From the sleepy coastal town of Swakopmund to the big city rhymes of Windhoek. This is the path Wambüseun aka LO2 has traveled and he’s quickly discovering routes. Whether it is his unique solo Afrikaans raps, stand-up comedy routines or unorthodox Rock n Roll collaborations, the multi-talented Wambüseun is rapidly building his brand and destined to blow-up as Namibia’s favourite entertainer.

From Here to Fame Publishing will be releasing a brand new Faith 47 book in March 2011. Faith47, South Africa’s first lady of graffiti, is well versed in the art of getting up. She rolls with the hardcore, but touches the hearts of the masses. With a combination of street art and graffiti styles, she creates thought-provoking artwork that crosses artistic and cultural boundaries.

The six finalists for the first round of the Hiphopkop contest was recently announced. There are 6 finalists (five selected by judges and one selected by popular vote). They will also perform alongside DJ Ready D and Jack Parow at the Artscape in Cape Town on 28 January at 19h00.

The Best of Ekapa Hip Hop, is a long overdue new weekly hip hop night at the legendary live music venue The Purple Turtle. This event is aimed at promoting the hip hop industry and also uniting the huge hip hop community dispersed around the Western Cape and to satisfy the hungry hip hop masses.

Ngoan’a Nts’oana’ is a term of endearment which was used by Core Wreckah’s grandfather during his lifetime. A crude translation yields ‘Child of Nts’oana’, with Nts’oana being the name of a being whom Core himself never did figure out the origin nor purpose of. This is not Sesotho funk. This is not mountain pop. This is hardcore hip-hop delivered with a gutteral growl akin to the style which has been perfected by the long-standing tradition of Basotho freestyle rappers (liroki), and replete with call-and-response chants which have become a staple of Basotho music.

Rapper Isaiah Toothtaker is prepping the release of his latest album, Illuminati Thug Mafia, to be released January 25th through a partnership with Toothtaker’s own Machina Muerte label and Alpha Pup Records. With Wavves drummer Jacob Safari behind the board, the two flip 2010 internet phenomenon Antoine Dodson’s “Bed Intruder” song upside down.

Fresh off of a stellar year as a new artist in the UK, Tinie Tempah has set his sights on America and will be releasing his album, Disc-Overy, on Capitol Records May 3, 2011. The album will contain songs from the UK debut along with new material recorded in the US.

T.I.’s Grand Hustle record label and German DJ/Producer Mr. E are thrilled to announce the official mixtape “We Run This Vol. 5”, which is now available on iTunes and Amazon. The project features music from Hip-Hop heavyweights such as T.I., B.o.B., 8Ball & MJG, Killer Mike, Yung LA, Young Dro and many more!

Loot Skywalker showcases a variety of freestyles, classic Grandson material and fresh new tracks. Every lyric delivers hardcore angst that the young rapper has become accustomed to in his aptly nicknamed hometown ‘Bad Newz’. Also the home of NBA star Allen Iverson and NFL baller Michael Vick, Newport News has definitely earned a reputation for its tough-as-nails neighborhoods.

Nigerian owned TV Station, One Music is reaching out to Africans from every African country to submit their videos to create a truly African channel. Here is a chance for African music artists and groups to send their music to reach an ever growing market on the African continent.

Dj Kenzhero brings you Rattex, Pioneer Unit and Cape Towns flavour to welcome everybody and break in all the new comers to what Cape Town is really about. Rattex has recently teamed up with Hipe and DJ Raiko to create an intense new show that features banging live production, flawless turntablism and, of course, Rattex’s unique vernacular lyricism.

DEMOS is not just your average documentary film; it truly serves as an awe-inspiring guide to success for the struggling, intermediate, or well-established independent artist. After starting one of hip hop’s largest viral underground label’s last year (HiPNOTT Records), Kevin Nottingham and Kareem Fort have joined forces once again as they prep the forthcoming release of this powerful and insightful film.

Everything can change in an instant … and take a lifetime to unravel. When Mac McDonald loses his son in an accident, years of bitterness and pain erodes his love for his family and leaves him angry with God … and everyone else. Can Mac and his new patrol partner, Sgt. Sam Wright, somehow join forces to help one another when it’s impossible to look past their differences–especially the most obvious one?

THE FEDERATION is a South African Rap/Hip Hop group consisting of two members, Keletso Ramela A.K.A “Neon” & Carl Thobane A.K.A “Mr-C” along with the homie Itumeleng “BoBBi” Mokwena on the 1’s & 2’s. The duo has previously released (2) mix-tapes under the name LANDMYNZ “Perigo Minas VoL.1 (2006) and Perigo Minas VoL.2 (2007) along with two other members. Neon & Mr-C have since formed THE FEDERATION in 2007 and have been working on their full length debut release a Double Album titled “ Hardcore Styles for Street Rap Preservation.

We have been following the HipHopKop contest with much interest over the past few weeks. We put together a list highlighting the cream of the crop, the potentials and other decent tracks that you have to check out. This is by no means a comprehensive review. It must be noted that we do not have access to other reference material in most cases therefore this list is based on the submissions only.