Regardless of hip hop's increasingly misogynist lyrics, the genre can also be so naff, bordering on pansy, as it has become music for the masses who want ringtones.
Hey, anything for a quick buck, but it is, sadly, necessary for survival in the technological age.
So it was with relief that I discovered the all- testosterone Skwatta Kamp was reuniting after four years. Finally, some real music, with attitude! In the past, Skwatta Kamp's presence on stage could incite a riot. This is true of Fair and Skwear, where they do not disappoint with heavy, aggressive beats. And not forgetting their clever and, sometimes, witty rhymes which switch easily from the vernacular to English.
Summer Song from Fair and Skwear
When interviewing them it is apparent that they are not only relying on Skwatta to make their fame and fortune. They have always been hard-working boys and all of them are creating successful careers outside of the group.
This work ethic comes across in the way they made this album. It is a self-financed, independent album released through Skwatta Kamp Music Productions and is distributed by another indie label, Soul Candi. A fine return to form for Skwatta Kamp.
The story so far:
Skwatta Kamp is singularly South Africa's most successful rap group ever. Cutting their teeth in the '90s at the legendary matinee sessions at Le Club, or Lees, as they used to call it, no one could have guessed the impact that they would have on South African hip hop.
Yet their determination to spread the hip hop word, their work ethic and their sheer talent could not stop Skwatta from inevitable success.
It was when, inspired by Amu, they started rapping in the vernacular that hip hop stopped being the hip hop of model C kids and took to the streets in the townships. Young kids hungry for something more than the kwaito they had inherited from the previous generation eagerly lapped them up.
Their first album was released on cassette and CD in 2001. It was called Skwatta Cam-pain. Then, in 2002, they released Khut en Joyn, with the underground smash Rau Rau, which went on to win them an MTN Sama in 2003. By that stage they were signed to the major label, Gallo.
They released Mkhukhu Funkshen in that year. Moyo, featuring the haunting vocals of Relo, together with an equally dramatic video, established them on mainstream charts.
The album went on to sell 45 000 units, a first for local hip hop. It also won them a second Sama in a row. Skwatta Kamp were now playing with the big boys.
Their second release on Gallo was Washumkhukhu, with the infectious Clap Song becoming one of the anthems of 2005. That album, while not selling as well, achieved gold status.
For their fifth album, they left Gallo for a joint venture with EMI/Virgin. Back on Kampus was not as strong as their previous offerings and, therefore, did not sell as well. The seven members then went their separate ways - until January of this year - when they decided to make one last go of the concept that is Skwatta Kamp.
And the artists are...
Slikour
Past: He's already established himself as a successful solo artist, with two consecutive hit albums. This includes last year's mammoth track, Umsindo. Aside from this he has worked hard with partner Shugasmakx on ventilation.co.za, which he describes as "a portal for hip hop music". The site was launched two years ago and averaged 30 000 hits a month. It is now averaging some 650 000 hits a month.
Present: "We went back to the essence of Skwatta Kamp. People had forgotten about us or they had written us off, so there was no record company or media pressure. This is what makes this album special."
Future: "My future lies with empowering young people. There are a lot of young people who are diamonds in the rough and because of my success with Skwatta and everything I've done, I believe we can help expose them through our companies."
Shugasmakx
Past: Along with Slikour, Shugasmakx has the largest public profile. He is riding high with the success of Imisebenzi Yakho, which features Bricks and uses a Soul Brothers sample. The track comes off his debut solo album, Numba 1. Business-wise, Shugasmakx has partnered with Slikour in Ventilation Productions and is an owner of Buttabing Entertainment.
Present: "Fair and Skwear is well- balanced and caters for the ultimate Skwatta fan as well as those who joined us on The Clap Song. It's not modern-day snap your fingers, booty hop, but it is still fresh enough to capture the streets and the younger kids."
Future: "I'm carrying on my business with Buttabing and Ventilation. But you will soon see changes to my personal life, like marriage and kids. My full potential is now only in its beginning stages."
Nemza
Past: The prettiest one in the group released two solo albums, with some commercial success. He has also turned to the 9 to 5 by starting a company dealing with digital downloads.
Present: "This album reminds me of the days of our first album, Khut and Joyn. In fact, if it was up to me, it would be called Khut and Joyn Part 2. We've come full circle and this is the beginning of bigger and better things. Plus, we got to know each other afresh."
Future: "I will always do music, but I am venturing into other things. I do see another album from me. As a solo artist, I haven't reached my goals and will pursue them until I get there. When that happens it will be the day when I say: 'peace out'."
Flabba
Past: He won an MTN Sama for Best Hip Hop, for what is still one of my favourite albums, Nkuli vs Flabba. But this no-nonsense man with a sense of the righteous and the occasional wild party has, surprisingly, turned to community work. He funds a baseball association in his home town of Alexandra, where he still lives. His team is called the Flabba Braves and they participate in tournaments around the country.
Present: "After our last album, Back on Campus, which wasn't a great album, we went our separate ways. But we only compete against ourselves and we can never be as big as the group. Fair and Skwear is a classic album."
Future: He plans to build a chill spot in Alex where he will serve food and drinks and he promises to release his second album next year. Can't wait!
Bozza
Past: Bozza decided to redefine himself far away from the music industry, so he went back to his family in Heidelberg, where he has been hibernating.
Present: "The album is rugged and rough and not very much about sales. It was confusing in the beginning, until we managed to meet the old Skwatta with our new values. Fair and Skwear will bring a different dimension to the music industry."
Future: "My future is my past. I'm going back to playing house music." He has also finished building his own studio in Heidelberg and plans the release of a self-produced house album next year.
Nish
Past: "I have been working a 9 to 5 because this music scene doesn't make enough money. In my spare time I'm working on a project called The Madlusi Album. It's old-school hip hop because I am trying to move away from that pop sound. I also have a studio where I am working with Neville, the mic devil."
Present: "Fair and Skwear is a hot album which only contains 12 tracks. We made it shorter than the others because people can't concentrate much on long albums."
Future: "I want to be the guy behind the artists because, while the artist is the guy who shines, the person behind the artist makes the most money."
Infah
Past: A qualified graphic designer, he's been pursuing his graphic design career by freelancing for different companies and learning the trade. He has also successfully tried his hand at album covers for Nemza and Skwatta Kamp. His artistic temperament means he is, at times, a man of few words.
Present: "We took a break and we've come back fresh."
Future: "I am a graphic designer by profession, but a musician by heart. Music is unpredictable and I need to build an empire for my children. But I will always do music."
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