The Metro FM Music Awards are just around the corner and the nominees list has been revealed.
Submissions for the awards opened in January and artists were given a little over a month to submit their work before submissions closed at the end of February.
This year, many of our favorite rappers made the list of nominees with K.O leading the pack with a total of 7 nominations, followed by AKA with 6 – surely it’s an abbreviation thing?
K.OAKA
The awards will be held at Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga on the 6th of May and will broadcast live on SABC 1.
To vote, dial *120*45787# and follow the prompts. USSD rates are charged at R1.50.
Keeping to his word from this past week, Shane Eagle officially drops his anticipated new single, Hold You accompanied by a mellow music video.
Hopefully making an end to his hiatus, the Eagle Entertainment founder gives fans a melodious, piano-laced boom-bap tune to keep us heated in the chilly weather.
These are the flows they’ll never forget, chump And if I met you at a show, I’ll never forget ya.
Shane Eagle – Hold You
The video, shot in Dublin, Ireland, is directed by Adam McPeake who journeys us through the city as Eagle performs the song in various settings.
Though elated over the new release, fans are worried that Eagle is back to his old tricks of dropping music and going MIA for months on end. It’s hard to say but I think we may be getting a new project soon, what do you think?
Nigerian rappers Falz and Vector have just dropped a classic. Both rappers who are well known and respected for their charisma and lyrical tendencies decided to come together for a record and it turned out lovely.
“Yakubu“, a song released under the Bad Guyz Entertainment Platform sees both rappers flow seamlessly over a jumpy rap beat, addressing the just concluded general election in Nigeria.
Yakubu Explained
On the song, Falz calls out the Nigerian Independence National Electoral Commission Chairman, Mr. Yakubu who was responsible for heading and controlling the process that led to the lots of over 200 million Nigerians’ choice of who the country’s President should be for the next four years.
Falz also asks what the 300 billion Naira budget for the election was used for, as believes the election was not worth its budget, a view that a lot of Nigerians share.
Falz has always been a very vocal civil rights activist, he has continued to stand up against injustice against Nigerians and is now a notable ambassador for civil rights amongst Nigerians.
Falz who is a barrister himself was a popular Obidient during the recent election. He believes the elections were rigged in the favor of the APC flag bearer, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who was declared by the electoral body as the incoming President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Notorious Nigerian thug, MC Oluomo was also called out by Falz. Falz left no stones unturned, as he also touched on the currency scarcity that rocked the election period, a move that the federal government said was to combat vote buying.
Vector Tha Viper
Vector Tha Viper on the other hand made through his verse explained the distinctions between the personality of the INEC chairman and a former head of state, General Yakubu Gowon, who was Nigerian head of state during the military regime. He also rapped about how the INEC Chairman does not need to carry a gun to oppress.
Generally, the song is a great tune, especially because of its rock slow instrumental, which helps both rappers maintain their usual progressions and cadence on the song.
Falz has a long history of speaking out against corruption and injustice in Nigeria through his music, and “Yakubu” is no exception. The track is a powerful example of the role that music can play in holding powerful politicians against their words when they fail or disappoint does who elected them into office.
The video for the song also emphasizes the situation of the elections carried out in Nigeria. It gives a visual explanation of the song and further amplifies the message being passed through the song.
However, there is also news of both rappers having a joint project on the way. A move that we look forward to seeing. Let’s keep enjoying their songs while we await what they have in store for us.
After much anticipation, we finally get to witness Ginger Trill set the bar higher in his No Paperwork freestyle, courtesy of Stay Low.
Rapping over the classic New York State of Mind instrumental, Trill shows off his flawless and impressive rapping abilities while laying low and spitting like there’s nothing to it.
You know the rules and you ain’t gotta ask, the truth, I’m a polygraph – I leave the booth with a body bag.
Ginger Trill – No Paperwork Freestyle
Fans have lost their minds over the freestyle, crowning Ginger Trill as one of, if not, the most potent and prolific emcees in the country with a catalog to back it up.
Watch the freestyle below and tell us what you think.
In the latest episode of Cnr. Juta & De Beer by Lwazi Madonsela, we’re introduced to Thatiso “Vuittots” Dube, the founder of the independent South African streetwear brand, GALXBOY.
Brought up around 2008, Thatiso saw an opportunity to create a label that represented and targeted the youth of South Africa.
I didn’t really have a plan, whatever happens, happens.
Vuittots
Vuittots touches on his time working for AMA KIP KIP, getting his first t-shirt sample made, growing the GALXBOY community, and making his first million rands.
Totts further speaks on AKA’s co-sign on Lemons (Lemonade), sharing words of wisdom for aspiring fashion designers and entrepreneurs, and continuously refining the brand to be more relatable to today’s youth.
Legendary South African Hip Hop group, Skwatta Kamp, is set to release what is said to be their final album and we finally have a release date.
Skwatta Kamp
The group, now comprising of remaining members Relo, Shugasmakx, Slikour, Bozza, and Nemza, has kept a close bond with one another while working on keeping the legacy of Skwatta Kamp alive through their music.
They’ve announced that their forthcoming album, SVN, will be released on 27 April, following months of preparation and single releases in anticipation of the project.
Skwatta Kamp, SVN cover
It’s been a very long journey for the group; having transitioned from analog to the digital age, going through a slight separation to pursue solo careers, and ultimately parting ways with member, Infa due to irrefutable differences. They would suffer another loss in 2015 with the untimely passing of fellow Kamp member, Flabba (12 Oct 1977 – 9 March 2015) and then years later, Nish (20 August 1978 – 5 February 2021).
