Yahkeem Ben Israel won the crown as ‘King of the East’ for the second year running at the SA Hip-Hop Awards – although he couldn’t be at this week’s ceremony to receive it.
The awards celebrate the biggest and best contribution to the development of the country’s hip-hop music. Nominees are put forward for the title of king of their respective provinces.
The Port Elizabeth-based rapper has been receiving nominations since 2012 and was crowned last year.
This year, to defend his title, he was nominated alongside Tru FM radio presenter Buck Matyila and rapper Tsviel The Prince.
Although Israel could not attend the 2014 awards ceremony – at The Lyric Theatre in Johannesburg on Wednesday night – he said he was honoured to have won again this year.
“It is humbling to receive this award again,” he admitted. “It is an unfortunate thing that I could not be there to receive the trophy.”
Last year Israel released an album titled Concrete Thought which was dedicated to the late struggle stalwart and veteran, Livingstone Mqotsi, who worked in education and wrote a number of books.
One of his books, House of Bondage, was published about 20 years ago and its sequel, The Mind in Chains, followed shortly afterwards.
It broke his heart that many did not know of Mqotsi and that he was never acknowledged for his role in the struggle, said Israel, who is the founder of the annual Grassroots Arts Festival, which takes place every December.
The festival celebrates and exhibits raw street arts.
Israel said for this year’s festival he invited a representative from the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (Samro) to give a talk on the importance of registering their music and other musical issues.
He also added that the Grassroots Arts Festival was his way of grooming upcoming artists and helping them move forward.
“I am planning on going all over the province to ensure that we create a compelling product as creative people while we remain in the Eastern Cape.
“A lot of people are more receptive to things that come from outside, – we need to change that mindset. Our creative people, whether it’s fashion, craft or rap need to constantly keep up with and improve their offering,” he said.
The SA Hip-Hop Awards’ biggest winners were Cassper Nyovest and AKA. Nyovest’s hit song, Doc Shebeleza won song of the year, while his album Tsholofelo was named album of the year and best digital sale.
AKA was named the best male and most valuable artist of the year while his Congratulate song won video of the year.
Israel said he hoped to win the title again in 2015.
“I want to become the first king to be crowned three times in a row,” he said.
EC rapper retains his title as hip-hop 'King of the East'
The awards celebrate the biggest and best contribution to the development of the country’s hip-hop music. Nominees are put forward for the title of king of their respective provinces.
The Port Elizabeth-based rapper has been receiving nominations since 2012 and was crowned last year.
This year, to defend his title, he was nominated alongside Tru FM radio presenter Buck Matyila and rapper Tsviel The Prince.
Although Israel could not attend the 2014 awards ceremony – at The Lyric Theatre in Johannesburg on Wednesday night – he said he was honoured to have won again this year.
“It is humbling to receive this award again,” he admitted. “It is an unfortunate thing that I could not be there to receive the trophy.”
Last year Israel released an album titled Concrete Thought which was dedicated to the late struggle stalwart and veteran, Livingstone Mqotsi, who worked in education and wrote a number of books.
One of his books, House of Bondage, was published about 20 years ago and its sequel, The Mind in Chains, followed shortly afterwards.
It broke his heart that many did not know of Mqotsi and that he was never acknowledged for his role in the struggle, said Israel, who is the founder of the annual Grassroots Arts Festival, which takes place every December.
The festival celebrates and exhibits raw street arts.
Israel said for this year’s festival he invited a representative from the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (Samro) to give a talk on the importance of registering their music and other musical issues.
He also added that the Grassroots Arts Festival was his way of grooming upcoming artists and helping them move forward.
“I am planning on going all over the province to ensure that we create a compelling product as creative people while we remain in the Eastern Cape.
“A lot of people are more receptive to things that come from outside, – we need to change that mindset. Our creative people, whether it’s fashion, craft or rap need to constantly keep up with and improve their offering,” he said.
The SA Hip-Hop Awards’ biggest winners were Cassper Nyovest and AKA. Nyovest’s hit song, Doc Shebeleza won song of the year, while his album Tsholofelo was named album of the year and best digital sale.
AKA was named the best male and most valuable artist of the year while his Congratulate song won video of the year.
Israel said he hoped to win the title again in 2015.
“I want to become the first king to be crowned three times in a row,” he said.
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