SA Rappers and Producers: The Neverending discussion

 HIP HOP AND ITS PRODUCERS: The pie just never has enough pieces

While the likes of PH Raw, BeatMochini, SPeeKa, ANATII, Gemini Major, Silasbeats, Makwa 6eats, Tweezy, Ganja Beats, Ruff, Zoccie Coke Dope, Ali Keys and the likes have had a very large contribution to SA Hip Hop Music over the years, there’s others who seems to just not be getting there.

When flipping the coin, there are other producers and engineers who are doing the most and might be underappreciated, underrated and under the radar. The talent is impeccable and they are still out here doing the most. 

We shine a light on these music magicians and the work they have done: 

-WICHI 1080

When Wichi’s name comes up the automatic and fitting correlation would be Priddy Ugly. Wichi 1080 has these hard hitting beats that are unique and when you hear them, you know its him. Think of “Cocaine Ghost” “Come to my Kasi” ft. Youngsta CPT and “Bula Boot” by Priddy Ugly and you’d get it. The two have this synergy that allows them to make the most chilling bangers. While he has made appearances on almost all projects that the rapper has put out, he has also done some work with KLY, Rouge, Ami Faku. The award winning engineer and producer whose real name is Choolwe Munyati is originally from Zambia. 

-BONAFIDEBILLI

If you have had the chance to listen to “The Book of Chad” by Chad Da Don then you are well acquainted with the work in its element. It’s a pity the album didn’t do as well commercially coz that denied the guy some amazing props. Real name “Kabelo Togoe”, Billi has been pushing for years and he is a qualified engineer who has worked in the production “Freedom- The Musical” as the head of music and also acted in the play. Besides producing his own music and that of a lot of emerging artists, he has also done some production for Priddy Ugly and Towdeemac. 

-RON EPIDEMIC

Ron Baloyi representing Hammanskraal in Pretoria became known by a lot more people after the late HHP dropped an out of the box trap inspired song titled “Pop Mabhodlela” which was produced by Ron and he has been on an up an up since then. He has since produced songs like “Mnagi” by A-Reece, “Me and You” by Emtee ft. Tiwa Savage, “Dololo” by Rouge and Guluva by Blaklez ft. Maggz. His productions credits also include artists like Fifi Cooper, PDotO, Amanda Black, MsPru and Sjava amongst others. 

-LUNATIK

Luna has years of industry activity, while many may remember him as the producer behind “Really” by Nveigh. His recent work includes K: HOVA by KO. He is also responsible for the former Tear Gas member hit “Caracara” and was responsible for the most parts of the production in Shakhanda Republic project. Lunatik has also worked with the likes of Moneoa, Priddy Ugly. He produced “Cho Dlozi by Maggz, “uGogo” by Ma-E and KidXs’ “Cooler Bag” and other work for CashTime Life. He’s also featured on the newly released “3310 EP” by Anzo and the new release "African Woman" by Kidx.

-GOBI BEAST

Gobi is a platinum selling producer. Edward Gobizembe is originally from Rustenburg has been bubbling under for a while working with a lot of artists like Dee Xclsv, Dj Zai Maya, K-Zaka, Huge Da Oracle and Makwa but his biggest flex is the work he has done that garnered commercial success, this includes “Molo by Aubrey Qwana, “Inhlupheko” by Biz Zulu and “Fire in the Ghetto” by Kwesta.

He’s recently teamed up with former RapLyf Signees TLT as an executive producer and they released an EP titled “Young Yanos”. The collaboration seems natural as he had worked with the pair before, producing some of their songs, “Mbube”included. 

-ZEPH BEATS

Simphiwe “Zeph Beats” Mhlongo has been on a long come up as a producer and engineers, years on he now has worked with the likes of Ayanda Jiya in her recent releases, both on production and mix and mastering. Zeph has also post produced “Honey and Pain” by Stogie T which won “Mixtape of the Year at the SAHHA in 2018. He’s also mixed and mastered for KidX, Huey, J-Smash, B3nchmarq, Ricky Rick and Dj Speedsta.

Notable Mention: 

Dreamtrax [CO KAYN, STREET CARNOVORE and TRU HITZ]

Dreamtrax is a team consisting of record producers- Co Kayn, Street Carnivore and Tru Hitz.

These guys seem to be a team that works super well together and their go can’t be stopped. Their production credits, solo and collectively are impressive. They have worked extensively with Stogie T (Tumi). Their other works includes Ricky Rick, Stilo Magolide, Da Les, Maraza, Dj Dimplez, Benchmarq, Emtee, KidX, Jay Claude, Aubrey Qwana, Lucille Slade and Dj Kaymoreworld.

They have released a collaborative project titled “New Wave” which features artists they have worked with over the years.   

It seems in Hip Hop there’s really no problem of producers, or lack of them.

It’s a music thing. Same way we have struggling rappers; producers go through the same. 

The producer problem can be remedied by a few things like artists not using the same producers (read: famous producers only), producers stop getting overlooked-be it by the very same artists, who for instance don’t credit or mention them as the people behind their songs or the media never making an effort to know the “beast behind the beat”. Though they both might be going through the same struggles and might need each other seems the producer’s struggles are intensified by the artists because they ultimately control the conversation and are the faces of the music.

Many of these producers fail to peak and enjoy commercial and other advancements. They almost become “one beat wonders” and go back to tussling to find another artist to hear them out, there’s just not much elevation.  

The stand out, and supposedly good thing that some of these producers have done, is the route they’ve taken to actually drop their own music, individually or in collaboration. I mean it beats waiting to get a co-sign and waiting to see if anything comes off it.

So is it a problem of rappers using the same producers, overlooking all the others? Or maybe there’s just not enough “big” rappers who can be the vessel to carry out these beats or maybe Hip Hop isn’t as commercial as we would like to believe. 

Just thoughts...

@Tan89Media