How are you doing Lee, can you start off by telling us how you got into Radio?

I was at Wits University and was at the canteen and heard some nice hiphop tracks being played so I went upstairs to the office and there was some guy who I found a little appealing on air so I kinda said that I could do a better job than him, he told me to take a seat and we kinda clicked on air. Anyway he got suspended from the show and I was left with a show. So I called my girl Zin in who used to work with Fresh on YFM and we did our show, dubbed by Fresh as "the mad chicken house"! Anyway Thomas heard my demo which my friend Zin gave him, he asked me to come in and I never left.

Where did the idea for Harambe/Rap Activity come from? Were you involved in the conceptual stages of this radio show format?

Okay the Rap Activity Jam had been there for quite a while from the start of YFM. When we Thomas, Sanza and I loved to the late afternoon drive early evening show we were left with the challenge of bringing our own flava to the Rap Activity Jam that had been hosted by Rude Boy/ Oscar and Mizchif. Inn terms of the conceptualizing of the Harambe Show as it is now all three of us, Thomas, Sanza and myself play an active role we are pretty much always on the streets and we bring that onto the show. We basically give priority interviews to local hip-hop acts and basically just let people out there know about the scene. Even with the playing of music on the show its never a case of okay local mix now then international- we mix it up because in actual fact most acts are as dope if not better than a lot of the rubbish we get fed you know. All we are saying is that the tables are about to turn.

What is it like working for YFM?

Its a whole lot more challenging than what people think. Its the kind of place where you are constantly pushed to bring the best out in yourself. Not because people push you but when you are in an environment where you are filled with so many talented people who are also young successful business people you sorta get self motivated. YFM is also extremely open to new ideas and doesn't really do the whole formula radio thing -its about real people you know. So yea I love it, because it is a melting pot of talent ideas and it is going to push me to what I want out of life.

How did hip hop find you?

Basically outside of the nice beats, I am attracted to the "storytelling" element of hip-hop and in major events in my life there's always been a hip-hop track to represent it which ironically always seemed to be talking directly to my situation you know. 

You probably get to listen to a lot of local hip hop from the submissions you receive. What are your views on the current scene and do you see Johannesburg playing the bigger role for the next year or so?

You can believe it. I get to hear a whole lot of demos all the time. Uh the scene in Joburg or Guateng region in general is very exciting simply because this whole area is very competitive and the hip-hop acts have to do more than compete with one another( in a healthy manner of course) but the also have to compete with the SA music industry in general because in terms of business and opportunity that's where the heart is. I feel that there's a fair mix of types of hip-hop in Jo'burg and although only a small section is on radio, there's a huge number of people still to come,. They are on the streets. I love the way the Jo'burg cats make their content specific to Jo'burg , that's nice and there's alot of tight production- the cashless society beats and trinity and 5th Floor to mention a few, yea those are so dope. I think that Jo'burg will be very important in the way hip-hop grows because as I mentioned before in Jo'burg competition is stiff, everything is like a business and that is what the cats here are doing turning themselves into business and getting money into the industry. Jo'burg is like at a time when everyone is doing something and all those people leading that revolution so to speak are young people, for me hip-hop is recording that history. I don't feel that Joburg will be the centre I hope that each city will have a scene that's unique to them and what we see on tv and hear on radio will go beyond Jo'burg.

Do you play music from other regions in the country?

Yes when we get the stuff. There's a guy from P.E J-Bux and of course Godessa, Jamayka, we got something from Mr Devious and all , we just don't get info music from them. Please send through!

From a radio dj's perspective what is the main obstacle facing local hip hop acts?

Honestly its getting the business side in order. I know that mc's are like we need to keep it street and all which I understand totally but if people buy your stuff and you haven't changed your message or who you are that's dope. I think that hip-hop's biggest obstacle is creating a business that cats can live off and also I feel that mc's need to listen to what other people are doing and become a support base for one another you know. I think that if everyone who loves hip-hop whether you are directly or indirectly in it does something the game will change tremendously. So yea its the business and we need to have a network or collective front of sorts, before people start to bring others down lets build something really strong.

