TUMI

Emory Douglas

2011-11-20T13:21:00.000-08:00

Bought this copy of Juztapoz magazine at the Citadium in Paris, what a freaking find. I have always wanted a gang of posters by Emory Douglas and to read an in depth interview of the Oakland native was Gold. Check out some of the most iconic images to come from the most militant era of the Civil Rights Movement.

Wanted Jordans

2011-07-14T11:04:00.001-07:00

If you have any of these Js, your collection is better than mine. I dream of owning any of these. The search continues.

Jordan 2 Premio Bin, oh so Presidential.

That classic O.G Ting

Clean

Mars 3s. I actually saw these a couple years back but got the 4 true blues instead.

Seven Bins

and last, rarest J ever (Th Lazer 3s) havent even seen pic of people wearing these.

Balenciaga! let the hunt begin

2011-07-02T19:05:00.000-07:00

Balenciaga’s men’s basket basse sneakers from Spring/Summer 2011 collection in orange.

These sneakers feature a material mix of orange and brown leather, a shiny black fabric with decorative striated stitching, a silver grey structured firm fabric and another black structured fabric. They are laced up with black shoelaces and have a see through rubber sole.

KingTubby

2011-06-30T03:59:00.000-07:00

Damn a Smurf Movie

2011-06-28T02:36:00.000-07:00

They just don't stop finding new ways to ruin my childhood memories

The smurfs in central park "GTFOH"

I can't front on the CGI Smurfette

Brainy AKA Trotsky

I feel you Grouchy, "I hate the new smurf movie"

why they make Clumsy look like those awful baby smurfs?

And why the smurf is Gutsy playing Mel Gibson?

I blame you Papa, had to be an internationalist. Damn you Marx.

POWA Video

2011-06-27T17:59:00.000-07:00

POWA!!!!!!!!!!

2010-11-20T00:03:00.000-08:00

http://www.sendspace.com/file/ug7y8w

(Download Link)

To every girl I cheated on

Disrespected, beat on, called a whore,

Peed on, had sex with illegal, put hands on

Raped, slapped, love you, didn’t say it back,

Ladies I disappointed lied to and misinformed,

If you cry, I’ll listen for you

Now I am living for you

To every sister annoyed, pissed with these ignorant boys

That took what you build, destroyed

I’ll dream what my son draws, a pencil stick happy home

And sing what you’ve come for

No one man should have all that power

We put our seeds into school they get deflowered

From sweet sixteen to 20 something sour

When Mandela dies, who gone really care about us

I shine my Thomas Edison on this heart-wrenching incident

Butt naked telling it, like surely there’s some better men

Looking at my reflection, cracking on better inspection

What all these headlines mention, is a judgment not just a sentence

Don’t examine the evidence

That is just irrelevant

Cuz Akona’s testament implicates my better sense

I wanna kill that specimen, hang him from a leather belt

But then again, it’s probably best to raise a gentleman

So when he turns fourteen he’d be the one protecting her

And when they talk orgies it wouldn’t make sense to him

But that’s later, this is now, the part to play is big and proud

Brave heart, love the scars away speak it out aloud

No one man should have all that power

You put your hands on a woman, are you a coward?

Lady that’s not your shame, that there is ours

When Mandela dies, who gone really care about us

Can we march, picket, shout, scream,

Pass a law; wipe clean all her bloody bad dreams

Call Miss Patricia De lille, fix the ill, Helen Zille

J. Malema, help us heal

If JZ’s not with us he cannot get elected still

DJ Fresh, play a tune, make me forget it’s painful

Can we affect a change too, so sex doesn’t scare you?

I wanna kiss your earlobe, whisper you my hero

Take you out to party people where the music isn’t lethal

I am T from the V

That means my speech isn’t speech bro

You don’t have be Jules High

To have to sink to these lows,

That act is old De Niro

Apartheid Ghost, Lesilo

Adapted to the evil, we are drawn to it Zapiro

No one man should have all that power

We put our seeds into school they get deflowered

From sweet sixteen to 20 something sour

When Mandela dies, who gone really care about us

To every girl I cheated on

Disrespected, beat on, called a whore,

Peed on, had sex with illegal, put hands on

Raped, slapped, love you, didn’t say it back,

Ladies I disappointed lied to and misinformed,

If you cry, I’ll listen for you

Now I am living for you

To every sister annoyed, pissed with these ignorant boys

That took what you build, destroyed

I’ll dream what my son draws, a pencil stick happy home

And sing what you’ve come for

So if you fed up with it

Everybody do the power clap

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Help your sister bare witness

Everybody do the power clap

Clap! Clap! Clap!

You’d better be standing aint no sitting down

When we do the power clap

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Hate the act, love the child

Everybody do the power clap

Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!

Boom!

Voodoo Child

2010-10-31T17:19:00.000-07:00

I Mess with This

Keane and Knaan

2010-10-31T17:17:00.000-07:00

"Black and beautiful, down to the cuticles..." huh?

And then?

2010-10-27T18:29:00.001-07:00

Human after all

2010-10-25T21:07:00.000-07:00

"From Shaun Carter to Jay Z, damn you on Jaz d#%*"

History of Hip Hop

2010-10-25T17:31:00.000-07:00

This must be one of the best T.V Moments ever.

The Anniversary Collection

2010-10-10T18:40:00.000-07:00

Among Jordan heads, the only debate bigger than "what's the best Jordan?" is "what's the best color way?" true heads always lean towards the O.G color way. Jordan brand decided to do a white on white version of every Official Jordan released. Some work, some don't.

JORDAN I (too thin for my fat foot, but its collection a keeper)

JORDAN II (My favorite J, it looks like no other sneaker in the J collection or world)

JORDAN III (Tinker's first J design. beautiful and revolutionary, tru blue color way still hotter)

JORDAN IV (I just can't see any 4s without the silver lace buckle, thats the real white on white)

JORDAN V (Jordan's first real high top, glow in the dark tongue)

JORDAN VI (Not my fav, but nuff people wilin' over these)

JORDAN VII (2 words DREAM TEAM, thats the only color way that makes sense on the 7s)

JORDAN VIII (Dead ugly in anything other than the African print color way)

JORDAN IX (More boxing than baseball kicks, we only got these cuz we missed dude)

JORDAN X (First saw these on Pippen and I kicked and screamed to get these, and I did)

JORDAN XI (No thanks, space jam black patent leather is it. nothing else to see here folks)

JORDAN XIII (Walking through high school corridors with the mustard joints on, Boom)

JORDAN XIV (I must say the love affair was fading by this time)

Boulogne!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-10-08T16:24:00.000-07:00

Zuma Bash.

2010-10-04T21:23:00.000-07:00

I respect and would in principle protect anybody's freedom of effrontery, none less than the artist. That cultural creature tyrannized by his duty to any kind of truth. I have always been a great fan of Zapiro's work. but I was deeply unsettled by his portrayals of South Africa's leadership. It unsettled me not in a Marx or Bobby Seale kinda way, but in a Mantan in blackface way. Some of these portrayals make me question the purpose or role of media in protecting our rights as humans and building a nation intent on true freedom. check these out.

Zuma the Devil? by Guy Muyembe

Zuma the Dick. by Jason Bronkhorst

Zuma the Neanderthal. by Zapiro

Zuma the rapist. by Zapiro

Loxion Kulca: T.V Ad

2010-10-03T16:14:00.000-07:00

Your inner ear

2010-09-29T03:31:00.000-07:00

Just got my new In Ear monitoring system. The UM3x a three way professional monitoring system for musicians. I have always struggled to deal with sound on stage, cant really isolate my vocal and get precession response from the wedge monitors. This is with the best possible situation, now you add small stage, bad sound, and crap wedges into the equation, shit you get a ring in your ear that lasts 3 hours after the show. I was talking to Albert Menendez who plays keyboard for Shakira, and he put up on game.

wait... I can see this being a long blog post and I dont want it to be, so I will just put some links to spots and sow you some pics.

