Thursday 30 March 2017
Tuesday 28 March 2017
Monday 27 March 2017
BLAHZAY BLAHZAY “BLAH BLAH BLAH” OFFICIAL VINYL REISSUE ON TUFF KONG RECORDS
In August 1996, a Brooklyn duo consisting of MC Outloud and DJ P.F. Cuttin, better known to the world as Blahzay Blahzay, released “Blah Blah Blah”, their one and only album, on Fader Records. The album’s 13 tracks proudly waved the flag of the East, featuring hit single “Danger”, as well as other bangers such as “Pain I Feel”, “Good Cop/Bad Cop” and “Danger - Part 2” (featuring Smoothe Da Hustler, Trigger Tha Gambler and Wu-Tang affiliate La the Darkman). The combination of PF Cuttin’s polished beats and Outloud’s aggressive lyrical style made this album a classic for all underground hip-hop heads.
Twenty-one years after its original release, Blahzay Blahzay have teamed up with Italian independent record label Tuff Kong Records to bring back their legendary “Blah Blah Blah” LP. This spring, Tuff Kong Records will be releasing the album on 2LP featuring the original artwork, as a limited edition run of 1000 copies [650 black vinyl / 230 blue vinyl / 120 white vinyl].
Pre-order campaign started on Friday March 10th and is available at this link: https://tuffkongrecords.
TRACKLIST
1. Intro
2. Blah, Blah, Blah
3. Medina's In Da House
4. Danger - Part 2 (feat. La The Darkman, Smoothe Da Hustler, Trigger Tha Gambler)
5. Don’t Let This Rap Shit Fool You
6. Pain I Feel
7. Posse Jumpa (feat. La The Darkman, Mental Magician)
8. Maniac Cop
9. Good Cop / Bad Cop
10. Sendin’ Dem Back
11. Long Winded (feat. Mental Magician, Verbal Fist, Verbal Hoods)
12. Jackpot
13. Danger
Thursday 23 March 2017
POUNDS SPEAKS ABOUT GROWING UP IN ROCHESTER, HEAVY LIES THE CROWN AND UP AND COMING ALBUM T.U.N.A
Baamogetswe: Peace God what’s Good??
Pounds: What's good G
Baamogetswe: Yo for the purpose of my followers and
your fans can you tell us a little about where you’re from and your upbringing?
Pounds: I'm from Rochester, NY which is upstate NY about 5 hours from
NYC. Because you know, automatically when you tell someone you from NY, they
assume one of the 5 boroughs. But yeah I grew up in the system; group homes, in
and out of jail, parents weren't really around etc.
Baamogetswe: How was it like growing up in that
environment and did it play a major role in your love for the culture?
Pounds: Honestly, growing up that way isn't any place for a child; I
guess the way things played out for me it was meant to be that way so I
wouldn't change anything as of now. It definitely played a huge role since
music was kind of a place I went during rough times and being that I had a lot
of anger, the music soothed my pain in a way.
Baamogetswe: What is it that you heard or saw that
made you decide you want to pursue Hip-Hop as a career? What is it that made
you decide, yo fuck it "i want to be a rapper"
Pounds: I actually didn't start rapping till about 21. I was always
around the rappers and one day just thought I could do that shit.
Baamogetswe: Before we go any further fam, mad
shouts for that joint you did with Conway, the visuals are sick, bars on point it’s
just generally a dope collaboration, who put that together?
Pounds: Well you know Conway and Westside Gunn had been doing their
thing for a minute, and we are in that same lane with the music plus Buffalo is
only like 45 minutes from Rochester, So it was only right we put some classic
material together.
Baamogetswe: For some reason I’ve always pictured
your rocking on Daringer Beats, your voice matches his grimey kicks and snares,
have you guys ever thought of doing a project together?
Pounds: Like I said we're in that same lane musically and when I was
putting Heavy Lies the Crown together it just made the most sense to have them
be a part of it. I got both Conway and Westside Gunn on that one, And yeah Daringer
and I got a couple joints ready for these upcoming releases.
Baamogetswe: You got an album out currently titled “Heavy Lies the Crown”
correct? Can you tell us a little about the project, Who you got on production,
any special features we need to look out for, for all the cats who havnt bumped the project yet??
Pounds: I dropped that back in October and have been working and
dropping visuals from it. My producers Spittzwell and Fith took the majority of
the project as usual then I got myself on a few, Von Dutch Da Nightmare, Max
Marciano, Flick James. Feature wise like I said I got Conway, Westside Gunn, Jarren
Benton, Chris Rivers, Aleon Craft, I. Am. Tru. Starr.
Baamogetswe: Are you currently signed to any record label or have you been pushing the product on an independent platform and if so, what’s that like cause I’ve
realized that an Independent artists grind is slightly harder than cats with
deals
Pounds: No, no label. Straight indie. And yeah it is going to be a lot
tougher without that label support behind you. But I feel it helps to be indie
when it comes to building relationships and rapports with the right people. May
take a little longer but it's definitely more organic that way.
