Africasgateway.com
Other => Media => Topic started by: K9 tha Pedigree on March 24, 2009, 06:32:21 AM
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Very dissapointing according to me, Ludacris is on the cover which is dope, I love the Luda feature, the mixtape is very wack, it has been like that for a while now.
@ mizi 1 request could you turn the mixtapes back into compilations, coz when the dj scratches he f***s up the track, like the track with Anvils and loose cannon its a super hot joint but the damn dj scratch through the whole Nveigh verse like What ht f*** nigga, you cant even hear what Nveigh is saying.
But big up on the mag tho
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which dj did the mixtape?
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Who's on the mixtape?
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If Im not mistake DJ KGB mixed the hype mixtape! And
I Cosign with K9 Please rather make it a compilation.
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Some Russian duke named KGB mixed that ish. Comment on his mixing----------didn't like it at all----cos duke messed with some good quality songs--------cos you know, songs like, for instance, Them Not Stop demand you to listen proper. And duke was just cutting that ish---no pattern or what so ever----more like a gimmick mix (sorry- dissappointment speaking). Some songs were oaky. New artists as well, which is cool----but some sound like dukes I've heard before---e.g. Absoloot or smth sounds like Molly (that duke on tha Ngizon'bona Later/Superman track). Botswana cats came out nice on that Nthumele.... Razza did his thing as well. Didn't dig the sound on 'em Architypes.
Overall Mixtape = Wack----------however, there's some good songs in there----the DJ just f***ed 'em up (Didn't you here when Big Shug was sayin' Let the Music Play on that Primo prod.).
CD Cover = I guess we were on some Russian Warfare tip, i.e. The Commanders, captain, and the biological warfare match.
And what's up with throwing 8 in the air-----hahaha---S.A gangsters is gonna murk his a**. Hahaha, just f***in' around
Mixtape standards set before were a bit higher....me thanks....need to raise the par....or stick to the original formular
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Some Russian duke named KGB mixed that ish. Comment on his mixing----------didn't like it at all----cos duke messed with some good quality songs--------cos you know, songs like, for instance, Them Not Stop demand you to listen proper. And duke was just cutting that ish---no pattern or what so ever----more like a gimmick mix (sorry- dissappointment speaking). Some songs were oaky. New artists as well, which is cool----but some sound like dukes I've heard before---e.g. Absoloot or smth sounds like Molly (that duke on tha Ngizon'bona Later/Superman track). Botswana cats came out nice on that Nthumele.... Razza did his thing as well. Didn't dig the sound on 'em Architypes.
Overall Mixtape = Wack----------however, there's some good songs in there----the DJ just f***ed 'em up (Didn't you here when Big Shug was sayin' Let the Music Play on that Primo prod.).
CD Cover = I guess we were on some Russian Warfare tip, i.e. The Commanders, captain, and the biological warfare match.
And what's up with throwing 8 in the air-----hahaha---S.A gangsters is gonna murk his a**. Hahaha, just f***in' around
Mixtape standards set before were a bit higher....me thanks....need to raise the par....or stick to the original formula
I cant really blame hype mag for this one! They have gone through possible all the DJ's out there! think about it kenzero, soosh, Bionic, P-kuttah, The Cutt, Humma, Ready D, Switch, Raiko, Papercut, Nyambo, sorry if I forgot anyone but yeah! Dj's better step up and show us what you got!
Normally the international covers and main interviews are far more informative than the local ones for example the lil wayne cover story was excellent the writing was on the same level as xxl so Im going to put my money and say the luda cover must me good! Consider one copy Sold ;)
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Just off the top of my head... DJ Eazy, DJ Azhul, DJ Codax, DJ E-20, Nastie Ed, DJ Sibot, Mad Fingaz, Big Dre?...
That's about 2 years worth of DJs for Hype.
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Just off the top of my head... DJ Eazy, DJ Azhul, DJ Codax, DJ E-20, Nastie Ed, DJ Sibot, Mad Fingaz, Big Dre?...
That's about 2 years worth of DJs for Hype.'
Cosign
The above list looks good!
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Just off the top of my head... DJ Eazy, DJ Azhul, DJ Codax, DJ E-20, Nastie Ed, DJ Sibot, Mad Fingaz, Big Dre?...
That's about 2 years worth of DJs for Hype.
Co Siggy
Dj Klinikal?
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word. a Big Dre mixtape would be nice
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Hype is spreading alot at least in southern africa...there is need to have more stories/interviews on what is happening in other countries and it wouldnt hurt to have a couple of hype sessions of non s.a artists, you need to know what is happening beyond s.a borders...
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Hype is spreading alot at least in southern africa...there is need to have more stories/interviews on what is happening in other countries and it wouldnt hurt to have a couple of hype sessions of non s.a artists, you need to know what is happening beyond s.a borders...
I think SA hip hop is underrepresented enough already. I'm not keen on giving up valuable space to non-SA artists. I already resent Luda taking our space.
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I think SA hip hop is underrepresented enough already.
extremely.
i get what you're saying, ZedHipHopFan, but Hype isn't nearly rounded or complete enough to take that onto its shoulders. maybe it might seem that way, but really, it's far from the truth.
but this raises another interesting question. how much general interest is there in SA when it comes to hip hop outside our borders?
im willing to stick my neck out and say very little.
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Hype is spreading alot at least in southern africa...there is need to have more stories/interviews on what is happening in other countries and it wouldnt hurt to have a couple of hype sessions of non s.a artists, you need to know what is happening beyond s.a borders...
I think SA hip hop is underrepresented enough already. I'm not keen on giving up valuable space to non-SA artists. I already resent Luda taking our space.
True, I get your point...the powers that be at Hype should put up S.A artists more in the spotlight and give other 'African Hip Hop' acts their space...if you feel underrepresented,then you can only imagine what the rest of Africa feels! We get the magazine,and know what goes on over there, what is the use of exporting?Why have a inward industry...lets build/collab and spread it across the continent and diaspora...otherwise its worth a try, I know the buyers want Luda! but why not empower local acts by showing that they are just as glamarous and talented!
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I think SA hip hop is underrepresented enough already.
extremely.
i get what you're saying, ZedHipHopFan, but Hype isn't nearly rounded or complete enough to take that onto its shoulders. maybe it might seem that way, but really, it's far from the truth.
but this raises another interesting question. how much general interest is there in SA when it comes to hip hop outside our borders?
im willing to stick my neck out and say very little.
yeah,i get the capacity part...but you would be surprised when it comes to the interest!I.e in Zambia,we have this perception that the s.a hip hop industry is collosal and everyone is doing fine...which it is in comparison to ours...I think there is need to do a bit of a survey on that, will get back to you!
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True, I get your point...the powers that be at Hype should put up S.A artists more in the spotlight and give other 'African Hip Hop' acts their space...if you feel underrepresented,then you can only imagine what the rest of Africa feels! We get the magazine,and know what goes on over there, what is the use of exporting?Why have a inward industry...lets build/collab and spread it across the continent and diaspora...otherwise its worth a try, I know the buyers want Luda! but why not empower local acts by showing that they are just as glamarous and talented!
Truth be told that if hype expands to other african countries the less South Africans will care bout it... There is still alot to be done for us to accept our own hip hop artists b4 we can even think of the rest of the continent... But that doesnt mean that we cant do a few collabs here and there
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yo Zed i meant to say that i think most heads in SA have little interest in hip hop outside our borders.
i fully co-sign you on the export thing, though. it's bullshit to shop the mag to heads in other countries, and not have even a single section that hints at their existence (?).
that's not cool.
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Hype is spreading alot at least in southern africa...there is need to have more stories/interviews on what is happening in other countries and it wouldnt hurt to have a couple of hype sessions of non s.a artists, you need to know what is happening beyond s.a borders...
I think SA hip hop is underrepresented enough already. I'm not keen on giving up valuable space to non-SA artists. I already resent Luda taking our space.
I can't agree with that statement! Mizi has said this on a number of threads! Local covers sell less than International covers! They are keep the mag moving or else it will sink like Y magazine did afew months ago.
@D
Who do you think deserves a cover? and why?
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Hype is the only hip hop magazine. They dont have any competition. They should be able to take risks coz niggaz only check for them anyway. Even if they put a monkey on the cover niggaz would still cop it coz they are the only SA hip hop mag around. This is the time when they should be pushing the envelope coz they dont have to worry about competitors doing bigger numbers than them. I think most people would like to read what's inside not just whats on the cover. Moving away from safe-mode would be a cool thing to do. Hype does a lot to make sure that unknown rappers get exposure and Id like to see that continue. Taking more risks would be dope coz it'll tough for them to do so when one or two more mags pop up.
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tif you want the rest of africa to be a part of your market base you have to expose our music as well.that simple
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tif you want the rest of africa to be a part of your market base you have to expose our music as well.that simple
i think it works both ways.
it would be quite nice to have some of the agians who arent from here painting consistent portraits of their landscapes for us. along lines similiar to these. a wholistic look beyond just some of the music that is being shared.
what is the industry like where you call home. how are things working. for instance what kinds of publications do you have at your disposal. what are your channels. what are your challenges. youve got that power in representation too. it would be quite useful to begin to have those kinds of conversations. i think they have more to them then.
nevermind south africa and whats happening here, and what we may or may not be able to offer. whats happening there. what are avenues available for south african artists there also.
perhaps hype should begin to have that kind of platform, there is something to be said for widening spaces. its important. and also interest is something that can be created in people. it wont ever be everyone ofcourse but the few shouldnt be seen as no one.
i do however think that progress shouldnt necessarily be deemed as one sided.
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Nobody deserved the cover according to me, bobody made a noise for the past 2 months or maybe I have just bin deaf
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Hype is the only hip hop magazine. They dont have any competition. They should be able to take risks coz niggaz only check for them anyway. Even if they put a monkey on the cover niggaz would still cop it coz they are the only SA hip hop mag around.
I'm all for taking risks, but I believe that this statement is not true. From what I understand, there is always a noticeble difference between local and international covers. international covers always sell more than local. Like there is a big difference between Jay Z cover and Ben Sharpa cover. This may be because Jay Z has appeal with more than "heads" . So they get more buyers. To me it sounds like they are competing with other youth mags, e.g. Y mag (if it still exists).