The Headphones have a 3 way speaker system which not only handles highs and mids but accurate low frequencies as well.

The most ideal situation for in ears is when they completely seal ambient sound. the only way to achieve this is my customizing a mold that fits your ear perfectly. as you can see my ears are pretty small, so this is vital for me. I get my customs in a week.

This is the receiver system that comes with the In Ears. Interesting fact, in some countries certain frequencies are forbidden cuz they are used by the cops. you ask me that Pigspotter dude got a similar setup. Speculating. Also I was told mine workers in South Africa use this system to prevent damage to hearing, most of them are passive systems but some are used to listen to rocks...hhhm.

FYI!

2010-09-28T07:49:00.001-07:00

Calls from Gmail.

2010-09-28T07:24:00.001-07:00

BlackBerry's iPad: The PlayBook Tablet

2010-09-28T06:38:00.000-07:00

Ayeye iPad.

Blackberry hardly ever shift gears, its always reliable and 'safe'. This aint. Their Playbook tablet is a leap for them.

It looks good at first glance.

The PlayBook has two cameras, 1080p HD video playback

A little weird that it doesnt have a modem, its suppose to link to your exixting smartphone, cool for me cuz I am a dedicated BB, but what of those without it?

Very excited.

The Perfect Wheels.

2010-09-28T04:41:00.001-07:00

Mustard Bastard.

I do.

The Space Jams

Healed Loafer

Verse of 2009!!!!!!

2010-09-27T21:04:00.001-07:00

Heartbreak Motel

2010-09-27T20:27:00.000-07:00

Whole Worlds IMAGED

2010-09-27T15:36:00.000-07:00

Reinterpreted

1. Intro

2. Bambezela ft Bricks and Tracey Lee

This song is essentially about hope in the face of weighted adversity. Traversing the line between defunct statistic and magnanimous surveyor.

3. Family Plan ft MXO

a tune about freestyling your way through parenthood.

4. Let it Burn ft The Soil

Pure angst.

5. Stage Lights ft Sibongile Khumalo and Masauko of Blk Sonshine

A memorial of sought to the fallen warriors of South Africa's mellifluous battleground.

6. Hubby

How to make being a good husband cool. it would probably take Clooney taking a bride.

7. Village and Malls ft Tairo

"I love my people, whether they in a village or mall"

8. Mr Gogetit

about Machiavellian political figures with a controversial social track record.

9. Health, Food, Shealter ft Zaki Ibrahim

a three part story concerned with the lowest and most vulnerable of us.

10. Still not Free ft Daniel Waro

we can wave flags all we want in South Africa, as long as the free market system exist we are...

11. Whole Worlds

Volume!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-04-12T17:25:00.000-07:00

http://www.mowno.com/videos/live/tumi-the-volume-paris-cafe-de-la-danse-live-video/

TATV PARIS ALBUM LAUNCH

2010-04-01T00:04:00.000-07:00

The Flyover Show 2009

2010-03-30T15:06:00.000-07:00

I cant wait for this Album!

2010-03-28T16:12:00.000-07:00

Bongeziwe

This is a sampler of Bongi's forthcoming album, enjoy.

Watch Out Africa!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-03-28T15:28:00.000-07:00

Amiri Baraka!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-03-28T15:23:00.000-07:00

I Mess With This "Max Roach"

2010-03-28T13:30:00.000-07:00

Twas the summer of 2009 in Birmingham, I was chopping it up with Mr Soweto Kinch over some West Indian cuisine. We spoke about Obama, Eminem, Crackheads, English weather, South African women and freestyle battles until he put on this Jazz CD. He said two lines to present it then let me listen. It was the vocals that did it. the eerie operatic vocal with so much angst. He mentioned Abbey Lincoln, and I couldn't make the connection. I reckognised the name but she was singing different like she was possesed. the music was sombre, edgy, too edgy infact. I looked at the disc again. This shit was a marvel.

That CD was Max Roach's "We Insist: Freedom Suites" a great snap shot of the 60s cultural revolution and civil rights movement. This is powerful music.

"whisper, listen, whisper, listen, whisper say we're free

rumers crying must be lying. Can it really be?

cant conceive it, cant believe, but that's what they say

slave no longer, slave nolonger, this is freedom day"

Booker Little on trumpet, Abbey Lincoln on vocals, Max Roach on drums, Julian Priester on trombone, Walter Benton on sax, Coleman Hawkins on alto sax, James Schenk on bass.

Artist: Max Roach

Album: We Insist: Freedom Now Suites

Stand out songs: Triptych (Prayer/Protest/Peace) and All Africa for Olutunji's percussion. but really this is a perfect album and you gotta listen from top to bottom.

Pick A Cover

2010-03-28T10:44:00.000-07:00

This is the cover for new Tumi and the volume album "Pick A Dream". All the artwork was done by French visual artist and graphic designer Hippolyte

The story of the cover

He woke up restless

And distressed feeling wretched

The perspiration filled his vest full of sweat

Missed a step, quickly checks,

“What the F?!?”, he is the headless

Light headed? no, actually headless

Checks under the mattress and on the headrest

Good heavens this mess here,

Needs a detective

He lived on a hill with his house on the edge of it

Far from the world to pretend his a president

But when heads roll, his a peasant again

He’s not special, just a resident

With no head though, so the searches commence

To his friend’s door, but he seems worst than him

They vow to assist each other

In this mission brother

Fellowship, to find the tower

Where they brain power is

Main culture lives, heritage,

The way name our kids,

Bury our kin, pray away our sins,

Until the day it ends… on they went

Through the desert, through venomous temperatures

Searching for references

Relics and evidence, something incredible

And there in the distance,

They find their heads again,

They rejoice, celebrate the gathering,

Spend their whole lives, happy in this marriage

I’ve seen stars and rode them

Up these narrow podiums

The challenge of another journey could break me in half if I wasn’t as open

I rewrite the modus

To guide me up the motions

Follow in a shadow shower of a power stronger and larger than all this

The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra

2010-03-21T12:22:00.000-07:00

The Public Opinion Afro-Ochestra

Afro-Beat has seen a strong resurgence in the last decade or so, characterized by the success of Femi Kuti, Antibalas, Tony Alan, Seun Kuti and the emergence of the “World Music” genre. Not just a hip hop producer’s treasure chest for samples, Afro-Beat has become the reference point for a previously undiscovered West African funk legacy. It is here that The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra draws inspiration from. The group was formed by Zvi Belling, Ethan Hill (Dj Manchild) and Tristan Ludowyk who are longtime friends and musical collaborators, each with vast and diverse musical backgrounds to draw upon. They travelled to Africa on a afro-Beat pilgrimage of sorts, it was on this trip that I Zvi holl’d at me about featuring on this project as a vocalist. I loved it, Afro-beat with Mcis. I love it. I am down. I did the recordings and was soon flown to Melbourne to do a showcase for the Australasian World Music Expo last year October, then went back in March a series of gigs that included WOMADelaide and the launch of their album “Do Anything Go Anywhere”

The challenge for me being the lead vocalist of Tumi and the Volume and my solo project was subtlety. How to be a forty second fixture in a 10 minute song? It is a great lesson for an mc I think. You lead when need be, then you let people dance, then you fall back, become a stage hand even. I loved the experience. Big up to this gargantuan band.

