Hip Hop Pantsula
In a musical genre dominated internationally by US artists, it was never going to be easy for Hip Hop Pantsula – HHP for short – to make a name for himself. But over the last decade he has done just that, forging a successful career by cultivating a unique ‘Motswako’ style of rap, which he performs in a variety of ethnic South African languages. Although he primarily uses Setswana, HHP has also recorded tracks in Sesotho and isiZulu amongst others, giving him broad appeal across the many tribal cultures of South Africa.
Raised in Mafikeng in North West province, HHP often uses the phrase “Maf-town” in reference to his hometown, and was recognised in the first Maftown Golden Stars Awards in 2007 for his musical achievements. As well as recording six studio albums since his debut in 2000 – two of which have been subsequently re-released in remastered form – HHP has also appeared on TV shows ‘Test The Nation’, and the 2007 series of reality dance competition ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ – which he won alongside partner Hayley Bennet.
Unusually for a rap artist, HHP frequently makes use of a twelve-piece band when recording, featuring alto sax and trombone players as well as a bassist, guitarist, two keyboard players, a drummer and two backing singers. This has helped HHP caver out a reputation as a multi-talented and versatile artist, capable of mixing up different genres to suit his mood. Indeed, the name he has given to his particular style – Motswako – literally translates as ‘mixture’ in Setswana. Both his continued success and his penchant for variation have seen HHP collaborate with a number of different African and western artists during his career, including English jazz-pop singer and pianist Jamie Cullum, Beninoise singer-songwriter Angélique Kidjo, and American rappers Saul Williams, Snoop Dogg and Nas.
HHP’s big break came after he met producer Chicco Twala in 1997. He subsequently formed a band with some of his school mates to release debut album ‘Party’, and though the band split shortly after the album’s release, HHP was undeterred. Hooking up with singer and producer Isaac Methethwo, HHP began work on his debut solo album. The resulting record, ‘Introduction’, made a massive impact in South Africa – particularly as HHP was one of the first African hip hop artists to bag a record deal and record a studio album. HHP followed this up in 2001 with ‘Maftown’, and cemented his status as one of the most exciting rappers on the continent.
The rest of the decade saw the release of ‘O Mang?’ in 2003, ‘YBA 2 NW’ in 2005 and ‘Acceptance Speech’ in 2007. Both ‘O Mang?’ and ‘Acceptance Speech’ were also remastered and re-released a year after each album originally hit the shelves. In 2010, HHP released his sixth solo studio album, ‘Dumela’, a double-disc recording which featured US rapper Nas on the track ‘Keledimo’. With HHP having performed live at the 2010 FIFA World Cup opening ceremony, alongside other African musical luminaries such as Hugh Masekela and Vusi Mahlasela, it’s clear that his star is still very much in the ascendancy.
