Cape Town Students Killer At Hip-Hop Theme Song

The city of Cape Town, one of South Africa's biggest music scenes, with a growing number of popular Hip-Hop acts, a continual flow of EDM and a vibrant night-life, has seen some of the nation's top acts start from the bottom and work their way, stage by stage to the top.



As remarkable as this is, a recent fresh sound was discovered on the 10th of May 2014 at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology Open Day, an exhibition event introducing prospective students to the various courses on offer for their academic future.



Held at Bellville campus, one of these courses on display had a distinctive vibe around it, a sort of ambiance which seemed to excite those who passed by it. Known as Public Relations Management, a catchy brand name "InstaPR" was displayed instead in respect to their sleek theme and this accompanied a Hip-Hop song by three of the Cape's youngest artists. 

The track entitled as '#InstaPR2014 (Insta PR Song)' was downloaded more than 150 times on the very same day of premier. Louie B from Question Mark Movement, a rap group which made it's first big debut on the South Africa reality TV-show 'SA's Got Talent', collaborated with Tha Real U, a South-African-West-Coast based underground rapper from Shaloma Muzik. Additional vocals were provided by the Nambian-raised songstress Taffy Mwaza.

Their efforts in creating a song which could attract more-and-more future university students to study the course, proved to be useful. Their understanding of the course, the Public Relations field and university life, has made this record not only a popular hit with the students but is even said to be enjoyed by the dean of the course. 

So far the track has received mixed feedback, mainly positive, and is available on The SA Mark Hip-Hop music site, SwagCity and WapTrick.

Additional Links: 

• View Lyrics (RapGenius)
• Download 
• Facebook
• Twitter: @InstaPR2014
• Instagram

5 Things Happening In West Coast Hip-Hop

Over the last few months, the West Coast Hip-Hop scene has seen some changes occur. Some were noticed yet some might still be ignored as many happen to be uninformed. If you one of those who don't know or maybe you haven’t been paying close attention, take a look below:
 
 
1. Internet Exposure

 
With artists like Goku from War3 Karak3tez, Big Twist, Tha Real U and Legacii on Soundcloud and Reverbnation, Internet exposure has surely increased. Three months ago, Tha Real U released 'Underground Kings' which quickly became one of the top downloaded songs in West Coast Hip-Hop, by reaching 100 downloads in a day.
Apart from this, Goku has released a series of music videos online which accompany those of Bizzy and Zayo, as well as the Major Playaz.
 
Other than this Tha Real U happened to release a music video as well. For the coast, this kind of exposure not only helps artists but it sheds light on the West Coast Hip-Hop community as well. Online releases help artists get recognised locally and Internationally quicker and more conveniently.
 
Last year mobile-site Swag City, was released in favour of this, so that locally people can download songs without having to hassle with computers, looking for links on Google or better yet not knowing where to find music.
 
 
2. Collaborations
 
Recently Big Twist collaborated with Goku. This created a banger along with Ivaan and Lazy B who previous also appeared on one of Goku's songs. Not only did this song ('We Made It') show how West Coast Hip-Hop steps things up, but so did Tha Real U's 'That I'm Dreaming' and 'Long Nights' which got newcomers Jempas and Lee Rick further involved in music.
 
General and Young Fl!p gained access to the Hip-Hop scene as well when they debuted on Big Twist's first mixtape, along with Prospect and Double D which gained added recognition. These collaborations show how West Coast Hip-Hop is transforming.
The scene is no longer monopolised by a single group of artists or band, but diverse, with different perspectives, styles and influences.
 

3. Started From The Bottom
 
Like everyone in the industry, you have to start somewhere even if it is the bottom. The past year has seen this happen. Not only did Twist come out of his shadow, but so did Tha Real U who happened to be a mash-up DJ.
 
Legacii, Illscripts, WBMG, also formed. These three groups soon started making music with a passion and are yet fighting for some exposure. With so many artists popping up out of no where, the West Coast community might soon see a revolution take place. While other artists remain unknown, the little light that has become the platform for West Coast Hip-Hop has helped artists grow and release more and more songs. With this comes better sound quality, lyrics and production quality.
 
Although most artists pushing songs these days are underground and newcomers, their support structures are constantly expanding. It's might just be a matter of time until their music is everywhere.
 

4. The Platform
 
Before 2013, West Coast Hip-Hop lacked a serious platform. Artists seem to be hidden in all places, some are popular yet the notorious, remain notorious. This reality however is starting to change. With Facebook pages and groups, websites like Swag City and communication structures between artists through these tools, West Coast Hip Hop now has a growing platform open for new artists and ready to support existing artists.
 
One problem though. Somehow there's always a disadvantage and this is it: some artists are promoting self with old, outdated procedures, rather then modernising and keeping up with the new platform. Not only do they aim at creating fan-bases or added support for themselves, they do this with no intention of building up the West Coast Hip-Hop community.
 
