'I Am West Coast Hip-Hop' Initiative Releases Smartphone Application

An initiative started to help promote the local Hip-Hop scene has now grown into a more reliable source of entertainment, but will this improve its success? The question stands.

Branded as 'I Am West Coast Hip-Hop', this initiative is something some might already be familiar with. With it's establishment earlier this year on Facebook, the promotional efforts of this brand has accumulated 93 likes on Facebook so far, extending it's roots to Twitter to ensure a greater public reception.

So far the likes of War3 Karakt3z, Legacii, Big Twist, Ill Scripts, BALLERGANG & Tha Real U have risen to acclaim in this scene with constant mention on it's social networks. The initiative aims to help build and improve the South African West Coast Hip-Hop platform and has seen various newcomers such as EM-K, Wild Boys, AB, Lazy Cats & WBMG receive their much deserved attention as well. With arrangements such as a collaborative show known as 'West Coast Hip-Hop Night' proposed on the 1st of June this year and the 'I Am West Coast Hip-Hop Radio Show' on local community station, Radio West Coast (93.2fm), the initiative has grown to invest more and more in developing it's artistry. Theses attempts however have proven to be unsuccessful, but might improve as new plans are rolled out.

The latest plan from this initiative is the 'I Am West Coast Hip-Hop BlackBerry Application' known as 'Weskus Hip-Hop by SwagCity' on BlackBerry App World. While this application was developed by it's sister project, SwagCity, a mobile music website established for the same purpose, the partnership in this smart-phone application could prove to be one worthy of recognition.
The announcement for this plan was made two months ago in August, as SwagCity later shut down for maintenance to relaunch it's services on September 24th. The relaunch would include the application apart from the changes made on the music website. However part of this plan was later postponed due to pending status of both the vendor registration and application release by BlackBerry's Developer division.

The application finally hit the Research In Motion's smartphone online store this week with an announcement made on Saturday the 19th of October. Features from this app include, content from the West Coast Hip-Hop initiative's Facebook page, articles from two of West Coast Hip-Hop's media sources, Startouch Magazine and Lyrics & Truth, and the Top 20 newest releases from the West Coast on partner mobile website, SwagCity.

To download the App, search 'Weskus Hip Hop' in BlackBerry's App World search

• Like 'Weskus Hip Hop' on Facebook
• Follow '@IAmWeskusHipHop' on Twitter

Saldanha Bay Rappers Have Bigger Plans

In case you haven't heard of WBMG, lets take this time to introduce them to you. Rappers Hentaz, Cido, MadDogg & Yung Aiaya are the next big thing in Diazville. Together this collective of teen swagstars form the WBMG. While they might be quiet to the online scene, they've been around town to town doing shows in anticipation of their mixtape releasing later this year. 


A few weeks ago, this announcement was made prompt by of the group's leading men Yung Aiaya, who revealed the title as 'Friday The 13th'. While the group only has two songs online, their debut with 'You To Fine To Be Alone' accumulated 11 straight downloads and 14 plays after a year of release. Okay, that's nothing to brag about but anyway...

Whist every name progressing in Saldanha Hip-Hop seems to be a teenager, the current heavyweights Ill Scripts have confirmed the rumors of their proposed mixtape as well. Rapper, INSANE mentions that the supposed 'Cloud 9' mixtape (which we assume will obviously have another name) is scheduled to release by the end of the final school term, this being the month of November & December.

The mixtape is said to be a compilation of all Ill Scripts latest releases and could feature some interesting things from the Fantasy Productions team. Included will be new unheard releases, but we can already point out the fact that majority of these will be remade cover versions such as their latest release 'All Me' by OVO Sound & Young Money rapper, Drake.


Currently the Scripts have six releases out and about, five of which are on KasiMp3. In total the group achieved 809 downloads on KasiMp3 alone, minus the 135 for rapper Junio A!'s 'Light Up Freestyle' alone (therefore a total of 674), with their June comeback release 'Cast My Eyes' peaking at 236 downloads. The group currently holds the Most Downloads In A Day record for the West Coast with 101 downloads in 17 hours and is the most downloaded group within the South African West Coast Hip-Hop music scene, after their local brothers, BALLERGANG, a group of which INSANE also belongs to.