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definately
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I'm all for taking risks, but I believe that this statement is not true. From what I understand, there is always a noticeable difference between local and international covers. international covers always sell more than local. Like there is a big difference between Jay Z cover and Ben Sharpa cover. This may be because Jay Z has appeal with more than "heads" . So they get more buyers. To me it sounds like they are competing with other youth mags, e.g. Y mag (if it still exists).
I'm sure stats could support your argument. Perhaps the season in which the issues came out could also be a contributing factor.. I may be wrong but Wasn't the Jay-Z cover out during Christmas time?
But, yeah it is a bit warped that a cover could have so much power over an established magazine. Surely the majority of Hype supporters don't just buy a magazine for the cover story? Especially seeing that the international covers are not providing "breaking" or "exclusive" news?
Maybe the main problem with local covers is, for the most part, industry cats all think they deserve one, so their seldom happy with having another local industry cat on the cover before them? A ton of local hip hop heads in the country always ask questions like "what has so and so ever done to deserve a cover?".
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I'm all for taking risks, but I believe that this statement is not true. From what I understand, there is always a noticeable difference between local and international covers. international covers always sell more than local. Like there is a big difference between Jay Z cover and Ben Sharpa cover. This may be because Jay Z has appeal with more than "heads" . So they get more buyers. To me it sounds like they are competing with other youth mags, e.g. Y mag (if it still exists).
I'm sure stats could support your argument. Perhaps the season in which the issues came out could also be a contributing factor.. I may be wrong but Wasn't the Jay-Z cover out during Christmas time?
But, yeah it is a bit warped that a cover could have so much power over an established magazine. Surely the majority of Hype supporters don't just buy a magazine for the cover story? Especially seeing that the international covers are not providing "breaking" or "exclusive" news?
Maybe the main problem with local covers is, for the most part, industry cats all think they deserve one, so their seldom happy with having another local industry cat on the cover before them? A ton of local hip hop heads in the country always ask questions like "what has so and so ever done to deserve a cover?".
Interesting points.
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I'm all for taking risks, but I believe that this statement is not true. From what I understand, there is always a noticeable difference between local and international covers. international covers always sell more than local. Like there is a big difference between Jay Z cover and Ben Sharpa cover. This may be because Jay Z has appeal with more than "heads" . So they get more buyers. To me it sounds like they are competing with other youth mags, e.g. Y mag (if it still exists).
I'm sure stats could support your argument. Perhaps the season in which the issues came out could also be a contributing factor.. I may be wrong but Wasn't the Jay-Z cover out during Christmas time?
But, yeah it is a bit warped that a cover could have so much power over an established magazine. Surely the majority of Hype supporters don't just buy a magazine for the cover story? Especially seeing that the international covers are not providing "breaking" or "exclusive" news?
Maybe the main problem with local covers is, for the most part, industry cats all think they deserve one, so their seldom happy with having another local industry cat on the cover before them? A ton of local hip hop heads in the country always ask questions like "what has so and so ever done to deserve a cover?".
Interesting points.
True story. I think the fact that we even have local kats on the cover is an accomplishment. If the sales are more when an international artist is on there then from a business perspective it would be wise to stick to the international covers then.
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thats the reason i stopped coppin that ish, perhaps ill start buying it again by 2020
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why can't 'hype' be like 'one small seed'?
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I'm all for taking risks, but I believe that this statement is not true. From what I understand, there is always a noticeable difference between local and international covers. international covers always sell more than local. Like there is a big difference between Jay Z cover and Ben Sharpa cover. This may be because Jay Z has appeal with more than "heads" . So they get more buyers. To me it sounds like they are competing with other youth mags, e.g. Y mag (if it still exists).
I'm sure stats could support your argument. Perhaps the season in which the issues came out could also be a contributing factor.. I may be wrong but Wasn't the Jay-Z cover out during Christmas time?
But, yeah it is a bit warped that a cover could have so much power over an established magazine. Surely the majority of Hype supporters don't just buy a magazine for the cover story? Especially seeing that the international covers are not providing "breaking" or "exclusive" news?
Maybe the main problem with local covers is, for the most part, industry cats all think they deserve one, so their seldom happy with having another local industry cat on the cover before them? A ton of local hip hop heads in the country always ask questions like "what has so and so ever done to deserve a cover?".
Interesting points.
True story. I think the fact that we even have local kats on the cover is an accomplishment. If the sales are more when an international artist is on there then from a business perspective it would be wise to stick to the international covers then.
What are you talking 'bout? This is a South African magazine!
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the mag loses credibility everytime there is no Crackboys cover.
Realest shit i ever wrote!
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;D :D hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahhhaahah, Cash pls dont start, lmao dang
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You know I hate to be critical, but the review of B. Sharpa is terrible.
The reviewer starts by asking "Was it (the album) worth the wait?". This question is never answered.
You can't review an album by just describing what a few of the tracks are about! Sure, you can pick up on themes that run through an album, but to state that, "Ben Sharpa points out the wrong-doings of the government in most of his tracks", is just factually incorrect. Maybe 3 or 4 out of 21 tracks have anything to do with the government.
The reviewer also states, "Callin' It Quits (We're Here) is on that boom bap tip as it sets a tone for the rest of the album". Again, factually incorrect!! How can anyone call a track by Milanese 'boom bap'!? If you read this review you'll have no idea what the album is actually like. There's only one track on the album that can be called boom bap.
Cats should really start exposing themselves to some international music reviews and up their game!
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You know I hate to be critical, but the review of B. Sharpa is terrible.
The reviewer starts by asking "Was it (the album) worth the wait?". This question is never answered.
You can't review an album by just describing what a few of the tracks are about! Sure, you can pick up on themes that run through an album, but to state that, "Ben Sharpa points out the wrong-doings of the government in most of his tracks", is just factually incorrect. Maybe 3 or 4 out of 21 tracks have anything to do with the government.
The reviewer also states, "Callin' It Quits (We're Here) is on that boom bap tip as it sets a tone for the rest of the album". Again, factually incorrect!! How can anyone call a track by Milanese 'boom bap'!? If you read this review you'll have no idea what the album is actually like. There's only one track on the album that can be called boom bap.
Cats should really start exposing themselves to some international music reviews and up their game!
yo D i'm with you 100 percent. Milanese boom-bap? wow, just wow. (what you think of Switch, by the way - that cat and Sinden are making major moves in the UK and internationally). you should pm me a Sharpa press release to pa** over to a boy of mine - he writes pretty decent criticism and works for a major media outlet. feels the same way you do, in fact. otherwise i'd say throw something at rob_one, but he doesn't come close to local stuff, it seems.
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You know I hate to be critical, but the review of B. Sharpa is terrible.
The reviewer starts by asking "Was it (the album) worth the wait?". This question is never answered.
You can't review an album by just describing what a few of the tracks are about! Sure, you can pick up on themes that run through an album, but to state that, "Ben Sharpa points out the wrong-doings of the government in most of his tracks", is just factually incorrect. Maybe 3 or 4 out of 21 tracks have anything to do with the government.
The reviewer also states, "Callin' It Quits (We're Here) is on that boom bap tip as it sets a tone for the rest of the album". Again, factually incorrect!! How can anyone call a track by Milanese 'boom bap'!? If you read this review you'll have no idea what the album is actually like. There's only one track on the album that can be called boom bap.
Cats should really start exposing themselves to some international music reviews and up their game!
yo D i'm with you 100 percent. Milanese boom-bap? wow, just wow. (what you think of Switch, by the way - that cat and Sinden are making major moves in the UK and internationally). you should pm me a Sharpa press release to pa** over to a boy of mine - he writes pretty decent criticism and works for a major media outlet. feels the same way you do, in fact. otherwise i'd say throw something at rob_one, but he doesn't come close to local stuff, it seems.
Erm, yes I do.
http://robboffard.com/page9.htm
Scroll down a bit. There's a whole bunch more I've yet to up. I've been writing about African hip-hop for quite some time. And that includes Hype, though they've never asked me to write reviews for them.
I haven't read the Sharpa review but it seems a bit bizarre to say the least. Who wrote it?
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haven't read the Sharpa review but it seems a bit bizarre to say the least. Who wrote it?
Only listed as 'TTP'.
I think the problem with a lot of SA music critics is that they don't have a very deep knowledge of music. They seem to just give good reviews to what they like rather than be able to step back and critically analyse the music and judge it in context of other music in its specific genre.
Another example of weird journalism: 'HH' comments on Zubz's album, "Cochlear is a compelling body of work that deserves cla**ic status", yet it only gets rated as 3 out of 5 for production and 4 out of 5 for delivery. Not exactly ratings for cla**ic status.
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TTP is Thapelo Raputhi (on here as T2da, and formerly/currently? of The Bridge.) I don't know who HH is.
Didn't you write a review or two for them D?
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TTP is Thapelo Raputhi (on here as T2da, and formerly/currently? of The Bridge.) I don't know who HH is.
Didn't you write a review or two for them D?
Hahah,, so he's gonna give me shit for what i said now :)
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Didn't you write a review or two for them D?
I wrote one yes. On Zubz.
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Got this yesterday. WOW !!! Wackest Hype CD ever.
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Got this yesterday. WOW !!! Wackest Hype CD ever.
i wasnt even able to get thru the whole mag...
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will get the mag...haven't listen to more than 2 tracks since vol.13.
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Got this yesterday. WOW !!! Wackest Hype CD ever.
Bought the mag last week and havent listened to the CD for obvious reasons.
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That Villa Cannon joints is butter though.
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You know I hate to be critical,
u dont, really?
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the mag loses credibility everytime there is no Crackboys cover.
Realest shit i ever wrote!
lol...... what sort of credibility can a group by the name of the "crackboys" give to anything though ....
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check the resume'
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You know I hate to be critical,
u dont, really?
Yeah, I don't enjoy it,,, but sometimes you have to be :)
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You know I hate to be critical, but the review of B. Sharpa is terrible.
