Saturday, 27 October 2018

SK FM & HIP HOP CARES PRESENTS : #HHCAWARDS

CAST YOUR VOTE HERE

SONG OF THE YEAR

SONG OF THE YEAR
Fwesh Tactic ft Skanterror - Turned on me
Slim Gee II- Pusha
J Stone Eminent - Dineo Moeketsi
T-SHU – Crazy
L7- Anonymous (RAPtvsts)
LIL MK- Power up
Abstract Narcotic(AbN)- $loth Drip
ShowCase- Tshelete
KinG Eddy- Self Expressions
Carl Ringer – Side Chix
Dee-wizard- wizard in my zone
Jovislash ft Boti Majulie – AYA KWINI
Bisto Guru ft Razor Rucks _ Masaeteng
Magik- Rebatla o jiva
Mawesh- Top S'gelegeqe
015 Toxic- Youth
King Solomon II- Ke Nna
Flash T – Nkago Dira
Tawk – Need you
Beast_Da_Vince & Sergeant-T- Church Niggers
Adroit- Miimage
MEGGA- Induku enhle
Tiga Maine – Sacrifice
Khurm- 10
Mjay Da Spoilt Brat- Mamasita
Mr lefono- Korobela
Hlokwa lA Tsela- Ke ja Ke bodutu
Immo_Ganja
KPetrus- Ndijaevakamnandi
BTM- Re sharpa khwetsa
Yung Apex- Grinding
Lil Chief – No Average
Driller T – Skobo
Created with PollMaker



Collaboration of the year

Collaboration of the year
T-GUY TRIXY ft (xerxes)- Gadaffi
Zombies ft Crazy Minde- I don't know
BTM ft Civil knight & C-Show – Vandag
J Stone Eminent Ft Lime Rapchic-Morning feeling
P-ROCK & JAYHood-Bag On Me
T-SHU & PANTITI – Ke Nyaka Nyaka
KinG Eddy ft Mog Pane – We Champions
Jovislash ft Flabba - HHp - Mr Selwyn – InfaDizle- Aya Kwini Remix
Magik- Rebatla o jiva
Bisto Guru ft Razor Rucks _ Masaeteng
Carl Ringer ft SH-Eazy- Road to Riches
SEASON-STYLE- Plaka
Kid Sk8brd Ft KhoC - Through It All
Zacchaeus Therapper ft Sk Da twin - Cypher
Ab Rayge ft Czar- Henny In My Cup
JT ft Riana- I need
Showcase ft. Steve kekana –Lerato La Mmino
Adroit ft Slabsta – Style Sa December
Fwesh Tactic ft skanterror - Turned on me
Tiga Maine ft Marka -snakes
Myztry feat Rrebone - Used to be
Godfatic Beats ft. Immo & Slunky_Slayers
Lil Chief ft Promise Promo – Around Me
Cee medar and Drigo- While I am trying
Lyrical Ray ft Ash Mog- Mama
Sidelin3Z ft WizibeatZ - More
Hlokwa la Tsela feat Tjibane and Pinky- Limpopo
Glowzay ft JayTruth – Sly
Created with PollMaker


Rookie of the year

Rookie of the year
L – Ross- Ghetto
LéBrian Mash- Look at me now
Andre 3 Stekke- Half Past
Poet Noah- Musical Science
Smoke Da Madmix- Me ,u and Hip Hop
Dash Kadone – Mawengane
BTM – I am from the north
G-Machine - Ultimatum
KayGeeBeatz- Baby Boy
Tawk- Better
MEGGA- Induku enhle
015 Toxic- Intro
X-Potent- Its Ohky
Kid Sk8brd Ft KhoC - Through It All
ListoSa- Reabotshela
Khurm- 10
Eagle Pit – Smash and Hit
Mjay Da Spoilt Brat- Mamasita
Ab Rayge ft Czar- Henny In My Cup
Marvel k ft Da-icke - Babylon
JT ft Riana- I need
Vuc Jay- VanillaQueen
Truth A – Be yourself
CheqBeatz- Stathed
Showcase- Tshelete
Mabizol -Ubhejabe
Cee medar- Money moves
Godfatic Beats ft. Immo & Slunky_Slayers
Kayso ode et al- Mmoto
Brady Yocre – KI
Driller T – Skobo
Myztry- Shooter
Yung Apex- Grinding
Cashflow- thatha
Max Kiddo ft Nickel Jay – For ma blow
KinG Eddy- Self Expressions
Magik – Dope Boys
Created with Poll Maker


