Southern African Arts Exchange hosts the third annual Urban Voices International Arts Festival from July 17 to Aug 3 2003 in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. Urban Voices 2003 presents an exciting range of international and South African music and poetry. Southern African Arts Exchange is a non-profit organisation that brings together artists from Africa and the Diaspora to share experiences through the medium of arts and culture. The Festival consists of quality performances and educational workshops. The Festival kicks off with International Spoken Word Festival. Featuring Ursula Rucker, Black Ice and Jean Breeze.

We recently spoke to Pigeon John who’s album “Clueless” recently got released on Syntax Records. Now he is getting set to release “Pigeon John is Dating you Sister” which will be out August 26th 2003. Check the interview out as we try and find out exactly what he’s all about.

Saturday 19 July 2003 @ UWC in Cape Town starting at 7PM featuring Ready D, Cashless Society (Jozi), Verdine plus many more. Download the flyer here.

Mambisa Hip-Hip Movement is aimed at promoting the culture of hip-hop and encouraging the youth in and round the province of Gauteng to use their God-given talents and seeing that they benefit from those talents. The movement is open for anyone with interest in music, fashion designing, art or anything that has to do with the mentioned aspects of urban lifestyle.

In this interview I’m gonna enter the unentered ground getting down with this cat Lord Cyrus asking him about hip hop in Baltimore, yes I said Baltimore, finding out who knighted him Lord Cyrus and catching a glimpse into his sound . Check this one out.

It’s a programme that will enhance the participation of up, coming and independent artists. Helping them to access sustainable business opportunities, promotions and contact with record companies. Touring around Gauteng starting on the 29th of June and collaborating with various artists will achieve this as of June 29. Click Here for more info.

Nyambz and Sceptre speak to us in this interview. You can also download a beat in mp3 format made by Nyambz.

I recently talked to Melanin from Fropick so check out the interview with this 40 member Pretoria based hip hop group. The interview features an mp3 snippet for you to download. Peep it!

Thanks for taking the time to talk to us, how are things doing? 

ALOE: Things are going well right now. I am making a lot of good music and all my performances are getting good audience responses. I am excited about what’s happening with Aloe Blacc right now.

Can you tell us a bit about who Aloe Blacc is and a bit about Emanon? 

The world is a canvas and I’m expressing my thoughts on your walls! I recently had the opportunity to peep out Graffiti Verite Volume 4, a 67 minute documentary on the art commonly referred to as graffiti. A well laid out movie starting with two time winner of the international graffiti art competition Sano writing some of his ideas in his book and explaining to us how you start with the concept of your piece and doing a ruff outline of it.

I recently spoke to Mr Alex Gregori to find some really useful info on the music industry. If you are an artist, producer or an entrepeneur you should really read this interview. Ever wanted to know where to get a bar code for your cd? Want to know how to copyright your music? Want to know why cd prices are so expensive? Peep it

In a first for a major South African record company, Gallo is proud to announce the signing of the hip-hop group Skwatta Kamp. The signing of this SAMA winning group is a major move on the side of Gallo to enter the urban arena two fisted. Even though hip-hop has received a lot of media attention over the last few years it has never really converted into sales.

When I first heard his album I was like damn! You will dig his production no doubt. Check the interview!

My man Kamma from G-Town got to speak to Natolion. Check the interview and also look out for his track appearing on the AG Compilation.