Red Bull Beat Battle 2012

Photo courtesy of Red Bull

Eight dance crews, 1 winner, R100 000. Stakes were high at one of SA’s biggest dance competitions, the Red Bull Beat Battles (RBBB) held in Bassline, Newtown , Johannesburg on May 26 2012. Last year’s winners Artistic Intelligence (AI) fought frantically to maintain their title, but challengers wanted nothing less than AI’s heads served on a silver platter. The 1 100 bloodthirsty crowd were baying for slaughter and to their delight, many heads rolled.

Photo courtesy of Red Bull

Debuting last year, RBBB are newbies to the dance scene.  However, true to the energy drinks style of plowing monster (small letter m) budgets and fierce marketing campaigns into events, plus the R100k grand prize for the winners, RBBB became a house hold name virtually overnight. In a year, RBBB have muscled their way onto the podium as one of the top three competitions in SA, alongside Strictly Hip Hop and Masters of Rhythm.

Photo courtesy of Red Bull

Unlike the glory days in the nineties and early 2000's when it was a huge crowd puller, seeing Basseline packed to capacity is a rarity this decade, and the owners have to attract events like this if they are to retain Basseline’s reputation as one of Joburg’s coolest night life pozi’s.  I had to wriggle, shove and even stand on my toes to get a lekker view of the action on stage, and I am a pretty tall guy BTW, which goes to show competition for the best seats was as hectic as the dance battles themselves. A giant big screen was erected outside the club for those unfortunate souls who couldn’t make it inside the packed venue, ag shame man. 

Photo courtesy of Red Bull

Yoh the stage looked hectically futuristic. Red Bull really went all out to give spectators a blow you away sort of experience that night. Legendary DJ Switch,  was in the DJ cockpit which was encircled by high-res digital monitors #dope. The giant LCD decks were cleverly assembled to resemble tall buildings in a big city skyline at night, too ill. Hypnotic high-tech lighting projected green strobe lights which created a beautiful, artificial aurora borealis like effect. As we became entranced by the kaleidoscope of colours, the Red Bull logos hanging on the walls seemed to emit an ominous glow. I swear there’s something occultish about those two bulls; the horns, hooves, tail #justsaying. Suffice to say; the groovy light show and overdose of Red Bull’s had everyone’s eyes more alert than a Spanish bull fighter. And with so many dilated pupils transfixed on the stage, the slightest misstep would be easily spotted by spectators, let alone the strict judges.

Photo courtesy of Red Bull

Crews represented a myriad of dance styles including uniquely South African genres like iSbhujwa and pantsula. As well as international genres like breakdancing, krump and this weird style called Vogue by the cross dressing crew Vintage.  Ashwin, co-founder of Vintage , says his grossly flamboyant, cross dressing crew’s unique dance style Vogue “partly originates from the poses on hieroglyphic figures…”He adds, “It’s basically a set of perfectly aligned angled poses.”

‘Mo’ from Afro Tribe which participated last year explains that, “Pantsula is the mother of all township cultures. Sbhujwa  comes from French word bourgeoisie, meaning upper class, because mabhujwa place ourselves higher than pantsulas.”

Photo courtesy of Red Bull

En battle, pantsulas did the clichéd footwork. Sbhujwa crew Soulistic Fusion showed Real Action Juniors why pantsulas and mabhujwa aren’t equal. If Red Bull does give you wings, Ninja Turtles would be good candidates for their next commercial.  They really clobbered Hlaks with their somersaulting antics, as in a proper bliksem, and so the mapantsula crews’ heads rolled first.

Ninja Turtles poes klapped the only all-girl crew Phly Nation out the competition. 

When mc AKA announced Phly Nation had their wings clipped, one of its members collapsed, clutched her ankle and writhed on the floor in unbearable pain from an apparent injury.  “She thinks this is a drama theatre,” remarked someone in the crowd, several chuckles approved his statement.

Photo courtesy of Red Bull

With four crews decapitated, things started heating up in the semi-finals with battles between AI v Vintage and Ninja Turtles v Reptilez. Artistic Intelligence got raped by a tutu wearing gang (LMFBAO) and Reptilez shoved Ninja Turtles back into the sewers.

