THE RAP LAB RELOADED 2.0 06.05.2020

This week's edition of the Lab took off by celebrating the city of king's 126th birthday, and we marked the celebration by going back to 2011 to review a song that brought the city back to National radio with a collab creation called Bulawayo that involved Poy, Pozee, Mjokojoko produced by P2daoh. Yo can check that out K.L.A.P - BULAWAYO 

Bulawayo - produced by P2daoh 2011 featuring Mjox mjokojoko, Pozee and Poy.

This week on Word on the streets

The WhinQuins saga continues with

The WhinQuins' Press Statement

A response to Lizzie Taylor's issue brought to the Lab last week.

The statement by Taylor saying that we are having a beef with her and all her other allegations mentioned are total rubbish, said the WhinQuins. We dismiss the statement as attention seeking and fake,  attempting to self-validate by mudding our otherwise good reputation. Being the most influential females crew in Byo we dismiss this whole mystery , we cannot be fighting or beefing with amateurs because we have got better missions to accomplish. It is said that empty vessels make the loudest noise, instead of making noise Lizzie Taylor must be working on her career. She must find better ways to market her projects rather than using our name ( WhinQuins) because we worked hard to earn the title. We can neither battle with her nor release a diss track simply because she's not in our league. Talking of fist fights & whooping each other really we can't do that , we ain't barbarians, only barbaric people do such violent acts. We worked hard to be who we are today and we're still working so she must stay in her lane. We really cannot compete with her , having the best dance Changamire  award and 5+ hiphop awards nominations, not to mention over 20 online articles including newspaper articles, 7 tracks online with 1.2k views, over 10 interviews on our local radio stations, we're the first ever crew in Byo to have never missed any Zimhophop / Changamire awards event in the past 3years be it in our city or Htown, therefore representing our city out there. We have hosted more than 20 shows/ events of our own, now managing upcoming female artists . We understand it's a competitive industry and a healthy competition is well accepted without dragging each other down with unnecessary strategies,If she wants to be on the map,let her works speak for her.Discipline ,character and attitude plays a vital role and as Whin Quins,we are working hard to keep a clean sheet and inspire a fueling passionate girl child out there who has a potential to become whatever she wants with the gift and talent she has,only if it has positive motives. So if she wants a beef , she'll rather up her game 1st , currently we decline this whole scandal . Thank you

Yet another conflict this week.

This tym its

Planks vs Shut up n groove.

Planks is out and going solo. He says

"I had to leave S.G. (Shut Up & Groove Events)".

Graham Planks, the Artist, says

Since signing the agreement for Public Relations Official and Professional Artist Management and Grooming with Graham Planks, S.G advertised online and social media that there would be a launch of the Late Night E.P by Graham Planks about six months back, the stable failed to abide by the terms of the contractual agreement. The initial E.P agreed upon in exchange for Graham Planks services in S.G was "CURRENT SITU E.P" which SG failed to materialize. This has revoked any chances that the contract will be renewed, hence the end of the short lived relation between Graham Planks and shut up and groove

"On my part, he says, I have been loyal to SG and stood by all it stands for through shows, performances and production of music. Most of these had been self funded because the stable, like myself, is an upcoming facet that still needs support and sponsorship. The main problem is that Dr. C'Khupha the artist behind SG branching out of Nkinsela Ent. is somewhat a fraudulent artist who capitalizes through manipulation of any person or company that SG works with. This is why any one who has once worked with SG can safely say they do not intend to do any more business with the latter."

And so Graham planks has gotten the stepping, and off course the lab will be in touch with the Shut up and Groove dude and find out where he stands in all this

It is on with the program for Graham Planks who is set to release a fresh E.P with Urban Music that will be launched in due course, under a new name: GrayWoods Inc and recording has already started with new songs including "Bury You" produced by Langa El Sun and HP Manyenga. The song is basically an update of what has been going on and is also social commentary that any artist or young adult can relate their own life to. Other ongoing projects include "Lala Ma Out" and "Trap House (Orlando)" which both are collaborations with Young G25. Production team is the same for all these songs. 