The reviewer starts by asking "Was it (the album) worth the wait?". This question is never answered.
You can't review an album by just describing what a few of the tracks are about! Sure, you can pick up on themes that run through an album, but to state that, "Ben Sharpa points out the wrong-doings of the government in most of his tracks", is just factually incorrect. Maybe 3 or 4 out of 21 tracks have anything to do with the government.
The reviewer also states, "Callin' It Quits (We're Here) is on that boom bap tip as it sets a tone for the rest of the album". Again, factually incorrect!! How can anyone call a track by Milanese 'boom bap'!? If you read this review you'll have no idea what the album is actually like. There's only one track on the album that can be called boom bap.
Cats should really start exposing themselves to some international music reviews and up their game!
i c u D planet ok so my review was terrible cause i c u dont read well, so ill break it down to and how i review albums. 1 i spend days listening to albums, over and over again to the point my girl wants to kill me.2. i did answer if the album was worth waiting for if u read my last line of the review.3.about the boom bap its funny that i spoke to Ben b4 he left for France and he understood what i was speaking about, he called it future sound so he couldnt even discribe it.4. government, lol government well i said socio economics issues which are pointed at who? the government....Ben thought the only thing wrong about my review was i said he took too long well which is a fact.so please read it again and listen to the cd again before you attack me...u guys will never be happy anyway cause u have ur Ben best at heart
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You know I hate to be critical, but the review of B. Sharpa is terrible.
The reviewer starts by asking "Was it (the album) worth the wait?". This question is never answered.
You can't review an album by just describing what a few of the tracks are about! Sure, you can pick up on themes that run through an album, but to state that, "Ben Sharpa points out the wrong-doings of the government in most of his tracks", is just factually incorrect. Maybe 3 or 4 out of 21 tracks have anything to do with the government.
The reviewer also states, "Callin' It Quits (We're Here) is on that boom bap tip as it sets a tone for the rest of the album". Again, factually incorrect!! How can anyone call a track by Milanese 'boom bap'!? If you read this review you'll have no idea what the album is actually like. There's only one track on the album that can be called boom bap.
Cats should really start exposing themselves to some international music reviews and up their game!
i c u D planet ok so my review was terrible cause i c u dont read well, so ill break it down to and how i review albums. 1 i spend days listening to albums, over and over again to the point my girl wants to kill me.2. i did answer if the album was worth waiting for if u read my last line of the review.3.about the boom bap its funny that i spoke to Ben b4 he left for France and he understood what i was speaking about, he called it future sound so he couldnt even discribe it.4. government, lol government well i said socio economics issues which are pointed at who? the government....Ben thought the only thing wrong about my review was i said he took too long well which is a fact.so please read it again and listen to the cd again before you attack me...u guys will never be happy anyway cause u have ur Ben best at heart
LMAO, this is kak funny!!
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You know I hate to be critical, but the review of B. Sharpa is terrible.
The reviewer starts by asking "Was it (the album) worth the wait?". This question is never answered.
You can't review an album by just describing what a few of the tracks are about! Sure, you can pick up on themes that run through an album, but to state that, "Ben Sharpa points out the wrong-doings of the government in most of his tracks", is just factually incorrect. Maybe 3 or 4 out of 21 tracks have anything to do with the government.
The reviewer also states, "Callin' It Quits (We're Here) is on that boom bap tip as it sets a tone for the rest of the album". Again, factually incorrect!! How can anyone call a track by Milanese 'boom bap'!? If you read this review you'll have no idea what the album is actually like. There's only one track on the album that can be called boom bap.
Cats should really start exposing themselves to some international music reviews and up their game!
i c u D planet ok so my review was terrible cause i c u dont read well, so ill break it down to and how i review albums. 1 i spend days listening to albums, over and over again to the point my girl wants to kill me.2. i did answer if the album was worth waiting for if u read my last line of the review.3.about the boom bap its funny that i spoke to Ben b4 he left for France and he understood what i was speaking about, he called it future sound so he couldnt even discribe it.4. government, lol government well i said socio economics issues which are pointed at who? the government....Ben thought the only thing wrong about my review was i said he took too long well which is a fact.so please read it again and listen to the cd again before you attack me...u guys will never be happy anyway cause u have ur Ben best at heart
@TTP:
It's a question of writing. Speaking as someone who writes CD reviews for a living - or as a large chunk of a living - you need to get your point across. I haven't read the review in question but as for listening to the CD...DPlanet is Sharpa's label head. I think he's heard it once or twice.
Actually, f*** it, I'm just going to say it. You need to improve your writing. Sorry to come across as arrogant or smug, but that's the way it is. It's not up to standard.
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* Now, its time for amakipkip*
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@Blizzy make that two please, lets wait and see if Rob's gon' get his for being blunt like that Rob pray to God that ur superman EP don't get reviewed on these shores here u know the outcome
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Could someone please explain to me why you guys still buy the mag every ime and then come and complain about it?
I understand that you would like to support local hip hop and HYPe as the only magazine that caters to that would obviously be the mag you buy. The problem I have is that you buy it and then talk about how whack it is and how hard it is to even listen to the free music that comes with it. Why not rather stop buying it and this will send the message that they should step their game up editorially as well as musically, in order to keep their readers happy. If they don't then they will go the route of Y and all the rest.
Now you are just buying the mag and then coming on AG to say how bad it is, while they are under the impression that you enjoy it because their sales look good.
I used to buy the mag in the beginning because I thought Mizi did a good job after Fungayi. Then I started getting bored with it, and bought it only for the cd. Now I can't even tolerate that anymore and I can't remember the last time I bought it.
They won't miss one customer like me, but I'm sure they'll miss all of AG and all our friends and maybe then we will get what we want again. Either that or srtop bitching about the mag and cd.
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@TTP,
Didn't see a problem with your review dude.. Haven't heard the SHARPA album yet,but im damn sure gonna go out and get soon after reading your OPINION on it.Your writing aint bad. I just think HYPE should have more space for the reviews. They are just a bit too short.
and ya,you can't please everyone you know. Record Label EXEC's, journos, kwai-hop heads, tippy toeing teens, old schoolers. Not possible. Just do you son.
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Could someone please explain to me why you guys still buy the mag every ime and then come and complain about it?
I understand that you would like to support local hip hop and HYPe as the only magazine that caters to that would obviously be the mag you buy. The problem I have is that you buy it and then talk about how whack it is and how hard it is to even listen to the free music that comes with it. Why not rather stop buying it and this will send the message that they should step their game up editorially as well as musically, in order to keep their readers happy. If they don't then they will go the route of Y and all the rest.
Now you are just buying the mag and then coming on AG to say how bad it is, while they are under the impression that you enjoy it because their sales look good.
I used to buy the mag in the beginning because I thought Mizi did a good job after Fungayi. Then I started getting bored with it, and bought it only for the cd. Now I can't even tolerate that anymore and I can't remember the last time I bought it.
They won't miss one customer like me, but I'm sure they'll miss all of AG and all our friends and maybe then we will get what we want again. Either that or srtop bitching about the mag and cd.
well interesting thoughts but most of you guys in AG are either emcees,producers or use hip-hop to make money whether part time or full time but wont support the only mag that empowers you. what happens then when the mag is shut down. where will you promote your gigs or cds or people to hear ur beats. short sight is dangerous cause the mag is for you guys to empower urself. we not able to please everybody but make sure we try cover the whole of south africa not just your city. about luda on the cover we had 5 local in a row and people just half step and dont fully support and we need to stop that. SUPPORT UR MUSIC CAUSE ONE DAY IT WILL SUPOORT U.
@ROB 1
i here you saying m writing is not up to scratch...how about you review the same cd and lets here what you will say. its funny how the artists is saying something different from the label.I WONT DO U ROB 1 OR ANYBODY ELSE BUT MOST DEF WRITE IN MY STYLE CAUSE THATS WHAT I KNOW BEST.
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@ROB 1
i here you saying m writing is not up to scratch...how about you review the same cd and lets here what you will say. its funny how the artists is saying something different from the label.I WONT DO U ROB 1 OR ANYBODY ELSE BUT MOST DEF WRITE IN MY STYLE CAUSE THATS WHAT I KNOW BEST.
hear
;D
writing style.... :D ..... jokes man!!!
No 1s perfect!!!
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@ROB 1
i here you saying m writing is not up to scratch...how about you review the same cd and lets here what you will say. its funny how the artists is saying something different from the label.I WONT DO U ROB 1 OR ANYBODY ELSE BUT MOST DEF WRITE IN MY STYLE CAUSE THATS WHAT I KNOW BEST.
hear
;D
writing style.... :D ..... jokes man!!!
No 1s perfect!!!
LOL !!!! ;D
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@ROB 1
i here you saying m writing is not up to scratch...how about you review the same cd and lets here what you will say. its funny how the artists is saying something different from the label.I WONT DO U ROB 1 OR ANYBODY ELSE BUT MOST DEF WRITE IN MY STYLE CAUSE THATS WHAT I KNOW BEST.
DONE.
I'm finally getting my copy this week (thanks to D's lazy a** not posting it to me ;D) so I will. 150 words. On AG. Hell, I'll even do it for free.
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@Blizzy make that two please, lets wait and see if Rob's gon' get his for being blunt like that Rob pray to God that ur superman EP don't get reviewed on these shores here u know the outcome
Hype couldn't review it anyway. Conflict of interest.
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@ROB 1
i here you saying m writing is not up to scratch...how about you review the same cd and lets here what you will say. its funny how the artists is saying something different from the label.I WONT DO U ROB 1 OR ANYBODY ELSE BUT MOST DEF WRITE IN MY STYLE CAUSE THATS WHAT I KNOW BEST.
hear
;D
writing style.... :D ..... jokes man!!!
No 1s perfect!!!
thanks CHEF for editing it just sick n tired of people always complaining but hip-hop is going back cause we never support. @Rob 1 y not send ur EP
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Got this yesterday. WOW !!! Wackest Hype CD ever.
even the Ras track... Take time? ???
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You know I hate to be critical, but the review of B. Sharpa is terrible.
The reviewer starts by asking "Was it (the album) worth the wait?". This question is never answered.
