The call for submissions from performers and presenters at the 13th annual Trinity International Hip Hop Festival in Hartford, Connecticut. The festival will be held April 6-8, 2018. The yearly festival brings together artists, organizers, & scholars from around the world for 3 days of workshops, performances, battles, lectures, film showings, and networking. Submissions are due by 17th of November, 2017.For more information check out the festival site: http://trinityhiphop.com/call-for-submissions-2018-festival/
I had the pleasure of reviewing the work of an up and coming artist named “LDK”. As some background info, this specific piece of work from LDK was an response due to his silence and inactivity in the music industry as well as personal issues which are expressed lyrically in the song. I appreciated the candor in this particular song. Many people, including myself, can relate to the reality of life when things aren’t going as planned, especially when being approached by personal struggles and challenges that need to be overcome. Although, the idea of the song portrays specific struggles being met by the artist, they also express how he endured and became triumphant through those personal issues, which can be a reminder for others that the very struggles we go through can definitely serve as an opportunity for self-reflection and growth of not only our inner selves, but outside aspects and indirect interventions as well.
I’ve also observed LDK’s other works like his “Rebel Friday” freestyles and such, which are pretty nice to listen to, most specifically because of the beats behind them. I also like the theme of the freestyle video, it gave me a kind of “throwback” vibe/feel with the black & white and pin-up kind of style/dress to the work, definitely my type of theme. My message to LDK would be to keep up the good work! It is always wonderful to see artists express themselves through music that can relate to a plethora of other individuals that can relate! All in all, I applaud LDK and his passion. I’d recommend LDK’s work to anyone who likes and is looking to support up and coming African artists, you wont regret it!
Here are streams/links to LDK’s song and Rebel Friday freestyle:
Njabulo Skondo (born September 26, 1995), known as N-jay.52, is a South African rapper from Engcobo, Eastern Cape. N-jay.52 embarked on his musical career as a teenager releasing a mixtape that sparked the birth of 3rd Grave 1.0.2. In 2011 he released his first Mixtape titled The Son of Victoria and the following year, he released a sequel of the project, The Son of Victoria:2.
N-jay.52 began to gain major recognition in 2016 after the release of his debut single “From Me” which is taken from his upcoming critically acclaimed studio EP titled “Lord Forgive Me For My Dreams”. He enjoys the moderate success of his mix tape titled Bipolar released in 2016 and currently has a video out for the mixtapes standout single “For The City”. This single is from his upcoming LP titled “cEvil:”A Townships Tale”. This song is about a South African dreamer who shares his experiences when he dreamed as a child and how he dreams now as a young man.
This is the type of music I enjoy listening to. Artist that sings/raps about REAL life experiences make REAL music! The amount of personal information N-jay.52 exposes in this song means he isn’t afraid to share his journey to success. This song could come off as vulnerable but that is not the case at all. He is sharing his story to tell the listeners that you don’t have to be stuck in your situation. I would definitely be looking out for more music by Njay52, and Soul Dreamin has just been added to my “fave song” list. He is an artist that everyone is to look out for.
No matter what you are going through remember to always stay committed to your dreams/goals. Being aware of situations means you have taken the first step in realizing that change needs to be made. Never let anyone determine your destiny for you. Your life is yours and you’re the only one who can make it better for yourself.
South African MC, Gigi LaMayne releases her new track, #1BAR (Prod. ABZA) this Friday.
Gigi Lamayne is one of our favorite lyricists.
A part of the “Born Free”* generation, Gigi Lamayne has matured so much as an artist since her first single “Ice Cream” was released years ago.
Her new track #1BAR samples sounds rom Kwaito Legend, `Makhendlas, “Iminwe”. In the track, Gigi Lamayne “displays not only flawless lyricism, but also vernacular wordplay”
*The Born frees are South Africans Born after the fall of apartheid in 1994.
I had the pleasure of reviewing Clumsy (full name is Mr. Moeketsi Maesela), an up and coming South African Hip Hop artist and the release of his official music video of the song “Haiyo” featuring another South African artist named MarazA. My initial thought when viewing this music video was, “what great quality!”. It has great quality and looks like the production of it was well performed and thought out. Although the overall layout in the background of each segment/setting looked simple, the video was very well produced and the idea/theme and story behind the song definitely showed itself throughout each part. The theme that I perceived was that of struggle and making ends meet for the main character in the video. The scene showed the main character looking for food in his home and looking distraught. I found the way the main character went about his struggle/poverty interesting and disheartening but needed. The character chose to use violence and crime to resolve his issues instead of trying to mend his problems through normal legal ways, by attempting to rob a convenient store. In regards to the overall message of the song, the music video definitely highlighted certain ideas I wouldn’t have thought were being shown if I were to listen to just the song audio itself. It evoked emotion and interest from the audience (myself) which I’m sure was the goal of the video. I applaud Haiyo for such great quality and thought provoking themes in his content, even his other works have quality that is parallel in nature! I will keep Clumsy in mind in my future search for great South African Hip Hop artists! I can definitely consider myself a new fan!
I had the pleasure to review the song called “I Love You All” by Zee, an African Rap artist who’s song has been premiered on DJ Fresh’s FreshAt5 on 5FM. Continue reading “Review: “I Love You All” by Zee”→
Njabulo Skondo (born September 26, 1995), known as N-jay.52, is a South African rapper from Engcobo, Eastern Cape. N-jay.52 embarked on his musical career as a 
