JJC

March 2004 - South African Urban Music

Hi people! One African country on everybody’s lips at the moment is of course South Africa with their 10-year anniversary of the end of Apartheid coming up (April 27). With this to celebrate, it’s also a good time to look at South Africa’s music scene. 

• Kwaito – South African Urban Beats
• Mzansi Music – Young Urban South Africa
• South African Hip-Hop acts
• Catch up
• JJC's Recommended CDs

Kwaito – South African Urban Beats

Looking at South Africa’s urban music scene is fascinating, too. Yes, there are still problems - 2004 has already seen the violent loss of life of three prominent artists: Rapper Mr Devious, Mafikizolo vocalist Tebogo and jazz guitarist Gito Baloi – but it is also a very exciting and optimistic scene. At the heart of it is Kwaito.

Kwaito is to young South Africans what Ragga  is to Jamaicans. Becoming popular with the end of Apartheid the music is mainly centred around slowed-down imported house music while influenced by the South African township pop from the 80s, with chanted lyrics in Zulu and the slang of the townships. You can just hear the euphoria, vibrant energy and joy of liberation of young post-Apartheid South Africa in this music. It is quite unusual music and may take some getting used to but soon becomes infectious. Hopefully the current interest in all things South African can give this music a push in Europe.

Kwaito – South African Urban Beats has been compiled by Kwaito specialist Sean Watson at EMI South Africa. The CD is only for the international market - not because it’s watered-down though. As Watson puts it: ‘It’s such a strong compilation that we couldn’t get the rights from third parties to licence it here in South Africa.’  Indeed, this CD includes all the big names such as Mandoza, Zola, Mdu, Arthur, Mapaputsi, Kabelo, Doc Shebeleza, Trompies, Boom Shaka, TKZee etc. Mandoza in particular is HUGE, and the featured track, ‘Nkalakatha’, is probably Kwaito’s biggest track ever - and one of the few that crossed over to a white South African audience, too.

Mzansi Music – Young Urban South Africa

Another strong compilation is Mzansi Music – Young Urban South Africa from the team behind the excellent  ‘Globalista’ and ‘Africa Raps’ compilations, i.e. compiler Jay Rutledge and label Trikont. An altogether more varied affair the CD doesn’t just look at Kwaito but all things ‘Mzansi’ (slang for South Africa) and in addition also includes includes hip-hop (Godessa, Skwatta Kamp and H20) and more. Johannesburg-based journalist Maria McCloy from the brilliant South African youth web site Rage wrote the informative sleevenotes and contributed to the concept.

Formed exactly 10 years ago, Skwatta Kamp is one of the most respected and successful South African hip-hop groups. Both streetwise and with a social conscience they built their career independently but recently signed to South African giant, the Gallo Record Company.  Featured on the ‘Mzansi Music’ compilation is their track ‘Umoja’ (feat. Relo) which is the first single of their latest album ‘Mkhukhu Funkshen’. Absolutely top class.

South African Hip-Hop acts

One of South Africa’s most promising new hip-hop acts is H20. H20 are two Soweto-born rappers, Siphiwe Norten and Menzi Dludla, who have recently released their debut album through South African independent Outrageous Records, a label affiliated to the Rage web site. The album title 'Amanzi 'Mtoti' means “Pure Water” in their native Zulu which is the language  they predominately use (plus some English). The jazzy ‘It’s Wonderful’ is their biggest  hit to date (featured on ‘Mzansi Music’). It shows the duo’s strength: catchy melodies, great rapping and meaningful lyrics. Siphiwe and Menzi rap about their experiences of life in the townships, such as ‘Enuff Is Enuff’, or wider African issues such as the reggae-flavoured track ‘African’ (which contains beats by Soul II Soul’s Jazzie B).

Catch up

Last year we, JJC & 419 Squad, played the WOMAD festival in Reading - and although we had an excellent time we also got soaked!  Well, this year we will remain dry: we are now confirmed for a second WOMAD in a row, and this time will be performing at Club Womad which is the space for global dance beats inside the Rivermead Centre (on Friday evening, 23 July). The DJ line-up includes Andy Kershaw and myself, with live performances by Daara J, JJC & 419 Squad and more to be announced.

Incidentally, we had a great show on April 20th for the Africa on your Street press launch at Strawberry Moons in London.

A quick reminder: For those that missed the 2004 Awards for World Music in Edinburgh in March you can still catch them on the Radio 3 site . Go to ‘Concert Recordings’, then click on ‘Daara J’ to see Daara J performing two tracks and me presenting them with the award for best African act. Also, you can still check out myself on the fifth edition of World On Your Street web radio link to  where I’m presenting an eclectic selection of African music by UK-based artists from hip-hop to Afrobeat and more.

Looking ahead,  as a producer I’m hoping to get the opportunity to work with a number of African artists passing through London this year. Just last week I worked with Nigeria's Felix Duke (also know as 'Mr Goody Goody') on a couple of tracks for his upcoming album - Felix is currently in the UK for promotion and has played a few shows including the Meantime Club in Greenwich. 

Enjoy the sunshine and the music, and please do tell me what you think  of the South African music scene or anything related to African music.

Until next time.

JJC

JJC's Recommended CDs

H20 - Amanzi’mtoti

Various Artists – Mzansi Music – Young Urban South Africa

Various Artists – Kwaito – South African Urban Beats

Check out my recommended CDs this month in the CD Reviews section or go to Music Search to look at our archive of recommended CDs.