Rappers appeal for recognition
Dumisani Ncube | Thursday August 28, 2014 06:00
In a group interview with Showbiz, rappers Atlasaone ‘ATI’ Molemogi, Dalton Quake, Thuso ‘Bragga’ Isaacs and Mooketsi ‘Noello’ Letlhalerwa, noted that they want to be taken seriously and are prepared to work with the corporate sector.
Yarona FM Awards (YAMA) nominee A.T.I revealed that some people still find it difficult to accept and understand hip hop culture and this makes organisations apprehensive about investing in rappers. He also said rappers have a long way to go towards convincing companies that hip hop deserves financial support, adding that rappers should up their game and work hard to show that they are a good investment.
“We should follow footsteps of pioneers such as Scar who have managed to convince big companies that they are worthy of being funded,” he said.
His counterpart, rapper-cum-producer Dalton Quake, stated the main reason why local rappers are not recognised is becuase the public pays more attention to international rappers and promoters are quick to invite the very same, thusgiving them more exposure.
“The only way that rappers can be appreciated is when there is a law that permits the booking of foreign acts in the country or the one which states that local and international acts should be paid the same amount of money,” he said.
The E.GO. rap group frontman Bragga told Showbiz that Batswana undermine local rappers as promoters seem to have more faith in international acts, ignoring home talent.
For his part, Noello noted that local hip hop has grown in leaps and bounds as it’s the most played genre on local airwaves.
However, he noted that in order to grow to greater heights, hip hop artists need the corporate sector’s support to invest in them; nurture their talent and grow their brands. Noello also said the love and support they receive from fans proves that they are hard workers committed to producing quality music of international standars.
One of the few local artists to be endorsed and funded by corporate giants is Vee. The pint-sized kwaito artist has a long-standing relationship with Orange and has worked with the Ministry of Health on the circumcision campaign.