We recently hooked up with Marchant, who if you can remember was a member of the Western Cape old skool hip hop group Jam B (together with FAT MC) and Dirty Thoughts (together with another old skool producer Caramel). We spoke to him about his extremely successful career as a Salsa dancer and find out that he still loves hip hop and gatsby’s. Peep it!

How are you doing? What’s the weather like in Europe? How long have you been there?

It’s summer here now so the weather is not too bad. I’ve been here just over three years now.

Congratulations on your success as a Salsa dancer. I understand that you are one of the best in the world. What can you tell us about your role in the Salsa scene and did it all start in the Cape?

Well Salsa is a bit like jazz that we dance in clubs like Galaxy and West End but alot more intricate. It is the roots of Jazz dancing and dancers in Cape Town is far behind the rest of the world. It has it’s roots in Africa, the dance and the music. The drums are most def African. I teach and do shows everywhere over here. Places like Spain, Holland, France, Denmark, Sweden etc and all around England.

Salsa and hip hop are also fusing, I heard you guys had Orishas over the a while ago, they are a salsa/hip hop band. Just like hip hop, this dance takes you back to African roots.

Are you still living hip hop? Do you still rhyme/make beats?

I still listen to hip hop, I don’t rhyme but in my opinion I still live hip hop, I understand this dance better because of hiphop.

What got you involved with hip hop? What was it that influenced you?

When I first heard hip hop music, I could identify with it. The sound was just different from other forms of music and the lyrics were just upfront and honest. Thats what attracted me to hip hop. The lyrics influenced me the most.

How did Jam B start? How did you meet Fat MC?

I begged my mom to buy me a drum machine, finally when I turned sixteen she bought me one (a DR rhythm). I remembered Fat from high school but a mutual friend hooked us up because I wanted to start a group and he knew Fat was up for it. He brought Fat around to my house and we started Jamming. That is how Jam B started.

I used to hear stories that you made beats, I remember as a young mc I was given your number to phone if I need beats. Do you still make beats?

I sold all my equipment when I came to England, I still miss my Roland S50 sampler. I like the rough sound that came out that one. But no, I don’t have time to make beats, just focusing on dancing ( the other side of music). My body is my instrument now and I make music with that.

What other equipment/software was you using back in the day to make beats with?

I had a four track recorder in my bedroom.

Who was the first South African hip hop producer?

I have no idea. It could be some kid nobody heard about but others who came afterwards might have become more known.

How did you meet Caramel?

I met Caramel at the Base, he is a bloody good producer, really funky.

How did you get that whole Dirty Thoughts album together coz that was some tight stuff – I mean you guys had a skit or something where there’s a triple ex movie playing in the background, who’s movie was that by the way? And that whole style – was there an influence in that? What made you decide to do this album?

Ha ha, Ok, it came from this porn movie called Marilyn, it was about a Marilyn Monroe look alike and she could do the splits standing up while a guy do his bissness from the side. Caramel wanted to work with me and I wanted to work with him as well. He is a talented guy. What happened to him? (interview coming soon – ED) The influence? It was just three dirty bastards cumming together to make an album.

The scene in South Africa has changed so much – have you been keeping tab on the whole scene?

No I haven’t been keeping up, I just heard some Devious stuff and I would say he kicks ass. He is very talented. If that is the standard to go by, then the creative part of SA hip hop is up there with the rest of the world. His lyrics are inspiring.

What was the worst part about being involved with the Western Cape hip hop community?

The fact that hip hop wasn’t supported by the community as it could have been.

And the best thing that you experienced back in the days?

There was no better feeling than a Public Enemy track booming in the Base and all the b-boys jumping up and down in a packed club.

I’m a say some names and you can tell me what comes to mind:

a) Rozzano X

Lost

b) Brian Ebden

Dodgy

c) Arthur Van Wyk

good intentions

d) FAT MC

funny

e) Deon aka Ready D

Master

f) Ramone

international (that’s a private joke between Ramone and myself)

g) Andre aka Big Dre

Nice guy

h) Shaheen aka DSA

I cannot just say one word about Shaheen, best friend, inspiration, spiritual, he has been my rock through tuff times, I feel like I grew up with him and I’m fortunate to have such a figure in my life. He probably wouldn’t like me saying all this but probably the person that influenced me the most in hip hop and life. His approach to hip hop I use in my approach to dance. There are not enough words to describe this brother. We hooked up in Holland and in England.

i) Emile YX

Good man.

j) Caramel

funky

k) The Base

Roots

Do you think you will ever come back to South Africa?

I’m coming to SA in January, I’m getting married there.

Did you experience any turbulence whilst traveling from South Africa to Europe? I hear that if you fly over the Mediterranean that it get’s mad bumpy on them 747’s.

Ha ha, I’m mostly alseep when I fly from SA to Europe because most of the flights are overnight.

Do you miss eating a gatsby?

Yes, I tell all my friends in England about Gatsby’s, Nik Naks on bread, Kiangs etc. When I came to SA with my girlfriend, I had to put her through the gatsby test cause she was clueless about what a gatsby is. She ate it with me and enjoyed it, now I know she will go through tough times with me.

What was your favourite type of Gatsby? PS mine is pennypelony’s and steak gatsby.

I like a chicken one with salad, it use to be a vegetarian one but I’m not vegetarian anymore.

What was it like for you growing up? Did you grow up in da Bontas?

Yes, Bontas, it was crazy growing up there (If I look back at it now). When I tell people over here about my upbringing, they say something like “Oh my GOD!”

What do you miss about South Africa?

My family, friends weather, the vibe of Cape Town, it has a buzz. The food.

What do you NOT miss about South Africa?

The crime, racism. (Don’t get me wrong, there are racist people everywhere but here I’ve never experienced it yet, at least not to my knowledge).

What do you think about Tony Blair?

Idiot

Who, in your opinion was the illest rapper in South Africa and why?

Shaheen by far, he was ahead of all of us. He used multi-syllable rhyme patterns when I didn’t even know what it was, his similes and personifications were even better than most of the Americans at that time. If you study the lyrics he wrote back in the day it was awesome. But people mostly listened for a good voice. Shaheen’s lyrics was the best in SA.

What would you do if you went to your local Walmart (do they have Walmarts there?) and you saw Gogga buying a box of Snap Crackle and Pop?

I would jump on his back, cancel the rest of my day and just hang out and catch up on each other’s lives.

Most embarrassing moment?

Too many to mention, ask Shaheen I might remember a few of mine.

Best memory of SA hip hop?

Listening to the Age of Truth Album for the first time. It was so relevant for what was happening in the country at that time. I think that is a classic album.

Thanks so much for giving us the opportunity to speak to you. Do you have any last words or shout outs?

I would like to give a shout out to my boy Shark-asm, My brother Bradley, Abu, Nazli, Riefies, Shamiel Aka BOB, Blommie, Bush Radio, POC, Black Noise and all those people at the base.

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