You can't review an album by just describing what a few of the tracks are about! Sure, you can pick up on themes that run through an album, but to state that, "Ben Sharpa points out the wrong-doings of the government in most of his tracks", is just factually incorrect. Maybe 3 or 4 out of 21 tracks have anything to do with the government.
The reviewer also states, "Callin' It Quits (We're Here) is on that boom bap tip as it sets a tone for the rest of the album". Again, factually incorrect!! How can anyone call a track by Milanese 'boom bap'!? If you read this review you'll have no idea what the album is actually like. There's only one track on the album that can be called boom bap.
Cats should really start exposing themselves to some international music reviews and up their game!
i c u D planet ok so my review was terrible cause i c u dont read well, so ill break it down to and how i review albums. 1 i spend days listening to albums, over and over again to the point my girl wants to kill me.2. i did answer if the album was worth waiting for if u read my last line of the review.3.about the boom bap its funny that i spoke to Ben b4 he left for France and he understood what i was speaking about, he called it future sound so he couldnt even discribe it.4. government, lol government well i said socio economics issues which are pointed at who? the government....Ben thought the only thing wrong about my review was i said he took too long well which is a fact.so please read it again and listen to the cd again before you attack me...u guys will never be happy anyway cause u have ur Ben best at heart
Ok...
Point 1. I never claimed that you didn't listen to the album.
Point 2. You didn't answer whether or not you thought the album was worth the wait. In the last line of your review you say the album is "quite well constructed", before saying, "Oh! Kaptin My Kaptain lead the army to victory... a true warrior indeed." Maybe I'm being pedantic, but that doesn't answer the question. Was the album worth the wait? Well was it?...
Point 3. We have found many ways to describe Ben's music (Robot Army Music, Soundsystem Music, Glitch Hop, Dub Hop, Hybrid etc etc). It's all there in the press release if you wanted a few pointers. You're even admitting Ben called it 'Futuresound' yet you still call it 'boom bap'. It's just factually incorrect. Imagine if Mr. C goes to Musica and buys B. Sharpa based on your review... when he gets home and plays it, he's going to be very disappointed that there's only one track that could be described as anything like boom bap. Just look how much people are bitching about Mos Def not doing his normal hip hop shit,,, that's because they were expecting something else.
Point 4. I'm going to ignore the comment about me listening to the CD cause that's just plain stupid. Maybe you should re-read your review though because you mentioned 'socio economic issues' in reference to 'Check the Evidence 08'. You go on to say that you thought the album was 'conceptualised around that (socio-economic issues) and Ben points the wrong-doings of the Government in most of his tracks". He does NOT point out the wrong-doings of the Government in most of his tracks. As I said previously, there are maybe 2 or 3 tracks that are about the Government. Again, you could have just dipped into the press release... "On B. Sharpa, Ben addresses corporate greed, the media, the music industry, politics, the struggle of the downtrodden in the African continent, the ecology and the art of emceeing."
While we're on the subject... Zubz's album got reviewed as "another damn cla**ic!" and "a compelling body of work that deserves cla**ic status". He gets given 5/5 for lyrical content, 4/5 for delivery, 3/5 for production and 4.5/5 overall. Sharpa gets 4/5 for lyrical content, 4/5 for delivery, 4/5 for production and 4/5 overall. How does that work? I mean, the grades average out as the same, yet Zubz's album gets .5 more overall and described as a 'cla**ic'. Sharpa's album is described as 'quite well put together' - how much more luke warm can you be?!
I'm not asking you to give Ben's album a better rating or give it more praise than you did, I'm just asking you to get the facts straight. Your review mis-represents the music which doesn't do the artist or Hype's readers any good.
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@ROB 1
i here you saying m writing is not up to scratch...how about you review the same cd and lets here what you will say. its funny how the artists is saying something different from the label.I WONT DO U ROB 1 OR ANYBODY ELSE BUT MOST DEF WRITE IN MY STYLE CAUSE THATS WHAT I KNOW BEST.
hear
;D
writing style.... :D ..... jokes man!!!
No 1s perfect!!!
thanks CHEF for editing it just sick n tired of people always complaining but hip-hop is going back cause we never support. @Rob 1 y not send ur EP
I dare u rob!!!!!
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thanks CHEF for editing it just sick n tired of people always complaining but hip-hop is going back cause we never support. @Rob 1 y not send ur EP
I'm not complaining - I'm raising issues of fact for discussion. It's called critique and it can be applied as much to journalists as it can to musicians.
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Got this yesterday. WOW !!! Wackest Hype CD ever.
even the Ras track... Take time? ???
one of the few tracks i liked. ;) ;) ;)
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I quote-"Hype magazine is nothing more than a disease or small pox"
@D_planet-----Wasnt it one of your artists that said it D-Planet? If so then why are you still sending your music to hype mag?
@Rob----Lol send the ep and the singel thundergod. ;D ;D
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I quote-"Hype magazine is nothing more than a disease or small pox"
@D_planet-----Wasnt it one of your artists that said it D-Planet? If so then why are you still sending your music to hype mag?
Trusenz said those lines in Chickenhawk, a diss track aimed at Fungayi when he was talking trash about me in Hype mag (back when he was the editor).
I didn't send the CD to be reviewed, I just gave a copy to Mizi when I bumped into him. He called me a few days later and was raving about the CD.
Like I said, I respect people's varying opinions, but I do expect things to be factually correct. I support Hype magazine 100% but that doesn't mean I can't criticise it.
However, I do believe that the standard of music journalism in SA is short of what it should be.
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@ROB 1
i here you saying m writing is not up to scratch...how about you review the same cd and lets here what you will say. its funny how the artists is saying something different from the label.I WONT DO U ROB 1 OR ANYBODY ELSE BUT MOST DEF WRITE IN MY STYLE CAUSE THATS WHAT I KNOW BEST.
hear
;D
writing style.... :D ..... jokes man!!!
No 1s perfect!!!
thanks CHEF for editing it just sick n tired of people always complaining but hip-hop is going back cause we never support. @Rob 1 y not send ur EP
I dare u rob!!!!!
@AA and Explicit: Sent it to Simone ages ago. Mizi too. And Thunder God isn't the single :)
I've written for Hype fairly extensively in the past, so it would be difficult for them to review it. I don't consider myself well-known enough to be given the Zubz treatment here. Hey, if anyone reviews the album, great, but I've no reason to beliieve that Hype will.
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I quote-"Hype magazine is nothing more than a disease or small pox"
@D_planet-----Wasnt it one of your artists that said it D-Planet? If so then why are you still sending your music to hype mag?
Trusenz said those lines in Chickenhawk, a diss track aimed at Fungayi when he was talking trash about me in Hype mag (back when he was the editor).
I didn't send the CD to be reviewed, I just gave a copy to Mizi when I bumped into him. He called me a few days later and was raving about the CD.
Like I said, I respect people's varying opinions, but I do expect things to be factually correct. I support Hype magazine 100% but that doesn't mean I can't criticise it.
However, I do believe that the standard of music journalism in SA is short of what it should be.
Point taken! true that but i heard the track and quiet afew punches was aimed at hype magazine and not fungayi! Hence the line i quoted is intended at hype magazine dude.
Honestly I do feel your blowing hot air in the direction of ttp! if you got a problem with the way he writes approach him at hype magzine dont make shit a public issue and then cry your eyes out! Come on dude your the CEO act like one.
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Zubz's album got reviewed as "another damn cla**ic!" and "a compelling body of work that deserves cla**ic status". He gets given 5/5 for lyrical content, 4/5 for delivery, 3/5 for production and 4.5/5 overall. Sharpa gets 4/5 for lyrical content, 4/5 for delivery, 4/5 for production and 4/5 overall. How does that work? I mean, the grades average out as the same, yet Zubz's album gets .5 more overall and described as a 'cla**ic'. Sharpa's album is described as 'quite well put together' - how much more luke warm can you be?!
HAHAHAHAHA LMFAO AT THE MATH ON THIS HA HAHAH!!! :D :D :D
5 + 4 + 3 = 12 : 3 = 4.5! HAHAHAHA (EPIC) F.A.I.L! ;D ;D
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I quote-"Hype magazine is nothing more than a disease or small pox"
@D_planet-----Wasnt it one of your artists that said it D-Planet? If so then why are you still sending your music to hype mag?
Trusenz said those lines in Chickenhawk, a diss track aimed at Fungayi when he was talking trash about me in Hype mag (back when he was the editor).
I didn't send the CD to be reviewed, I just gave a copy to Mizi when I bumped into him. He called me a few days later and was raving about the CD.
Like I said, I respect people's varying opinions, but I do expect things to be factually correct. I support Hype magazine 100% but that doesn't mean I can't criticise it.
However, I do believe that the standard of music journalism in SA is short of what it should be.
Point taken! true that but i heard the track and quiet afew punches was aimed at hype magazine and not fungayi! Hence the line i quoted is intended at hype magazine dude.
Honestly I do feel your blowing hot air in the direction of ttp! if you got a problem with the way he writes approach him at hype magzine dont make shit a public issue and then cry your eyes out! Come on dude your the CEO act like one.
I haven't got a problem with the way TTP writes, I merely pointed out some inaccuracies in what he wrote. We're all on AG to discuss shit that pertains to hip hop in a transparent, public way. TTP puts himself as much out in the public domain when he writes as my artists do when they release music. Neither is immune to public critique.
Journalists have a responsibility to their editor, their readers and the musicians they write about, to make sure what they write is factually correct. As I keep saying, I don't care what opinion a journalist gives as long as what is written is factually correct.
This isn't an 'official' issue between Pioneer Unit and TTP or Hype magazine so you can fall back with your 'act like a CEO' nonsense. Instead of telling me what I should do, why don't you put forward an opinion on the matter at hand? You can start by listening to B. Sharpa and telling me if you think 'boom bap' is a good description of the musical style.
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Yo Ttp, next time you review any album that comes out of Dplanet's camp, remember to call him so he can tell you what to write. If you'd rather not call him, just give the artist 5/5 and remember to mention how great of a CEO Dpleezy is.
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LMFAO.
AG be hating on damien...
whatup with that?