Infinite Lyricist

Infinite Lyricist
Turm- 13 Aug Freestyle 2018
Yung Apex- Grinding
Max Kiddo ft Nickel Jay – For ma blow
Myztry- Shooter
3MUSKET33RS-Glory
Jsp Modiegi- Do it now freestyle
MEGGA- Induku enhle
Driller T – Skobo
KinG Eddy- We savages
KPetrus- Ndijaevakamnandi
G-Machine - Ultimatum
Bravo99- Rock to the clouds
Bee-verbz – Playtime Freestyle
Magik- Rebatla o jiva
Smoke Da Madmix- Me ,u and Hip Hop
BTM – Everyday
Cmas - Friday
Created with PollMaker


Producer of the year

Producer of the year
Bravo 99 – Miimage (Adroit)
CheqBeatz- Stathed
Godfatic Beats ft. Immo & Slunky_Slayers
Promise Promo – HTF (lil Chief)
Lynex Beats – GEHARD (Miss Celaneous X YoungstaCPT)
Mabizol –Ubhejabe
DJ 949 ft slams da goon- Capacity
Tylo & T. Mqoma- Iduku enhle (Megga)
KayGeeBeatz- Baby Boy
Created with Poll Maker


Saturday, 13 October 2018

From a concrete who knew a flower would grow



Conscious Rap is a sub-genre of Hip Hop that focuses on creating awareness and imparting knowledge. Conscious rappers traditionally decry violence, discrimination, and other societal ailments. It’s propelled by the conviction that radical social change comes through knowledge of self and personal growth as well as societal awareness.

Former T.I.C member, award nominee and active HHC community member, Adroit TDO. Currently residing in Polokwane, Turf is now a solo artist. He is a recording artists/songwriter that started in 2009, with a group of friends collectively known as “T.I.C”- they have had hit songs such as “United We Stand Alone” a single that won ‘Song of the Year’ at Hip Hop Cares Awards in 2014 before going solo and quietly dropping an array of singles.

Rappers are products of different musical stylings informed by different environments, attitudes and aspirations. "The songs i write are about my life, friends, family and most people i come across along the way, my inspiration comes from my everyday experiences and J. Cole music.” Says Adroit.

(05/10/2018)
Adroit dropped The Breakhrough EP:



The BreakThrough EP

When asked about the EP before the release, this is what Adroit had to say “It has different sounds that basically focused on the breakthrough on every situation that i come across. And hopefully people can relate to, and find comfort in listening to them as it might be what a few are going through as well.”

The Breakthrough EP, showcases Adroit's overall musicality, pairing his ability as a lyricist breaking through from being a Group MC to a Solo artist with a more broadly developed production palette and being a better person.

And I think this is true: Adroit delivers his lyrics with different flows, intensity and passion. This along with the realness of his perspective, gave this EP a whole sense of credit. The lyrics as well as, the simple album cover designed by Selby Thlolo Maile of SeFosh, paints a bigger picture of “From a concrete who knew that a flower would grow” says Czar ODriego, transports you into the time and places. In terms of music, the instruments are kept simple and stay in the background, enabling the focus to stay on Adroit’s gritty lyrics.


This latest EP finds the Mi-image signee in a referential state of mind. In addition to all the name checks, the tape also features Panel, Slabsta, and Afro25, and Bravo99 on the productions.

“Hip Hop” is the opening track of the the EP and more than a cliché coming-of-age strory, the narrative of the song revolves around his journey of falling in-love and staying in within the Hip Hop culture, and it fades off with Adroit reminiscing about writing his first rhyme and realizing that this is exactly what he wants to do for the most part of his life. It's not just the wild concepts that keep these songs afloat, it is Adroit’s tremendous underrated delivery. Some artists who focus strictly on lyricism are often criticized for overwhelming listeners with “too much” content. Honestly, it’s a fair complaint. But that’s not case for “Dreams”, NO YOU SERIOUSLY NEED TO HEAR THIS!!

“The Man” and its flipside “Mi-image”, here’s what I got from them: Just because someone perceives you to be a certain way, it doesn’t mean you’re that way. I’m sure a lot of people already know that. And if do already know it, I applaud big time. That’s a huge weight off your shoulders and a serious sign of healthy self-image. But if you’re not anything like that, I hope this song helps you to see what it is trying to encourage. Just because someone some has an opinion about you, it doesn’t mean it’s always right and you have the right to be you own image!

