211
General Discussion / BBC 1Xtra African Hip Hop Special
« on: June 24, 2005, 09:51:33 PM »
Time to let something we've been brewing for a long time out of the bag...
BBC Radio 1Xtra is one of the top urban music stations in the world. It is a digital station broadcasting on SKY cable from London. They've contacted the Hiphocalypse and aksed us both for the mixtape and as much SA hip-hop as we can spare for them to playlist.
HOW f***ING COOL.
Anyway, I'm heading to the UK in a couple of days to meet with them and hopefully go on one of their daytime shows. I've put together a little compilation for them to listen to, and the tracklisting is below. Basically, I thought long and hard about what to include, and I know some tracks won't win me any favours, but it's what i think will appeal to the UK heads most and promote Mzantsi hip-hop in Britain. Check it out:
1. Joint Custody - Stick and Move (This one I think has an excellent chance of gaining heavy rotation)
2. On My Own (Remix) - HHP f/Selwyn and Slik (For the same reason. Dope and catchy)
3. Soweto - ProKid (One could argue that UK heads might not relate to it but f*** it - it's dope and they need to hear it)
4. People of the Light - Tumi and the Volume (IMHO, best track they ever did)
5. Marketing Ploy - Slik (Clever and ear-catching)
6. Ol Script - proverb (The punchlines are ill and the production is grimey enough to get heads nodding)
7. Once Upon a Time in Africa - Tumi and Sifiso Sudan (Concept is awesome and it'll go down well on radio)
8. Watch Out - Loose Cannon (Nearly didn't include this, but I think it deserves to be here because it is just so damn cool)
9. Spark it - Skwatta Kamp (Perfect)
10. Rock On - Young Nations (Good showcase and perfect playlist material)
11. What can I Say - JBux (Like I would leave Bux out of this one)
12. Thunder God - Rob One (Well, why the f*** not? :twisted: )
13. Mindz Ablaze - Godessa (Too funky for words)
14. The Clap Song - Skwatta Kamp (I couldn't resist, OK)
I would like to include a Zubz track but am having trouble finding the album at the mo - if someone could mail me I Write or BEAT (for example) I would be well happy.
I understand my choices are very subjective and are likely to raise some hackles, but I genuinely think that as a showcase for contemporary SA hip-hop it works.
Any comments / criticisms? Hit me up.
BTW, I'll post the date of the broadcast so cats can listen in - the website is
BBC Radio 1Xtra is one of the top urban music stations in the world. It is a digital station broadcasting on SKY cable from London. They've contacted the Hiphocalypse and aksed us both for the mixtape and as much SA hip-hop as we can spare for them to playlist.
HOW f***ING COOL.
Anyway, I'm heading to the UK in a couple of days to meet with them and hopefully go on one of their daytime shows. I've put together a little compilation for them to listen to, and the tracklisting is below. Basically, I thought long and hard about what to include, and I know some tracks won't win me any favours, but it's what i think will appeal to the UK heads most and promote Mzantsi hip-hop in Britain. Check it out:
1. Joint Custody - Stick and Move (This one I think has an excellent chance of gaining heavy rotation)
2. On My Own (Remix) - HHP f/Selwyn and Slik (For the same reason. Dope and catchy)
3. Soweto - ProKid (One could argue that UK heads might not relate to it but f*** it - it's dope and they need to hear it)
4. People of the Light - Tumi and the Volume (IMHO, best track they ever did)
5. Marketing Ploy - Slik (Clever and ear-catching)
6. Ol Script - proverb (The punchlines are ill and the production is grimey enough to get heads nodding)
7. Once Upon a Time in Africa - Tumi and Sifiso Sudan (Concept is awesome and it'll go down well on radio)
8. Watch Out - Loose Cannon (Nearly didn't include this, but I think it deserves to be here because it is just so damn cool)
9. Spark it - Skwatta Kamp (Perfect)
10. Rock On - Young Nations (Good showcase and perfect playlist material)
11. What can I Say - JBux (Like I would leave Bux out of this one)
12. Thunder God - Rob One (Well, why the f*** not? :twisted: )
13. Mindz Ablaze - Godessa (Too funky for words)
14. The Clap Song - Skwatta Kamp (I couldn't resist, OK)
I would like to include a Zubz track but am having trouble finding the album at the mo - if someone could mail me I Write or BEAT (for example) I would be well happy.
I understand my choices are very subjective and are likely to raise some hackles, but I genuinely think that as a showcase for contemporary SA hip-hop it works.
Any comments / criticisms? Hit me up.
BTW, I'll post the date of the broadcast so cats can listen in - the website is