How are you guys doing? Introduce yourselves to the world out there.

TNG: What up what up! TNG holding it down for you. What’s crackalating. Your one-stop number one All African super hero.

SS: Hi, my name is Second Son & I'm proud to be an African Son.

Where did the names TNG and Second Son come from? What's the meaning behind them?

SS: I wanted name was close to me and I decided to go for Second Son (or Second Sun) coz I am the second born son in my family and as the Wu would say "I shine like the SUN!!"

TNG: TNG is just short for Tafadzwa Nigel Gwanzura. Real name no gimmicks. Keeping it simple just so people don’t call me somethin’ I’m not. You know how it is in our various languages where a couple of letters changed could turn into somethin’ insulting. Don’t want nobody getting hurt you know.

You've released your EP and a compilation this year right? Who did the production for these album's and any guest artists?

SS: The Innovators (Second Son & TNG)

TNG: That’s what we’re about also, producing. There weren't no guest appearances on the EP that we did in three days tops. But the compilation that we knocked out in 1 week, that featured a whole bunch of people. Coz that was the concept, bringing a whole bunch of unsigned talent, just so happened it was all recruited from campus coz of the time constraints involved.
Guest MCs: Rob1/ Wordsmith/Siya/Chav/Dizzy Don/ 
Guest Poets: Magnezium/ Natalie
Guest R&B crooners: Cyrus/Lungisa
Keynote Speaker: T. Mahl
Interlude coordinator (ha): Sensei T8 of the Hiphocalypse

How were these releases received by the public?

TNG: People from different backgrounds, the hardcore headz, the ladies, they were all feelin’ RU Project. They were feeling it so much that certain ‘other’ elements couldn't handle the fact that cats were getting so much love for their music, they decided that they were going to express it on radio with all kinds of insults. We let it slide. They continued their planned insult at an Open Mic spot one night. It was crazy. You going out to have a good time, see what’s happening, soon as you walk up into the joint, all these fly honies around, and I’m not even there 10secs the MC is telling me some people wanna battle. Anyways they get up, do their thing, we respond out of mcing-sportsmenship, they get squashed. Next weekend they’re on radio blasting out racial and xenophobic sh6* We taped that, flipped it into an intro for an even-MC-jam-packed-classic-scathic-career-ruining-non-respondable-diss-track-to-squash-any-queries-questions-or-haterations the lil punks and any other haters had. 

Needless to say, we’ve never heard, nor will we be able to hear anything from that sorry excuse for a collection of mcs. Just coz brothers is easy going and peaceful and all, they must’ve thought we were easy target chumps. Anyways, that’s not important. My bad. It was just somethin’ fun to do one weekend, no big issue. 

Bon Appettie people are loving as well. It’s made it’s way, in fact both have made their way to various places all over the world. By the way the previous previous one, Chillin’ with TNG vol1: The Show live…Ready D was feeling. So that was cool. You know I just had to slide the Ready D name in there somewhere. 

Tell us about the Hiphocalypse radio show. What is your involvement in that? How long has it been running for?

SS: I say it is a true Hip-Hop show, ONE LOVE T8!

TNG: Hiphocalypse is a movement that began 4 years ago in the form of a radio show that brings nothing but the real hiphop to the Grahamstown and Eastern Cape Community; started by the duo T8 and So. It was the first radio show to ever play some of my music, after a much heated debate as to why Mase. Anyway, those powers have grown it into a voice for the voiceless and a cultural melting pot for people from different backgrounds who have nothing but love for hiphop. Check it out and keep up with word on the street: www.hiphocalypse.co.nr . I’m sure there’s a fashion line coming soon, you need to check with the Sensei T8 on that one. Ask about the female panty line.

How did you guys get into hip hop?

SS: Well [I] fell in love [with it] years back. When I was about eleven years old.

TNG: Back in the hood, I was growing up with kids that were older than me and had brothers that loved this hiphop thing man. Then it rubbed off them, and eventually rubbed off me. I saw Nimshnak and Zell-MC taking it seriously with scheduled rehearsals and stuff, and when I heard the material they were coming out with on just a radio with one tape deck, I was blown away. When I saw the other pay off, like how honies thought these guys were the ones, considering I was 11 or so I thought hey, this is definitely the way forward. They couched me, I’ve been writing non-stop ever since. 

What are you doing in Grahamstown? Are you studying, what are you studying?

SS: Studying!!

TNG: Studying

I understand that you will be appearing on the DIY compilation. How do you feel about that and do you hope this will be a good kick start to your careers?

SS: It a great opportunity for us to show the world who we are and is definitely a chance to boost our careers.

TNG: I’d say the careers have already begun. A long time ago man. From performing at all girls schools getting no applause or boo, but at least getting the name out there. To progressing many years from that to knocking out an album live on radio with just one take. Everything is a progression from the previous, this is opportunity is just another. The question is what is going to be the next?

Tell us a bit about the scene in Grahamstown.

SS: The G.town scene is nice and quiet. Gives you a chance to fine tune your art. There are alot of hip-hop heads here and alot m.c's taking part in what they love, HIP-HOP!