“Down For You,” on this song Adroit talks about his relationship troubles, which underneath the moral struggles and dream theme he keeps hinting at as it’s also a track on the EP, he goes back to throughout the record. He is trying to be a good to his girl but he isn’t succeeding “Sometimes it’s hard for me too/ and I know you hate the change I’m going through/ Like I’m neglecting you, it’s nothing like that/ It’s part of what the game entails/And I hope it don’t change how we feel inside/And how we live to see us grow/”, it inspires new-found, less misogynistic thoughts about women than we are accustomed to hearing from the regular rap songs. And the drama builds musically as well, with Panel’s enthusiasm on the chorus and Afro 25 on the production side.

“Style sa December” this is ahead of its time (no pun intended), as far as the song. This is a great representation of the album sound and style. It’s psychedelic, futuristic and urban. It is simply other worldly, Slabsta and Adroit TDO are a blend of two realities based on the same idea. They are two perfect example of synergistic inception, they put out joint Kwaito together.

“I'd like to believe for now what my music brings to the community is knowledge, inspiration, motivation, and change to each individual listening. It's a part of an extrinsic positive motivation that i brings about light to each and every situation that i talk about that correlates with them.” Says Adroit.

The ideas are and execution are operated on a different level, “The Breakthrough” is noteworthy for the creativity evident throughout every song. By 2018 you’d think that emcees had covered every topic in conceivable manner, but the varying themes all flow together as one EP feel natural and far from forced.

Hip Hop lyrics are powerful, not only are many of them amazingly inspirational in themselves, but when spoken in a song, the message becomes clearer and sinks in much more than it normally would. We all know how great music make us feel.

Yours Truly:Shabba-Pen

Follow Adroit TDO on the following:

Facebook: Adroit Phoshoko
Twitter: A_Droit_
Wapttrends: Waptrendz.com/adroittdo
SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/adroittdo

Listen and download this tape here:

https://audiomack.com/album/adroit-tdo/the-breakthrough-ep

https:https://m.soundcloud.com/user-649929923/sets/the-Breakthrough-EP

Watch "Mi-image" here:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=M6oHBZUVoAc&feature=youtu.be




Saturday, 15 September 2018

Lil Chief - Hometown Famous EP - First Listen Review

This tape celebrates different themes, from the darker side of love: heartaches, breakups, unhealthy obsessions and general relationship dysfunctions as well as the fast-paced nightlife and day to day situations.


TrapLawd and Musific Promo's production styles are instrumental in creating Lil Chief's music, and together their 'atmospheric, brooding sound has revitalised their definition of hip-hop.'

While Lil Chief Thakay focuses more about selling records and getting people to dance, he still able to hit you with lyrics like this:
"And I'm in love with the character and finer things in your heart,
These models I'm with don't mean shit, you're an Art.
And i hope you remember how i had you up as my one.
And i hate the fact that that we grew out of each other ey... "

One of the songs that stand out on this tape is, Around Me(Feat. Musific Promo), the guy behind 75% of the tape's production finally got behind the mic to deliver one of the incredible singing/verse on the tape.

The pain reflected in this song 'Interlude for Papa' probably ain't even half of what he's feeling. The song drops some notable lines like:
"Life you've made your point clear. When you took my dad I thought it was the end, and it was. But I understand, I let the God's will happen cause I'm just a man"



On songs like 'Messy and If I lose you' reflects on the decisions he’s made in life and tries to make them right, now knowing how much people believe in him and look up to him. He expresses gratitude towards his ex-girlfriend and his mother, apologizing to his mom and recognizing that he wouldn't have became the man he is without her guidance and teachings.

Critics can knock his sappy lyrics or 'lack of hardcore street cred' but you can't deny his dedication to the craft nor his dedication to dominating charts. Boy knows his lane and trust me the he doesn't deviate ever.

He's no one hit wonder, he's been able to be a fledge pop star yet maintained his credibility as a 'real lyricist'.

Build his respective empire solely on rhymes and beats. And i for one, love him for it. You can say he's too soft, he's sings too much, you may say the voice is too annoying but you can't say he don't spit and as the rap community must accept we're on the top now, rap is now popular music.

And with that we might as well broaden our definition of what real rap is, just because something is on the radio every 15 minutes or sells a lot doesn't mean it's not quality anymore.


With no huge features. While it still not the popular sound in town. One of the singles from this did make him end up with the award for HHC 2017 - Song of the year.

By: Shabba-Pen


Keep in touch with Lil Chief and his music:
Twitter: LilChief_RSA
Instagram: lilchief_rsa

Audiomack Link: https://audiomack.com/album/lil-chief-7/hometown-famous-tape-2

Datafilehost Link: http://www.datafilehost.com/d/ca215165




Sunday, 12 August 2018

Hip Hop on depression

Hip Hop on Depression



From the very beginning of Hip Hop music, artists have used their medium to express struggles faced by themselves and their community. It’s no surprise that the theme of emotional suffering and pain shows up regularly in rap lyrics. Hearing how deeply this illness impacts so many, regardless of race, creed, background or economic status, can provide some comfort in knowing that you are not alone in your journey.

