Komani rapper/dancer Shai got the opportunity of a lifetime when American rapper/hip-hop star KRS-One asked to do a song with him.
The Keep Clicking song sees the US rapper doing some Xhosa clicks and sending a shout-out to the Steve Biko Foundation.
The song is featured on KRS-One’s latest album, The World is Mind.
The video of the song has so far garnered more than 18000 views on YouTube. Shai, whose real name is Sikoliwe Genge, said the song validated his conviction that he was on the right track.
“KRS could have chosen any other Xhosa rapper to do the track with but he chose me.
“We have iFani and Driemanskap who are representing Xhosa rappers but he still chose a person like me,” he said.
Shai said the collaboration came about when he and a group of artists from the Steve Biko Foundation went to Liverpool on an exchange programme.
“We worked on a mixtape there with some artists that side.
“The producer, Kofi, played some of our music to KRS, who then asked him to record a verse for him,” he said.
Shai said this producer then asked the Steve Biko Centre’s Abelusi group and vocalist Siphokazi Gwazela to help record the song. The group recorded their verses and chorus at Legends Showcase studios in Berea and sent their work to the UK, where it was mixed and mastered.
“Having a track with an artist such as KRS-One means that what I am doing as a Xhosa rapper is important and that we should continue rapping in our home languages,” he said.
Since working with KRS-One, Shai said he has been working on his own mixtape. “The mixtape was scheduled to be released last year but we had some technical issues and we decided to release it in May this year.”
Apart from his rapping, Shai is also a poet, hair stylist and dance teacher. “I am part of a project that goes around primary schools teaching pupils art. I do dance lessons and I have done a number of productions with the Steve Biko Arts Centre and ArtsCape, among many,” Shai said.
He said his dream was to see young people from the Eastern Cape excelling in the arts while embracing their roots.
Shai will perform next week Saturday at the Soul Clap Sessions organised by poet Nkqo at the Mthatha Arts Centre. The lineup consists of Vinnie Mak, Love Child, Sizwe Vena, Nkqo, Zammore, Khazimlah, INtsuthukazi, Number, L.i.s.o, Gxarha, Ayerz and Blackseed. Tickets for the event, which will start at 6pm, cost R100 and R150 with a cooler box. —poliswap@dispatch.co.za
Komani, US rappers in a collaboration
Komani rapper/dancer Shai got the opportunity of a lifetime when American rapper/hip-hop star KRS-One asked to do a song with him.
The Keep Clicking song sees the US rapper doing some Xhosa clicks and sending a shout-out to the Steve Biko Foundation.
The song is featured on KRS-One’s latest album, The World is Mind.
The video of the song has so far garnered more than 18000 views on YouTube. Shai, whose real name is Sikoliwe Genge, said the song validated his conviction that he was on the right track.
“KRS could have chosen any other Xhosa rapper to do the track with but he chose me.
“We have iFani and Driemanskap who are representing Xhosa rappers but he still chose a person like me,” he said.
Shai said the collaboration came about when he and a group of artists from the Steve Biko Foundation went to Liverpool on an exchange programme.
“We worked on a mixtape there with some artists that side.
“The producer, Kofi, played some of our music to KRS, who then asked him to record a verse for him,” he said.
Shai said this producer then asked the Steve Biko Centre’s Abelusi group and vocalist Siphokazi Gwazela to help record the song. The group recorded their verses and chorus at Legends Showcase studios in Berea and sent their work to the UK, where it was mixed and mastered.
“Having a track with an artist such as KRS-One means that what I am doing as a Xhosa rapper is important and that we should continue rapping in our home languages,” he said.
Since working with KRS-One, Shai said he has been working on his own mixtape. “The mixtape was scheduled to be released last year but we had some technical issues and we decided to release it in May this year.”
Apart from his rapping, Shai is also a poet, hair stylist and dance teacher. “I am part of a project that goes around primary schools teaching pupils art. I do dance lessons and I have done a number of productions with the Steve Biko Arts Centre and ArtsCape, among many,” Shai said.
He said his dream was to see young people from the Eastern Cape excelling in the arts while embracing their roots.
Shai will perform next week Saturday at the Soul Clap Sessions organised by poet Nkqo at the Mthatha Arts Centre. The lineup consists of Vinnie Mak, Love Child, Sizwe Vena, Nkqo, Zammore, Khazimlah, INtsuthukazi, Number, L.i.s.o, Gxarha, Ayerz and Blackseed. Tickets for the event, which will start at 6pm, cost R100 and R150 with a cooler box. —poliswap@dispatch.co.za
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