17 September 2013
The Baxter Theater hosted the second annual Hip Hop Kas’lam Spaza awards on 14 August to celebrate this unique hip hop genre. Hip Hop Kas’lam provides a platform for young rappers to perform in their indigenous languages and the vernacular.
Sisanda Henda, in charge of Public Relations and Marketing for Hip Hop Kas’lam, said: “These awards are a celebration of Spaza hip hop,whereby we honour all the elements involved in this genre..we honour artists, beatmakers and we even honour our supporters.”
Spaza is a genre emerging from townships in which artists perform using spoken word and rhythm to interpret and express the challenges the youth face.
DJ Ready D, a South African Hip Hop DJ and turntablist, said: “It has gotten to a point whereby the general public appreciate the culture [Hip Hop Spaza] and young people are taking the initiative in growing it … It’s an exciting phenomenon.”
Sinazo “ Black-Chick” Peter, awarded Best Vernacular Poet, said: “In the past they only had awards for hip hop artists and now they even have them for poets, which is amazing. Each and every word I share on stage is from the heart and my personal experience. For that to be recognised means a lot.”
Sizakele Gegana “ Ndlulamthi” who won Best Lyricist and Best Spaza album, said: “These awards help give recognition to artists who might never get an opportunity to be recognised in the mainstream award ceremonies … Personally for me being awarded best lyricist means that people take time to listen to my words and find meaning in them, and I must say that is profound.”
Yonela Giyana, an audience member, said: “It’s my first time attending the awards and I have never really given hip hop spaza a chance. I must say it’s a wonderful surprise — the songs carry such meaning and the performances are breathtaking.”
Congratulations to all the winners:
Best Hip Hop Kas’lam Supporter - Snax
Best Spaza Beatmaker - BigWeazy’s Classics
Best Vernacular Poet - Black-Chick
Best Spaza Lyricist - Ndlulamthi
Best Spaza Group - Uzwi Kantu
Best Spaza Video - Ndivoteleni by Slippers
Best Spaza Performer - Lolli
Best Spaza Song - Sphura Ec: Ndiyabulela
Best Spaza Album - Ndlulamthi: Isbhilivane
Best Spaza Male - Lyrix