BALLERGANG: The New Success Of The West Coast

With a strong production force and a growing aspiration to rhyme, the BALLERGANG, has swiftly took stage to the West Coast music scene, with its first five releases.

Debuting a few months back with 'All Good' the song which featured a comeback of local washouts ILL SCRIPTS, definantly revived the name of rappers Pang & INSAiN. Not just that, the song is currently BALLERGANG's most downloaded release with 53 downloads on Kasimp3.

Along with the bad rep ILLSCRIPTS has been getting, came some success, with its debut 'Ons Is Bevok' still firmly gaining views on YouTube. In total BALLERGANG is undoubtedly the most downloaded Hip-Hop group/crew on the West Coast so far, with a total of 170 downloads. 





BALLERGANG statistics derived from www.kasimp3.com

With all this at the brink, Radio De Touch exclusively interviewed 16 year-old Saldanha rapper, INSAiN, firmly a menber of ILLSCRIPTS and the BALLERGANG, to uncover the truth behind this mysterious group and furthermore understand the degree of change occurring in the young rapper's career.

 

1) How many members are in the BALLERGANG and who are they?

 

 

6 members. Its me Insain, Pang, Arnie, Anyboy, B-boy and the latest member Drizzle. Other than that, Junio-A was also suppose to join but apparently his too busy.

 

2) Where did you derive this name?

 

"Man it has nothing behind it - just a name I thought of when I was still a kid... like 11 years old, when I started rapping then I just grew up with the name...but if u will listen to ma track you would know that thy don't call me 'insain' for nothing LOL* just joking bra.."

 

3) How does it feel being the only artist in two groups?

 

 

"It's kinda difficult but not much, I just have to make sure I deliver my best for both crews and as long as they cool with it, I'm committed to both crews"

 

 

4) What made you join the Ballergang or what formed it?

 

Pang and I along with Junio A! were offered to join seeing that we already existed as a group (ILLSCRIPTS).

 

We then agreed since BALLERGANG has better production quality and with a bunch of good kids in the crew we couldn't refuse. 

 

I jus joined a dope crew that had a name of "BALLERGANG" but from what I've heard the name came from my homies Arnie, Anyboy & B-Boy. The three were in a clique before Ballergang and all shared one thing in common: they all loved the music of the greatest rapper of all time, 2PAC.

 

With that, there's a verse in his song 'Life Goes On' from which the three heard him say the following words "live as a BALLER alcohol and bootycalls."

 

The group liked that so the name of the clique came quite easily; but as for me, me and the boys go way back...

 

 

5) Whose responsible for the production, distribution and other efforts of the group?

 

Most popular producer in Saldanha the one an only DJ Brandon. The whole clique works together to make it work though.

 

6) Does the group belong to label/brand and what is it's aim production wise?

 

Arnie answered this question saying:

 

We belong to a label that's well known in Saldanha bay called 'YA GA YO STUDIO' and were building the label from the ground up. The aim is mostly to say that we're keeping the name WEST COAST high and to put out good music

 

 

7) After these first few singles, what does the group plan in future?

 

Just to be heard and keep pushing, feature other crews and perform at different places - we would love that but yeah... we just wana be heard and make the production bigger so that there is dope tracks out there for the people.

 

 

8) After winning 2nd place in the high school talent show and performing publicly, does that encourage you or discourage you to continue making music and how did that experience feel for you?

 

That encourages me a lot man and it makes me wana make more music. It felt great being on stage, it's something I enjoy doing - performing. Before I got on stage I was nervous though but when I got out there... I just done my thing an enjoyed it.

 

It happened to be my 1st performance, ever... and with that, me and Junio-A! killed it, seeing that we got second place... so yeah, it was great!

 

 

9) How did ILL SCRIPTS deal with the controversy around its debut release?

 

Like we laughed a lot about it because it wasn't even serious. We just done that to see if they were stupid enough to reply and so well we couldn't careless... it doesn't really matter we don't hate the guys, they're on their level and they're doing it big yet I believe ballergang or ill scripts is the only crew in West Coast hip-hop that could really give them a run for their lyrics...lol

 

• FULL INTERVIEW COMING SOON...

