Ask anyone to describe one of today’s Hip Hop artists, and they’ll portray them with lots of hard talk, street swagger and raw energy. While newcomer Jace embodies these characteristics, he also possesses a few you don’t expect from one so young; a genuine interest in his community, a philanthropist spirit and a yearning to keep in touch with his roots on the streets of Newark, NJ.

Check out the latest interviews with 37MPH (Mpho Pholo) and Durban’s Illuminating Shadows. 
Interview with 37MPH 
Interview with Illuminating Shadows

Out Here Records was started in 2004 and represents the growing tide of young urban music from all over the world. A mix of Hip Hop, Reggae or Salsa fused with local elements is popping up all over the planet. The days of regional thinking are over, where Africans play the drums and dance all day, Indians burn incense and Bavarians drink beer. Exotism is for tourists. It’s time to listen to the fully globalised youth telling its story. So wake up & welcome to what’s out here.

“Wees gewaarsku. As jy ‘n hip hop head is met ‘n voorkeur vir “life-affirming” rap, met die obligatory anti-dwelm en anti-gangsterism boodskappe van byvoorbeeld BVK se musiek, gaan Kallitz se songs jou in die nagte laat rondrol.” Check the write up here:
Brandpunt Write Up

Heal the Hood Sweden are in town doing discussions and helping us get the project promoted locally and selecting youth to be part of an exchange later in the year between South Africa and Sweden. Capoeira, emcee battles, b-girl and b-boy battles, Swedish b-girls and workshops, Old Skool throwdown and much more. Read for detailed information.

During the month of January 2004 Rush went over to the Bay Area (USA) to attend the Symposium on the Arts & Social Justice Movements in Contemporary Japan & Beyond. He told me it was a life changing moment for him and that he cannot wait to go there again. This week he writes this article to share the experience with us.

What has come over this beautiful land? It is the unleashing of The Exception, Namibia’s first major Afrikaans rapper. Booming from the trunk of his Toyota Conquest is the banging bass of his first single, Lokasiepratery. A considerably large hip-hop artist base inhabits Namibia, but few dare to be different. The Exception as his Nome de plume implies has transformed the way people talk in the hood into slamming ghetto anthems. Look out for a full length RV IN© LP droppin’ on the 1st April 2004. For inquiries e-mail: rvinc@webmail.co.za

RV IN© is a young record label based in Windhoek, Namibia; founded by Stallin Kapembe, Leevy-Lee Abrahams, and Dandani Boois in early 2003. Stalin [the Executive Producer of RV IN©] helped start several Hip-Hop/RnB groups and helped pen and produce some of the greatest Hip-Hop/RnB hits including the award-winning and chart-topping hit “Make It Happen” by Rachel.

Enter Hangar 18, the greatest power trio since Rush. Hangar 18, or “The Hangar” as millions of fans have affectionately dubbed them, is made up of Alaska, Windnbreez, and paWL, and they are making some of the best hip-hop this side of New Guinea.