The drop for radio airplay and online streams and downloads in all GrayWoods. Inc as well as Graham Planks online platforms are in order on dates to be announced shortly. Fanatics can check out local listings for Out Of SG live shows as soon as governmental restrictions allow. In the mean time, chill to Graham Planks Music online and save data to download the new Out Of SG music on all social media pages under the trademark Graham Planks or GrayWoods. Inc. 

@GrayWoods. Inc_2020

Soundtrack to Tha streetz

Planks - Late night,

A self praise, streetwise delivery in my opinion that raises self awareness as well as confidence and determination. Dude was flexing and heavily cocky in his delivery, but I gues you need a lot of that if you taking the self praise route, what's hip hop without a bit of attitude. Very curious to see his visual interpretation of this track because it is as trendy as it is deep. Might make the listener ask themselves what they want in life and what they doing about. Dope track.

Fish Ndaramu - Too much,

More self praise from Fish. I guess when you design your own sound so well and parallel it to current trends and maintain relevance you are allowed to sound boss. Trapping with Ndaramu is super exciting because the conversation between you and the music is not just lirycal. The instrumentation is always telling its own story and when all the elements are mixed and mastered the way that Fish and the dynasty do, you are bound to get a winning track. Its hard for Fish to be compared or judged by any genre standards because his sound and delivery is uniquely designed to overlook any set standards. When your beats are dope and you sing so well, and no one can tell if your verses are poetry or rap, you are definitely kinging. And the fact that he dropped visuals first puts him in a league on his own. I can't wait to see what he does with it live on stage.

Floppy X -Inja itshontshe is'tshebo,

As artists, in our quest to perfect our lyricism we have strayed so far from entertaining our listeners. Our music has gotten so complicated our audience has to literally decipher our lirycs just to hear what we are saying. Its like we rapping at rappers not the audinary man, woman and child we are supposed to be entertaining and educating. And why we keep going hard at rappers who do not buy or support our music is a mystery to me. Hence we fail to fill up halls and shows. We have lost relevance and the purpose of our work has been forgotten. Stop rapping at rappers coz they don't care

Floppy X is one individual who keeps showing and proving the importance of relevance. Bars that force the listener to pay attention and picture words spoken by the music. Real life situations that ordinary people can relate to. This Floppy X track is perfection not because its funny but because you don't need to be a hip hop head to relate. I would have given it a ten out of ten but I'm gonna keep that till he tops it with a visuals

Blackhit - Mana

Social commentary is a very tricky business that requires honesty. You have to tell your story based upon your perspective/views/opinions not here say. It is relatable and real to the listener if you honest. A lot of social commentators don't make it through because they always recycling what we have already heard. Everyone has a mother but not every ones mother is like 2 Pac's mom. If gonna do something like a song for mama you gotta come with the real or you just gonna sound like a wannabe. The hook on Bleckhit's Mama track is the best I have heard in a minute. And the fact that he did not try to sugar coat his child hood story makes the whole thing come together as a story of celebration not fabricated complaints of a wannabe trying to prove themselves hard and raw. Also got a chance to sample the album and I respect that this project's authenticity is driven by his personal trials and tribulations and that to me is a plus. No one should have a problem relating to this one.

Kloud 9 Kats - Bhetshulude

This is a dope follow up to their 2019 hit single Bakithi. I've noticed that these Kat's are very cultural in their approach. Their music is driven by 

traditional elements and the Calvin touch on the hook complements the bars. Was a bit doubtful at first when I heard the second verse, I thought it was off beat then I realized that these two Kats have two different styles and once you appreciate that these are two different rappers then the diversity and difference in their delivery is exactly what makes them a dope duo. Betshulude kind of grows into you with every play. I dig.