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Yo Ttp, next time you review any album that comes out of Dplanet's camp, remember to call him so he can tell you what to write. If you'd rather not call him, just give the artist 5/5 and remember to mention how great of a CEO Dpleezy is.
So are you supporting the idea that journalists can just write anything they want, even if factually incorrect?
If Hype did a piece on you and they said you were a 3ft tall Mexican homosexual would you be cool with that?
Just in case you don't know the difference between fact and opinion, let me break it down for you...
Fact:
"The album has 12 tracks all produced by J Dilla. It was recorded in New York in 2001.
Opinion:
"I didn't like the album, it lacked a clear vision and direction. The tracks sounded as though they had been thrown together in a hurry."
I think this is the third time I'm saying it... I don't care what opinion a journalist offers. I don't care if the journalist likes what they are reviewing or not. All I care about is that it is factually correct.
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hahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!
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Yo Ttp, next time you review any album that comes out of Dplanet's camp, remember to call him so he can tell you what to write. If you'd rather not call him, just give the artist 5/5 and remember to mention how great of a CEO Dpleezy is.
If Hype did a piece on you and they said you were a 3ft tall Mexican homosexual would you be cool with that?
hahahahahahahahahahaha <flat-line>..............
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LMAO. vicious
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I am Sancho. Don't mean to sound like queer, but I find fire very romantic.
Are you sancho? No you are not… neither is Scott Baio, Sancho… But I, I am Sancho!
Put your tongue in her mouth, for Christ’s sake! - 1
How would Christ benefit from me putting my tongue in someone’s mouth? - 2
What movie, what movie!? A free compliment from me to anyone who knows.
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I am Sancho. Don't mean to sound like queer, but I find fire very romantic.
Are you sancho? No you are not… neither is Scott Baio, Sancho… But I, I am Sancho!
Put your tongue in her mouth, for Christ’s sake! - 1
How would Christ benefit from me putting my tongue in someone’s mouth? - 2
What movie, what movie!? A free compliment from me to anyone who knows.
With or without the help of Google? :)
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*anxiously awaits Rob's review of B. Sharpa*
D Planet needs to send me a press copy too. Sounds like the hottest property out.
I wouldn't mind reviewing it too.
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*anxiously awaits Rob's review of B. Sharpa*
D Planet needs to send me a press copy too. Sounds like the hottest property out.
I wouldn't mind reviewing it too.
I think DPlanet is hating on gay Mexican midgets.
I'll hopefully be at Ritual tomorrow, so if they're in stock I'll snag.
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Yo Ttp, next time you review any album that comes out of Dplanet's camp, remember to call him so he can tell you what to write. If you'd rather not call him, just give the artist 5/5 and remember to mention how great of a CEO Dpleezy is.
So are you supporting the idea that journalists can just write anything they want, even if factually incorrect?
If Hype did a piece on you and they said you were a 3ft tall Mexican homosexual would you be cool with that?
Just in case you don't know the difference between fact and opinion, let me break it down for you...
Fact:
"The album has 12 tracks all produced by J Dilla. It was recorded in New York in 2001.
Opinion:
"I didn't like the album, it lacked a clear vision and direction. The tracks sounded as though they had been thrown together in a hurry."
I think this is the third time I'm saying it... I don't care what opinion a journalist offers. I don't care if the journalist likes what they are reviewing or not. All I care about is that it is factually correct.
ok D Planet regulate HEY, ur artists deverse a 5/5 cause Zubz got a cla**ic ne! good then lets make B Sharpa sell 10,000 copies 1st then u can come talk to me.actually how about you give press a review to put in for you so we are factual about your Artists. i'll be reviewing the Rattex please send me pointers on what to write please so i can also give him 5/5.this is one of the reason y we dont sell we bitch and bitch the whole day about what? NOTHING....i dont see anybody breaking records, its not the 1st time D planet you complain about stuff. i respect you for putting cats on and have no problem with u ripping my review mara FACTS as u call THEM are WE ARE NOT SELLING CAUSE WE FOCUSING ON THE WRONG THINGS.i had N.A.S.A and DJ Lemonka call me and thank me for reviewing their album saying that it didnt matter what i said but the fact i put their album was on National platform and their sales increased Nationally.Rather than sit and point out small things how about we do promo in cd stores, perform at taxi ranks,do school rather than sit on the internet and complain. Call me and ASK since u reviewed the album which track can make YFM playlist, Metro fm or which track can make an impact...WE have a serious problem less good hip-hop is played on radio and heard B SHARPA is good hip-hop.i think B SHARPA album can be bigger than it is....
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i for one see where is coming from... i havnt listened to sharpa's disc nor have i read the review, or know either of the 2 gentlemen so my opinion is purely based on what the 2 sides are saying onhere and not baised
1. D says TTP's facts about the album review were wrong
that kind of information can be checked and verified. i dont see where TTP disputes that he merely belittles it
2. No where did he make mention or take offence at ttp's opinion.
3. he merely questions how ttp can give zubz a cla**ic and give sharpa's something else even though the ratings average out... (not that he is asking ttp to give sharpa the same cla**ic status but rather question how he comes to the final conclusions, is it based on the ratings or on something eles?)
ttp makes mention of "bitch the whole day about what? NOTHING" i think it is the man's job to makes sure the right kind of information on his artist is presented correctly so this isnt "NOTHING" or rather as ttp puts it "Rather than sit and point out small things" he is pointing factual mistakes and i think u need to take that into consideration when making future reviews.
my very unbiased opinon
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Agree with TTP.
@ D, sometimes it seems you complain a little bit too much. You got an overall good review, Your artist has been on the COVER, but yet it seems that's still not enough for you. You been talking about Ben doing very well overseas and all that jazz, but you still turn around complaining about SAMA nominations, how SA doesn't really embrace his music yadayada. Ya'll have had a lot of successes compared to a lot of people in this game but u still not happy. Sometimes you just need ignore the little wrong things, look @ the positives and put that on the pedestal.
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i for one see where is coming from... i havnt listened to sharpa's disc nor have i read the review, or know either of the 2 gentlemen so my opinion is purely based on what the 2 sides are saying onhere and not baised
1. D says TTP's facts about the album review were wrong
that kind of information can be checked and verified. i dont see where TTP disputes that he merely belittles it
2. No where did he make mention or take offence at ttp's opinion.
3. he merely questions how ttp can give zubz a cla**ic and give sharpa's something else even though the ratings average out... (not that he is asking ttp to give sharpa the same cla**ic status but rather question how he comes to the final conclusions, is it based on the ratings or on something eles?)
ttp makes mention of "bitch the whole day about what? NOTHING" i think it is the man's job to makes sure the right kind of information on his artist is presented correctly so this isnt "NOTHING" or rather as ttp puts it "Rather than sit and point out small things" he is pointing factual mistakes and i think u need to take that into consideration when making future reviews.
my very unbiased opinon
cosig on all of the above
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ok D Planet regulate HEY, ur artists deverse a 5/5 cause Zubz got a cla**ic ne!
Where did I say B Sharpa 'deserved' anything? I was just questioning how the two reviews compare. But I guess you don't want to engage with that question right? Let's just keep it a mystery. Who cares about transparency or accountability eh?
good then lets make B Sharpa sell 10,000 copies 1st then u can come talk to me.
For a start you have no idea what Zubz or Sharpa has sold - until we get Soundscan (or something similar), you never will. And what have Ben's sales got to do with anything?
actually how about you give press a review to put in for you so we are factual about your Artists. i'll be reviewing the Rattex please send me pointers on what to write please so i can also give him 5/5.
Or, how about you just check your facts are correct before you submit your reviews? Find me one place where I say that you should have reviewed Sharpa more favourably?
this is one of the reason y we dont sell we bitch and bitch the whole day about what? NOTHING....
Firstly, I'm not bitching 'the whole day'. I'm working on Driemanskap's album which is dropping in May - you'll get to hear their new material for the first time at Back to the City by the way. We're working round the clock to put Cape Town and South African hip hop on the world map.
Secondly, if you seriously think that me pointing out innacuracies in hip hop journalism is one of the reasons we don't sell, you have no idea what's going on in the music industry. Who says we're not selling anyway? We're busy my man, don't worry about us.
i dont see anybody breaking records
How about first South African hip hop artist to perform at the world's biggest music festival? How about first South African underground hip hop label to sign a licensing deal with Nokia? Or first Cape Town Hip Hop label to be signed to MTN Xploaded? First label in SA to specialise in Spaza?
its not the 1st time D planet you complain about stuff.
That's right. And it won't be the last.
i respect you for putting cats on and have no problem with u ripping my review mara FACTS as u call THEM are WE ARE NOT SELLING CAUSE WE FOCUSING ON THE WRONG THINGS.
You don't think presenting correct facts about our hip hop artists is important? Trust me, I focus mainly on running the label. Part of that job is checking what is being written about my artists and checking whether it is factually correct.
i had N.A.S.A and DJ Lemonka call me and thank me for reviewing their album saying that it didnt matter what i said but the fact i put their album was on National platform and their sales increased Nationally.
So you want me to be grateful to you for 'putting me on' no matter what you write?
Rather than sit and point out small things
I don't consider misrepresentation of my artists a small thing.
how about we do promo in cd stores, perform at taxi ranks, do school rather than sit on the internet and complain.
You think all I do is sit on the internet and complain? Haha. right.
Call me and ASK since u reviewed the album which track can make YFM playlist, Metro fm or which track can make an impact...WE have a serious problem less good hip-hop is played on radio and heard B SHARPA is good hip-hop.i think B SHARPA album can be bigger than it is....
Of course B. Sharpa can be bigger than it is. We appreciate all the help we get and we rigorously follow up on all opportunities. This isn't about that though.
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Agree with TTP.
@ D, sometimes it seems you complain a little bit too much. You got an overall good review, Your artist has been on the COVER, but yet it seems that's still not enough for you. You been talking about Ben doing very well overseas and all that jazz, but you still turn around complaining about SAMA nominations, how SA doesn't really embrace his music yadayada. Ya'll have had a lot of successes compared to a lot of people in this game but u still not happy. Sometimes you just need ignore the little wrong things, look @ the positives and put that on the pedestal.
