Top Singles

2012 is in it's death bed, I mean it's quite an ill year since the 1st of January. This year brought about crazy singles from South African artists.

To close off the year, here is my version of *Big Singles dropped this year by our artists... in no particular order _ please people, its not a contest.

Veezo - All I Do

Talk about a pleasant surprise!

Cashtime Fam Ft. Teargas - Stundee



Khuli Chana Ft. Notshi - Tswaadaar

Monstrous beat!! Explosive Notshi

Zakwe Ft. Danger and Zuluboy - Bathi Ngiyachoma



Teargas - Ok right (which really isnt that big in S.A yet but is a club banger for sure)



HHP - Bosso



DotCom - Get Mine remix Ft. Cashtime Fam



AKA - Jealousy



Kwesta Ft. Kidd X - Boom Shakalaka


Dro Hefner The Jew (a.k.a Hydro) - Lamborghini



Intergalactic crew - Hipe Ft. HC, Cream, Rattex, Ben Sharpa, Dj Codax, Danola, N'Veigh, Blaklez. Jaak and Linz Faluka -  Hiperspace



Driemanskap - Izulu Lelam



Khuli Chana Ft. Morafe - jiva Sfebulous



And here is my pick for Mzantsi's hottest albums of the year:
4. AB Crazy - Homecoming


3. Teargas - Num8er Num8er - I really didn't like this album as a whole but there are some killer singles I really enjoyed.


2. Khuli Chana - Lost in Time

1. Although it's not exactly an album, it takes pole postion. His album, DaKAR ( Da King of Afrikan Rap)
Kwesta - Rally 4DaKAR

Gangnam Style.

Released July 15th this year, South Korean pop star, PSY's Gangnam Style took the world by storm. Even the world of dancing went all out at the arrival of this strange, new and suprisingly addictive dance style.
 PSY's nonconformist attitude brought him alot of hits throughout his long career,
His debut single _ Bird in 2001


Then followed up with Champion in 2002. The video for this track proved PSY as a true entertainer, using game-like features in it.

The 34 year-old is not showing any signs of lettin up with the hits. Even the wakky crew, the Poreotics have done a cover of this crazy dance style. His presence on stage is like nothing I've seen _ and I've only seen him in videos.

Appearing in The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Today, Saturday Night Live and a master performance on the MTV Music Video Awards, Gangnam Style has taken over.

"Oppan Gangnam Style
Gangnam Style
Op op op op oppan Gangnam Style
Gangnam Style
Op op op op oppan Gangnam Style "

Whack ass Rappers

This is my top 5 list of the whackest rappers of my time... 1992-2012

Just to make it clear, I do mean  rappers that are known, features in other artist's track and that have more than one album.

5.
Paul Wall



Almost all...no all of this dudes music that I've heard sucked. I don't remember any track that I honestly enjoyed by this dude. This dudes career highlight was probably on 'Holla At Me Baby' by Dj Khaled feat. Lil Wayne, Paul Wall, Fat Joe, Rick Ross and Pit Bull.

4.
Too Short
Todd Anthony Shaw



Yeah, I don't really have anything against the dude, but his style doesn't do it for me. Its like his rhymes were writen by a twelve year old white girl from Malibu. It just sounds bad.

3.
Ying Yang Twins



What was the hype all about when these two came in the scene?...the crazy big bassed beats_ and nothing else. They whispered one too many times.
Highlights - Lil Jon feat. Busta Rhymes and the twins - Get Low rmx
That was a super dope song.


2.
Plies



I never really got what the fuss was about with this loud ass rapper. Every song had its terrible moments, I mean even his highlight sucked and the song didn't. welcome to my hood by Dj Khaled
 feat. Lil Wayne, Plies, T Pain & Rick Ross. Plies' verse sucked.

1.
Gucci Mane
Rains supreme, not only holding down the Whackest Rapper title, but also the Dumbest Rapper ever.



Gucci has a long list of arrests. Gucci Mane filled a special plea of Mental Incompetency after being arrested.
Gucci was busted driving on the wrong side of the road with a license, proof of insurance ant other traffic charges
But on the plus side, there were some songs that I liked from this dumb ass.
Highlights - Drake feat. Gucci Mane - Its Still A Pleasure

South African Crews

Since May this year the Reptilez have officially been the countries' no. 1 crew.