Young black men experience a lot of trauma. They’ve lost people, seen violence, been humiliated by the society. In this song Turm communicates many feelings most have when death occurs, especially at random, undeserving times.

This is the fourth installment on his ‘13 August Freestyle’ marathon, he releases yearly to celebrate his birthday with his fans.


In this emotional roller-coaster there's a sense of weariness due to anxiety of his past and present life difficulties, nonetheless it's one of Turm’s more philosophical raps that truly explains his relationship with God and how seriously he takes death.

First verse he is reading his suicide note. In which he outlines all his struggles, suffering and fight with depression, from feeling trapped in his own body, not being able to sleep, confidence and self-esteem dropping to feeling like a disappointment to his family and hurting the mother of his child endlessly – he feels he has lost purpose in this life and in turn this leads to him taking his own life. He chooses every word carefully showing that deep inside he doesn’t want to die, but he can’t deny it will end his struggles. 

Second verse his spirit is floating on earth, all confused looking at the pain he has caused. This verse has close links to scenes from the book of Revelations, he is in heaven where he is to receive his divine judgement, but he realises that he has sinned and now feels bad for putting his loved one through that pain and he thinks he is going to be sent hell. He asks God for his life back, a second chance so he can go home and be a better father and son but it’s too late, they’re carrying his lifeless body in a coffin.

Third verse an angel of death responding and speaking to him. It suggests that suicide is indeed a permanent solution but to a temporary problem and the big downside is its very permanence make room for other options. Also suggests that time and perspective change even the trenchant of beliefs, it goes further to tell him he should have forgiven himself, pray about it and use those problems to build himself because everyone else has their demons that they battle with, instead of being comfortable with the unfortunate ‘last’ option of victimizing himself.


It’s a perfect model to write about suicidal thoughts because there is a big difference between suicide awareness and suicide prevention, it’s very easy to glamorize it and get the message wrong. “Art can connect people with sufferings, but there has to be hope on the other side. It does not have to end in tragedy if you give people an action step.” – Draper

When rappers open up, fans listen; and this case, they’re moved to open up too. Now that the genre is finally more open to its dark mental storms, how should artists write and work in honest ways, while also helping those who are truly suffering?

By Shabba-Pen

For counselling queries e-mail: zane@sadag.org

To contact a counsellor between 8am-8pm Monday to Sunday,
Call: 011 234 4837 / Fax number: 011 234 8182

For a suicidal Emergency contact us on 0800 567 567

24hr Helpline 0800 12 13 14
www.sadag.org

Friday, 3 August 2018

Dj 949 is a multitasking Hip Hop Dj/Producer

DJ 949 is a multi-tasking Hip Hop producer and a DJ


You may not know the name Setshaba Maganyela, but if you are a fan of local acts and real Hip Hop head that enjoys the streets-inspired and handcrafted occasional hop you know who DJ 949 is.

Some artists use nicknames that they have had their whole life, while other MCs and Djs create an entirely new persona, Setshaba decided to keep it simple and use his birthdate, September 9th in 1994, so keeping up with the theme, DJ 949 was born.

As a local Dj, Setshaba started small like many other, to mention the recent few, in 2017 he played at HHC Awards in Burgersfort, Hip Hop in the Park (SK) and also played at Sekhukhune Picnic hosted by Mzansi Humour, the same year he did a radio tour with SK FM and Mascom FM.

His hard work and dedication did not stop there as he continued to work his way to consistent gigs and eventually winning the Best Producer of the Year (2017) at BEM Limhop Awards.

Working with local talent, DJ 949 dropped a beat-tape with SK’s finest and renowned producer Kay Beats. His 100% local Hip Hop mix aired on TransAfrica Radio Channel DSTV872, OVHD609.

He also showcased beats at F.C.A event in Johannesburg, K1 where the guest artists were the members of South African Hip Hop outfit hailing from the Vaal, Rapper Golden Shovel and MC/Producer - Battlekat.

DJ 949 really made his mark when he represented the whole province (Limpopo) in the biggest Hip Hop Festival in Africa, the mighty Back To The City(BTTC) hosted in JHB, Newtown with over 30 000 spectators and made it to Top 20 of South African Hip Hop producers and see himself coming second in the 10K producers challenge.