Since hip hop is now the in thing do you see some frustrations with those who are involved in kwaito?

I don't really know how to answer that question except maybe that Kwaito artists are definitely working harder. I think that they are looking at the hip-hop industry with interest, I don't really know how to answer this question, it sorta has that feel like there's beef with kwaito and hip-hop which is not necessary as they are doing different things. Its all for SA music. But the Bongo Muffin crew in particular we interviewed them are really supportive of local hip-hop, Thandiswa is at all the events - but its an appreciation of talent and art and music. 

What artists are you feeling at the moment (locally and globally)?

That's really hard, I can just see it as I put a name down it will change you know.  But I am feeling so many local cats- Cashless, Trinity, Godessa, Skwatta, the 5th floor track Kreation yea man, Zubz is also one of my favourite, Pro Verb is an entertainer, Tumi and the Volume, Mr Devious yoh, the list goes on and one and one! Internationally- probably J-Live, Little Brother is probably my fav and I'm digging the new Roots- Jazzy Jeff's mixtape etc etc the list is endless. I also am feeling T-Love an emcee/ poet/singer once again the list goes on and on. Just coz I never mentioned someone doesn't mean I don't feel them, that's a really hectic question!

Is Radio your main thing or are you thinking about expanding?

Yea music, is where I am looking at going cause I was a singer before radio. Also the company Harambe Hip-hop which is an extension of the radio show and basically will help build the industry because its not about us its about the industry. We would like Harambe-hip-hop to belong to the artists, more on that later.

What is the process that an artist has to follow in order to get their track played on your show?

Bring the track through with all your details, clean radio edits, we listen if its hot we play it. That simple really. Oh yea and artists need to be themselves that's for certain!

In terms of pioneers/old skool veterans who would you say are huge influences for you in local hip hop?

Without a doubt Shaheen and Ready D, they have given so much and are involved in other peoples careers you know. They think broadly and bring that element of education into the game. We have a lot to learn from them. Everything from the way that they keep us thinking, to their obvious talent to the workshops they host. They are, artists, educators, pioneers, revolutionaries in my book. I think I may have even down played them. But yea I'm speechless at how much I respect those two guys.

What excites you about this industry?

The fact that in the last 6 months I've seen it grow and its still evolving. I cant wait to see what the output will be.

What saddens you about this industry?

At times I feel like the unity that was there particularly in Jo'burg is crumbling slowly and that's not cool. 

What do you like to eat and drink?

That's another funny question. Okay drink probably my herbal tea or red bull. I am finely off coffee and no I don't drink alcohol! Eat, uh man how do I answer that!

What is a typical day like for you?

Basically I have music classes or sessions in the morning, go into work do some research, prep the show and go on air. But in between all that I have so many meetings its unbelievable!

Do you think that it's possible for the local hip hop scene to be as successful as kwaito was/is?

Yes and maybe even better, if cats focus, build businesses and support one another you know, like you need your brother to grow if you want to grow. It has potential I think to shake the international hip-hop market and cause a good riot. If its done properly.

Why can't we hear YFM in the rest of the country and are there plans for the station to go national?

Oh man, I hope that will happen very soon you know, who knows by the end of the year that could happen. Make noise about it and lets see what happens.

Thanks for your time, please keep doing what you doing, nuff props! Last words?

In life if you are going to do something make sure that its with purpose, I think that if you leave one person with something like a legacy then you have done something worthwhile. Follow your passion not someone else's you know cause that's where your success lies, make it happen. Sounds cheesy but it's true the only difference for example between one crew and Skwatta Kamp is the sacrifice they have made and how hard they work. Harambe- Lets pull together!

Catch her on YFM www.yfm.co.za!

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