Whole Worlds Site

2010-02-06T11:16:00.000-08:00

Hey great Followers, Punters and curious folk. Thanks for comments and the love. for all things around my new album "Whole Worlds" go to... http://www.tumipoetmc.com/blog/

Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lait, Cafe et Sucre

2009-08-04T23:25:00.000-07:00

After the Tumi and the Volume "whirlwind" Radio France Tour, we had some days off in Paris. I linked up with dope hip hop group Milk, Coffee and Sugar to do the final song on their debut album. Their Sound is very eclectic and I say that with a pinch of salt (hahahah) cuz every artist today swears their eclectic, but in this case they are French and they probably were born eclectic, I mean one of the crew members' name is Suga and he was wearing his shirt around his neck like a scarf and that shit was butter. But for real, the sound is really clean soulful vibes. It was touch and go whether I would make it or not, but thanks to their very persuassive and beautiful manager Touria it got 'did'. I will see if I can post the song, when I get it. Damn I dont even know the name of the song, it did not even have a working title. the music was done by Jr EakEe and some of the Volume dudes will play some thing things on the song.

Cyber Clones is Free

2009-07-29T07:58:00.000-07:00

www.mahala.co.za

My friend Andy Davis asked if he could put something I wrote on my blog about little dragon on his website. This was not a review but he just wanted to put it in there as a recommendation to his readers. I agreed. It started a bit of an argument that even saw someone write into the tred as me. yes Someone wrote in, as Tumi Molekane and adressed the other comments. Since my article was given the cut and paste I will do the same with the comments. observe. P.S Andy, not cool my dude.

djf says:
July 22, 2009 at 8:16 am
Your opinion of the musical faculties of others is based solely on their appreciation of ONE band?? Isn’t that ultimately quite narrow-minded and personally limiting?
Andy says:
July 22, 2009 at 8:32 am
That’s Tumi for you.. shoots from the hip, but reserves the right to change his opinion.
Nathan Zeno says:
July 22, 2009 at 9:02 am
Djf - your opinion of Tumi is based solely on the reading of ONE sentence?? Isn’t that ultimately quite narrow-minded and personally limiting?
djf says:
July 22, 2009 at 10:27 am
No Nathan, what makes you think that I have formed an opinion of him? One sentence in his review SUGGESTS that he may be adopting a more narrow and dogmatic opinion of others’ tastes, but maybe he hasn’t expressed himself as accurately or comprehensively as he would have liked (much as you have done in previous posts)? Hence my response is posed as a QUESTION rather than an accusation. Maybe we can wait for Tumi’s response before polarising this discussion further?
nathi says:
July 22, 2009 at 10:50 am
Sick sounds, thanks for the link.
Nathan Zeno says:
July 22, 2009 at 2:01 pm
As you may have noticed, my post was also a question.
hamfisted says:
July 22, 2009 at 2:05 pm
@nathan you are a great writer and obviously a very intelligent guy, i’m really glad that you are writing and that a platform such as mahala exists. i’ve just noticed a trend in your comments however to be very aggressive and to pick arguments where none even necessarily exist. Maybe that is just your method, but i’m hoping you can grow out of it. Above all, keep writing,
Nathan Zeno says:
July 22, 2009 at 3:29 pm
- hamfisted. I just get really annoyed when people make comments without really reading the words in the pieces. So I try push their buttons. Its not the best trait I know. But sometimes when something is either clearly just a brief opinion (as above) or obviously tongue in cheek (see comments under Crossing Over) and the posters miss the obvious tone or nature of them, then I just can’t help myself. Maybe I should get out more.
Andy says:
July 22, 2009 at 11:34 pm
I think Tumi is just saying… that Little Dragon is ubiquitous and synonymous with good taste. That’s all. I mean, I don’t think he’d judge you as a nutmonkey with no taste if you had never heard of them
djf says:
July 23, 2009 at 10:31 am
…and if you had heard them and they didn’t appeal to you?
Anonymous says:
July 24, 2009 at 1:34 pm
@Andy
Little Dragon is not ‘ubiquitous’, and Tumi himself acknowledges this in the second sentence, calling them a ‘kinda-known’ band.
Otherwise, I’m really fucking sick and tired of people arguing over their musical tastes. People seem to think that you can be an accomplished critic of the musical medium without a fraction of the study you’d require to be a similarly constituted film, architecture or visual art critic (that Levi’s Original Music magazine was a perfect example - a bunch of decent writers and unqualified music listeners writing about music as if their opinion means something).
People also think you can approach music logically, and that you can hold the logically tenable position that your taste in music is better than someone else’s; which is, macrocosmically, so fucking tenuous a piece of thinking.
In Tumi’s defence, it was obviously a throwaway line - he’d be an utter idiot to literally judge someone’s musical tastes based on one ‘kinda-known’ band.
djf says:
July 26, 2009 at 8:59 am
Anonymous raises some important issues regarding the overall quality of SA music journalism. I find Tumi’s silence on this issue a bit baffling.
Andy says:
July 26, 2009 at 8:16 pm
DJF - Tumi’s on tour in France with his band The Volume.I’d be surprised if he took the time to weigh in on a debate as petty as this. As an accomplished musician, he a) knows a lot about music and is a qualified critic; b) has unique and interesting taste and; c) he’s sharing this stuff with us as a kind of head’s up. Yes, he used a loose turn of phrase in his opening line, but he’s just giving us a heads up on this cool band.
Anon - Little Dragon are ubiquitous amongst people whose taste Tumi respects.
Did either of you guys even click on the link and listen to the music? Because all you’re arguing about is the exclusivity of that one throwaway line… and the validity of music journalism on the whole…
Kinda missing the point, methinks.
Anonymous says:
July 27, 2009 at 5:17 pm
@Andy
“Little Dragon are ubiquitous amongst people whose taste Tumi respects”.
The word ubiquitous means widely present, omnipresent, universal or found everywhere - to say that Little Dragon are ubiquitous amongst people whose taste Tumi respects is to completely defeat the meaning of the word. It’s like saying, “The length of my nostril hair is known across the galaxy… and by across the galaxy, I mean everyone who lives in Green Point.”
I did actually click the link, immediately, to listen to Little Dragon. But I think the the more intriguing theme of music journalism’s lack of foundation for appraisal is the far superior attention-grabber. And your line about Tumi being a musician and having unique/interesting taste, motors on by completely ignoring my sentiments.
Anyway, we’re all missing the point. This ‘article’ is really just one man giving a musical recommendation (which we’re all equally qualified to do), and opening up with the arrogant, blinded throwaway line that if your taste doesn’t equal his taste then you have no taste.
djf says:
July 28, 2009 at 8:46 am
Andy, firstly I must congratulate the crew at Mahala for putting together a site that fills the gaping hole in South African cultural journalism that has existed until recently. It’s such a joy to be able to go to one place to find a wide variety of bold opinions (and discussion) on less mainstream events and activities. This is so much more informative and enlightening than going from one personal blog to another and having to endure the same old grey and dogmatic comments from only one person’s perspective. There is a huge challenge that you guys can rise to if you’re up for it and I sincerely hope that you get support from a growing base of media-literate readers.
Now, if you’re going to rise to that challenge I strongly suggest that you employ a degree of editorial discretion before posting reviews and opinion pieces. I seriously doubt whether a reputable music publication would have let Tumi’s opening comments through without first challenging him on its syntax and perhaps encouraging him to express himself more accurately. Your subsequent comments have tried to put some spin on this and vainly suggest that because you know what Tumi actually meant (being personally acquainted), the rest of us should somehow also be able to grasp the spirit of what he was saying. This is perhaps a rather naive defense of what is ultimately sloppy journalism.
Language is language, and in the absence of the slightest shred of irony (or any other figure of speech that could blur our interpretation of his words) those opening remarks could only mean one thing. There’s no point in trying to suggest otherwise.
Andy says:
July 28, 2009 at 9:08 am
Points taken… we’re a work in progress.
Tumi Molekane says:
July 29, 2009 at 3:18 am
Hey folks, please forgive the silence. Its just I have been doing cool band shit like playing music to audiences across Europe and buying caseloads of Champaign for my next video shoot.
1. Context is imperative, this article was cut and pasted from my blog. The post was called “I mess with this” emphasis on the “I”. Little Dragon is great
2. I am not Eduard Hanslick ; I am a music lover with some writing skills. Little Dragon is great
3. Peer to peer criticism makes the most sense, but is not the panacea. Little Dragon is great
4. I am fucking awesome. I don’t speak to people called anonymous even when I forget your name. The best way to handle the malicious critic is to ignore him. Little Dragon is great
5. Every one has a socio-political agenda, I like a work or review it as to whether or not it fits the goals of that agenda. Little Dragon is great
6. What is the goal of criticism? Rhetorical. Little Dragon is great
7. I would never judge you on what you like, as you would never do that to me. Little Dragon is great
8. Being a rapper, means I can say bitch, ass, cunt, Malcolm X, Ed Norton, peace, love and write with no trace of civility. Little Dragon is great
“The critic has to educate the public; the artist has to educate the critic.”
Oscar Wilde
I yield to the deductions and the oceanic density of this quotes intelligence.
For the record this "Tumi Molekane" is not me. I have written into Mahala once commenting on Transformers 2 the movie. Suede put me on to the comments on the article when I was on twitter. I.D theft, dude took the time out to reply and even mention Malcolm X and say Peace Folks at the beginning like do when I start my shows. huh! Cyber clones.