With so many years passed since albums like Washumkhukhu and Bak On Kampus, fans are still yearning for the old Skwatta Kamp kasi rap style that cemented their place in SA Hip Hop history.
We can’t wait to hear what they have in store for us. In the meantime, pre-order SVN and get ready for the Kamp.
Ginger Trill may have burned his bars after reading but this time he’ll require no paperwork for his latest Stay Low freestyle episode.
Coming off a successful release of his critically acclaimed project, The B.A.R (Burn After Reading) Album, released last November 2022, the good folks over at Stay Low called up the Potchefstroom emcee to drop a freestyle for their No Paperwork freestyle segment.
Having been kicked off with Tyler Linkman, followed by Tyson Sybateli and then ZuluMecca, the No Paperwork freestyles have already picked up momentum in the streets, with many Hip Hop heads buzzing from the bars and infectious beats.
Ginger Trill’s freestyle is expected to drop this Thursday, 30 March, so be sure to check back when Mr. “Top 5, dead or alive” hits the streets.
The Ghanaian rapper’s EP is stacked with an inoffensive watered-down drill that sums up a youth’s daily life. Kweku Smoke is easily one of Ghana’s most original rappers, teaming up with Bosom P Yung to make some of Accra’s finest hip hop records. “Eye Red ” is a relatively by-the-book 6-track EP that highlights his stone-faced raps and melodies, with a series of Asaaka raps that sums up a proper Ghanaian hip hop project.
Listen to the EP on Spotify
The album kicks off with “Yawa”, a typical youthful anthem that sees that rapper startling bluntness and raw desperation about the country’s current economic crisis, he sounds playful, thanks to his hyper-prolific approach, but rapper upgrades his fidelity and sharpens his focus, adding bits of motivation to inspire the country’s youth. It pretty much sums up the EP’s title, as “Eye Red” is a Ghanaian jargon for a serious citizen or a relentless one. Alongside his conspiratorial bars and non-stop flow, the production soars on the project, with all songs produced by Hordzi, the Ghanaian producer is completely focused on creating drill with crossover appeal, and he doesn’t miss at all. “Asaaka” pays homage to one of Ghana’s fastest-growing sounds. It is the best pure drill cut on the EP; he gets fairly introspective over Hordzi’s jumpy bassline, and with a handful of catchy chorus, there’s enough standout moments to do right to Asaaka’s sound.
Despite his government approach, he still makes time for his love life, on “Loving You”. he has the charm of a catcaller as he flirts with his lover, and assures her of a soft life. In all his crooning, there’s still drill’s signature elements like the sputtering drums and gliding 808s, and his singing tenders the beat, it’s the type of song you can get sturdy to at a wedding, that is if you are really about that drill life. He takes it back to the trap from the bedroom on “I’m different”, a song where he flexes his muscles as a refined Ghanaian rapper, transforming into an MC, commanding the audience to put some respeck on his hustle. There’s only one slot for a feature, and who can do it better than Asaaka’s best lyricist? He recruits Kweku Dmc for “ Trapper of the year”, probably the hardest song on the project. On a technical level, their forms complement each other well, with flows and funny lyrics that describe a typical trap house in Ghana while highlighting the pair’s complimentary gifts. Kweku DMC’S captures enough of the verve and strategically enigmatic storytelling that has made him a fan favourite for rap over the last two years. Kweku Smoke ends the EP with a hard heartfelt song, it’s actually a funny yet cute record. On “Fall”, he expresses his love for a girl in the loudest way possible, with a chorus that sounds like layers of bis voice, the song’s strong-hold is it’s sing-along trait, and with raps that reaches vast new emotional depths, it balances his vulnerability and gansgterism perfectly.
The rapper sounds free and at his best on “Eye Red”, the contrast between his whimsical side and the increasing poignance of his writing makes the expression of sincere emotion land harder, but then again, that is a typical trapper for you. Untamed and definitely not fazed.
Follow @kwekusmoke_ as he just announced another project and we are anticipating this over here at Hiphop Africa.
Blxckie took a trip to Lost Angeles a couple of weeks ago for his SXSW debut and was generous enough to give us updates on his trip.
During his stay in California, in between sightseeing and visiting the popular Ice Box jewelry store, the rapper got to kick it in the studio with St. Louis producer, ChaseTheMoney, as well as Nelly Furtado.
Now, Somnyama looks back to his 2022 offering, THE4MULA, to shoot visuals for Ronda.
“RONDA. SOON,” shared Blxckie on his social media pages. The post was accompanied by pictures from the shoot with the rapper draped in denim and a ski mask, posed in front of a backdrop of high, rocky mountains and dunes.
It’s evident Blxckie has reached a new level of artistry that his supporters are beyond excited about. “This one needs an Oscar! Motion picture of the year,” admitted his tour Dj, Dj D Double D.
Blxckie also shared a short teaser rapping along to an unknown song. “7 second snippet just to bambel,” said the rapper.
Barely hours after making his first entry on the Nigeria Apple Music 10 Chart. Nigerian Hip-hop star, OdumoduBlvck who currently holds the No.1 spot scores a second entry to the top 10, this time at No.10.
His song, Picanto, which featured the self-acclaimed World President, Zlatan, has reached its highest peak position of No.10 on the Apple music chart months after its release.
The song which initially introduced Odumodublvck to the mainstream audience has enjoyed a relatively high level of airplay. It also enjoyed high social media referencing, especially on Twitter.
It was initially predicted to happen by Fresh L, another of the trio that makes up the DRB Lasgidi, where Teezee, the owner of Native Record is also a member. Fresh L predicted both songs will hold the Number 1 and 10 spots on the chart.