I have a good relationship with Mizi and Simone. Pioneer Unit is 100% down with Hype magazine and has been since Mizi took over. I buy 2 or 3 copies every time it comes out. We supply interviews, news stories and photography. How much more supportive can I be?
However, this issue effects all of us, not just me or my artists. Would it be cool with you if Hype reviewed the Federation CD and called it 'Techno-Rave-Hop'?
You seem to think I'm being overly demanding for just asking for facts to be correct. Isn't that the most basic principle of journalism? By pointing out these 'small things', we apply pressure to journalists to check their facts before they submit their stories in the future.
Everyone else is on this thread complaining about how KGB f***ed up the tracks on the Hype CD by scratching all over them. How come you don't jump on their backs telling them to stop bitching and be grateful?
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@ t2da
nigga stop ethering yourself, just fallback!!!
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in all fairness... DPlanet has every right to raise these questions and grievances! we all do! ttp seems to b gettin upset that DPlanet is questioning the review on HIS artists! that HE spends money promoting and signing and recording and, and, and....
@ TTP - if u and Planet swapped roles, would u not b doin the same thing??? If not, then maybe thats why u aren't a label head like he is... it is his job to question the smallest of things and not b complacent! that's just business!
@ MrC - dude i think thats bein over-critical of D's criticism. its not even like the dude is running to the Sunday Times and making this a huge issue for parliament or sumthin to take note. it's an internet FORUM! i'm happy to see he's not content with all he's already achieved! thats props to him.. that shows me he's not prepared to slow down!
mind u... i'm not happy with a review i recently read that DPlanet wrote on the crackboys, so i myself, am TOTALLY unbiased!
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Everyone else is on this thread complaining about how KGB f***ed up the tracks on the Hype CD by scratching all over them. How come you don't jump on their backs telling them to stop bitching and be grateful?
Im not saying people should not complain. And i agree with them.The scratching was WACK. You just seem to complain all the time. Say thanks @ times, show some love. Stop trying to put down everything about SA. That's all you ever do.The SAMA's, the ACCENT's, people choosing to do the music they do, HYPE, EVERYTHING dude. U GOT A PROBLEM WITH EVERYTHING.like all of this here you really could have just ignored. It was a good review @ the end of the day. That's what people will look @. I don't think the "FACTS" that you say have been misconstrued will have an effect on how people look @ the album. The consequences are not that huge,so is it really worth it going six pages deep and u and T going @ it like u are ? Ya'll both need each other in this game as far as i am concerned and ya'll are straining ya'll's relationship over petty little "NOTHINGS". WORTH IT ? I don't know.
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Everyone else is on this thread complaining about how KGB f***ed up the tracks on the Hype CD by scratching all over them. How come you don't jump on their backs telling them to stop bitching and be grateful?
Im not saying people should not complain. And i agree with them.The scratching was WACK. You just seem to complain all the time. Say thanks @ times, show some love. Stop trying to put down everything about SA. That's all you ever do.The SAMA's, the ACCENT's, people choosing to do the music they do, HYPE, EVERYTHING dude. U GOT A PROBLEM WITH EVERYTHING.like all of this here you really could have just ignored. It was a good review @ the end of the day. That's what people will look @. I don't think the "FACTS" that you say have been misconstrued will have an effect on how people look @ the album. The consequences are not that huge,so is it really worth it going six pages deep and u and T going @ it like u supposed to ? Ya'll both need each other in this game as far as i am concerned and ya'll are straining ya'll's relationship over petty little "NOTHINGS". WORTH IT ? I don't know.
110% motherfcukin CO-SIGN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Everyone else is on this thread complaining about how KGB f***ed up the tracks on the Hype CD by scratching all over them. How come you don't jump on their backs telling them to stop bitching and be grateful?
Im not saying people should not complain. And i agree with them.The scratching was WACK. You just seem to complain all the time. Say thanks @ times, show some love. Stop trying to put down everything about SA. That's all you ever do.The SAMA's, the ACCENT's, people choosing to do the music they do, HYPE, EVERYTHING dude. U GOT A PROBLEM WITH EVERYTHING.like all of this here you really could have just ignored. It was a good review @ the end of the day. That's what people will look @. I don't think the "FACTS" that you say have been misconstrued will have an effect on how people look @ the album. The consequences are not that huge,so is it really worth it going six pages deep and u and T going @ it like u supposed to ? Ya'll both need each other in this game as far as i am concerned and ya'll are straining ya'll's relationship over petty little "NOTHINGS". WORTH IT ? I don't know.
Come on man,,, you're losing the plot. I love SA hip hop more than any other hip hop in the world! I love SA too, that's why I live here! We're all on here to express our opinions - just like you're doing now.
This thing is only going 6 pages deep because cats keep complaining that I shouldn't complain! :)
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Im not saying people should not complain. And i agree with them.The scratching was WACK. You just seem to complain all the time. Say thanks @ times, show some love. Stop trying to put down everything about SA. That's all you ever do.The SAMA's, the ACCENT's, people choosing to do the music they do, HYPE, EVERYTHING dude. U GOT A PROBLEM WITH EVERYTHING.like all of this here you really could have just ignored. It was a good review @ the end of the day. That's what people will look @. I don't think the "FACTS" that you say have been misconstrued will have an effect on how people look @ the album. The consequences are not that huge,so is it really worth it going six pages deep and u and T going @ it like u supposed to ? Ya'll both need each other in this game as far as i am concerned and ya'll are straining ya'll's relationship over petty little "NOTHINGS". WORTH IT ? I don't know.
is it really little (and thats a question)
as a label head that needs to sell a cd...
if a review made by a magazine says your product is one thing and it aint (which gives the wrong impression and potentially cost him a few potrential album buyers in the process) is he not in the right to seek it be corrected...
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Im not saying people should not complain. And i agree with them.The scratching was WACK. You just seem to complain all the time. Say thanks @ times, show some love. Stop trying to put down everything about SA. That's all you ever do.The SAMA's, the ACCENT's, people choosing to do the music they do, HYPE, EVERYTHING dude. U GOT A PROBLEM WITH EVERYTHING.like all of this here you really could have just ignored. It was a good review @ the end of the day. That's what people will look @. I don't think the "FACTS" that you say have been misconstrued will have an effect on how people look @ the album. The consequences are not that huge,so is it really worth it going six pages deep and u and T going @ it like u supposed to ? Ya'll both need each other in this game as far as i am concerned and ya'll are straining ya'll's relationship over petty little "NOTHINGS". WORTH IT ? I don't know.
is it really little (and thats a question)
as a label head that needs to sell a cd...
if a review made by a magazine says your product is one thing and it aint (which gives the wrong impression and potentially cost him a few potrential album buyers in the process) is he not in the right to seek it be corrected...
well music is all about how u hear something and my review is based on that. so must i write according to whoes ears? mine or the record label maybe D PLANET can explain and school me since i dont know much about the industry....
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You just seem to complain all the time. Say thanks @ times, show some love. Stop trying to put down everything about SA. That's all you ever do.The SAMA's, the ACCENT's, people choosing to do the music they do, HYPE, EVERYTHING dude. U GOT A PROBLEM WITH EVERYTHING.
WORD!
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TwoTeams is right. Dplanet, you complain about everything. The review didn't damage Sharpa's cred. No need to be salty. Pioneer Unit is doing good things, quit majoring on minors and live happily ever after. Otherwise send all your artists' releases to 'Europe' for review. They might do a better job than the SA journalists.
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D, do u think think cla**ifying Sharpa as BOOM BAP could cost him potential clients ? Sharpa is quite a old school rapper in SA, just looking @ how long he's been doing it right ? So his following are really people that have been exposed to BOOM BAP. Will they not buy the album cos one person say's it BOOM BAP ? After all the wait ? And an overall good review at that ? Will he loose out on new fans cos it's being cla**ified as BOOM BAP ? Why is this such a big deal ?
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D, do u think think cla**ifying Sharpa as BOOM BAP could cost him potential clients ? Sharpa is quite a old school rapper in SA, just looking @ how long he's been doing it right ? So his following are really people that have been exposed to BOOM BAP. Will they not buy the album cos one person say's it BOOM BAP ? After all the wait ? And an overall good review at that ? Will he loose out on new fans cos it's being cla**ified as BOOM BAP ? Why is this such a big deal ?
i think D would be better placed to answer that.
all im saying is that he feels the review may have been misinterpreting. what the implications are he only knows, but he is in the right to seek it corrected thats all. whether he "always complains" is a totally different argument of which i have no opinion on.
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Everyone else is on this thread complaining about how KGB f***ed up the tracks on the Hype CD by scratching all over them. How come you don't jump on their backs telling them to stop bitching and be grateful?
Im not saying people should not complain. And i agree with them.The scratching was WACK. You just seem to complain all the time. Say thanks @ times, show some love. Stop trying to put down everything about SA. That's all you ever do.The SAMA's, the ACCENT's, people choosing to do the music they do, HYPE, EVERYTHING dude. U GOT A PROBLEM WITH EVERYTHING.like all of this here you really could have just ignored. It was a good review @ the end of the day. That's what people will look @. I don't think the "FACTS" that you say have been misconstrued will have an effect on how people look @ the album. The consequences are not that huge,so is it really worth it going six pages deep and u and T going @ it like u are ? Ya'll both need each other in this game as far as i am concerned and ya'll are straining ya'll's relationship over petty little "NOTHINGS". WORTH IT ? I don't know.
I cosign as well!
@D you still havent answered my question! "If Hype is nothing more than a disease of smallpox then why are you wasting your time submitting articles and the rest? Yes Fungayi was editor at that time but shots were taken at hype magazine specifically!
Im sorry to say this but D you really do have double standards! If your artist doesnt grace the cover or doesnt get a good review you breaking into tears, Come on dude! You want 5 stars then make a cla**ic record period!
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this thread should be deleted >:(
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Everyone else is on this thread complaining about how KGB f***ed up the tracks on the Hype CD by scratching all over them. How come you don't jump on their backs telling them to stop bitching and be grateful?