TNG: Ah the trees are lovely. You get the weather changing 4 times a day. Aside from that you got everybody tryna be the don. 

There were rumours of a Def Boyz beef pattie.  Is that true? 

SS: Nah, there was misunderstanding between the butcher & the vegeterian!! It was hype over nothing really.

How would you describe your style of music?

SS: I describe it as music that gets you moving and makes you feel alive. That's what we want to do, MOVE YOU!!

TNG: Yep, strong. Gets the point across. 

What do you rap about?

SS: I rap about how I feel about life, I rap to make you feel good, I rap about history, I rap about doing what I love, I rap about lyrical battles. But watch out coz upcoming material will be aimed at telling African stories.

TNG: With I’m a doctor we’re rappin’ about sticking a needle in your butt. 

There are artists out there who don't understand the internet, in terms of promotion, do you think that will be their downfall?

TNG: Yo the biggest obstacle for them is not necessarily that they don’t understand the internet in terms of promotion, they probably don’t have affordable access to the internet in the first place. Therefore they don’t spend enough time surfing to release the opportunities they could utilize to promote themselves. SO I don’t think it’s fair to say they’re ignorant, it’s just out of their hands, and that’s the real thing about Africa man, we take some of these things for granted when they’re at our finger tips, but there’s a whole lotta other people that don’t have luxuries we think are necessities.

SS: [But for those who do have access] I think that the Internet is a vital tool that is powerful enough to reach the ends of the earth. So why not use that!! Music is universal right?? Get everyone to hear what you have to say, let them know you exist.

Which South African artists do you admire?

TNG: Hmmm. The one I keep quoting right now is WordSmith: “Verbs arranged like alignments of nine planets.”(Wordsmith line from Sparks) But in terms of admiring, I’d definitely say Latang. That coca-cola popstar girl Latang is very very talented. If you listening Latang, eh., how ya doin’!

SS: ......

Which South African artists are you not feeling and why?

TNG:  H20. Props to the producer for such a crazy concept. But some of us are still scratching our heads wondering why they’re called the Biggest Hiphop Group in S.A. Skwatta is the one rolling in the chedda right now, why not them? And I’m just saying chedda so what? -What does anyone want to say H2O kicks Skwatta lyrically?

SS: ......

Your all time favourite hip hop albums?

SS: Rass Kass(Soul on Ice), Gravediggaz(The Pick, the Sickle and the Shovel), Nas(Illmatic), Wu-tang(Enter the Wu-tang), Killah Priest(Heavy Mental), OutKast (ATLiens).... so many more

TNG : The Chronic (*heads nod in approval)/ The R.U. Project(*okay)/ Get Rich or Die trying (*haters cringe)/ Harlem World (*no! did he say that?)/ The Marshall Mathers LP/ Country Grammar (*this guy is not serious!)/ I am/ Reasonable Doubt/Blueprint 1/and I’m guessing the Black Album is going to be on the list no problem. 

What do you guys eat?

TNG: Food

SS: All types of food, love chicken, cheese and mushrooms

Your favourite alcoholic beverage?

SS: Malibu & Orange or a VL&L

TNG: I take the non-alcoholic ones.

What equipment/software are you using for beats?

TNG: Freeware. 

SS: Audacity, Modplug tracker....

Do you practice the other elements of hip hop (e.g. spraycan art, bboy, djing, beatboxing etc)

SS: Not at the moment

TNG: Respect but nope, leave that to those with the skills for that. I’m not a dj I’m an on-air-personality. 4years running still going strong. 

How did you find out about africasgateway.com?

TNG: Surfing the net for everything african hiphop related. 

SS: Heard about it from my fellow hip-hop heads TNG&T8

What can we expect from you guys in the next 2 years?

TNG: Big tings exe big tings. Things are looking up. Step by step just move along with the ride. 

SS: We are planning on releasing an ablum with an African twist

Do you plan to live in Grahamstown forever?

TNG: Nope

SS: No

Tell us something about the Innovators that nobody knows?

TNG: We can produce an album in an hour. 

SS: We were genetically [modified] engineered rappers (GMR's)

The wackest period in hip hop?

SS: Tupac & Biggie story

TNG: When have the Source got bought up buy a rapper and decided he was going to use it to promote himself. The result, unexplained adverts of MADE MEN. Who was Made MEN I usd to wonder. Then Marshall Mathers told us all what was really happening. Anywas, the day the Source lost its integrity as the ultimate source for hiphop information. It used to be a big deal if you had a copy. Could read it for months. 

The best period in hip hop?

SS: When the Wu first dropped & NAS

TNG: When a kid up in NY, or L.A, or ATL, grows up sayin I want to be like that….and he/she’s talking about an African artist. 

Thanks for speaking to us, any last words or shout outs?

TNG: That coke popstar girl Letang, hey! What up. Keep doin your thing girl. Keep doin your thing I say.

SS: One love to our GOD, to my soulmate, to my family & so many friends, to all people!! Watch the SON/SUN shine!!!

---