Networking tools like Facebook groups/pages, Websites etc... depend on the whole communities involvement to become an true success. Not only do artists gain exposure, while they lend exposure, they also help the whole West Coast Hip-Hop scene gain exposure and this will either help them cutback at trying to win fans cause they'll naturally gain support, or cause them to fade out if the scene becomes quickly populated.
 

5. Performances

Recently Big Twist and brand, started hitting a few popular venues. With performances springing up in local places, West Coast Hip-Hop is becoming much more engaging.
Although some regular performances do happen in the West Coast community, they seem to be aimed at one area, particularly a certain fan-base to please the supporters of a certain group. This is remarkable as fans will keep coming back for more, but it doesn't get the Hip-Hop scene to expand into unheard regions of the coast.
 
The group, ILLSCRIPTS took on this attempt however, by performing in a local High School Talent show, which scored them 2nd place. Not only does this performance help debut the group, but it also informs the general community about the emerging Hip-Hop scene within its community.
 
While some Hip-Hop artists (unknown to us) do also perform in popular places, it is yet a mystery on how their music actually engages with the public.
 
It is said that more events are being planned for West Coast Hip-Hop artists, especially the thought of possibly seeing some of these current power-forces work together. Will that happen? and is this even possible? For now we have no idea, only the Lord knows.

 

Real U: 100 downloads! It's Official!

The 11 month old, Hard Time For Lovers (Afro-Deep Blend) from DJ Real U's Vandalism mixtape, has finally reached its peak of 100 downloads.

Featured on the online sound-sharing website, Soundcloud, the House music bootleg from former Touch Radio & Radio Shawty DJ, DJ Real U, slowly but surely met the Soundcloud download limit of 100 downloads per song, as it escalated throughout the year.

Released November 2011, on Real U's Vandalism, the song quickly grew House fanatics attention as it embrends the sound of Rocco & Robert C. Walker, well-known names in the Deep House industry.

Along with 491 plays, the song has officially become the most downloaded song by a Touch Radio artist, overstepping DJ D33psoul's It's All About which instantly increased in download numbers since its release in late August.

The mixtape howsoever, was only fully released roundabout five months ago on realudj.tk due to Real U's transition to the Hip-Hop genre.

His latest release 50/50: The Vision attracted new audiences as Real U now focuses on consciousness in the music industry. So far Thank You (Unforgettable Freestyle) is Real U's most played Hip-Hop track with 259 plays on Soundcloud, followed by New Me (Miss Me Freestlyle) trailing in second with 150 plays in 2 months. These numbers could greatly increase if they were by any means promoted.
 
Other excellent figures for Real U is the famous Kwaito sensation Jezebel, which earned him 21,153 views on YouTube for his 'DJ Real U Dub Mix', featured on his earlier, 2010 double disc release entitled, Greenroom Mixtape. A total of 29,426 YouTube views lie behind this once emerging, consistent, passionate & skilful DJ. Real U's music is yet to peak elsewhere.

Real U keeps it Real COOL! One Truth and One Mixtape.

Former DJ, Real U (also known as Real Mixwell) dropped his revolutionary mixtape 50/50: The Vision last week, on the very first day of Spring on the African continent. With this 1st September release, there were no delays in getting it! Regardless of how the tape was pushed back 2 weeks since it's proposed release date, the mixtape received instant download numbers and positive comments from various listeners.



Photo courtesy of Shaloma Muzik.

Its promotion however was kept to a low, as Real U intends to provide his listeners with quality lyrics and sound. The production of The Vision can be criticised, but for many it has been overlooked as the editing and lyrically content filled the tape with a potential flow.

Feats from Lil' Beats and LiLReD helped narrow the solo feel of the release, with Kristie Alexandra vocally supporting the mixtape in its introductory stage on Crash Down.

Bonus songs Last Goodbye & Got Me Down paved a smooth ending to the 25-track Christian-based Conscious Hip-Hop fiasco. Local beat maker, Lee-Rick and musician Noel Kearns, helped as well as Real U thankfully credits them for their work. The mixtape is certainly a must hear for many. The question is not really 'who is Real U?' but rather 'what can he do?'

Title based on 1 Corinthians 13:12, '50/50' reflects both an uncertain image of life and the hope of a fulfilled vision in Christ.

Inspired to serve, this 18 year old lyricst, speaks either truth or a really brutal message to the youth. Days after the tape's release, Real U decided to tweet his expressive flow, under the hashtag #5050TheVision. No stranger to tweeting rhymes, the youngin' promotes Christian Hip Hop from the likes of Lecrae, Trip Lee & Bizzle, regularly through socially networking.

What lies in store for his artistic future? Only God knows.

To download Tha Real U '50/50: The Vision' visit www.tharealu.tk.
Download is free.