I like this crew, they are a hard working bunch, but still...for me lack that oomph...whatever that is.
For me they will lose their title next year.

Freeze Frame crew is "the world's first instant Botox® alternative which provides both immediate and long term results" freezeframe.com. Based in East Joburg, this crew separates itself from other crews for it's, self proclaimed - "God given talents" which I agree with, they sure do have talent, but is it really enough to grab the title away from the Reptilians? They do feel like a battle crew and not so good as a stage performing crew_ I mean their choreography screams synchronicity, but we get almost synchronicity.


My favourite picture crew is non other than AI (Artistic Intelligence) crew, rockin Addidas

The crazy thing about this crew is that the white boy moves worlds better than the black dudes, but all in all this crew is something to see.

Vintage..."when in doubt_POUT"
Not something I personally live by, but no one can question the massive impact this whacking and voguing crew brought to South Africa. Their expressions and threading in and out of hard aggressive moves to smooth flowing moves without the slightest of efforts. This crews' flamboyancy leaves everyone guessing what they're going to do next...I surely want to know.


Relapz Cru.
This crazy crew infused the ancient art of martial art movies into hip hop, and the results are epic. Extreamly graphic and they move with the beat.


Well this is all this week, next week more crews and more.

Masters of Rhythm: Tight Eyez edition

South Africa's biggest annual hip hop gathering took place a couple months back, in August. Sadly it was a bit more than low key, as it was not televised...to say the least. What am I talking about...Masters of Rhythm

Be that as it may, the event was far from dissapointing, Remember the standard last years edition set, well thgis year Masters of Rhythm was worlds better. Hotter, tighter moves blazed the stage and a suprise guest judge. The creator of KRUMP, leader of ABDC season 6 crew, Street Kingdom, Tight Eyez himself. The man was in South Africa and when he hit the stage, people went insane!
Just after his earthquaking performance, my boy Shugasmakx was to perform.

“I never knew this guy, but clearly they loved him that’s what I know. When he got on stage people were running all over the stage, I don’t know what the hell was that. All I know is that I had to perform after Tight Eyez [laughs]. I’m like ‘these guys nearly broke down the stage [laughs] and now you want me to go on there after the god of dance?’ is what Shugasmakx told HYPE magazine. http://www.hypemagazine.co.za/2012/08/17/shugasmakx-on-performing-after-tight-eyez-at-masters-of-rhythm/

Tight Eyez also shared some passionate words to keep hip hop as a whole on the up.

Street Hip Hop in Germany

You cannot imagine my excitement when Youtube suggested this, along with several other videos to me. The infamous French boys, the Les Twins hooked up the Poreotics and this crazy dude, Neguin to bring a crazy mix of hip hop invasion in Germany. Check this video out

Drake

You know I don't like doing artist profiles, but I think this time I'll make an exception. The dude we love to hate, who has been called, on many occasions, a bitch ass ni**a, Drizzy Drake_YMCMB's trump card and on my opinion, YMCMB's saviour.

I trespassed on a conversation between two hip hop fanatics. They were talking about the artist who has the best hooks on tracks this far. Some names were thrown around.
-The legendary Nate Dogg

One track, 'Multiply' by Xibit and Nate Dogg. There is no denying this man's genius.

-Akon

Er, I like his stuff..well liked. I haven't heard anything worth raving about recently.

-T-pain

Oh man was this the 'it' dude back way when, but he is still doing his thing, but I imagine he is keeping it on a low key. My personal favourite was the Step Up 2 sound track 'Church'.

-Chris Brown

Ever since this ni**a beat Rihanna, his career took off. I didn't like as much before, but now almost everything the man touches turns to gold. He should ease up on the electro tip though, only just a bit.

-Drake

Drake rains supreme on the hook category, the man we all, or rather I love to hate. The man has grabbed the worlds attention on the first go, like a true ni**a who was been waiting for his chance. I don't know any track, and I do mean ANY track that he doesn't go hard and kill. the man is a genius, just don't know about this whole Aliyah thing though.

More beef? Ok this is getting stupid now

As we might all know that Simon Cowell, the british dude who loves America and known for being the ruthlessly honest judge of the ever so popular American Idols, has left the franchise leaving a void that is quite impossible to fill..but that will not stop FOX network for trying though.

