sharing their music. He made is music available everywhere and easily accessible to all mediums of persons. This composition must appeal to the village people too, why put it on ITunes?
Thirdly, He did not compromise what rap is really about for the sake of the industry. You must understand that after the noise your single makes we either forget about it or we sit down and really listen to your project. Chant chorus , hooky bars , heart filled lines … I am overwhelmed. This must have been an easy project to write but it should have been difficult to project. Such honesty doesn’t come across a lot of times. He basically gave us him , Mochene !!!!
I would pay for this project. It is a collector’s item. There is something for everyone without ruining the harmony of what a work of art is supposed to be. Do not take my word for it. Download ChanTrap by clicking here.
#MocheneSA on social media to extend the conversation.
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