This week we talk to Optic Nerve a.k.a. Luzuko Makumbula from Port Elizabeth and Grahamstown. Together with Epic, he is also a member of the rap duo Supremacy and is set to release his full length album The Master Plan: World Domination later this year.

This week Africasgateway talks to Amkoullel, also known as “L’enfant Peulh” or “The little Fulani” in his native Mali. Amkoullel is one of the up and coming hip hop stars in West Africa who takes his stage name from the book “Amkoullel” by the famous west African author Amadou Hampate Ba.

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.

This week Africasgateway talks to Monwabisi Jack aka Catalyst, a producer, composer and writer based in Uitenhage which is located in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Catalyst has worked with big names like H2O and JBux and is currently finalising the release of his album. In this interview we get to know Catalyst more in depth and we also throw in a special mp3 zip file at the end for you to download.

This week AfricasGateway speaks to 13th Disciple from Port Elizabeth, South Africa. 13th Disciple has been a prominent figure in carving out the sound of the city of Port Elizabeth. Having worked with the city’s most renowned artists like Hishaam and Mr. Witherspun (The Art) on tracks such as ‘Inches Away’ which featured on the Iquanda mixtape and featured Mexican and South African artists. In this interview we get to know the 13th Disciple in more detail and we also throw in 2 FREE mp3’s for you to download.

Hishaam was born and bred in Port Elizabeth, more specifically in the historically rich township of New Brighton. Hishaam attributes the development of his lyrical skills mainly to his mother and father, who influenced his musical career by playing various jazz, funk and even hiphop records while growing up. This week Africasgateway talks to Hishaam about what got him from there to here and what to expect in the future.

In a sea of hiphop fishes taking a bite of commercial bait.It is good to know that there's still some schools that use intelect in order not getting caught.  For some, staying submerged and avoiding the mainstream might not be viable option. Big Lo however, is one fish who chooses to swim the indie ocean,surviving & gaining respect by lacing beats and kicking concsious raps.  Check out this short Q&A AG staff had with him.

“If you want to be in the music business, then it is about making lots of money from your love of it. If you want to do music for the love of it then it will leave you feeling very loved and broke.”  No one really tells you this kind of thing when you start out in the music industry. In fact people rarely talk about it. We all know of brilliant musicians who work in jobs they hate. Often you hear “All I want to do is make a living doing what I love.” Now that is a fine and noble dream to have… but just now many people actually turn their dreams into a reality? And what does it really take to get there?

For those that don’t know, D Planet is a moderator on the AG Forums and a seasoned producer (check his biography here). He has produced tracks for numerous South African hip hop artists (Trusenz, Pro Kid, Konfab, Ben Sharpa, Middle Finga and Archetypes) and has done various projects in Europe. We recently had a discussion with him to talk about these projects, why he came to South Africa, his influences, the equipment and software he uses and the process he chooses when making music. We also have a lengthy discussion around the “Chickenhawk” song which was a response to Hype Magazine calling him out. Lastly he gives his opinion on South African hip hop. Check it out…

This week Miss Contro speaks to Mr John Robinson who is also known as Lil Sci. For those who don’t know she was in the big apple a few months ago and got to hook up the man himself. In this interview JR (of Scienz of Life and Sol Uprising) speaks about his album Leak Edition, working with MF Doom and Madlib, the album “One Day…Everything Changed” and with working on the new CL Smooth LP. He also touches on his label Shaman Works talking about current projects and the artists signed to it.  He also let’s us know whether Sol Uprising will be releasing another project or not.  Read on to check it out…

Cut Chemist and Mr Lif get interviewed by Stones Throw Records Head Honcho. They drop knowledge on subjects like sample clearance, Cut Chemist’s New album and other jazz. Check it out..

In the past couple of months we’ve noticed that everybody is talking about this mixtape. Eversince we downloaded this compilation from the Harambe website we’ve been playing it to death at the AG headquarters. This release features a range of artists like Subzz, Konfab, 3WR, Han Dolo, Snazz D and many others. There is also a good mixture of producers on here e.g. Ootz, Caveman, Mr C plus others. After receiving a dozen or so emails from people demanding that we find out more I decided to get in touch with Mr C and DeePea. In this interview they talk about the process of putting this out, track selections, inspirations and future releases. Read more to check it out…

If you frequent the AG boards you might have come across the name Jah Fish.  Some of you might have met the man already as he is currently in South Africa. He is a deejay and a dope designer and has done work for some well established artists around the globe. Miss Controversy wanted to find out more about the man himself and also about his perceptions of the African hip hop scene. He talked a bit about his roots, touched on Hip Hop in Europe and also his close encounters with Prophets of the City.  What follows is an unedited transcript from a chat on Messenger. Read on to check it out.

It is one of the trendiest streets in the Mother City – Long Street. There is just no way that you can live in Cape Town or visit Cape Town and avoid it. There are certain venues in Long Street that have gained cult status and Zula Bar is one of them. I must confess that I always wondered about the place. However the only time I paid any attention was when I heard of “Party with a Purpose”. So to find out more I spoke to Chad Abrahams (one of the founding members of Party with a Purpose Productions).

I caught up with the talented Maylay Sparks during another stop in my town on his recent tour and he was down to do an interview for the Africasgateway community. Maylay has a deep catalog and has worked with the best of them but has never had that massive distribution or promotion so you are forgiven if you are still wondering who we are talking about. Do you want to find out more about Maylay and want to know why “Philly” hip-hop got that “fly-shit”? Then read on…