The Art of Rhyme

2009-07-25T16:11:00.000-07:00

Legendary bboy, mci, theatre director, actor and general hip hopaholic Jonzi D asked me over for dinner with his fam when I was in London in June. He had also invited a off the head beast illspokinn of the Spokinn Movement. We spoke S.A, America, Mcis, Gays, Soul and Flyover show and Jane (Jonzi's gracious wife) laced us with some trully incredible eats. And for dessert? three gratified mcis, one camera and madlib beats... a sorry excuse for a freestyle session. enjoy. P.S not once did we say faggot or pussy. impressive.

Soundclash!!!!!!!!!

2009-07-23T16:38:00.000-07:00

alright, so I been given the go ahead to let you know about it. the video says it all.

For one night only, the larger than life hip-hop band, Tumi and the Volume step into the ring with the non-nonsense indie rockers, the Dirty Skirts to perform head to head and mic to mic over four rounds of musical mayhem.

Each band will have their own stage at either end of the arena and will showcase their musical prowess throughout each round. For every round, the bands contest for points, determined by the crowd via the applause meter. The band with the most points after all rounds will be crowned king of the South African Red Bull SoundClash.

a) Warm Up – each band plays three of their own songs to pump up the crowd.

b) Round 1: The ‘Cover’ (creative round) – DJ Kenzhero cuts in a well known song and each band plays a cover version of the song in their own style.

c) Round 2: The ‘Take Over’ (spontaneous round) - Tumi and the Volume play one of their hits and on cue from the hosts, The Dirty Skirts take over the song in their style and then vice versa.

d) Round 3: The ‘Sound Clash’ (innovative round) - DJ Kenzhero determines a musical style (eg. Reggae, punk, funk, etc) for each heat then cuts in a song for Tumi and the Volume to pick up from in the pre-determined style. The Dirty Skirts will then pick up the same style and ‘attack’ Tumi and the Volume who will then ‘respond’. This round ends with each of the bands ‘melting’ the song into one of their own tunes.

e) Round 4: The ‘Wild Card’ (mystery round) - Each band plays one more song together with their invited special (secret) guest for the last opportunity to gain the crowd’s affection.

With such furious competitive creativity, the bands from opposite ends of the musical spectrum will end up literally colliding head on to forge a new sound never heard before; a beautiful mutant concoction of their two sounds together. But only one band will remain standing at the end of the fourth round and with the most crowd applause they will be crowned the victor of Red Bull Soundclash.

Time: Doors open at 8pm, Clash starts at 10pm

Where: The Sky Rink, Carlton Centre

Band 1: Tumi and the Volume

Band 2: The Dirty Skirts

Host: TBC

DJ: Kenzhero

Tickets: Available from Computicket

More info: www.redbull.co.za/soundclash

The talented Mr Wasalu

2009-07-16T22:30:00.000-07:00

Lupe Fiasco feat Matthew Santos "Shining Down"

In the times of Soldier boy Tell em, Jeezy, Plies, Rick Ross, Camron and every other pathetic excuse for spit. I think my dude Lupe is the brightest star in a vacuous and Cimmerian constellation. What follows is absolute genius, little homie understands rhyme, reason and rhythm. what first seems like simple words on some really involved music turns out to be more circuitous on second glance. I will decrypt it for you.

Chorus

look up in the sky
look up in the sky

you thought I was down
you thought I was gone
that I wasnt around
thought I left you alone

but look up in the sky
just look up in the sky
see that I'm everywhere
shining down on you

Verse 1

well well, is it our little author
coming back humming his hymns a little altered
your attention put back on the flow like the department of water
taking off of the door like Little Walter,
Chess? yes! baby i'm Jerry Lawler
rebel with a cause, outlaw with a lawyer
judge jury like a loop, rap name Lupe
but my daddy named me warrior
this is his memorial

Verse 2

no, i ain't the nigga trying to get a liquor line
when i be scripting lines, want this petition signed
it says i'm sick of dying, sick of this prison time
i really love my people i'm sick of pimping mine

now if we autotune that shit
we can hear the songs from that opera groomed fat b*tch
tellin us not to pursue it just to shoo it like a blacksmith
we trapped and movin round in circles like it's chapstick

and that's the same encircled way of thinking that we chat with
well wrap this like around your head like the bandanas
Fabolous used to wrap his hats with
rather be in FEDS instead of National Geographics
well I'm not having it

Verse 3

so i say hello and this is for the third time
to everybody out there who ain't never heard mine
and if you have then you know you ain't never heard lyin
Lu don't move no cowards (cow-words), you only heard lions
not a facade cherisher i'd rather have the scars
i don't idolize america, i'm dancing with the stars
all of them yeah they are too
you look up and all of us shining down on you

here is the breakdown

verse 1

“well well, is it our little author
coming back humming his hymns a little altered”

He says he is back, rapping a little different

And your attention is on his flow

“taking off of the door like Little Walter,”

He is taking off with all the door/doe (as in money) like Little Walter

This is in reference to the blues singer Little Walter who took off the doors on his Cadillac cuz it was too hot.

“Chess? yes! baby i'm Jerry Lawler
rebel with a cause, outlaw with a lawyer”

When he says ‘chess’ it also refers to the label Little Walter was signed to Chess records

But he links it to Jerry Lawler who was a wrestler nicknamed the ‘King’

And, as you may know, the king is the most important piece in chess, so what lupe is saying if this is chess then he is king.

“rebel with a cause, outlaw with a lawyer”

He then themes these next line on some legal shit

Says he is a rebel with a cause that can break the laws cuz he got a lawyer

I interpret this to mean his music is different from the pack and that he breaks the rules set in rap.

“judge jury like a loop, rap name Lupe”

The loop must mean a noose, it follows Judge, Jury, Executioner (also people used to mistakenly pronounce his name loop)

“but my daddy named me warrior
this is his memorial”

Wasalu is his real name and it means warrior.

And this is in tribute to him.

Verse 2

“no, i ain't the nigga trying to get a liquor line”

Well Jay Z and diddy got liquor lines so you see the positioning here

when i be scripting lines, want this petition signed
it says i'm sick of dying, sick of this prison time
i really love my people i'm sick of pimping mine

He wants you to co-sign that you are sick of all the death, the prison sentences, and to love your folks and stop pimping them

All the lines thus far are in autotune, and the statement autotune has somehow been the soundtrack to all that bullshit.

“now if we autotune that shit
we can hear the songs from that opera groomed fat b*tch”

I think he is saying, if you autotune that piece of positivity, you might see the end of the bullshit, Referring to the fat lady singing.

