Just few weeks ago Mo' on his Yfm show opened a discussion about Kwaito, a subject of debate that has been on everyone's lips in the past few years in the music business. Firstly lets get something straight KWAITO IS NOT DEAD.
You need to understand what kwaito is before you can even make such a statement as Kwaito is dead. Most of you I find you funny as you were all dancing to 2 by 2 or LVovo's first album!
Kwaito is a lifestyle that was born out of townships, that translated itself into music. A genre that was pioneered by the likes of Arthur Mafokate, Kalawa, Mdu Masilela and Jazzmee. You will realised that I wrote Jazzmee and Kalawa separately. There is a strong history of that label. One is that Kalawa was once Christos, Osacar and Don Laka. Jazzmee was once the Trompies crew.
It is also important to note that from the beginning of kwaito house has played a very influential role. From Ba ba sa batleng kuku ba phahamise matsogo to Makwere, house was in there. It evolved with each generation just like Hip Hop in America. We've seen the influence of Jazz from Mdu, the influence of Afro from Joe Nina, the influence of classical, hip hop and Jazz from TKZee. Crowded Crew taking hip hop influences using them on house beats and creating their own lingo. Now that is special.
Since then the genre has grown, hip hop has consistently influenced how the genre sounds. If you wanna track it well here is a list, Senyaka, TKZee, Crowded Crew, Zola, Mandoza all have always had a hip hop track on their albums before Hip Hop was fully recognized in South Africa. So I'm not gonna go into the Kwaito Hip Hop debate. But merely going to say KWAITO IS NOT DEAD.
WHY?
Well, record of the year was 2 by 2 at the SAMA's 2009, Moneymaker was an equal contender, the year before But' Ngihamba nawe was selling of Kwaito elements, Bricks' is still creating some hot material, New kids like Toll Bhiza are being played around the country, Andy Magazz's new single has no questions. I'm not going to even mention Big Nuz.. Oh I just did.. Well you all probably going to say but its house! Then I will refer you to the top of this post. Kwaito was originally based on house with the influence of hip hop.
As much as the genre has a lot it can improve don't be stuck in the old ways of doing things. Grow with the genre!
And more importantly its a lifestyle - Pro Kid, Sliquor, Sugarsmax, Merafi... Dress more like how Kwaito Acts used to dress...
Here is a toast of Kwaito:
Trompies ft. Lebo Mathosa - Magasman
Arthur Mafokate - Oyi Oyi (featuring Lebo Mathosa in the video)
Rhythmic Elements - 2 by 2
Big Nuz - Ubani lo
Truly, truly informative. As much as I'm not a huge fan of kwaito, this is information that any music lover should have. Who would you say was the true pioneer of Kwaito?
ReplyDeletei have to say i agree with you very much this is what the industry needs a discussion board where we can know whats needed what to do or not do the other thing is people must get the book THE MZANZI GAME OF MUSIC people the book is excllent cause it cuts costs of you going around like a headless checkin king thanks for for opening the can of worms
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Yep , this was ground breaking music for many of our artists it sad we lost most the likes of makhendlas, Lebo,Dr mageu etc. I can still remember CODESA kind of dance . I thank you BEATMAKER for following in the footsteps of musiq lords. For the one who are here please all I can chant is 'WE ANT MORE' and for those who left us 'MAY YOUR SOULS REST IN PEACE" your musiq was legendary
ReplyDeleteI am still waiting to hear more remix of Paul Ndlovu T(Tsakane)
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