Baamogetswe: When you started this, did you at any
point think that your music would touch cats as far as South Africa?
Pounds: Not in a million years G. Not where I'm coming from. It's an
incredible feeling.
Baamogetswe Im sure your fully booked and got
shows all over the globe but for those cats in and around your area where can
they catch Pounds rocking on stage?
Pounds: Besides A3C you'll probably catch me with the homie Jarren
Benton on some upcoming shows this spring/summer.
Baamogetswe Any plans on touring any African
Countries? Can we expect to see you live on stage in the future?
Pounds: Hopefully, if passport permits Haha
Baamogetswe Beside the TUNA Project what else are
you working on in 2017, is there anything specific we need to look out for and
for those who have missed out on your previous projects where can they find your
material?
Pounds: Don’t want to get into the upcoming projects besides TUNA, which
will be dropping very soon. But I got a lot of work coming my G. You can check
my previous work at www.POUNDS.bandcamp.com
Baamogetswe: Would you like to give any shout outs?
Are there any cats you would like to big up from all over the Globe?
Pounds: Just thank you to anyone that rocks with my shit. I appreciate
the fuck outta that!
Baamogetswe: in one word, how would you describe
your sound??
Pounds: I can't even do that haha. Grimey, gritty, painful...
Monday 20 March 2017
Sunday 19 March 2017
Saturday 18 March 2017
Friday 17 March 2017
Thursday 16 March 2017
Wednesday 15 March 2017
Tuesday 14 March 2017
Thursday 9 March 2017
Monday 6 March 2017
Friday 3 March 2017
SOUTH AFRICA'S RAPTIVIST L7 SPEAKS ABOUT NEW EP "THE MAGNIFICENT SIRVEN", THE HEMPIRE MEDIA MOVEMENT AS WELL AS A GLIMPSE OF WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR IN 2017
Baamogetswe:
Peace Famo, How you living? I've been on your material for as long as i can remember but
for the purpose of the viewers can you tell us a bit about
yourself, where you’re from and where you
grew up..
El Sirven: Awe aware Spook, fede I'm all good thanks cousin!
My birth name is "Andrew Poifo Mogotsi", was born in Mafikeng (known as Bophutatswana back then) during the mid 80's to two wonderful parents a guy could ever ask for you know ( love you guys ) :) ! Moved to Mohlakeng, a township situated west of Joburg at age twelve due to the political unrest caused by the transition of the country from the apartheid regime to the "Rainbow nation".
Baamogetswe: I ask most of the artists i interview this question to try find the root of their love for the culture but anyway, what is it that you saw or heard that made you decide that you wanna be a rapper??
El Sirven: Word, I remember back in primary seeing a cypher happen for the 1st time ever and I just fell in love with the art of Rapping cause of what I heard and saw that day.
Baamogetswe: You’re Part of the Mohlakeng Hip-Hop movement, Can you tell us a bit about
that?
El Sirven: I am from Mohlakeng, started rapping there you know, so it will forever be in my heart, but with all the afrophobia going on I choose to represent Africa as an emcee cause aint no borders for me here know what I mean?
Baamogetswe: No doubt! Yo props on that "Amandla" joint you did with Shinin Amour from Social Commentary Forum (SCF), always pictured the two of you collaborating cause of the substance of your material, who put that together??
El Sirven: Give thanks fam.
That track happened in the most chilled fashion yo, we had just done rehearsing for a show flipping through beats at Shynin Armour's spot discussing the possibility of a follow up single to Anonymous RAPtivists, which was the 1st joint we laced together, I flipped as soon as he got to the "Dynamic" produced instrumental that we had a young brainstorming session, pulled out pens and pads, and like they say, the rest is history.
El Sirven: Awe aware Spook, fede I'm all good thanks cousin!
My birth name is "Andrew Poifo Mogotsi", was born in Mafikeng (known as Bophutatswana back then) during the mid 80's to two wonderful parents a guy could ever ask for you know ( love you guys ) :) ! Moved to Mohlakeng, a township situated west of Joburg at age twelve due to the political unrest caused by the transition of the country from the apartheid regime to the "Rainbow nation".
Baamogetswe: I ask most of the artists i interview this question to try find the root of their love for the culture but anyway, what is it that you saw or heard that made you decide that you wanna be a rapper??
El Sirven: Word, I remember back in primary seeing a cypher happen for the 1st time ever and I just fell in love with the art of Rapping cause of what I heard and saw that day.
Baamogetswe: You’re Part of the Mohlakeng Hip-Hop movement, Can you tell us a bit about
that?
El Sirven: I am from Mohlakeng, started rapping there you know, so it will forever be in my heart, but with all the afrophobia going on I choose to represent Africa as an emcee cause aint no borders for me here know what I mean?
Baamogetswe: No doubt! Yo props on that "Amandla" joint you did with Shinin Amour from Social Commentary Forum (SCF), always pictured the two of you collaborating cause of the substance of your material, who put that together??
El Sirven: Give thanks fam.
