by Benjamin Moshatama (Teh Times, South Africa)

Benjamin Moshatama speaks to Zuluboy, the edgy hip-hop comrade from KZN

You have been involved in socio-political events like the United Nations Global Hip-Hop Summit in Canada and the virus-free campaign in Holland.

It is an honour to be able to represent the local youth and to put our music on an international platform. It was great to be part of the hip-hop summit as we were working with the UN, coming up with solutions to tackle poverty and war in Africa. The virus-free campaign allowed us to petition in the streets of Holland for the European Parliament to provide HIV/Aids drugs for the price of bread.

These initiatives are important because…

I consider myself a hip-hop soldier struggling for the forthcoming generation. We have to do something as there are a lot of people from the hood who still face poverty and war.

What do you think about rapping in one’s native tongue?

It’s great that people are now doing hip-hop in our own languages, but we shouldn’t take advantage of the fact that we are now reaching more people in our communities. We have to communicate the right things to the masses.

You have called your hip-hop “ skandi-hop”.

It’s all about crossing over to maskandi with the music. Anyone can do skandi-hop if you are rapping in your native tongue. It can be done in any language.

In Masihambisane you highlight poverty, crime and unemployment. Is the focus the same in your latest album, Inqolobane?

Yes. Before the recent xenophobia violence, I wrote a song about black-on-black hate. I was surprised to see that the song became kind of prophetic.

You incorporate Zulu tradition on stage.

I always wear umbhlaselo (colourful Zulu pants) and traditional headgear when I perform. I used to lightlight impepho (African incense), but people complained.

Your obsession is…

Finding new things to do. I have started acting in Soul City and I would like to write or produce a movie.

How did you get into acting?

After one of my shows, I received a call from a lady at a production company. I went for an audition and was called back. It has been a learning experience.

After Tumi and the Volume disbanded you are probably the only MC who travels with his band. Why is that important to you?

You are not limited when it comes to performance. Every time you do a song you can give it a different groove, and you can even extend a track to 30 minutes, depending on the energy you get from the crowd.

If you were to put together a hip-hop gig, who would you invite?

I would want either Kenzhero or BlaQt to deejay, then I would also invite Joburg-based graffiti artist Osmic; B-boy Siyabonga; and Bongo Riot from Gang of Instrumentals.

What do you think of the status of SA hip-hop?

We are losing the plot. Maybe I sound like a Mugabe chilling in Thabo Mbeki’s home, but I don’t get what the hype is all about. You hear some MCs doing the same stuff that people from the States are coming up with.

Zuluboy performs every Thursday at his Zuluboy’s Amazing Thursdays gig at Cappello in Newtown, Joburg.

Zuluboy’s Favourite Tracks Of All Time

- Heartbreaker by will.i.am
- Wathula Nje by Black Coffee featuring Victor Ntoni
- It’s your birthday by The Roots
- Cosi Cosi by Camagwini