LUV UR HOOD vid by Goodenough Mashego

Who gives a sh*t if I’m Black or White?

…truly speaking, who gives a rat if I’m black or white, really who cares, except for the corporate world documents that expect you to classify yourself according to colour and race. They are the biggest ogre in the race card so maybe they might be excused as uninformed. From last decade it was the whole system of Verwoed screaming and stamping black, black, black, kaffir, kaffir, hate….we learnt, persevered and adjusted to the situation. An extraordinary Golihlahla Mandela comes out from the sea try to rebuilds the nation and re-invents the flag into a rainbow symbol with the hope to end all discrimination and injustice, in good spirit that all shall be one. Well, it didn’t quite happen, lately it was Malema accusing everyone and everything with racism, Kuli Roberts had her opinion just like everyone else but she was strongly vocal about it with the emphasis of ‘race’ she was accused of racial comments, then there was Trevor Manuel and Jimmy Manyi’s publicity squabble; and Steve Hoffmeyer…WTF? Who do you think you are to make such degrading comments? Even if racism is not a crime where do you get a leg or the platform to stand and say such things? Do we need to unleash Malema on you? And wasup with Donald Trump questioning the whole President of the US’s academic credentials is it because he’s black?

The world and its people is engrossed by the cataclysmic events nature has bestowed on us, we don’t need you (racism). Honestly, the world is big enough for us to live as people, not as people with colour. Shit is, I see the colour that has been defined and engraved in my mind as green, stupid, loud, unintelligent, and aggressive before I see you. They say I’m defined by culture, tradition and race but I’m the motherfucker with the personality, what was I before I came out with my skin pigment? South Africa has come a long way since the apartheid regime but apparently we are still living in the after effects of that segregation. Which gave me an excuse when my girlfriend accused me of racism, I literally said, it’s a reverse hatred, like a boomerang, I give back what they gave me. For a little I sounded like Julius. The brutality of racism is so severe that if experienced it can leave someone scared for life, so I heard. But we don’t need that kind of shit in our lives, do we? Jay Z was quoted saying ‘these generation, especially the Hip Hop generation is the least racists kind of people’, I really want to concur but if morons like Steve Hofmeyer, Donald Trump and Jimmy Manyi will come out in public and spit such ignorance, like being a certain colour is a curse, then fuck being black, fuck you cause you not same colour as me! I’m not saying this cause I’m black or because I think the radar is going strongly towards the south, I’m saying this as a human being, as an Hip Hop ambassador, as moral species of the earth; racism is an demonic iniquity that need to be exorcised form humanity cause I’m so full of it!!!! Who really cares if I’m red or bliue?

Luv Ur Hood nd recognize iz al gud

I once heard the revolution will not be televised

We’ve been out of touch for long now, we’ve been out of the site, and out of Hip Hop happenings for long, it felt lyk a backsliding Christian. The best thing iz tha world doesn’t stop spinning, shit is happening whether we here, there or not. Since we’ve been hibernating, the Egyptian Mubarak has resigned after 30yrs in power, Tunisians citizens have manage to revolt against their own and got a bit of triumph; Mummar Gaddafi told his Libyan ppl dat he’s not moving an inch and he did just dat. As the world turns, the Ivory Coast nation have fought a bloody coupe against Laurent Gbagba while the world was watching; Indians see themselves as Cricket world champions while our Proteas boys came home again without a silver wear, but its al good cuz we are used to this. All these happening while me nd my bro were hibernating. It’s an interesting world out there and out here the ruling party has marked its territory b4 the municipal elections and they have proclaimed, ‘they are ruling until Christ comes’. We disappered for a sec we came back and Teargas have pushed boundiries and units and apparently certified gold, the beef between Aka and L Tido has been settled, as if we don't have enuf beef in Africa already.

