East London rapper Blaqphamas, who left his 9 to 5 job to focus on his music career, is back in East London to headline a show aimed at giving local artists a platform to grow their careers.
The Unlock The City show is taking place next month at Blackspades in Quigney.
Blaqphamas, real name Xolisa Hackula, recently released his first single as a signed artist under DJ Clock’s label, AM:PM. Many will remember the Durban record producer for his 2008 mega-hit Umahambayedwa.
He is also the person behind Beatenberg’s hit track Pluto (Remember You).
Hackula left his job as a graphic designer in 2013 to focus on his music career. He landed the record deal with DJ Clock last June. Unlock The City is about putting East London’s most promising acts on a stage in front of people who want to support and get involved with authentic East London artistry,” he said.
Hackula said the event was only for East London acts. “No promoter gives local artists a chance to get new fans. They always go for national artists who already have a big following. We hope to create a demand for local content and for our artists to have a platform to showcase their talent,” he said.
Hackula said it was sad that most musicians in East London relied on December events hosted by Buffalo City Metro in order to get a chance to share their music.
“This will also help us in terms of marketing and getting East London artists out there,” he said.
Hackula said he hoped to unite the artists to work together and make the city great. “The willingness to work together as musicians in East London isn’t there and it is not right for us as a small city.”
The event will see him perform his latest single, Z C C.
He said this was the first single from his forthcoming album working with DJ Clock. “I’ve been making music for years but the pressure is real now that I am a signed artist. I no longer set deadlines for myself but I am told when to deliver. Working with Clock has been great. He is honest about how he feels and he loves the music that I make,” said Hackula.
He added that he hoped to host the Unlock The City event every quarter. “This is basically us exposing East London artists to East London people. We will also look into involving people who are interested in investing in the arts as well,” he said.
The event will also feature Cooley S, Excess, Rizzy Ruu, ATG, LaVesh, Maxhoseni, Number and OTE. Tickets cost R50 and will be sold at the door. — poliswap@dispatch.co.za
Rapper back in city to help locals grow
The Unlock The City show is taking place next month at Blackspades in Quigney.
Blaqphamas, real name Xolisa Hackula, recently released his first single as a signed artist under DJ Clock’s label, AM:PM. Many will remember the Durban record producer for his 2008 mega-hit Umahambayedwa.
He is also the person behind Beatenberg’s hit track Pluto (Remember You).
Hackula left his job as a graphic designer in 2013 to focus on his music career. He landed the record deal with DJ Clock last June. Unlock The City is about putting East London’s most promising acts on a stage in front of people who want to support and get involved with authentic East London artistry,” he said.
Hackula said the event was only for East London acts. “No promoter gives local artists a chance to get new fans. They always go for national artists who already have a big following. We hope to create a demand for local content and for our artists to have a platform to showcase their talent,” he said.
Hackula said it was sad that most musicians in East London relied on December events hosted by Buffalo City Metro in order to get a chance to share their music.
“This will also help us in terms of marketing and getting East London artists out there,” he said.
Hackula said he hoped to unite the artists to work together and make the city great. “The willingness to work together as musicians in East London isn’t there and it is not right for us as a small city.”
The event will see him perform his latest single, Z C C.
He said this was the first single from his forthcoming album working with DJ Clock. “I’ve been making music for years but the pressure is real now that I am a signed artist. I no longer set deadlines for myself but I am told when to deliver. Working with Clock has been great. He is honest about how he feels and he loves the music that I make,” said Hackula.
He added that he hoped to host the Unlock The City event every quarter. “This is basically us exposing East London artists to East London people. We will also look into involving people who are interested in investing in the arts as well,” he said.
The event will also feature Cooley S, Excess, Rizzy Ruu, ATG, LaVesh, Maxhoseni, Number and OTE. Tickets cost R50 and will be sold at the door. — poliswap@dispatch.co.za
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