Photo courtesy of Red Bull

The final duel, Vintage v Reptilez was a clash of two different styles. Reptilez had clean pop-locking transitions, whereas Vintage’s flailing limbs appeared disorganised compared to Reptilez who moved cohesively. Vintage eventually succumbed to Reptilez’s potent venom. The Soweto serpents were crowned champions and hugged the trophy tighter than a pythons embrace.

RBBB are here to dominate. As for aspiring crews gunning for the championship, prepare for the 2013 qualifiers. And if you are wise I’d suggest you bump Wu Tang’s track Protect ‘Ya Neck and heed the Wu’s advice, because plenty more heads will definitely roll at next years battles. Check out my interview with the reptilians in the clip below.

Photo courtesy of Red Bull

Str.Crd 2012

Photo courtesy of http://www.elle.co.za/tipping-point-stuff-from-str-crd/

We all know South Africa has 11 official languages, therefore 11 official cultures right? But what makes up a culture? Is it traditional clothing, dialect or a certain heritage whose lineage can be traced back? Well, if that’s the case there is one culture that’s been ignored for far too long in SA, it is a culture that’s infecting city youth like an airborne disease, a culture that has become a way of life for many. I’m talking about urban culture, and last week Jozi’s streets quaked under stomping sneakers as armies of local and international urbanites, came marching in for the biggest street festival in the country…

Courtesy of: http://www.facebook.com/STR.CRD

Joey Elgersma, product manager of Sport & Street at Bread & Butter. Photo courtesy of: http://www.elle.co.za/tipping-point-stuff-from-str-crd/

…Str.Crd (pronounced Street Cred) is an annual street festival mashing the latest in urban fashion and popular culture in contemporary SA. It originally kicked off at Cape Town Station in 2010 but was moved to Joburg’s artsy Maboneng Precinct this year.  But unlike the Mother City, the Jozi version rocked for four days, kicking off from the 27^th of September to the 30^th, literally shutting down several blocks.

Phly sista kitted in Adi wear. Photo courtesy of:  http://www.elle.co.za/tipping-point-stuff-from-str-crd/

                                    

 However, this was more than just another jol in downtown Jozi. Str.Crd 2012 was a creative potjiekos, a frothy stew brewing with sneakers, graffiti, music, skateboarding and fashion. And as this irresistible aroma wafted in the air, it attracted thousands of highly artistic revellers from far and wide like excited bloodhounds closing in on a fresh scent.

New York-based blogger Wendy Lam running the site Nitro:licious flew in for the jol. Pic courtesy of: http://www.elle.co.za/tipping-point-stuff-from-str-crd/ 

Mfana wa style. Courtersy of:  http://www.elle.co.za/tipping-point-stuff-from-str-crd/

Pic from: http://www.inthefashionloop.com/archives/streetstyle/str-crd-2012/

HGH.STR, the fashion section had really cool kicks from brands such as Nike and Adidas, the retro Onitsuka Tiger (the yellow sneakers Bruce Lee wore in Enter The Dragon) as well as Brazilian Mutta Shoes. Surprisingly, some females couldn’t get their paws of the Bitches Must Know T-shirts. Str.Sessions allowed international and local artists to exchange creative concepts, while Str.Music introduced international artists like American Jesse Boykins III and Just A Band from Kenya, but undoubtedly the best performers came from  local acts PH Fat, and Zaki Ibrahim to name a few. Other categories were Str.Dance, Str.Skate, Str.Sneakers and Str.Bball, better known as Nike Street Kings, basketball matches between teams of local celebrities.

BMK founders. Pic taken from: http://www.facebook.com/STR.CRD

After this year’s epic Str.Crd, it is clear that SA could be embracing urban as an official culture. Could it be why the organisers held it during Heritage Month this year?  I mean just like the 11 official cultures, urban has its own traditional clothing, music and even writing and language in the form of graffiti and tsotsi-taal. In the future, Str.Crd could be more than just a giant art exhibition, it could be the historic event where urban culture becomes officially recognised as part of SA’s heritage, as our 12^th official culture, maybe that day will come at Str.Crd 2013, who knows?