“tellin us not to pursue it just to shoo it like a blacksmith”

And she telling us to stop and shun this garbage, oh and the ‘shoo’ also means ‘shoe’

“we trapped and movin round in circles like it's chapstick

and that's the same encircled way of thinking that we chat with”

he saying we are so trapped and enslaved by these images that we own them in our daily conversations and everyday.

“well wrap this around your head like the bandanas
Fabolous used to wrap his hats with”

Fabolous thought he was creating a trend by putting his bandanas on his hats, huh? So lupe uses the image to say wrap your head around what his saying.

“rather be in FEDS instead of National Geographics
well I'm not having it”

F.E.D.S ia magazine about notorious criminals with pop culture influence. National Geographics is a nature magazine. Aside from the obvious statement that people would rather be in the gangster magazine than the one about nature, he is also saying they would rather be fed than try and analyse shit.

Verse 3

“so i say hello and this is for the third time”

This song is on his third album

“to everybody out there who ain't never heard mine
and if you have then you know you ain't never heard lyin”

If you aint never heard lupe’s music, he don’t lie

“Lu don't move no cowards, you’ve only heard lions”

This has a triple meaning if not four

1. He doesn’t move cowards, you’ve only heard lions

He don’t roll with scared folk but lions, which are generally perceived to be brave

2. He don’t moo cow words, you’ve only heard lines

He herds comprehensive, coherent lines not cow words, a cow words would be ‘moo’

3. He don’t move cow herds, you’ve only heard lions

He don’t move cow herds but lions, its different from the first cuz it is an animal reference.

“not a facade cherisher i'd rather have the scars”

He does like the surface fakeness of things, he would rather the long lasting scars that give one character

“I don't idolize america, i'm dancing with the stars”

He doesn’t worship America as the empire or the coarse ways, and that he is talking to stars, God. All while referring to the reality shows American Idol and Dancing With The Stars (oh by the way, I had written a song with Tumi and the volume called 'Relaity Cheque' and it uses a bunch of reality t.v shows to make some comments about the world today, so don't you think if that song comes out that dude was biting)

“all of them yeah they are too”

You, yes you are God too

you look up and all of us shining down on you

there you have it.

I Mess With This "Blu"

2009-07-03T15:12:00.000-07:00

I First heard Blu in a gastropub while going through a friends ipod. The song was untitled but had a heavy Radiohead sample. He does this liquid melodic shit on that song that makes it pure soul. A couple years ago you would have been caught wandering if this guy is an emcee or singer but nowadays with all these newbee rap kids that rap-sing or sing-rap or as I like to refer to it don't-rap, all you really asking yourself is weather you like it or not. I liked it. But it was the "Below the Heavens" album that sold me. Not since Lupe have I been so impressed by the way an mc carries ideas forth and is unquestionably dope. This dude is the one and his producer Exile did a great job on the track both cutting and composing. "

Artist: Blu and Exile

Albums: Below The Heavens

Singles: My world is..., Juicen Dranks, Dancin' in th rain

My Cool

2009-07-01T09:52:00.000-07:00

Freaks are called freaks and are treated as they are treated

because they are human beings who cause to echo,

deep within us, our most profound terrors and desires.

James Baldwin

I was on those airport terminal busses when Tiago (guitarist for Tumi and the Volume) said "Yo sorry about Michael" my following disbelief seemed like playacting to all the people in the bus who had heard the night before or earlier that morning. We were on our way to Cape Town to do some sessions with the Dirty Skirts at the Redbull studios. That weekend I was listening to their Steller Bender album and got caught up on the last song of the album "soon you'll get home". The television was flashing a gang of Michael's countless singles and this is what came out.

Michael Jackson had 13 number one Billboard singles.

they were:

If you’ve ever wondered on your own

Where the fallen go, when the cock crows

It is not where the sun rose, a Rock With You below

A spot under shadows, where You Are Not Alone

Occupied cuz you got ghosts

That make you wacko, you find a way to control

And suppress the unrest so out burst the songs

And they love you for it, until tomorrow

The story breaks and the look on they face is horror

Cuz they thought you were brilliant not normal

Court room Thriller, you Beat It with a walk

To the moon, Smooth Criminal tortured in youth

Is it false? is it true? is this dude an alien?

Whose Bad if it’s all Human Nature?

Is he Black or White, how do they paint ya,

With the same shame Dirty Diana could relate to

Hail you yesterday and nail you later

The front page freak, the mystique we escape to

Til The Man In The Mirror is a stranger

That palace you reside in is looking like a manger

And a home, you gave the Earth Song,

All alone on your throne, with a life you never owned

SABC, CNN news report

Cc a friend his gone

And it Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough, annoyed

Billie Jean was my joint

I Mess With This "Little Dragon"

2009-06-10T12:57:00.000-07:00

Every time I speak music with someone, how much I regard their taste will solely lay on whether or not they like Little Dragon. This kinda-known Swedish group are just left of pop music, so you might be forgiven for thinking their music is pop. But you would be seriously mistaken because this is soul music. Soul music with an exquisitely crafted electronic sonic that places it appropriately in today and tomorrow. Their lead singer's (Yukimi Nagano) angelic instrument gives an everyday truth to some of the most bizarre lyrics on their self titled debut album.

"after the rain, we pretend it's easier to begin without looking back". But don't take it from me, take a listen.

Artist: Little Dragon

Albums: Little Dragon (2007 Peacefrog)

Singles: Twice, Constant Surprises and After The Rain.

"The Elusive Jordan PHLY"

2009-06-10T12:11:00.001-07:00

Over 20 stores, more than 6 cities across 3 continents and no brown or red colour way Jordan PHLYs. Not Paris, not Frankfurt, not Lyon, not Birmingham, not London, not Toronto, not Johannesburg. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! all the internet said back to me was "New York, Japan, L.A or Berlin" Ahhhhhhhhhhhh! quick fact. *its named after Jordan's Laney High School coach Clifton 'Pop' Herring.

The Flyover Show in Birmingham, UK.

2009-06-09T19:31:00.000-07:00

Peace good folks.

Been in Birmingham, U.K for about a week in preparation for a show I am especially proud to be a part of. With a lineup that reads like the who's who's of progressive black art in the the Diaspora, featuring the likes of great dub poet Linton Kwesi Johnson, theatre director/writer/performer of mind blowing hip hop theatre Jonzi D, reggae/soul singer Natty, New York hip hop band Spokinn Movement, world acclaimed Nigerian m.c TY, grime rapper Bashy, yours truly Tumi and the man who conceaved of the idea, the U.K award winning jazz/hip hop innovator Soweto Kinch.

What the flyover is, is a showcase of not just artistic expression but positive community action. Set beneath the neglected Hockley flyover in Birmingham this Show is about reclaiming abandoned spaces, transforming them into outstanding arenas of creative opportunity and expression, and restoring the soul of the city. I will get nuff pics, comments and highlights of the show.....

Guest spot on Laurent Garnier's album

2009-06-06T06:59:00.000-07:00

Tales of a Kleptomaniac, Laurent Garnier

My dude Laurent Garnier (extraordinary French electro/house producer and DJ) just informed me that his Album "Tales of a Kleptomaniac", is out. Best part about it, I am on it ("that's so Yeezy of you" said the conscience to the head).

With Laurent Garnier. Paris, France.

In the middle of 2008 I was out in Europe with the Volume where we were asked to do a radio France broadcast performance for a great show called "Le Pont De Artistes". That night featured ourselves, Laurent Garnier and the experimental Jazz group Hadouk Trio. Laurent asked me to do a freestyle on one of his songs, I obliged and thus got asked to be on his album. The song is called "Free Verse Pt 1" and somewhere lies a remix that Gilles Peterson asked him to release.

