A few years back they rocked the Cape Flats with “Kiss My Black Ass”. Now they are back with a new album. Check out the interview!

Point Blank was formed in early ’92. We were originally 3 members. Mad C, Lil Joe and Krishna. Krishna went overseas and Lil Joe and myself continued as Point Blank.

You were/are signed to Blue Isle, yet you have not officially released anything through them, can you tell us a bit about the deal?

We are still signed but this just turned out to be another bullshit deal. It’s not really a label that can take what we do serious. We signed in March of 2001 and since then we only managed to record a handful of tracks. It is one of those deals we signed out of frustration due to the fact that we’ve been around for such a long time and a Point Blank album was long overdue. The label itself also lacks funds to record and promote the artist. Let’s just say it’s one of those deals whereby you record a hit album and you still gonna be broke!!!

A lot of people still have the perception that you were/are affiliated to Cool Funk, this is probably due to the fact that you got your classic track “Kiss My Black Azz” played to death on Radio Good Hope. Is this true, and if not how do you think that came about?

I think because we didn’t move around in hip hop circles, people had no idea who we really were. We always (and still do) try to keep a low profile. At the time when the single Point Blank dropped, the only other group that was also getting heavy rotation was Nasty Weather. So people assumed we ran in the same clique. Not true, we have no affiliation to nobody out there.

When can we expect a full length album?

At the moment we are busy recording tracks for a full length album, after which we will try to hook up proper distribution. We looking at 2003, but can’t say for sure until we’ve sorted out our problems with Blue Isle. We’ve recorded so much over the past eight years or so that our first album should be a four cd box set!!! ha ha ha seriously though, we definately dropping a full length in the near future. If all goes well, there should be a single out late December/early January.

What is your perception of Hip Hop in South Africa?

We all know Cape Town is the hip hop capital of South Africa, no doubt!!! The problem is artists are scared to grow with the times and the music. There’s nothing inspiring happening out there. You’ve got people phoning radio stations and rappin’ over the phone to their homeboys. What’s the point? Knee grow pleeze!!! There’s lots of talented mc’s in cape town but it sounds like these kids need a stamp of approval from god knows who before they can do anything proper. Homeboys up north are really starting to shine and that says alot for hip hoppers coming out of Gauteng.

How do you approach producing a song? Is there a certain element that you look for?

No, not really. We don’t limit ourselves to one particular sound. We are very experimental when it comes to producing. We don’t spend long periods of time on one particular track (except when we mixing). Once we got the drum track down, the rest just comes easy. If a track is not working, we toss it.

Are there any tips you’d like to share with up and coming producers?

Yeah. Be as creative as u can. Don’t just sample anything cos it sounds good. Listen to all types of music as this will reflect on your diversity as a producer. It’s about having a good ear for music, not just hip hop. Running one type of sound over a five minute song can be very boring.

Are your beats open for the market? (i.e. can people approach you for beats and if so what do you charge?)

Not right now, no. We hope to in the future start looking into producing for other acts. We would firstly want to find talented and professional minded people. If there are heads out there wanting to hook up they can e-mail us at leavinscarz@hotmail.com

Are there any artists here in South Africa you’d like to work with?

Yeah, but real musicians like Jimmy Dludlu, Ernie Smith, KB, etc.

When do we start seeing your group performing live? Have you thought of being more visible in the hip hop community through shows?

With everything going on right now with regards to our record deal, it’s just impossible to do anything live at this point in time. We did a few live shows last year with Blue Isle but because of our relationship with the label as it stands, we have to record new material for live performances. We are hopefully also going to be shooting a video for our first single in the coming weeks so we will be very busy.

Are there any South African rappers that you feel? Any that you don’t?

Any emcees out there realising that hip hop exists beyond Cape Town. Those we don’t feel are the ones who insist on making music solely and purely for their homeboys.

From one of your songs I can hear that you are pretty much aware of the new world order, what kind of books are you into and is it your intention to educate the people out there about that? What other messages are you trying to bring out there?

The books we are very clued up on are the Bible, Qu’ran and Tora. The intention is not only to educate but to inform people as well. We don’t look at ourselves as role models. As individuals we’ve got views and opinions that we need to let out. We also very into current affairs cos the time is now. History helps us shape our future. Our music focuses not only on serious issues but our lifestyles as well. Wait for the album!!!!!!

What are your earliest memories of Hip Hop?

If hip hop is a culture which in turn should be a way of life, then I suppose you should ask my great, great, great grandpappy that question. ha ha ha!!!!! Our earliest memories go as far back as 1989, details are vague as we consume huge amounts of alcohol.

What can we expect from your group in the future?

Well, many thought we came and went. Many thought this was just a phase for us. We are in our tenth year as artists, we’ll be in it for another ten. However, we are determined to leave scarz on this industry and put South African hip hop on the map globally. To many this may sound a bit far-fetched, but this is what dreams are made of. People achieve them everyday, so why can’t we?

Thanks for talking to us, any last words or shout outs?

Well, this is Point Blank in a nutshell. This is only part of the story. From here on out, all we can say is keep your ear to the streets, the revolution is upon us. Big ups to africasgateway.com, Shane, Oopy-g and everyone else who will be involved in making this shit a reality. Peace out

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