As beautiful as our world is, we still see the heinousness of world leaders and smell the craziness of human species but Hip Hop will remain. Within these chaotic continuous happenings around the globe we are here again to share moments within moments in this history. We saw the revolutionary been televised and we are blogging abt it while, peeps and teens are twitting abt it. They say God works in mysterious way ask Zimbabwean ppl they’ll testify to it, even the Libyans believe Mummar Gaddafi was sent to them by God, except for the rebels of course and those who are after Gaddafi’s resources, but yes, if he does work in mysterious ways then my stint of hiding away from the blog is for a reason. To be realistic me nd you are watching as government mount each in greed, as African leaders walk this path without a back bone; we are watching as economy collapses and nobody dared to explain reasons, we are watching as commodities prices rises while employment declines. We are watching the revolution as humanity collapses. Luv ur Hood is back to comment abt the world and yes we are still talking Hip Hop Hooray!!!

Luv ur Hood nd recognize iz al gud

Kwesta – Special ReKwest

I have to admit or maybe is just me but rappers nowadayz are sounding the same and nothing they bring is shocking to our ears. Don’t want cats and the whole rap fanatics 2 get me wrong, Kwesta is talented cat but I think, again my opinion, as a writer I’m allowed 2 have dat kind freedom aren’t I? ok as I was saying, cats fall short on their music, on this particular one, Kwesta. Special Rekwest is his 1^st album from Bittabing Entertainment, a special one indeed cuz Kwesta since joining Slikour’s joint four yrs ago, he has created himself a fan base, I must admit the boy has a good following. Kwesta came out last yr Sept with a single ‘Stomp’ which rocked the GP air waves and TV screens, I was convinced until I heard the whole album this Jan. My opinion is, Battabing cud have gone with a diff joint as a 1^st single, but well I guess itz al marketing strategy. Kwesta is fresh right, but the album feels luk warm; all 14 tracks r well produced nd have the kind of sound that grabs yr attention, but fifteen min wthou dat sound u almost 4get wat have u been listening to. There r catchy tracks lyk ‘flash it’ my favorite on the album by the way, Babhemi ft Sandile Ziqubu and ‘Flava’. The second track on the joint, ‘Ekhonenei’ it feels like something Prokid will do but he actually did a gud job on it. With the likes of Proverb, N’ veigh, Red button and flabba which is an unlikely collabo the album gets some bit of a spark towards hip hop headz. Most of the songs are g2G( gud to great) but forgettable but for the die hard fans well,  this is it. I respect Bittabing Entertainment for what they did with ‘Mr Cool’ himself, b4 I forget there’s a track ft RJ, Junya Skills nd T’do it’s a keeper but I was disappointed by Mr Cool, lyrically on this song but its well produced joint. Kwesta says he’s not her for the fame but to give u music that u like, that’s wat he’s here for.

Luv uR Hood nd recognize its al gud       

N.A.S.A

Now and still after. Yo, 4rm dat title alone 1 shud be able to c the level of depth these emcees have come up with. Now and still after is a mixtape that has been in the market since mid 2008, fortunately I managed to get my hands this year after having asked around for sol long. Love gained from havin have attained this album, twas worth every cent my Nig.

Most songs are produced by Intro and Mo Catalyst, 2 Vaal natives. As matter of fact this is actually a Vaal Triangle project. Apart from a few tracks most songs are from cats from the Vaal. Beatiful music it is, from the intro done by simple humming 4rm Tshwarelo.  6Feet’s wake up is a track directed @ da true lovers of Hip Hop, sayin it right with lines lyk “ It’s about quitin school/ doin drugs, n admittin u lazy.” The Rhyme Slayer Mr Golden Shovel also has an appearance on this Mixtape with a track called “Divine Fury,” this rhymesmith is never short of punchlines.

A track dat also caught my attention was Poltageist’s “Live on stage,” whereby the dude just lays out the picture of being on stage and enjoyin the vibe (only emces wud truly kno da feeling). Having heard the crew Baleloko perform @ the One 2 album launch 1 was not impressed but I might have to change my views on the crew, maybe they had their bad days on dat day. Baleloko’s track “Baleloko” has an unexpected twist in the mid. What they hav done is not completely new to Hip Hop but I gosta say it was executed beautifully, with both emcees delivering perfectly.

