“This is my story and I’m sticking to it. I don’t are what’s hot right now. I’m going to stand for what I believe in. I’ll still out rap any rapper” -Tumi (SABC Digital News Interview Oct 2013).
Boltumelo Molekane, also known as Tumi, continues authentic Hip Hop that is overlooked by the more catchy gimmicky genres like Hipline and Bongoflava. South African born, Tanzania raised, Molekane’s music reflects the daily realities for South Africa. In 1992, with apartheid facing its final days, Tumi and his family returned to South African, settling down in Soweto. At this time, Hip Hop was booming in not only America, but in some parts of Africa as well. Tummy’s rap reflects social problems in a post-apartheid society. Tummy’s reputation increased through his battle rapping. He still can be seen going toe-to-toe with anybody who care to challenge his skill, or anybody who thinks they could out rap him. Tumi belonged to the group Tumi and the Volume, a popular rap band, until their unfortunate disbandment in December 2012
July 20th 2015 Tumi performed for the television show Expresso. His song “Stop The Violence” is a gritty anthem calling out the detriment of society via male infidelity.
It’s all Qur’an and Bible, it’s war business
You call it final then walk in optimistic
I’m caught deciding if rifles are more malignant
Then a jaded husband
Then a fading father
I played my part in
Making it harder
I’m a shell, I’m a bomb, you are Gaza
Tumi correlates the malign act of war and religious persecution to adultery within marriage. The life that is glorified within Hiplife of money, cars, women, and illegal substances disrupts the familial structure. “I played my part in making it harder” apologizes to the women or woman he has hurt in the past. Tumi states the male’s infidelity is like a bomb overpowering the woman, in this sense, Gaza.
Shots fired
Far cry from the honeymoon
Live wire
What you done you can’t undo
That’s desire
Gave me her heart but I put it through
Pain is enough that I shouldn’t do
Maybe her love is not bulletproof but she said
Far cries from the honeymoon points out that young men are not committed to the woman long before marriage is initiated. Tumi warns that what is done cannot be undone. He states that infidelity ruins the strength of love and once these men realize the wrong they have done, it will be too late. Her love is not bulletproof.
Tumi has worked on the documentary Afrique, in which Tumi travels the continent to collaborate with other great Hip Hop powers. In his journey, Tumi realizes that the experience of each person is not all that different.
Here is the link to the documentary’s preview:
Tumi is a great lyricist who uses his poetic background to address his current world issues by way of soulful flows and dope beats. Not forgetting his roots, Tumi remains the Hip Hop voice of the people in a world of commerciality.
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tumi_Molekane
http://bimba.co.za/tumi-molekane/return-king/stop-violence