Im not saying people should not complain. And i agree with them.The scratching was WACK. You just seem to complain all the time. Say thanks @ times, show some love. Stop trying to put down everything about SA. That's all you ever do.The SAMA's, the ACCENT's, people choosing to do the music they do, HYPE, EVERYTHING dude. U GOT A PROBLEM WITH EVERYTHING.like all of this here you really could have just ignored. It was a good review @ the end of the day. That's what people will look @. I don't think the "FACTS" that you say have been misconstrued will have an effect on how people look @ the album. The consequences are not that huge,so is it really worth it going six pages deep and u and T going @ it like u are ? Ya'll both need each other in this game as far as i am concerned and ya'll are straining ya'll's relationship over petty little "NOTHINGS". WORTH IT ? I don't know.
I cosign as well!
@D you still havent answered my question! "If Hype is nothing more than a disease of smallpox then why are you wasting your time submitting articles and the rest? Yes Fungayi was editor at that time but shots were taken at hype magazine specifically!
Im sorry to say this but D you really do have double standards! If your artist doesnt grace the cover or doesnt get a good review you breaking into tears, Come on dude! You want 5 stars then make a cla**ic record period!
Are you being willfully ignorant?...
I have answered your question. I said that line was from a diss track aimed at Fungayi who was the editor of Hype magazine at the time. I support Hype magazine 100% now that Mizi is in charge. It's a very simple concept to understand. I don't know why you're trying to stir shit up - oh, I forgot, you're a journalist ;)
Anyway,,, good luck to all of you that support journalists being able to write whatever they want.
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I've been hearing about this Chicken Hawks track and i've never heard it :-[ D you mind sharing ;D
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I've been hearing about this Chicken Hawks track and i've never heard it :-[ D you mind sharing ;D
PLEASE!!! i aint heard it neither
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I think the point here gentlemen (wether D complains too much or not) is that what journalists communicate to the general public tends to change perceptions and decisions. I dont think this can be simplified in any other way, check your FACTS qha!
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I've been hearing about this Chicken Hawks track and i've never heard it :-[ D you mind sharing ;D
PLEASE!!! i aint heard it neither
Here you go...
LINK REMOVED/?junjiz2yynl (http://LINK REMOVED/?junjiz2yynl)
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I've been hearing about this Chicken Hawks track and i've never heard it :-[ D you mind sharing ;D
PLEASE!!! i aint heard it neither
Here you go...
LINK REMOVED/?junjiz2yynl (http://LINK REMOVED/?junjiz2yynl)
Thanks D ;)
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Everyone else is on this thread complaining about how KGB f***ed up the tracks on the Hype CD by scratching all over them. How come you don't jump on their backs telling them to stop bitching and be grateful?
Im not saying people should not complain. And i agree with them.The scratching was WACK. You just seem to complain all the time. Say thanks @ times, show some love. Stop trying to put down everything about SA. That's all you ever do.The SAMA's, the ACCENT's, people choosing to do the music they do, HYPE, EVERYTHING dude. U GOT A PROBLEM WITH EVERYTHING.like all of this here you really could have just ignored. It was a good review @ the end of the day. That's what people will look @. I don't think the "FACTS" that you say have been misconstrued will have an effect on how people look @ the album. The consequences are not that huge,so is it really worth it going six pages deep and u and T going @ it like u are ? Ya'll both need each other in this game as far as i am concerned and ya'll are straining ya'll's relationship over petty little "NOTHINGS". WORTH IT ? I don't know.
I cosign as well!
@D you still havent answered my question! "If Hype is nothing more than a disease of smallpox then why are you wasting your time submitting articles and the rest? Yes Fungayi was editor at that time but shots were taken at hype magazine specifically!
Im sorry to say this but D you really do have double standards! If your artist doesnt grace the cover or doesnt get a good review you breaking into tears, Come on dude! You want 5 stars then make a cla**ic record period!
Are you being willfully ignorant?...
I have answered your question. I said that line was from a diss track aimed at Fungayi who was the editor of Hype magazine at the time. I support Hype magazine 100% now that Mizi is in charge. It's a very simple concept to understand. I don't know why you're trying to stir shit up - oh, I forgot, you're a journalist ;)
Anyway,,, good luck to all of you that support journalists being able to write whatever they want.
btw d, this cat has been coming sideways at you for minute...
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Just wanted to give an contrasting example of what was written about B. Sharpa in Trax magazine in France...
"A concentrated blast of digital hip hop: the flow is hard, the beats slamming. The themes are hardcore, but there is a kind of funky nonchalance that is very contemporary.
Deep, like a hybrid between post-rave dubstep and hard-working old-skool rap, this album is a most unlikely, but essential dancefloor crossover."
I'm not posting this to show off or big Sharpa up,,, just as an example of writing that gets across the idea of what the album sounds like.
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"This mini-album features intense, virtuoso rapping from rising South African MC, Ben Sharpa, and electronic sounds that writhe and warp around the beat like living things. Dark, strange and very wonderful.”
Mixmag (UK)
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“Heavy rhythms and electro artifacts resonate like a jump of pride. Scratching the contemporary sound with a warlike ba**line referencing Roots Manuva or Ty. Gluttonous and curious, he disrupts UK Grime with his East Coast tidal wave. He cracks Dizzee Rascal’s varnish, and competes with Virus Syndicate.” (translated from French)
- Tsugi Magazine (FR)
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“Here in SA, a new generation of conceptual hip-hop heads are charting new rhyme territories. Soweto-born underground hero Ben Sharpa’s debut B. Sharpa manages to violate your brain and set your a** boiling. His raps are a whip of agitprop street academia, internet references, science fiction and pop culture, while production combines everything from Sega sound effects to electro-industrialism - a managerie of gritty cop-show out-takes and synth swoops that will evoke the nightmares of b-boys of old.”
- GQ Magazine (SA)
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Dplanet.. I feel you.. I think you have been very harshly targeted and abused in this thread..
The problem with album reviews is that their based on interpretation and in some cases pre-existing bias. In SA there general opinions about Sharpa are either favorable or unfavorable. There is no in between. This is highlighted by the highly contrasting local reviews. On a street level i either hear hate or love for Sharpa, never any people who are indifferent. The funny thing is these opinions are usually formed without anyone picking up a sharpa cd.
Your more likely to get an objective Sharpa review internationally where the bias (favorable or unfavorable) doesn't exist.
With regards to the French piece you posted, that's an interpretation that you share with the reviewer but it could have gone either way if their interpretation clashed with yours.
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Dust the dirt off ur shoulders D ;D
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“Here in SA, a new generation of conceptual hip-hop heads are charting new rhyme territories. Soweto-born underground hero Ben Sharpa’s debut B. Sharpa manages to violate your brain and set your a** boiling. His raps are a whip of agitprop street academia, internet references, science fiction and pop culture, while production combines everything from Sega sound effects to electro-industrialism - a managerie of gritty cop-show out-takes and synth swoops that will evoke the nightmares of b-boys of old.”
- GQ Magazine (SA)
...and...and...YES! Ladies and Gentlemen, his head has disappeared up his own backside!!! This is incredible!!! ;D
Nah, I think D got the short end in this thread. All he's been doing is criticising shoddy writing and he's getting the snot kicked out of him.
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where ttp at? lmao!!!!
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“Here in SA, a new generation of conceptual hip-hop heads are charting new rhyme territories. Soweto-born underground hero Ben Sharpa’s debut B. Sharpa manages to violate your brain and set your a** boiling. His raps are a whip of agitprop street academia, internet references, science fiction and pop culture, while production combines everything from Sega sound effects to electro-industrialism - a managerie of gritty cop-show out-takes and synth swoops that will evoke the nightmares of b-boys of old.”
- GQ Magazine (SA)
Miles Keylock is the best music journalist writing in SA - and one of the best doing it internationally. dude has been at it for years and his knowledge of music genres and their fusion; post-modern tamperings, meetings and mashes; and hyper-consumed popular culture dating from the 70s to the present, is nothing short of encyclopaedic. he writes across genres easily and is always, always informed - not so much because of research but because of access .
if youre getting these type of reviews why bother yourself with a blurb from hype? (no offence ttp). the thing is to even appreciate this kind of writing (to follow the references) you need to have a cosmopolitan mindset. the quoted magazines set out to demand this from their readers. hype? not so much. its as straight laced as they come. hip hop elementary if anything. so id say factual f*** ups and all ttp held it down for the hype bunch. he spoke their language and their references. again no offence ttp, but i thought it was common sense to know what to expect in terms of quality from a publication. i wouldnt be surprised by mediocre writing in Y mag or the Sun for example.
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“Here in SA, a new generation of conceptual hip-hop heads are charting new rhyme territories. Soweto-born underground hero Ben Sharpa’s debut B. Sharpa manages to violate your brain and set your a** boiling. His raps are a whip of agitprop street academia, internet references, science fiction and pop culture, while production combines everything from Sega sound effects to electro-industrialism - a managerie of gritty cop-show out-takes and synth swoops that will evoke the nightmares of b-boys of old.”
- GQ Magazine (SA)
Miles Keylock is the best music journalist writing in SA - and one of the best doing it internationally. dude has been at it for years and his knowledge of music genres and their fusion; post-modern tamperings, meetings and mashes; and hyper-consumed popular culture dating from the 70s to the present, is nothing short of encyclopaedic. he writes across genres easily and is always, always informed - not so much because of research but because of access .
if youre getting these type of reviews why bother yourself with a blurb from hype? (no offence ttp). the thing is to even appreciate this kind of writing (to follow the references) you need to have a cosmopolitan mindset. the quoted magazines set out to demand this from their readers. hype? not so much. its as straight laced as they come. hip hop elementary if anything. so id say factual f*** ups and all ttp held it down for the hype bunch. he spoke their language and their references. again no offence ttp, but i thought it was common sense to know what to expect in terms of quality from a publication. i wouldnt be surprised by mediocre writing in Y mag or the Sun for example.
INDIRECT ETHER!!!!! LOL
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good looking out on the brief article on Zed Hip Hop!