More on the BALLERGANG:

• CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD BALLERGANG'S LATEST SINGLE 'READY'
• 'LIKE' BALLERGANG ON FACEBOOK
• FOLLOW INSAiN (@LlewenInSaIN) ON TWITTER

 

Why Would Shaloma Make A Diss Track?

The song is both a linked artistry of Saldanha rapper, Jempas & Saint Helena Bay Conscious/Christian rapper, Tha Real U. Following preceding works of Tha Real U, the fact that a Conscious Rapper released a diss track seemed to leave many in arrears.

Shaloma however in contrast to its normal distribution online, released this song locally as it dealt with an internal issue within West Coast Hip-Hop.

 Two months ago, newcomers ILLSCRIPTS, a Saldanha Bay rap group, released 'Ons Is Bevok', a diss track aimed at Major, one of the West Coast's more acknowledged rappers, known for his works in the public favourite former rap group, Major Playerz.

The songs reception has been moderate, although it is widely-unfamiliar locally, it's greatest success saw ILLSCRIPTS debut on YouTube with 182 views so far.

Following Real U's latest official release 'Underground Kings', remarkably known for receiving 100 downloads in one day, the song briefly concludes with the statement that: those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who remain humble will be exalted, a Biblical scripture from Luke 14:11.

 As 'Underground Kings' was released as an indirect message aimed at artist particularly on the West Coast, Shaloma Muzik extended this theme with 'Lord Have Mercy' as a direct message to the newcomers.

ILLSCRIPTS' Junio A! & Lil' Sain became the prime example, reason being is that they are personally know by the duo. As Real U's 'Underground Kings' did not reach the Saldanha Bay rap group as consciously as it should have, 'Lord Have Mercy' was released to educate the group with a more direct approach.

The evidence of the link between the two songs is found in the structure of the song as 'Underground Kings' and 'Lord Have Mercy' both start with Real U lyrically rapping in the first verse, standing out the second and then concluding the song with a dramatic message-based third verse.

In both cases the third verse was recorded to clarify and provoke a powerful statement.

Perhaps the center focus behind 'Lord Have Mercy' should be where Real U's says "I'm the educator and I'm teaching it, close your eyes homie I'm about to start preachin' it, Lord have mercy upon these rappers who have no idea what real Hip-Hop is." This metaphor corresponds with the controversial line in Real U's song "will you quit rapping sh*t?! Like you got something better today." Evidently Real U is provoking rappers to add sense to their lyrics and not rapping for public impression. It's clear that Shaloma's intention was to promote consciousness by bring the issue regarding the ILLSCRIPTS' recorded diss song into light, rather than insult the artists on a mic.

Twistyle Muzik captured this rather well with the release of 'Keep Pushing.' The song features Lee Rick, a artist significantly known for his verse in 'Long Nights' - the breakthrough song for Conscious Hip-Hop on the West Coast.

The second verse in 'Lord Have Mercy' is painted by Jempas. He concludes with a powerful line, "You asses think it's insane but for yal it's all just in vain." Vanity is a large issue regarding Hip-Hop culture as a whole in these modern times, the rap duo thus formulated a inflicting message in these two songs about how the West Coast should not be pushed into the same situation. Jempas describes ILLSCRIPTS as "lil’ Chihuahuas tryna bark out loud" asking for mercy as they don't understand the implications of their actions, and quiet frankly have no idea what the underground industry is about, this lyrically suggested through the second verse. He uses a threatening tone of voice and lyrics to ensure that Shaloma Muzik will stop at nothing to awake a conscious system of listeners within its community and hopefully globally.

» Click here to read the connected article concerning 'Underground Kings.'
 

External Links:

» To download 'Lord Have Mercy (Junio A! & Lil' Sain Diss)' visit swagcity.wen.ru using your Mobile device.

» Click here for song lyrics to 'Lord Have Mercy (Junio A! & Lil' Sain Diss)' on Metrolyrics.com.