Waro

2009-06-05T22:56:00.000-07:00

With Daniel Waro in Reunion Island

A defender of the Creole Language in Reunion Island.

A french Army draft dodger who would rather play Maloya Music than fight for the French.

A proud man of mixed heritage and the embodiment of Reunion's diversity.

A haunting voice,

A powerful force,

A master of words

Danyel Waro invited me to perform with him on his beautiful island home. This experience changed my life and outlook on music. He taught me that Music is functional, that it is not rigid and stiff but strong, it is not academic and labored but well-thought out. I can only hope to affect people with my music in a meaningful long-lasting manner, in the way that his music has affected me. A true inspiration to me. I am blessed to have even heard his music.

I am grateful for the great hospitality in Reunion and letting me pay it back. I am grateful for the weeklong residency recording and creating songs.

"po mwi Maloya sa fleur lamank a mwin tomti"

"back on the road" from the plains, on a plane, on a train, on a super tram

2009-06-05T06:00:00.000-07:00

The volume is at it again. We went out to do a couple of dates in Holland and Germany. Our first show was in Holland for the Moeurs Festival, a very hippie World music shindig that provided us with a Jam improve opportunity with Elliot Bergman a sax player from American Afro Beat outfit NOMO. Next was Africa Festival in Würzburg, Germany. There was a large South African contingent that included a Wine expo, some 2010 World Cup activations and panel discussions on the state of the country.

Mama Africa

The highlight was definitely a befitting tribute to the late great Miriam Makeba, some of the well-wishers there to eulogize Mama Africa included the powerful Thandiswa Mazwai, the S.A ambassador to Germany (H.E ) Mr S.E Funde (thats my dude by the way, knew my folks and broke down some shit to me about how 1976 was the catalyst that galvanized the youth to get out of the country and go train to fight the Apartheid system). Also relative new comer Camagwini was out there, who is tipped to continue Makeba's legacy on the continent. It must be said, I feel Simphiwe Dana feet are more suited for those sandals.

Tumi and the Volume Africa Festival. Wurzburg, Germany

One of the most impressive singers to come out of Nigeria, Nneka played before us to an aroused but attentive crowd. This was the third time we were to share a stage with her. I like how raw she is. Solid band, well written songs (note to self: be sure to put as many people on to her music). Our show was great, started a bit slow, new territory, always gotta play hard to get, then by the time yours truly started smiling it was curtains for the Germans, albeit with our substitute sound guy/photographer Romain "the bro'main".

With Nneka backstage Africa festival. Wurzburg, Germany

After the show we saw Sara Tavares, Dave (bass player for the Volume) and I were not too excited about the couple of songs we heard and the bad sound did not make it better. Our lack of enthusiasm incited a full on backstage debate that included Tiago (guitarist for the Volume), Paulo (drummer for the Volume) and Nneka calling us out and giving us a history lesson on miss Tavares. I am absolutely in love with the music of Mayra Andrade and they told Dave and I, Sara Tavares is the predecessor and creative head master to Mayra.

With Salif Keita. Franfurt, Germany

We all left to see Salif Keita rock a packed marquee and receive a lifetime achievement award from the Africa Festival, previous recipients included Cameroonian Afro Beat horn player Manu Dibango, the Beninese singer, Angelique Kidjo and Senegalese hip hop group Daara J. The next morning it was home time, I caught a ride to the airport with Mr Salif Keita to the dismay of his chaperon. Not much was said and I attempted to begin conversations which further his escort, I gave up and put it to the language barrier, but not before saying I was the best thing to come out of S.A and he would be lucky to have a picture with me.

We stays in the Stu

2009-06-04T11:19:00.000-07:00

My dude DJ NaNa was in the country performing with Zaki at the Cape Town Jazz International Festival and opening for Mos Def's Johannesburg show. We got into the studio together and recorded some memorable material. I sent word out for collabos nuff people showed up with including Natty the reggae singer from the U.K, Simba from Mozambique, Loose Canon from Pretoria S.A. But it was the song featuring HHP, myself and Zubz (now known as Zubito) that was chosen for a video. now bare in my all these sessions were completely spur of the moment musical collaborations. Let the beat go was meant to be a fun, belligerently rude song about MC posturing. might seem typical to you but the cast is what makes it interesting. Myself, Zubz and HHP are not known for this kind of rap and so we just wanted to switch up a little, well Jabba liked it so much he asked his boys at Gorilla Films to do this lighting quick video, how fast, well we recorded on monday and sunday we were watching the video. Enjoy... "Let the Bet Go" DJ NaNa feat HHP, Tumi and Zubz

Sleep is the cousin of death

2009-06-04T06:31:00.000-07:00

Peace folks

Its been yonks since I last touched this baby. thanks for all the love shown for my last post. admittedly I been sleeping on the blog jump off. Much has happened and I will briefly get up some of the more exciting things that happened.

Went on holiday to the wild coast last december with the Canadian crew from the District 6 label. They were in South Africa to do a Party People showcase for singer Zaki Ibrahim.

After much harmless debauchery I was invited to Reunion Island by the extraordinary Maloya singer Danyel Waro (bigger post to come on this and his trip to South Africa for the Reunion Island Season in Durban.

And this would bring us to now...

Tumi's golden age of hip hop

2008-11-13T00:17:00.000-08:00

1990

Ice Cube-Amerikkka's most wanted Album of the year

My thoughts: Cube had just split from N.W.A and had the hunger and fire to confirm he could do it alone. he shows just how you could be ghetto hard, smart and funny at the same time. On “get off my dick and tell your bitch to come here“ Cube spits what appears to be a freestyle first directing his rant at those that doubt his skill and then calling them male groupies after he tears the verse up. This record was produced by Public Enemy’s production team the bomb squad. A good mix of the west coast force of gangster lyricism with the sampled dysfunctional meshed sound of New York.

Favourite song: the nigga you love to hate

Honourable mention: Public Enemy-fear of a black

planet

1991

Ice Cube-Death certificate Album of the year (a classic)

My thoughts: Reappearing with no Jheri curl and a strong conscious message Cube dropped his sophomore which proved to be even better than his first. Essentially a concept album that had two sides to it (for the old school tape format) listen kids when people speak of hip hop as the ghetto CNN, this album is what they meant. It was all about Cube for me in 1992. This would be about the same time that white kids in American suburbs caught on and when the media started calling it gangster rap, you should check for how different N.W.A’s first album sounded from their second. Where they used to diss the police and life in the hood in the second album they were dissing women and celebrating life in the hood.

Favourite songs: steady mobbin, look who’s burnin’ and I wanna kill Sam

Honourable mention: A Tribe called Quest-low end theory

1992

Dr.Dre-the chronic Album of the year (a classic)

My thoughts: The Doc had also just left the illustrious group N.W.A to ‘chart’ out his own solo career. Although not as gifted a rapper as Ice Cube it was the production that set Dre apart from most. Even with a vibrant creative hip hop scene in the west it was Dre’s sound encompassing P-funk samples became what people would ultimately identify as the west coast sound. Who can forget Snoop‘s album debut and the first time you heard Beatch!

Favourite songs: lil’ ghetto boy, the chronic and let me ride

Honourable mention: Digable Planets-'Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space)

1993

A Tribe Called Quest-Midnight Marauders Album of the year (a classic)

My thoughts: Midnight Marauders is the first Tribe album I really got into, I traded a Queen Latifah album for it. Oh my god how my world changed. Smart articulate, not so hard, brothers making songs that sparkled with shinny insights. The music was soulful and so involved, you could listen over and over and still hear new things. I remember it took me years to discover that Q-tip repeated a verse on “sucka nigga” and even when I did, I marvelled at his gall to do it.

Favourite songs: electric relaxation, sucka nigga, Steve Biko and lyrics to go.

