Maureen Odubeng
16 November 2006
More and more music genres are coming out. Some of them are popular genres all over the world and one such is Hip-Hop.
Young people in this country are tapping into different genres, including the popular Hip-Hop. However, some people are sceptical about hip-hop and consider the lyrics in the songs as having a negative influence on our youths.
Time and again, others have argued that the genre is just an import of other cultures which locals cannot relate to because most local hip-hop artistes copy American hip-hop. They are even blamed for going the extra mile by shamelessly using words often used in American hip-hop music.
However, the youngsters who have delved into this genre see things differently and demand that their music be recognised locally just like any other music. They want their talent to be appreciated. In the minds of those who pursue hip-hop, there is enough followership of international hip-hop music to warrant locals appreciating the talent local hip-hop musicians have and to support them. Orabile Tshukudu, who goes by the stage name Unpredictable, has released his second hip-hop album, which he titled 'Open Mic'. The 21-track album features quite a number of talented, up-coming hip-hop artistes.
Tshukudu explained his vision and said his aim was to come-up with a product that showed the kind of talent available in the country. He said he wanted to give the talented up-coming artistes some exposure in the hope that recording stables would sign them. Tshukudu explained that at this point, his vision was to create employment or, rather, self-employment for the youth, who he views as the hardest hit by unemployment. In producing this album, he said, he was also working towards providing youths with entertainment with the aim of keeping them off the streets. The album features a number of young people who not only share a passion in hip-hop, but who are also talented. These include Steez of Flava Dome, the Serowe-based group the Blood Firm, Dog Shady from Francistown, and two female MCs from Mochudi and Gaborone.
The youngster said his involvement in hip-hop is all about passion and explained that while the money aspect cannot be excluded, he is driven more by passion. He emphasised that his greatest vision was to create a market for hip-hop in the country.
Tshukudu said as hip-hop artistes, they needed to change the perceptions people have of hip-hop artistes so that they could get recognition as talented musicians. "We want rappers to be respected locally, and to be given a chance to prove that they have talent," he said.
Tshukudu dismissed the accusations that hip hop is an import from America saying hip-hop is a global culture and is not specific to one country.
The album is due for release on November 29 and contains songs like, 'I Might Get It On', 'Do You Know Who You Are', 'I Believe', and 'Key Zone'. Flame recorded the album at Key Zone Entertainment.
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