Dee-jaying wasn’t the initial draw for Setshaba. He says he was inspired by his uncle who was also a House music DJ. “My love for Hip Hop developed back in 2004 when my brother used to play old school Hip Hop music videos ....I was inspired by DJ Premier as he would always appear on music videos punching mpc pads and doing vinyl scratches.”

At the age of 24, DJ 949 has been dee-jaying since he was 18. “In 2012 I took interest in beat-making, my high school friend hooked me up with a fruity loops studio and taught me the basics of how it works then I started working on dopeness that people are only hearing now” 949 said.

Hip Hop was founded by DJs. DJ Kool Herc to be specific on 11 August 1973, inspired by ladies, dee-jaying for his sister Cindy at her party in 1520 Sedgwick Avenue. Since that party and throughout the 80s and 90s, Hip Hop has always been all about DJs as the linchpin of experimentation with the practice of scratching, mixing and cutting. DJs and/or producers play a major role in the foundation of turning a simple track into a song and despite of all that, they still do not get enough recognition for their dedication and hard work.

The DJ is no longer part of the creative role with the shared responsibility for the overall sound and the live performance. And not only does this cripple the growth of Hip Hop Djs but makes it hard for the current ones to make a living out of their craft.

Like any other artist in this fast pacing competition filled-industry, DJ 949 aspire to get more paying gigs nationwide for both dee-jaying and beats presentations. He said “anyone can help by booking me to deejay at any event or donate me Dee-jaying gear /mpc resonance or money to buy one, I would appreciate anyone who wanna help”

For bookings and contact with DJ 949:

Contact number: 0721819919
Email: setshabamaganyela@gmail.com
Twitter: @DJ949_Sa
Facebook: Dj nine four nine setshaba maganyela

His work is also available on Soundcloud, Audiomack and Fakaza.com
https://soundcloud.com/user-10407735/do-it-now-freestyle-prod-by-dj-949
https://audiomack.com/song/dj-949-sa/do-it-now-freestyle-prod-by-dj-949


Monday, 30 July 2018

Know that Pedi rap is here and it’s not gonna stop


Pedi rap is unique and has a lot of chance takers but King Solomon II is the man who is proving worthy to take Pedi rap to new and unchartered heights and introduce it into the mainstream.
Born and raised in Limpopo, Schoonoord. Real name Solly Phahlamohlaka aka King Solomon II is a self-taught rapper and producer who handles everything from music production to mastering his own songs.
He creates music that caters for everyone from pure lyricism that savours every word without a drop of substance to the throne for rap royalty, no one is crafting street shit this thorough.



My first encounter with King Solomon II was on his 2015 mixtape, Take Me To Your Leader (TMTYL), which included tracks like “Sho Bafosa and O seke wa lla” when I first heard this tape my thoughts were ”This is an absolute essential for any head who’s really down with this underground shit.” He mixes old Pedi idioms and new age township slang and barrage of wordplay and jaw dropping rhymes.
Like most cats, King Solomon II fell in love with Hip Hop at a very young age, when he was 12, “My first encounter with Hip Hop was in 2002, and my sister was a huge fan of hip hop. She collected a whole bunch of Hip Hop music that we jammed to. I started rapping a year after that.” He said.
“In 2005 my friends and I started a crew called BC3. It was like 7 of us. Only a few of them still rap to this day. I believe being part of that crew helped build my character and it helped me grow lyrically as an MC. Being around people who have the same ambition can motivate you.” Solly said.
In early July, 2018 King Solomon II appeared on Shiz Live to perform his latest single, “Ke Nna” from his upcoming EP “Deleted Scenes” before going to rock the stage at Hip Hop Cares (HHC) in Burgersfort, “I enjoyed performing at HHC and I'm glad the reception was good. There was no major purpose to it, it was all about having a good time with the Hip Hop community.” He said.
King Solomon has a collaboration project “Order & Chaos” with the founder of Kay Beats Foundation, HHCA2017 Producer of the Year, the man Kay Beats himself. He also appeared on a joint collaboration tape between Nose The Capital and Kay Beats “Fabrics” on the song “Militiate” which is basically a textbook example of pure lyricism, intentional or not, this song is a seminal work serving as an antithesis to the warpspeed cadences, delivery methods Nose and King are exchanging.
As a Hip Hop head that I am myself, it’s clear that the the deleted scenes happen to be the biggest highlights of his career, and I for one waiting for the EP to drop…
You can use the following details contact to King Solomon II
Twitter @King_Solomon_II
Facebook: I Am King Solomon II
Insta: @King_Solomon_II
pr@iamkingsolomonii.co.za
bookings@iamkingsolomonii.co.za
Reverbnation.com/kingsolomonii
Soundcloud.com/kingsolomonii

Written by Shabba-Pen