Honourable mentions: Snoop Doggy Dogg-Doggy style (a classic)

Wu Tang Clan-Enter the 36 chambers

KRS ONE-return of the boom bap

De La Soul-Buhloone mind state

2pac-strictly for my niggers

1994 *Golden Year*

Nas-Illmatic Album of the year (best hip hop album of all time)

My thoughts: this is the perfect album for me. Nas changed everything with this one. The production was flawless, the mcing was godly, the rhythm of the album was audial velvet. This teenager outrapped everyone without trying to, you got the sense that all Nas was trying to do here was tell his peoples stories. I know rap fans that forgave Nas’s mid90s antics purely because of his debut offering. The most amazing thing about Illmatic is how easily it was the best album in a year that hip hop artistry was at its best.

Favourite song: Memory Lane (sittin’ in the park) verse 2 is his dopest verse ever. Yes even better than the verbal intercourse one.

honourable mentions; the Roots-do you want more

Outkast-Southernplayalisticadillacfunkymusic

Gangstarr-hard to earn

Redman-dare is a darkside

Pharcyde-Labcabincalifornia

Common-ressurection

O.C-word…life

Organised Konfusion-extinction agenda

Pete Rock CL smooth-main ingredient

Scarface-the diary

Jeru the Damaja-sun rises in the east

Artifacts-between a rock & a hard place

Black Moon-enta da stage

1995

The Notorious B.I.G-ready to die Album of the year (a classic)

My thoughts: by the time ready to die hit I was in a new york state of mind and had been everywhere searching for something better than illmatic. This was not better but it was bloody good. From the intro to the interludes you could visualize everything this dude was rapping about. Whereas Nas’s tales where rich in poetic imagery, this guy was completely visual with his. Ready to die was New York city‘s first gangster album. Masterly produced this ushered in the age of the east coast gangster rapper in a way that G. rap and Nas had not.

Honourable mentions: Raekwon-only build for Cuban linx

2pac-me against the world

Mobb Deep-the infamous

Goodie Mob-Soul food

1996

Fugees-the score Album of the year (a classic)

My thoughts: eish, what can be said here. This one is history. The guy on the left made sure to do cover versions that caught the worlds attention. The one in the middle rapped her ass off on this album and the guy on the right made really good music and sought of rapped.

Favourite songs: how many mics, the mask, cowboys and family business

Honourable mentions: Redman-muddy waters

Jay-Z-reasonable doubt

Nas-it was written

Ghostface killah-Ironman

The Roots-Illadelph Halflife

De La Soul-Stakes is High

1997

Company flow-funcrusher plus Album of the year

My thoughts: the Rawkus Records years brought about a mini-revival in hip hop music that had many people believing in the value of mcing in the way that “the bling era” really wasn’t. the insane musicality of this album, its niche sound and the skilled lyricism spawned nuff clones. This period was what made me trust the power of treading your own lane. I only listened to two albums in ‘97 this one and the carnival by Wyclef. So much so that the two biggest releases of that year found me a year later.

Favourite songs: the fire in which you burn, lune TNS and 8

steps to perfection

Honourable mentions; The Notorious B.I.G-life after death (a classic)

Wu Tang Clan-forever

Wyclef jean-the carnival

1998

Outkast-Aquemini Album of the year (a classic only second to Illmatic)

My thoughts: Organized noise crafted this one to perfection, a magnum opus of note. Still no awards, no real acclaim and no crunk in sight these southerners were steadfast in their commitment to their craft. Big boi struggled to keep up with his partner who had a hip hop quotable every time he opened his mouth. This album shows just how progressive hip hop could be. The spotlight was on Lauryn hill in 1998 but the Kast was used to bearing their own light and continued to shine bright.

Favourite songs: return of the ‘G’, Aquemini, the art of story telling’(part 1), spottiottiedopalicious, liberation and rosa parks

Honourable mention; Mos Def and Talib Kweli are Black star

Lauryn Hill-The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill

1999

The Roots-things fall apart Album of the year*

My thoughts: This has been their most successful album so far. Aided by two big singles and a grammy award for “you got me” the world had finally caught on to hip hop’s best band. They should have a category just for the Roots really. An all round great album, amazing production (their best) thought and Malik B in good form (though Thoughts best verses came from “Illadelf Half life” and Malik B was very strong on this album) this is timeless hip hop music.

Singles: the next movement and you got me ft Erykah Badu

Favourite songs: step into a realm, act 2(love of my life) Adrenalin and aint saying nothing’ new

Honourable mention; Mos Def-black on both sides

Eminem-the slim shady LP

Jay-Z-vol.3 life and times of S. Carter

Dr. Dre-2001

Obama, yes this is better

2008-11-11T22:03:00.001-08:00

That morning (European time) I went from being proud to being worried from cautious optimism to unalloyed jubilation. I am sure what happened in the states is a step in the right direction. A politician that demands higher ideals not only from his party and constituents but also from himself. A great model for husbands and fathers world over. What I am not sure about is private funding for candidates (it sends a bad message, the candidate that raises the most money wins, surprise, surprise.) I am from South Africa, a multi-party democracy which gives the opportunity for coalition governance based on the popular vote. This would be great to see in America. I am not sure just how progressive a democratic party president can be. I am not sure why Barack voted for the 700 billion dollar bailout to save the financial industry who gambled with mutual funds and peoples pensions, is he going to bailout the people who lost their houses and savings? Ultimately I support the election of Barack Obama for its symbolism and as a way to regenerate the political activism of not only Americans but everyone in the world, to want to be part of the whole landscape of politics. From your household management to community projects and national politics.
Obama, yes this is better. But in his own words “better is not enough”

South Africa: the liberation's betrayal

2008-10-15T20:24:00.000-07:00

In an article for the Mail & Guardian, Johannesburg, John Pilger
describes the 'social and economic catastrophe' that replaced the
African National Congress's 'unbreakable' promise' to end the poverty of the majority.

The political rupture in South Africa is being presented in the
outside world as the personal tragedy and humiliation of one man,
Thabo Mbeki. It is reminiscent of the beatification of Nelson Mandela at the death of apartheid. This is not to diminish the power of personalities, but their importance is often as a distraction from the historical forces they serve and manage. Frantz Fanon had this in mind when, in The Wretched of the Earth, he described the "historic mission" of much of Africa's post-colonial ruling class as "that of intermediary [whose] mission has nothing to do with transforming the nation: it consists, prosaically, of being the transmission line between the nation and a capitalism, rampant though camouflaged."

Mbeki's fall and the collapse of Wall Street are concurrent and
related events, as they were predictable. Glimpse back to 1985 when the Johannesburg stock market crashed and the apartheid regime defaulted on its mounting debt, and the chieftains of South African capital took fright. In September that year a group led by Gavin Relly, chairman of the Anglo American Corporation, met Oliver Tambo, the ANC president, and other resistance officials in Zambia. Their urgent message was that a "transition" from apartheid to a black-governed liberal democracy was possible only if "order" and "stability" were guaranteed. These were euphemisms for a "free market" state where social justice would not be a priority.

Secret meetings between the ANC and prominent members of the Afrikaner elite followed at a stately home, Mells Park House, in England. The prime movers were those who had underpinned and profited from apartheid – such as the British mining giant, Consolidated Goldfields, which picked up the bill for the vintage wines and malt whisky scoffed around the fireplace at Mells Park House. Their aim was that of the Pretoria regime - to split the ANC between the mostly exiled "moderates" they could "do business with" (Tambo, Mbeki and Mandela) and the majority who made up the those resisting in the townships known as the UDF.

The matter was urgent. When FW De Klerk came to power in 1989, capital was haemorrhaging at such a rate that the country's foreign reserves would barely cover five weeks of imports. Declassified files I have seen in Washington leave little doubt that De Klerk was on notice to rescue capitalism in South Africa. He could not achieve this without a compliant ANC.

