The Fingo Revolution
How an an annual, independently-run series of events founded in 2011 in the Eastern Cape have propelled the genre in that South African province.
64 Article(s) by:
Ts'eliso Monaheng
Ts'eliso Monaheng is a writer and photographer based in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Rap Songs About Weed
We went on a hunt for some South African rap songs about marijuana and emerged with a list ranging from Youngsta, Mothipa’s Mpharanyana and Hymphatic Thabs.
South African Hip Hop Series: Interview With Khuli Chana
On the morning of 28th October 2013 – a Monday – South Africa woke up to
South African Hip Hop Series: Ill Skillz In Five Videos
Cape Town’s self-proclaimed two dope boyz Uno and Jimmy Flexx are Ill Skillz. At the end
This Studio Of A Life
The life and times of the great South African hip hop producer, Nyambz,
Pretoria’s Forgotten Hip-Hop Scene
In 2010, documentary filmmaker Sara Chitambo packed up five years’ worth of life in Cape Town
This Studio Of A Life–Portraits Of Rappers And Producers
I can’t recall when I first fell in love with hip-hop, but I do know that
The problem with mainstream hip hop
What does AKA adds to the conversation about rap music in South Africa?
Searching for Brenda Fassie
Tseliso Monaheng and Kagiso Mnisi speak to the editor of an edited book about South African pop star, Brenda Fassie: “I’m Not Your Weekend Special.”
You hardly hear about his country in Tumi’s music
Though hip-hop aficionados rate them as one of the best hip-hop outfits this country has ever produced, Tumi and the Volume are largely invsible in local media.
Elegy for Robo The Technician
Lesego Rampolokeng’s tribute to an old school pioneer and one of the key builders of the South African hip hop scene.
Discovering Prophets Of Da City
An interview with hip hop scholar, Adam Haupt, about hip hop pioneers P.O.C., the viral rappers Die Antwoord and the state of contemporary South African hip-hop.
The Rules of South African Hip Hop in 2014
South African hip-hop has become too safe. Cutting edge rappers are being sidelined in favour of tried-and-tested
The State Of African Hip Hop
Hip-hop in Africa is diverse—no single sound defines it. Electro-chaabi, mbalax-influenced rap, and house-sampling styles all reflect the continent’s broad musical scope.
South African Hip Hop–An Outsider’s Perspective
One evening while channel surfing at home, I stumbled upon what sounded like a rap cypher*
The World Of Ridiculous Internet Videos: Who is Kwality?
I wasn’t sure of how to react when I opened the Youtube link to Kwality’s “Official Lion King.”
Kickin’ It With Christian Tiger School
I arrive in Braamfontein twenty minutes early, at 6pm, for a meeting with Sebastiano Zenasi (or
The perfect wall to paint
The illustrators Fuzzy Slipperz and Skubalisto and the photographer Mooki Mooks on being an artist in present-day South Africa.
Why Is No One Else Talking About These Musicians?
I got the chance to be part of the Redbull Basscamp in Johannesburg during October 2013.
Rap Battle of the Week on Reddit: Johannesburg’s Tumi vs Atlanta’s Ness Lee
Two weeks ago, Club Zen in downtown Johannesburg got packed to its rafters with hip-hop afficionados