Back in 1995 Hip-hop was rarely heard in South Africa; today it is one of the most prevalent genres in music.
Many would attribute this turnaround to Prof continually promoting and performing his Hip-hop tracks despite Kwaito music being dominant. Indeed Prof was so instrumental in the growth of Hip-hop he is one of the founders of Motswako (a mixture of South Africa dialects)
“When Kwaito was big I went to bashes and Kwaito shows and I was rapping (sic). Back then people used to laugh at me but because of the belief I had in Hip-hop; today everyone does Motswako. I’ve got the right to say that I started this Motswako thing”.
“…They’ve got to learn to rap the way we do.”
Prof Sobukwe
Do you also speak Setsw-english like HHP? “[No] I speak Motswako. Back in the day they used to call it ‘Fanakaloko’ now this is a modernized ‘Fanakaloko’.
Your biggest achievement so far?
“My biggest achievement so far is where Motswako is today”.
Hip hop is taking over in South Africa?
“Its not taking over, it has already taken over”.
How do you describe yourself?
“I’m the Robin Wood of this Hip Hop industry”.
The growth in South African Hip-hop is certainly impressive so is Prof’s work done as a promoter of Hip-hop?
“I would say we are on a 7.5 right now because the 2.5 is just to get the business side of it in check. If you compare us with anybody from the States or the UK obviously they rap in English. We can all rap in English but can they rap they way we rap? I believe we’ve got one up on them. For them to even try to compete with us they’ve got to learn to rap the way we do”.
Motswako is recently beginning to break internationally having already performed in Zambia and Mozambique. For Motswako music’s future it seems it’s only just beginning.
Listen to The Mzansi Show on future radio 96.9 FM or on line at www.futureradio.co.uk.The Mzansi Show interview some of the best South African artists and throught music give one a true insight into the way South Africans live. If you missed the show then catch up at www.kwaito.co.uk/themzansishow