Nelson Mandela was critical to this. Having backed the ANC's pledge to take over the mines and other monopoly industries - "a change or modification of our views in this regard is inconceivable" - Mandela spoke with a different voice on his first triumphant travels abroad. "The ANC," he said in New York, "will reintroduce the market to South Africa". The deal, in effect, was that whites would retain economic control in exchange for black majority rule: the "crown of political power" for the "jewel of the South African economy", as Ali Mazrui put it. When, in 1997, I told Mbeki how a black businessmen had described himself as "the ham in a white sandwich", he laughed agreement, calling it the "historic compromise", which others were called it a betrayal. However, it was De Klerk who was more to the point. I put it to him that he and his fellow whites had got what they wanted and that for the majority, the poverty had not changed. "Isn't that the continuation of apartheid by other means?" I asked. Smiling through a cloud of cigarette smoke, he replied, "You must understand, we've achieved a broad consensus on many things now."

Thabo Mbeki's downfall is no more than the downfall of a failed
economic system that enriched the few and dumped the poor. The ANC "neo liberals" seemed at times ashamed that South Africa was, in so many ways, a third world country. "We seek to establish," said Trevor Manuel, "an environment in which winners flourish." Boasting of a deficit so low it had fallen to the level of European economies, he and his fellow "moderates" turned away from the public economy the majority of South Africans desperately wanted and needed. They inhaled the hot air of corporate-speak. They listened to the World Bank and the IMF; and soon they were being invited to the top table at the Davos Economic Forum and to G-8 meetings, where their "macro-economic achievements" were lauded as a model. In 2001, George Soros put it rather more bluntly. "South Africa," he said, "is now in the hands of international capital."

Public services fell in behind privatisation, and low inflation
presided over low wages and high unemployment, known as "labour flexibility". According to the ANC, the wealth generated by a new black business class would "trickle down". The opposite happened. Known sardonically as the wabenzi because their vehicle of choice was a silver Mercedes Benz, black capitalists proved they could be every bit as ruthless as their former white masters in labour relations, cronyism and the pursuit of profit. Hundreds of thousands of jobs were lost in mergers and "restructuring" and ordinary people retreated to the "informal economy". Between 1995 and 2000, the majority of South Africans fell deeper into poverty. When the gap between wealthy whites and newly enriched blacks began to close, the gulf between the black "middle class" and the majority widened as never before.

In 1996, the office of the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) was quietly closed down, marking the end of the ANC's "solemn pledge" and "unbreakable promise" to put the majority first. Two years later, the United Nations Development Programme described the replacement, GEAR, as basically "no different" from the economic strategy of the apartheid regime in the 1980s.

This seemed surreal. Was South Africa a country of Harvard-trained technocrats breaking open the bubbly at the latest credit rating fro Duff & Phelps in New York? Or was it a country of deeply impoverished men, woman and children without clean water and sanitation, whose infinite resource was being repressed and wasted, yet again? The questions were an embarrassment as the ANC government endorsed the apartheid regime's agreement to join the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), which effectively surrendered economic independence, repaid the $25 billion of apartheid-era inherited foreign debt. Incredibly, Manuel even allowed South Africa's biggest companies to flee their financial home and set up in London.

Certainly, Thabo Mbeki speeded his own political demise with his
strange strictures on HIV/Aids, his famous aloofness and isolation and the corrupt arms deals that never seemed to go away. It was the premeditated ANC economic and social catastrophe that saw him off. For further proof, look to the United States today and the smoking ruin of the "neo liberalism" model so cherished by the ANC's leaders. And beware those successors of Mbeki now claiming that, unlike him, they have the people's interests at heart as they continue the same divisive policies. South Africa deserves better.

First published the Mail & Guardian, Johannesburg

South Affica's woes

2008-06-28T06:58:00.000-07:00

By Laurence Coates Offensiv 385 (10th February 2000)

South Africa: Interview with Nimrod Sejake "The ANC has sold out!"
Nimrod Sejake is something of a living legend. At 79 years-old, the former leader of the metal workers' union in South Africa, is still fighting for socialism as an active member of the CWI's South African section, Socialist Alternative. I met Nimrod at his small house in White City, Soweto. The same house that the police raided early one morning in December 1956, to arrest Nimrod for "high treason". He was placed in a cell with a young lawyer by the name of Nelson Mandela!

"155 others were arrested that day" he explained, "Nelson was the only one I knew, 'Nimrod, are you here too?' he said when they brought me in". "Even before this time I was active in the trade union movement. I was a founder member of SACTU (South African Congress of Trade Unions) in 1955. I organised the workers into the union, that was my job. The employers asked me 'who is a member of your committee?', I said the whole factory are members, at that time we called our union the Non-European Iron and Steel workers' union.

"Trade union organisation has never been a picnic, but Nimrod's comrades faced severe problems for which special methods and tactics had to be improvised. "I had my differences with the ANC leadership, for not following the class struggle. They criticised me because I advocated breaking the law, which even stated that 'black workers have no right to strike'. The ANC leadership didn't back me up, they said: 'Nimrod, you must negotiate', they didn't approve of the fact that there were strikes every week in the Iron and Steel sector-that was my sector".

The trade unions played a decisive role in the struggle against apartheid, especially the formation of Cosatu in the 1980s. Today this is an incontestable fact. But South African marxists, like Nimrod, argued this many years ago while the ANC leadership placed their faith in a completely different strategy-a combination of guerilla warfare organised from camps outside the country, and international diplomacy.

Nimrod was forced to go into exile in 1962. I first met him in Liverpool, England in the 1980s when he made a visit during the famous struggle against the Thatcher government. He spent many years as a refugee in Ireland.

"I've been battling all my adult life", he told me, "When I came back to South Africa in 1992 I found that many comrades I knew had left the country or died. The ANC branches had collapsed."

Up until the early 1990s the CWI in South Africa supported the ANC and was known as the Marxist Workers' Tendency of the ANC. But the sharp rightward shift of the ANC in the 1990s led them to a total break and to raise the call for a new workers' party.

Nimrod is active in his local community Everton, in Soweto, fighting for the restoration of land which was illegally sold by the apartheid regime. He launched the Everton Forum for Reconstruction and Socialism, whose office also serves as a centre for the comrades of Socialist Alternative.

So, after over six years of ANC government, what does he think of the way things have turned out?

"It's a sell out. A straightforward sell out!", he says angrily, "The ANC's Freedom Charter states explicitly that all the mineral wealth beneath the earth belongs to the people-Nelson did away with it! It's been undemocratically thrown into the dustbin and replaced with naked capitalism, the so called GEAR programme, privatisation etc. That's a sell out! We didn't fight all those years to retain apartheid."

There are people whose life has involved far fewer sacrifices, for whom the betrayals experienced by Nimrod and his comrades would have produced cynicism. But not him! After a lifetime of struggle he and his wife live on a pension of 750 kronor a month. He still speaks enthusiastically of battles to come: "All we have to do is see to it that we organise the workers-internationally-to see to it that we bring about a socialist alternative. There's more and more talk about the need to create a workers' party-that's what's going on!"

Within days of talking to Nimrod, major class battles erupted in the country. Cosatu's leaders launched a programme of rolling strikes, threatening a general strike on 10th May. The alliance between Cosatu and the ANC - they sit together in the government - is under the most severe strains ever. President Mbeki, under orders from the stock exchange and international speculators, is attempting to impose wage restraint, attack employment rights and central bargaining. Last year saw more strikes than at any time since the ANC took power in 1994. This year could see afurther increase.

"One thing has always been in my mind," Nimrod had told me, "we will never become free without the class struggle. I've fought for fifty years with this idea in mind. The ideas of Karl Marx, our ideas, have stood the test of history. Now it's time for a new generation of youth to take up the struggle."