That track happened in the most chilled fashion yo, we had just done rehearsing for a show flipping through beats at Shynin Armour's spot discussing the possibility of a follow up single to Anonymous RAPtivists, which was the 1st joint we laced together, I flipped as soon as he got to the "Dynamic" produced instrumental that we had a young brainstorming session, pulled out pens and pads, and like they say, the rest is history.
Baamogetswe: You’re Known as South Africas Hip-Hop Raptivist, can you tell us a little about what inspired that title?
Baamogetswe: If I am not mistaken you are one of the Co-founders of "Hempire Media" correct?, could you please tell us a bit about that.
El Sirven: Ye well see I founded the Hempire Media but I currently co run it with 2 partners namely "Sipho Ndaba" and "Sandile Lelaka".
The company is a media house dealing in most media formats like branding, graphic design, photography, videography, video editing and web design.
For anybody looking for business or for a show of interest, visit our website www.thehempiremedia.co.za or drop us an email to info@thehempiremedia.co.za and one of our agents will hit you back ready to assist you.
Baamogetswe: You're Currently working on an EP Titled "the Magnificent
Sirven" can you shed light on the project, tell us about the features and the producers who helped put this together as well as the release date
El Sirven: The #TM7 project features acts I had a dope time working with on collaborations with the likes of "The Hip-Hop Bandit - Power Of Thought" appearing on 2 tracks "The Streets" and "All Rise" both produced by "Sta-B" of super producer outfit - "Sky Klinic". "Shynin Armour" of "S.C.F" jumps on "Amandla" (Produced by Dynamic) and "Afrika" (produced by "The Academics" alongside "fumes" while "Meth Udra" of "A.O.C" also appears on "All Rise" with "Daylon Tamboer" on the sax.
The project was recorded and engineered by both "Sta-B" and "Joint pusher", except for "These songs" prod by "Triple C" recorded and engineered by "Nasty" of "N2N".
The tape will go for a Hundred Bucks a copy and R70 for a digital version. Orders yours now here:
info@thehempiremedia.co.za.
Unfortunately No release date has been set for the project yet, but if all goes accordingly, it should drop around the end of March as I'm still in talks with a certain specific DJ to host it, so keep your eyes peeled and your ears to the streets for updates like release dates, gigs, merchandise giveaways, discounted tickets and more.
Baamogetswe: Besides the Release of your long anticipated EP, is there anything else that your currently working on that we should look out for?
El Sirven: My team "Brotherhood Of The MIC" should release a single before or during winter from our debut album titled "Le Resistance", we also planning a tape from member and half of BOTM - "ObsqO", so lookout for that coming soon.
Il be working on another E.P titled "20L7" scheduled to drop around the last quarter of the year.
We @TheHempireMedia have Got other artists like "Paradox-sik" and "Omen Taseti" that dropped their debut singles last year coming up with some dope material this season. If you're into beats, we have producers dropping too with the likes of "Slam Tactics" "Cosmic Sky" and "Sta-b" working on beat tapes coming through late 2017 or early 2018.
Baamogetswe: How is your 2017 looking? Where can we catch you rocking on stage? Can you give a quick rundown of where to find you rocking over the next month or so..
El Sirven: We got plans of venturing out into the continent to spread and expand the movement and are currently working and planning a BOTM tour for the summer.
Otherwise catch me perform at "The Randfontein Show" March 4th, tickets are R80, then we out in Soweto - Protea Glen 11th March ( free entry ), and if all goes as planned, On the same day, Heads can tune in and catch me “innerviewed” live and direct on "the RAP Activity Jam" with Oskido and Rashid Kay on Metro FM's #OskidoIBelieve show, 25th March could see us out in CapCity RAP City (Tswhane) but more details will be made public through our various social networks and our website with more info and some more updates.
Baamogetswe: To close it off, what would you say inspired your sound? Cause
i know rappers are often sparked by something that helps customize their sound?
El Sirven: My sounds is definitely influenced by Black consciousness teachings from the likes of Marcus Garvey to Steven Bantu Biko, M.Ali, Malcolm X and the likes.
Baamogetswe : Would like to give any shout outs? Any cats you like to big up, locally and internationally?
El Sirven: Ye man s/o to my folks, my brothers Nnaski, Kat La Queck, Kay Vie, Kaos and sisters, actually to everyone that's been supporting my journey till this point and furthermore, s/o Nhla, Quest, Lowkey Linda, Cotten, Brent and Faye*, Qwanza and Tshego, BlaQRose, PBS, Brother Tshepo the Tipsy prophet, Omen, Dox, Ms Jack, Zazean, Yung Kid, Ips, and to my biggest fan and the love of my life: Mali Bananas.
To anyone that I might have forgotten or left out, much love n appreciation, I see you, bigup!!!
"Admire The Fire We
Inspire, The Hempire!!!"
Baamogetswe: In one word how would you describe your craft:
El Sirven: RAPtivist!!!
Baamogetswe: In one word how would you describe your craft:
El Sirven: RAPtivist!!!
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