Well lets face it, Cowell was a major reason why many people watched and fell inlove with the show, Simon's gone _ viewer ratings have declined ever since his departure. So as a solution, FOX or American Idol decide on getting two strong headed bimbos to be judges, Nicki Minaj and Maria Carey.
They beefed up over whatever, only to boost ratings and nothing else. I mean Nicki Minaj threatened to shoot Maria but she didn't have a gun with her, if this was real, wouldn't Nicki be in jail right now for that?

It is all planned out and executed smoothly, just to pull a larger crowd, because well all know _ scandals sells.

https://www.google.co.za/search?q=american+idol+judges+2012+mariah+carey&hl=en&prmd=imvnsuo&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=hZR2UIOaCJKxhAf2g4D4Aw&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1024&bih=571

Twerkin

Well I have never, seen..No_ experirenced what I have experienced in my short, fruitless life. People are calling it 'the best disgusting thing', well not people, just this one gay guy, otherwise its called Twerking.

WOW if you've never seen this please visit a hip hop club near you because this rather old dance style has taken South African hip hop community by storm. I'm saying this because whenever a well known and loved hip hop song comes on this is what they do, as also said on this months edition of HYPE magazine.

But on the other side should this type of dance style be censored? I mean is it suitable for a teenage girl or boy to be exposed to this stripper type style? I don't thing it is, because this dance style is heavily sexual orientated.

So 'twerking' shoulb be kept in clubs or away from the prying eye

Beef Brewing

The past couple of weeks there have seen two sets of head to head collisions. First was the DMX-Drake clash, which really is not a head to head collision, more like a head on collision_ because lets face it Drake cannot take any form of confrontation. Remember how Chris Brown showed him up at that club a few months ago?
And the J Cole-Diggy spill up.

Apparently Cole made a remark about one of Diggys' sisters in a song and got the young colt hyped up. Diggy got the rapper Cole on a track called "fall down". Tyrese got involved on twitter saying "Shit ain't gonna fly no more..J Cole... Shit ain't flyin..Ps..I'm grown"
That caused a major up roar amongst twitter followers of both Diggy and J Cole. Diggy fans scritched out at Tyrese for stepping in and crazy enough J Cole also jumped at Tyrese for butting in.

All in All this beef was only to boost twitter ratings. So much for beefing!

Why I Love Hip Hop...

Primarily, this blog is about hip hop, everything about it, but holds me to this growing culture is the way the music moves me. 

These images, directly from google.co.za, are the kind of frenzy that goes on in my brain everytime I hear a new track.
 The RAF crew from France





The Best Crew in the World..my opinion

Step Up Pole Results

Well pole time came to an end yesterday, I asked which Step Up movie was the best to people (viewing the blog and those who watched Step Up 4 in Vincent Park a few weeks back.
Well it seems most people really enjoyed the two of them, Step 2- The Streets and the latest Step Up.

The exploration of all elements in Step Up 4 really got peoples imagination flowing_ I mean there's a rumor that East London will see a FlashMob real soon. Sadly Step Up 4 wasn't as great as Step Up 2.

Personally, I love Step Up 3D, but who cares about what I think_its just my Blog. So the results of the online pole is Step Up 4 is sitting on 1 vote (50%) and Step Up 2 is on 2 votes (100%)

On the servey side of things, and I must admitt I heard some strange answers_like in depth analysis which I didn't ask for, but all that aside..
17 people voted (properly).
2 said Step Up (the first installment of the franchise)
5 said Step Up 3D
8 poeple said Step Up 2- which won even on this side
then there was this one dude who gave me the in depth analysis of the movie..which I thought he didn't even know what the F*ck he was talking about.
And the other lady who said she prefered Foot Loose


image from https://www.google.co.za/search?hl=en&biw=792&bih=395&q=step+up+2&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&wrapid=tlif134752040206210&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=qYdRUOfXAYmLhQeopICoCw

Fresher Than My Clique..clique..clique..clique

Small boy, Big Sean is rolling with the big boys Jay Z and Kanye West on the track Clique. Big Sean is holding his own on this monster of a track that dropped four days ago.
The track has, typical of Good Music, a "hella" sick beat,with a Egyptian humming feel in the back ground giving the beat some_dare I say, dimention. The song is a banger!!