Naked Eye the 1 half of One 2 gives us a beautifully constructed track with phase change alongside Tshwarelo. Truly his love for the art has increased a thousand fold as he asys in the track. The Germ to ther album has to be Tongogara a.k.a Battlecat’s speech. Nig be uttering truth as he tells us dat Love is the basis of all dat is, 4 Now And Still Afta.  Nthabi also lends a rap on the track “Life on the Coluorline” The last track on the album, Mothipa’s “cure for the pain” is a climax to an ever enticing album, n ya’ll know Mothipa for being the ever laid back hard spitter he is.

There are not a lot of disappointments on the album but for X-rate’s Mic Check, mediocre track 4rm the talented emcee and the track by the East Rand natives Sake of Skill. Other tracks dat stand out have to be Mo Catalyst’s “8 days in a week,” 6 Feet & Red Antz’s “finders of lost children,” and the combination of Reason, Golden Shovel  and Mo Catalyst’s on “The Streets” One other Killa track has to be Wizardry’s Celebration. Wizardry discusses the struggle apartheid and how the “now” rich politicians r 4getin dat the sacrifice was not by them only, sad realities. Buy this album. 

Luv Ur Hood

Twas the 25th of September. Yeah homie I still rememba twas not dat long ago. 4 weeks back we had the 2^nd quarterly Luv Ur Hood hip hop session. Was a banger of an event if I must say. Shit, the movement began last year August and it seems to be goin on strong given dat more emcees r showin up to flex their skills. Beautiful youth of Shatale came through in their masses and showed us their love.

Held @ Ga- Kabila car wash Shatale, da session saw a few new emcees breakin their virginity in Shatale. We had these 2 cats that came as far as G-town (Graskop) throwing Swag type rhymes. So much love from the G-twn yung uns. We had our regular emcees rippin the MIC; Masta H lepulana as usual started of the show with his laid back Anthem. We had da conceptual Mr A from Majembeni hit us with his hard rhymes before Vulga G n his Crew serenaded the crowd with their Swati infused songs. Mad work from the brothers.

De ever magnificent Mr Do let the ppl know dat Bushbuckridge is his turf as he hit the masses with freestyle after freestyle before he calmed us down with his “re thoma go yekwa.” Skill in abundance from this young man also hailing from Majembeni, sadly not every ear gets to hear the stories told by these Ghetto fellows.  We had our resident dancers (Grand Hustlers 4rm Shatale) still craving for a battle. The B-Boys 4rm Majembeni tried their luck in challenging the Shatale crew. It was sad how the B-Boyz were slayed, but so-so it was worth a try.  As the day progressed we had H-lay flowing effortlessly on a random beat, as well as Kfbee who is a Shatale native. Black Pearl the only female emcees we have at these sessions also entered the stage to the excitement of the ladies who came in support.

Afta having had an article published on Hype magazine, a crew 4rm Nelspruit (One room Entertainment) read a bit about our movement and they decided dey wud also hit our stage. Sadly due to distance they only managed to get through to da sessions late. The climax of the day was when a random (wana try my luck) emcee decided to battle Mr Do. The battle left everybody in jitters as Mr do ripped the random emcee.

Twas a lovely day overall masked by a few glitches there n ther, The sound has been giving us problems ever since day 1, hoping to better it next time. Till the next session all we gota say is Luv Ur Hood G.

TEN REASONS Y U SHUD PAY ATTENTION 2 MZANSI HIP HOP

a. Da diversity & the authenticity of our diff language makes it all original, unique and 100% Mzansi stylee

b. We’ve got a rich political history and deep cultural background to draw inspiration from.

c. Like our 16yrs democracy, we still new in the game but we making mad waves like tsunami is back again

d. Our country, nation, economy, sports is as developing as the culture of our music and the world eyez are on us

e. We’ve got lyricist dat makes the content and the poetry in the music as pure, original and rich, which makes it hard for the world to ignore

f. We are the ultimate prodigal son behind kwaito and bubble gum

g. This Hip Hop got hammered, beefed and slaughtered form parents, pastors and kwaito fanatics but cats stood their ground until they made the circle bigger

h. It is the next element to the black empowerment strategy without government or Cosatu’s back up

i. Remember Bob & Doc’s ‘get funky’, dats how far we came

j. …and the tenth reason y u shud pay attention to Mzansi Hip Hop is bcuz we(theplatform2.blogspot.com) in it