Music
SA hip hop has grown from genre on the sidelines into the mainstream
South African hip hop has grown from its early beginnings as a genre on the sidelines into the mainstream with millions of fans supporting local acts.
Acts such as AKA and Cassper Nyovest today stand on the shoulders of giants that paved the way, starting in the early 80s. We look at ten landmark moments in South African hip hop that have contributed to the rise of the local sound.
Senyaka - Ntate Senyaka
Arguably the first South African MC Senyaka releases his debut album in 1986. A groundbreaking album it included the furious ‘Jabulani MC’, a rap track that would later lay the foundations of kwaito.
Black Noise emerges
Originally a breakdance crew founded in 1982, which later would also include graffiti. Black Noise would become South Africa’s first complete hip hop outfit, emerging from the Cape Flats in 1989 as a crew and addressing social issues in their lyrics.
Prophets of da City - Boom Style/Our World
Counting DJ Ready D amongst its founding member, POC would release their first full LP ‘Boom Style’ in 1989, followed by the first local hip hop studio album ‘Our World’ in 1990. Due to lyrical content, POC would see their music banned by the SABC.
Brasse vannie Kaap - BVK
Following in the conscious footsteps of Black Noise and POC, Brasse vannie Kaap released their unique brand of Cape Flats inspired hip hop, rapping in local slang an Afrikaans. This shift opened the doors for others to rap in the vernacular and move away from the American sound.
YFM launches
Toward the end of 1997, Gauteng based regional station YFM launches, creating a platform for local musicians to share their music with. Among the shows that pushed this was the Rap Activity Jam, a weekly slot for local rappers.
Skwatta Kamp - Khut En Joyn
Scooping the 2003 SAMA for best Rap Album, the crew of 6 (formerly 12) were signed to Gallo Records thanks to this seminal release. This was a shift in local hip hop, bringing it out of the shadows of kwaito and into the mainstream.
Pitch Black Afro - Styling Gel
Released in 2004 and featuring his one of a kind Zulu flows, Pitch Black Afro’s Styling Gel would go on to sell 50,000 copies and go platinum, making him the best selling rapper at the time.
Tumi and the Volume - Live at the Baseline
Formed by Tumi Molokane, already an established emcee, along with former members of 340ml, they would become South Africa’s most well-known live hip hop act. With a strong local following, the group’s popularity would spread well beyond our borders.
Motswako
Although this Setswana based hip hop has its roots in the early 90s with Bongo Maffin pushing the style early, it was HHP, in the mid 2000s, who would create it into the movement we see today. Now artists such as Cassper Nyovest fly the flag for this distinct sub-genre.
South African Hip Hop Awards
2012 saw hip hop enter a new phase with the launch of the South African Hip Hop Awards. Signalling mainstream adoption of local hip hop, and the massive following it garners, it is clear the local industry has come into its own.