The last time I was excited from a Jay and Kanye track since 'Nigga's in Paris' a year ago. At first listen you'd sure that Jay Z kills it, and you'd be right, that is until you get to Kanye's verse. To be honest, I was still hung up on Jay's verse so I didn't pay Kanye's verse any mind. After listening the track for about three or four times, Jay's verse slowly waned until it was completely eclipsed by Kanye. Woah, he kills, I mean not saying any thing bad about Big Sean..but come on what were you expecting?. He did good on the hook though, that counts for something_ right.

If I had to rate this track, I'd give it a...nah. I will let you decide for yourself.


image from http://www.google.co.za/search?hl=en&q=kanye%20west%20jay%20z%20big%20sean-%20clique&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&biw=1024&bih=571&wrapid=tlif134743552512511&safe=on&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=ZDxQUKTmGeOL0AW2-oDADw

Last chance to vote on the pole.

Step Up Pole

I've been asking people who have watched Step Up 4 as well as all the previous movies, which movie they thought was the best.
Im now bringing to the viewer to vote for your favourite Step Up.

Take into account all aspects of the movies, dance moves_which are paramount, storyline, characters (but thats only if you want to), the soundtrack of the movie as well as the CD and the feature of a Hip Hop. Goodluck, may the force be with you.

Def Jam Monopolizing Hip Hop in Africa

"Official African representative for DefJam Records. We promo everything ranging form african cyphers, hippop music, African rap battles ,African Rnb music, Sprite emcee Africa, African Gospel. with direct links to the major record labels in Africa" defjamafrica.blogspot.com.
It sounds all good and proper doesn't it, power house American record label wants what's best for African hip hop.. really though?

The main objective for any and ALL businesses is to make money, if they're doing so_then to make more of it. Def Jam is no different, they did the research and found out what seemed to be obvious, (well to me), Hip Hop is the fastest growing culture in Africa and are invading Africa's promising hip hop industry.

Def Jam has a strong name in hip hop in the U.S, I mean Jay Z, Nas, Gunplay, 2 Chainz, Big Sean, Big Boi, to mention only the tip of a very deep iceberg, not mentioning it's comedic history. The name alone has more than enough power to totally eclipse all other African record labels.

If you think the arrival of Def Jam on African shores, (regardless that D'Banj was made President), then you're insanely naive. Thats like saying the British arrived on the shores of New Zealand to look around and then leave.
What will end up happening is that Africans will continue making wonderfully orignal music, and make mad money that the record label will get fat from. Not to seem intirely doom and gloomy, Def Jam will give the artists, managers, creative team (should it be in house hired) and 37-42% of their proceeds_ Its better that 100% of your own right? (*hinting sarcasm) 

If any thing, Def Jam should be seen as they white fat guy with a fat wallet. My opinion is if they're bored and to do something meaningful, tell the super dope beatmaker Dr Dre to stop spitting other people rhyms and focus on making beats.

And oh, (pause)_ Drake's gay

which makes YOU move..Electronic or Hip Hop?

In the world of Hip Hop, dance is almost secondary objective (primary objective being telling the story), but ever since the sudden (but inevitabe), immergence of Dance music_and by dance I mean Electronic House,  has  been eclipsing the power hip hop has to move people.
  I remember the first Hip Hop song that actually force me to get and dance. This song was the reason I joined a Hip Hop dance crew :Salty Peanuts (although the name kept changing). The track was Xzibit ft Nate Dogg - Multiply.

The beat was unlike anything I've heard before, it was mind blasting_in that I don't actually recall how good I was dancing, but I felt good wild'n out.
After awhile I started hearing electro sound..although I don't recall exatly which ones, and I felt that something was there that I really like_but not enough to leave hip hop though.

2011-2012 Electro music has popped up and it seems that the methodic rythmical beats of hip hop are being put to the challenge by the wild and all over the place beats of electronic House.
From David Guetta ft. Kelly Rowland to Flo Rida, Chris Brown and Lil wayne, the electronic society has found a way to make hip hop lovers transfer to the other side. I mean Flo Rida started on real street hip hop music, now his on some electronic hip hop.

And the question I bare for you this day is which is the music you'd dance to?

But I don't that that's a valid question, the thing is there will always be hip hop as there will always be electronic house, it's just that now,they seem to be intwined together..and honestly speaking, people will always dance to good music!

Got Killed On Your Own Track

Ok the Step Up craze is almost over, just one more thing to mention:
The Graffiti is Awesome!!

Back to the heart of hip hop _ music.
So we all know in hip hop, when rappers collaborate in a track, one of them gets killed by the other ,(not literally though, just by the lyrical content and the flow of the verse).

