Hip Hop Ain't Dead - Kwaito Is...maybe

If you were to ask Zola about his thoughts on the ongoing debate as to whether Kwaito's dead or not, he'd mos def vehemently maintain that Kwaito is alive and well. But, the brutal fact is, the Kwaito fans of yester-year have vanished into a musical abyss, with some of them jumping on the House bandwagon that has seen prominent DJs like Black Coffee become megastars in their own right. Let's face it, CD sales are down overall globally but Kwaito sales have plummeted to perilously low levels over the past couple of years. Some argue that Durban artists are still waving the flag high in the sky but I beg to differ; I have nothing against Durban artists (Big Nuz, you rock!) but what they call "Kwaito" is actually House beats graced by a talentless voice-over artist. Frankly, people only bought into the idea cuz the beats are wicked, just pretty damn good. Okay, maybe Kwaito ain't dead; it's just in a self-induced coma...

PS: TKZee is the best Kwaito group of all time, but the new TKZee song is crap.

The Industry Part 4

Before I sign off, I want to say that er...the Durban Revival Attempt to rescuscitate Kwaito by El' Vovo et al. was a gallant effort, but, let's face it (Big Nuz, I know you won't agree), Kwaito's Dead. All that's left now is another whack album to finally, put a nail in the coffin...
I think people should just concede, Kwaito is so far gone it's best 2 leave it behind.

By Zane Urbane

The Industry Part 3.2

Classic example, before Lira left 999, she was an OK singer who featured on other people's songs. But now, a major record deal and a couple of successful albums later, she's one the best singers in the country. I heard she's launching her album in the States next year. Go Girl!

The Industry Part 3.1

Which brings me to my next gripe: SABC1's Music Lounge and generally every black person in the music industry. Artists always claim the moral high-ground when it comes to race. But, why is it then, that when SA musicians (mostly black) talk about "Local Music" and "Local Artists", White musicians are constantly overlooked? I've watched Music Lounge lots of times but I've never seen Kurt Darren or Louise Carver, Taxi Violence, Zebra & Giraffe, The Parlotones, etc. even when there's a label on the top-left corner of the screen saying,"Local". Aren't these guys as local as boerewors? Argh! Wrong example! Aren't these guys as local as DJ Cleo or Big Nuz? The rock acts in this country are World Class and I dare anyone to tell me otherwise. Some of our mainstream "Local" artists couldn't push two records internationally, but the artists who have the capability of cracking it abroad aren't being recognised.

The Industry Part 2

Another thing that irks the hell out of me are the categories at the SAMA Awards. Why do they have the "Afro-Pop" and "Afrikaans Pop" categories instead of just a simple "Pop" category. Oh, I get it, they're blatantly separating Black and White people! That reminds me of something sordid and racist...I sense a faint whiff of innuendo in my latter statement. Yes! I finally remembered! It reminds of APARTHEID! But why? Why would the sponsors and, indeed, the organisers tactfully propagate such a thing? Quite frankly, I haven't a clue...

The Industry Part 1

This is something that I'm mos def gonna regret deeply, but it has to be pointed out. Racism is not a new concept in this beautiful country of ours.
All aspects of Government are riddled with corruption - which shouldn't come as a shock since most Members of Parliament are ex-cons. Let me not veer too far away from my main topic of discussion: The SA Music Industry.
'94 brought about some welcome changes to a country torn apart by apartheid, but, the music industry is still as divided as ever. Take the award shows for instance, there've allegations of bias and more recently, vote-rigging. 2007, El' Vovo should've won Kwaito Album Of The Year instead of Kabelo (I'm a big fan). In 2008, DJ Cleo didn't win Song Of The Year, although, he had the most-played song at the time. Granted, I don't know the criteria used at the SAMA Awards, but some of the decisions are a little suspect.