Hip Hop night of fun

CHIPPA LEGODIMO
Correspondent | Monday October 11, 2010 00:00

 

With Motswako powerhouse Hip-Hop Pantsula leading a pack it was obvious this gig would attract a huge crowd. The venue would seem a perfect location for such an event but it proved too small even before the peak hours of the night.

Not even the hefty P80 entrance fee could deter 'Ma Cat' from flocking to the do. Even past midnight more and more people were trooping in though it was clear there was no long space inside the hall. The number of cars parked outside, some almost a kilometre from the gate, demonstrated the kind of interest this festival had created.

The big crowd definitely inspired the musicians to give their all whenever they took to the stage. Rising star Eureka just prepared the masses for some scintillating performances by the show's main attraction, HHP.

The Coverboy, whose track Machonisa continues to gain him more popularity as promoters hardly exclude him from their shows these days, set the right tone for the night.

The easy-going yet confident musician often does not spend much energy on stage, only shaking here and there but mostly pumping out those lyrics in a soft voice that would make most sisters go weak on their knees. He is a stylish dude and you should have seen him on Friday night.

But just like politicians, musicians appeal to their followers each in different ways. Unlike Eureka, HHP came on stage to provide a different type of excitement with an energetic performance.

His Notorious BIG type of body did not seem to slow him down and within seconds after coming on stage, fans found themselves busy trying to imitate him often with so little success as the guy has his own way of doing it.

Everybody just went wild to the tune of his popular number Garas Pampiri. His 'Dogg' Press Bits only joined him later on stage to send the female fans wild. His immaculately-plated hair with big black sun-glasses made him look the part in a night dominated by the 'Yo' slang.

But then the big man himself arrived and it was like a house on fire, the crammed fans even found the space reduced as everybody was trying to follow the Motswako musician's dance moves and tunes.

For a guy who faced criticism and rejection when he first introduced this style of music, HHP has grown into some kind of legend who has inspired many especially here  in Botswana into following this trend.