Look out for new music from Mlue Jay and a scoop on his noves of late on the next edition

Artist of the week

Fab G

Born on the 13th of June 1998, Prince Qhubani Mpofu known by his stage name Fab G Mshanakagogo. Hailing from the high density surburb of Old Magwegwe in Bulawayo . Fab G started his musical journey at a very tender age while attending Magwegwe primary school,he did his secondary education at Magwegwe High School then wrote O'level at Emmanuel Light College and then he started recording music professionally in 2014". Quizzed on why he chose the name FAB G Umtshana kagogo,he  explained that his name means Fly Art by Gemini,

 Gemini paying homage to his Zodiac star sign and Umshana kaGogo is a tribute to his grandmother who means the whole world to him coz she raised him up to a nice young man he is today. His music is heavily influenced by his observations of what  transpires in the society, he is a social commentator in his own right. "I grew up listening to the likes of Zola, Shwi No Mthekhala,eminem among other artists with a penchant for story telling and social awareness,likes of Sjava and J Cole.Fab G has not been involved in drugs ever since birth but he does grab a glass of brewski once in a while to juc flex around n have a good time.For several years Fab G has been in a serious relationship with a girl named Thandolwethu Ashley Sibanda with whom he has a beautiful 3 year old daughter with and has not been involved in some love scandals due to the commitment of being real with his girl n being real to his music which delivers a good message of working through the challenges of life so Fab G wants his actions to tally with his Claims n the message he delivers to the society thru his music.No beef with anyone or any artists so far even though sometimes Fab G gets some negativity from other artists he focuses on improving himself thats the only way he chooses to attack with.2nd born in  family of many and he has been going through a lot to convince some of his family members to accept and understand his passion and dream ...and currently they are sit well with him fulfilling his destiny due to Fab G's determination and consistency in music.Fab G has found his sound which he calls UMthobanhliziyo "tribal"which is  fusion of hip-hop n other genres like Afropop and  ( poetry)..there fore his ambition is to give a positive influence to the people dispite the circumstances and also to make people back to their origins coz u you'll never know where you're going unti u know n understand where you came from...also he wants to inspire others who has a passion for something but they are stuck in silence n fear so Fab G is a voice that speaks for many through his music.Bulawayo has not being paid special attention to in terms of art so i by introducing my own sound in a cultural way ...fab g wants to bring back his city to action as he is an icon in the makin.Fab G's favourite local artist is Winky D. He says

"In 5 years time i see myself earning a living out of my talent and as a role model to other aspiring artists...doing collaborations with the big fish in the game and touring the world"with a record label for 100% Catchy Music

Fab G for ya

Currently sitting at number 1 on the Khulumani Fm hip hop top 20

Been number one on the micnificent 5 for multiple weeks look out for a string of collaboz coming soon.

Live Bars

Its week 8 and Sugar Shayne doesn't have a challenge. While Muse the current Prime Gladiator with more than 5 mics/wins has successfully defended his tittle twice, the judges maintain that protocol must be observed. Sugar Shayne will not battle Muse until he gets his 5 mics/wins. That said, the Lab is surprised that in a city where everyone calls themselves the ultimate battle rappers no one is stepping up to Shayne. Could it be his Me freestyle has got these rappers shook? Your guess is as good as mine. Meantime Sugar Shayne shot his first video for his upcoming project in the city with the likes of Tha Dawg, Perp, Too high, Kidd Eggo and The Lab was right there too

Micnificent 5

(Future hit prediction) Kidd Ego - Ngeke

5. Gunx da Pharoah ft Prey yung and Vic Jita - Gabazi

4. J Dumza - Gcobha remix ft Muse and Gunx da Pharoah (New entry)

• 3. Sugar Shane - Me freestyle

2. Terry Tempo - Focused

1. Stenno ft Calvin - Mfowethu

Remember voting for the Micnificent 5 is done ONLY DURING THE SHOW every Saturday morning at 09:30am to 10:30am via Whatsapp 00263784323334. Catch the show on Khulumani Fm 95.0 if you out of range just go to Google play store and download the Khulumani Fm app and live stream

#hiphopcapital

@RapLab09

@ThorneLaroq

email:laroqthorne@gmail.com