Here is my top 10 list of the collabo-tracks where one of the rappers got killed! (Be warned though, some of the names might come as a shock)

10. Martians vs Goblins - The Game feat. Tyler The Creator
 The Game got killed on his by Tyler, but to take nothing from Game he also admited it.

9. Gonorrhea - Lil Wayne feat. Drake
 Wizzy totally got killed by Drizzy on this one. Sometimes when listening to a full Lil Wayne track, I feel like bored after the first verse_he just loses me. Drake, with his flow killed Lil wayne on many occasions but not as memorable and subtle as he did on this one..(plus I think he did it on purpose)

8. The Motto (rmx) - Drake feat. Lil Wayne and Tyga
 On this one I have to make a pole, and this for me rarely happens_Lil Wayne killing Drake!
On third place Drake
On second.. Lil Wayne (I mean "..almost drowned in her pussy do I swam to her butt.." )
and on  pole position is Tyga. His verse (for me), was his personal best.

7. Echo - Bad Meets Evil
 I know they're a group or duo, but Eminem got killed by Royce on this track, and this track is the only track in existence that his verse is surpassed by someone else.

6. Renegade - Eminem feat. Jay Z
 Well it's quite obvous,isn't it? If not_ Jay got murdered by Eminem

5. As We Enter - Nas feat. Damien Marley
 The whole album Nas performed less than wonderful, as therefore I deam him killed by Damien Marley on this one.

4. Tswa daar - Khuli Chana feat. Notshi
 New kid Notshi proved to everyone that he can hold his own..well he did more than that actually_he killed superstar Khuli C.

3. Lekwalo to Motswako - Morafe
 I know its a group but they're not active as one at the momement. Tody Mac kills Khuli_period!

2. Beez in Trip - Nicki Minaj feat. 2 Chainz
 This was a major shock even to me, that Barbie could be roadkill on her own track by a rapper of 2 Chainz's calibar..(I mean really his not all that). But he kills her on this track

And at number one, a group collabo. Stundee - Cashtime Fam feat. Teargas
To everyone who listened to this track know..I mean they KNOW that the Cashtime boys brutally killed South African power group Teargas.






ON THE OTHER SIDE....
I'm listening to Take Off by Dj Elque feat. Sean Pages, iFani &Kid X.
iFani kills everyone on there by there way

Step Up Suprise!

Yes, this week was mostly Step Up and here's a bit more.

The movie is not as I imagined it, but don't get me wrong_ it's not the best Step Up. I mean we (Evangeline and I) didn't scream at any of the performances..mind you they were sick, but also I ..no, we felt something was missing, (Lord knows what that is)

I might be rambling or maybe the sweet fragrance of the woman besides me clouded my judgment, but that movie felt lame and acted_(I mean you could tell the lead was an actor).

That is not the surprise though, nope not by a long shot.
You might have seen the trailer, or not, but you know that Moose and some of the old gang would rock up. What you didn't know is that Step Up 4 went all out and brought some mad dope amo.
 They got dudes So You Think You Can Dance, ABDC crews such as Poreotics, Phunk Phenomenon, I Am Me and Street Kingdom.

But what needs more mention than that is Emilio of I Am Me, and the legend himself doing choreographed moves aswell as his infamous creation Tight Eyes of ABDC crew Street Kingdom.

I mean After reading that and knowing what these crews can do, you'd be crazy not to want to watch Step Up 4.
Im rating the movie 7/10 (for a Step Up franchise)


next week I ask people which Step Up was the best!

'Step Up 4' part 2

I know yesterday's blog post was less than appealing_apologies to everyone or anyone who read that. This is what I should've said after what I said:

Imagine the same old story line, battles of two incredible crews fighting for pole position,prize money or even a girl, but then give it a twist_ there are more than two incredible crews..alot more.
What are they fighting for?
This time, not for pole position or a girl for that matter.
This time it's about land.

The crews have banned together to protest..or rather creative protest against a tycoon who wishes to destroy a dock that employs a lot of people.

The crew aren't the least bit happy with this and take to te streets to protest. The music, insane dance moves and the rugged landscape of large crates of the docks creates the perfect environment to bust out sick moves with your crew.

Regardless of the storyline  the movie will be something to see. And yes, it's about how a boy falls for a girl with the aid of hip hop dancing
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view some videos on the previous post.