Cascoland Journal
Saturday 11 February
A variety of hip hop acts surprised the residents of New Crossroads
with each their own style of hip hop. DJ Maluka and his crew of Bootleg
Hip Hop, which is based in Capetown and which mobilized the different
hip hop acts to come and perform at New Crossroads, started of the show
with some of the hottest sounds in town today like Soweto’s Pitch
Black Afro and Redman.
When Black Out from Mandalay Township came on stage the crowd
was greeted by his message of Rasta. Black Out blasted the sound system
with his fast sung lyrics about how rastaman behaves. Singing with a rasping
voice about the rules of Rasta, ‘dread eat ital food, and he no
harm nobody’, Black Out stood out on the stage with his long dreads,
determined look in his eyes and penetrating rapping voice. A man with
a strong message.
Soldier from Khayalitsha joined him on stage for a jam. Soldier’s
sound was more melodic and leans more towards reggae. He has a soothing
voice and in his African dress and turban gave the audience, in his solo
performance, another flavor of what hip hop is all about and how diverse
it can be interpreted.
When Driemanskap, singing in Cape Flats slang Afrikaans, hit
the stage the atmosphere amongst the audience was getting hot. In front
of the stage the little children of New Crossroads where having a groovy
time. Already the sight of the turntables and the craftsmanship of Bootleg
Hip Hop played with their imagination. Driemanskap succeeded in getting
the children to sing along with some of their songs.
The three lead singers of Driemanskap clearly knew how to counter and
challenge each other with imaginative and captivating lyrics. Even though
the open jam, whereby singers get the chance to get on stage and challenge
each otherís lyrical abilities, was on for later, they probably pleased
the audience the most.
Terror MC, who brought his CD ‘The Terror Vision Mix Tape’
with him for sale, sang some of the songs featuring on that latest release
on the Bootleg Hiphop label. After his ‘as it kom’ and ‘moet
my nie testie’ the floor was open to singers from New Crossroads.
A little child, joining the Driemanskap on stage was a pleasant surprise
for everybody gathered. It was a clear indication that hip hop has taken
root in New Crossroads.
When finally a young man from New Crossroads took the stage and started
ranting ‘I am living in New Crossroads’ it looked like Cascoland
had its theme song. He brought many smiles on the faces of the people
of New Crossroads that where gathered at this Cascoland presentation.
Clearly he had his own gang of followers cheering him loudly.
After the big guys left the stage, the DJ’s of Bootleg Hip Hop put
on a special after show for the children gathered. The deep thumping bass
tunes pulled the kids down on their dancing feet while moving like real
pop stars. Surely a lot of dancing talent is living in this neighborhood.
