X Plastaz - Maasai Hip Hop

(out | here rec/ OH 002)

X Plastaz consist of three male rappers (Ruff-Nell, Gsan and Ziggy-Lah), a 13 year old girl (Dineh), a 9 year old boy (Steve) and a Maasai warrior (Yamat), all from northern Tanzania. After having tracks featured on European-released compilations (including 'Global Hip Hop' and 'Rough Guide to African Rap'), they now release their first international album, entitled 'Maasai Hip Hop' which has been recorded in Tanzania and the Netherlands.

X Plastaz make conscious bongo flava, as opposed to the partying sub-genre of 'rap katuni' (meaning 'cartoon rap'), with lyrics dealing with issues such as drugs, unemployment, poverty and child abuse.

The group are proud of Tanzanian traditional culture and want to encourage Tanzanian youth to embrace it more. X Plastaz mix traditional Maasai a cappella chants with rap in Swahili and Haya. 'Maasai Hip Hop' is a strong album throughout with the stand-out tracks being 'Aha!' and 'Msimu kwa msimu'.

For more information log on to their website .

Reviewer : JJC

Aha (clip)