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“Here in SA, a new generation of conceptual hip-hop heads are charting new rhyme territories. Soweto-born underground hero Ben Sharpa’s debut B. Sharpa manages to violate your brain and set your a** boiling. His raps are a whip of agitprop street academia, internet references, science fiction and pop culture, while production combines everything from Sega sound effects to electro-industrialism - a managerie of gritty cop-show out-takes and synth swoops that will evoke the nightmares of b-boys of old.”
- GQ Magazine (SA)
Miles Keylock is the best music journalist writing in SA - and one of the best doing it internationally. dude has been at it for years and his knowledge of music genres and their fusion; post-modern tamperings, meetings and mashes; and hyper-consumed popular culture dating from the 70s to the present, is nothing short of encyclopaedic. he writes across genres easily and is always, always informed - not so much because of research but because of access .
if youre getting these type of reviews why bother yourself with a blurb from hype? (no offence ttp). the thing is to even appreciate this kind of writing (to follow the references) you need to have a cosmopolitan mindset. the quoted magazines set out to demand this from their readers. hype? not so much. its as straight laced as they come. hip hop elementary if anything. so id say factual f*** ups and all ttp held it down for the hype bunch. he spoke their language and their references. again no offence ttp, but i thought it was common sense to know what to expect in terms of quality from a publication. i wouldnt be surprised by mediocre writing in Y mag or the Sun for example.
INDIRECT ETHER!!!!! LOL
this belongs to the ether thread ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Cats here got issues with D and as result are not reasoning well with their arguments. All what I read from D sad makes logical sense but cats are just attacking cause they found an opportunity to say what they saying about D. You cats are clearly not trying to reason here.
TTP sounds like a cool cat and I believe he could have handled this better if he made the effort to.
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Dplanet.. I feel you.. I think you have been very harshly targeted and abused in this thread..
The problem with album reviews is that their based on interpretation and in some cases pre-existing bias. In SA there general opinions about Sharpa are either favorable or unfavorable. There is no in between. This is highlighted by the highly contrasting local reviews. On a street level i either hear hate or love for Sharpa, never any people who are indifferent. The funny thing is these opinions are usually formed without anyone picking up a sharpa cd.
Your more likely to get an objective Sharpa review internationally where the bias (favorable or unfavorable) doesn't exist.
With regards to the French piece you posted, that's an interpretation that you share with the reviewer but it could have gone either way if their interpretation clashed with yours.
You have raised a very interesting point. I have noted before that we suffer from 'crabs in a barrel' syndrome in SA hip hop. It's almost like no one wants to take pride in another South African's achievement if he's not from their camp, or his style isn't their personal favourite. Foreign journalists don't have this baggage and seem to find it much easier to judge a product on face value. Journalists in SA seem to want to show how clever they are by criticising something rather than critiquing it.
All music journalists have their own personal taste but they should be able to set that aside and judge music based on a deep knowledge of the history of music as well as a broad knowledge of what's currently happening across a variety of genres. An informed piece of critique can only come from someone who knows where the music they are listening to fits within the larger context of other music of its genre around the world and weigh up its merits within that context.
We've had 12 reviews in foreign publications. While some are better (in terms of them saying nice things) than others, all of them have been able to understand where Sharpa is coming from musically. The interpretations have differed slightly, but we haven't found anything contradictory, or that we feel missed the point of what we were trying to achieve. Locally, this hasn't been the case.
I'm not trying to dismiss all local music journalism. As someone mentioned earlier, Miles Keylock is excellent. Recently I was talking with someone who lectures on journalism in SA. He said that music journalism today has become all about the journalist and not about the subject. Journalists often turn up to press launches just for the glamour and free alcohol. I'm not accusing TTP of this type of behaviour - he seems like an honest head.
Frank Zappa once famously said, "Most rock journalism is people who can't write, interviewing people who can't talk, for people who can't read." ;D
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Dplanet.. I feel you.. I think you have been very harshly targeted and abused in this thread..
The problem with album reviews is that their based on interpretation and in some cases pre-existing bias. In SA there general opinions about Sharpa are either favorable or unfavorable. There is no in between. This is highlighted by the highly contrasting local reviews. On a street level i either hear hate or love for Sharpa, never any people who are indifferent. The funny thing is these opinions are usually formed without anyone picking up a sharpa cd.
Your more likely to get an objective Sharpa review internationally where the bias (favorable or unfavorable) doesn't exist.
With regards to the French piece you posted, that's an interpretation that you share with the reviewer but it could have gone either way if their interpretation clashed with yours.
You have raised a very interesting point. I have noted before that we suffer from 'crabs in a barrel' syndrome in SA hip hop. It's almost like no one wants to take pride in another South African's achievement if he's not from their camp, or his style isn't their personal favourite. Foreign journalists don't have this baggage and seem to find it much easier to judge a product on face value. Journalists in SA seem to want to show how clever they are by criticising something rather than critiquing it.
All music journalists have their own personal taste but they should be able to set that aside and judge music based on a deep knowledge of the history of music as well as a broad knowledge of what's currently happening across a variety of genres. An informed piece of critique can only come from someone who knows where the music they are listening to fits within the larger context of other music of its genre around the world and weigh up its merits within that context.
We've had 12 reviews in foreign publications. While some are better (in terms of them saying nice things) than others, all of them have been able to understand where Sharpa is coming from musically. The interpretations have differed slightly, but we haven't found anything contradictory, or that we feel missed the point of what we were trying to achieve. Locally, this hasn't been the case.
I'm not trying to dismiss all local music journalism. As someone mentioned earlier, Miles Keylock is excellent. Recently I was talking with someone who lectures on journalism in SA. He said that music journalism today has become all about the journalist and not about the subject. Journalists often turn up to press launches just for the glamour and free alcohol. I'm not accusing TTP of this type of behaviour - he seems like an honest head.
Frank Zappa once famously said, "Most rock journalism is people who can't write, interviewing people who can't talk, for people who can't read." ;D
Cosign. But we do try! And the pay is crap, so hey, we only do it for free CDs, gig tickets and fanboyism.
Just got the Sharpa. Review to follow.
Other (dope) journalism at www.robboffard.com
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^^^ remember i know where you live Rob! :D :D :D
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^^^ remember i know where you live Rob! :D :D :D
Yeah well your lazy a** didn't post me a press copy - I mean, how rude! - so I actually had to go out and BUY it. Like with MONEY. I'm outraged. I demand a cheque in return for a fair review. ;D Otherwise I'll just rip it and it's boom-bap, blinged out a** to pieces...
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^^^ remember i know where you live Rob! :D :D :D
Yeah well your lazy a** didn't post me a press copy - I mean, how rude! - so I actually had to go out and BUY it. Like with MONEY. I'm outraged. I demand a cheque in return for a fair review. ;D Otherwise I'll just rip it and it's boom-bap, blinged out a** to pieces...
Haha,,, my bad. But at least you can feel good for supporting SA hip hop :)
The cheque's in the post.
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Here's how you write a CD review:
Ben Sharpa
B. Sharpa
Pioneer Unit
We need to get this out the way right now: Ben Sharpa is nice with his. Actually, screw that: he's a monster. Almost every track on his debut, B.Sharpa, is loaded with quotables. We’d drop a few here, but we’d run out of space. Whether it’s simmering anger (Hegemony) trippy storytelling (Edwin the Hardboiled) or just plain lyrical lunacy (The Eye Seen) Sharpa comes correct.
His spiky, whiny flow, one of the more recognisable in the SA hip-hop circuit, never gets old, and although one suspects that when faced with slightly more sensitive beats he might struggle, one also suspects that Ben doesn’t do sensitive. Opticial Ill this ain’t, and neither should it be.
And yet, for all his lyrical dexterity, the album as a whole is like a packet of Marie biscuits. Eating one or two at a pop is OK, but eat the whole packet and your mouth gets as dry as some of the beats here. DPlanet, Sibot, Hueman and Milanese all contribute individual moments of fire (special mention to the liquid ba**line of Hegemony) but listening to all twenty-one tracks in one go leaves your ears ringing and your mind aching for some variation. And it takes ages to get going properly.
Of course, the whole ear-aching, head-splitting thing is sort of what Ben sets out to do in the first place, so make of that what you will. And even if you don’t rock with all of the beats, the talent and quality is leaking from everywhere on this record.
It’s not as essential or as epochal as it promised, but immerse yourself in the twisted world of Ben Sharpa; chances are, you’ll emerge convinced, with dreadlocks and a f***ed-up world view. Go get that.
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Not a bad review you wrote there Mr Boffard.
Since you and Tate are doing it, maybe I should also write one. Make it the most reviewed album in the history of AG. I think I'll pop the album in tomorrow morning when I leave for Maseru and only remove it when I get back next week.
Then I'll give you mine.
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"i've seen refugees with ten degrees sell u trees to pay rental fees".... the eye seen BEN SHARPA
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Cats here got issues with D and as result are not reasoning well with their arguments. All what I read from D sad makes logical sense but cats are just attacking cause they found an opportunity to say what they saying about D. You cats are clearly not trying to reason here.
TTP sounds like a cool cat and I believe he could have handled this better if he made the effort to.
wanna suck my dick too? ;D U seem to do this really well for DPlanet. No homo
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Cats here got issues with D and as result are not reasoning well with their arguments. All what I read from D sad makes logical sense but cats are just attacking cause they found an opportunity to say what they saying about D. You cats are clearly not trying to reason here.
TTP sounds like a cool cat and I believe he could have handled this better if he made the effort to.
wanna suck my dick too? ;D U seem to do this really well for DPlanet. No homo
whats the point of saying no homo then? not a surprise getting such a request from a guy named codename28
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Cats here got issues with D and as result are not reasoning well with their arguments. All what I read from D sad makes logical sense but cats are just attacking cause they found an opportunity to say what they saying about D. You cats are clearly not trying to reason here.
TTP sounds like a cool cat and I believe he could have handled this better if he made the effort to.
wanna suck my dick too? ;D U seem to do this really well for DPlanet. No homo
whats the point of saying no homo then? not a surprise getting such a request from a guy named codename28
ah, good 'ol hip hop homophobia. certainly sirs, i protest!