Some of the kicks on show. Photo from: http://www.facebook.com/STR.CRD

Cool Ink 2012 JHB Tattoo Expo

Ever tried getting tattooed but cringed at the thought of telling your conservative friends and family? SA is increasingly becoming more and more liberal every year, since #YOLO what better way of expressing your liberal beliefs than by getting a cool tattoo right? Having been discovered frozen in snow, even the oldest tattooed corpse ever found, 5 000 year old Otzi from Austria is literally ‘cool.’ Reality shows like Ink Masters show talented American tattooists, but is SA tattooing cooler? I was at the annual, three day, Cool Ink 2012 JHB Tattoo Expo. Wow, was it cool indeed.

Tattooing is an exotic art practiced since ancient history. The word has Pacific derivations, ‘Ta’ is Polynesian meaning ‘to strike something’ and ‘Tatau’ is Tahitan for ‘to mark something.’  Warrior tribes like the Maori of New Zealand wore facial tattoos called ‘moko’ to scare enemies.

Royston directing the daring suspension show on day 3 of the expo. They pierced silver hooks into their skin so the crane could lift them about 6 meters up. Photo courtesy of  Sigrun Wagner.

Despite this rich history, most South Africans have negative perceptions towards tattoos, seeing them as the reserve for tacky people. Fortunately, thanks to expos like Cool Ink, contemporary attitudes are changing rapidly. “Pre-94 people considered tattoos taboo,” says Royston Chapman, who founded Cool Ink three years ago with wife Karen.  “Nowadays respectable people like doctors and lawyers get inked.”

One myth Roy cleared is that HIV/AIDS is contractible from tattoo needles. “HIV/AIDS virus can be transferred via intravenous needles, not through tattoo needles because it can’t survive in open air.” Our eyes locked, “but you can get Hepatitis so make sure the artist opens the needle in front of you.”

Like most people here, Roy is completely covered in tattoos. There is a tribal marking on his left temple and a design on his shiny, bald head. A slight shudder runs down my spine as I wonder if Roy could be a ‘skin-head.’ Heavily tattooed, brutal Neo-Nazi’s who dragged people behind bakkies. “Definitely not,” He assured. His piercing blue eyes felt like they were staring into my soul. “My first tattoo was of my girlfriend’s initials and not a Swastika.” We chuckled, and during that moment I caught a sparkle in his eye hinting on a gentler side well camouflaged by this ink coated, tough exterior.

Jordan Nel from Little Shop of Horrors warns teens not to tattoo over pimples. “Don’t ink over zits or broken skin, only tattoo healthy skin.” Brandon Peterson from Back to Basics Tattoos and Piercings gives pointers for getting your first tattoo, “Research on the artist. A credible tattooist always asks for consent forms for under 18’s.” He paused, looking up at me with a smirk, “don’t forget to conceal the tattoos with your school blazer like I did,” and continued adorning his living canvas.

Cool Ink 2012 definitely showcases a lot of local talent. Interested? Roy says all you need is a good art background to start your shop, no tertiary or matric qualifications needed. Who knows? Maybe in the future, archaeologists will be excavating your parlour like Otzi’s remains. But maybe a more realistic goal would be beginning with a stand at Cool Ink 2013.   

Back To The City 2012

O

ne of Islam’s five pillars is Hajj (pilgrimage), which entails Muslims to go at least once to the sacred city of Mecca. Most religions promote similar spiritual beliefs, where believers embark on mystical journeys to pay homage to their deities. Hip-hop religion is no different and in April, Newtown was transformed into a hip hop Mecca, where countless fanatics converged under the eight pillars supporting the Johannesburg M1 South highway, in order to strengthen their faith in hip-hop and appease its mighty gods.

Back to the City (B2TC) is the biggest hip-hop festival in Africa. The annual event takes place on the 27^th of April, Freedom Day, a public holiday commemorating SA’s first democratic elections in 1994, when Nelson Mandela became president. Shocked by the youth’s arrogant disregard of this important day;  Osmic ‘Oz’ Menoe, owner of Rituals Stores, a popular hip-hop store and recording studio and ex-partner Dominique Soma, decided it was about time kids stopped undermining Freedom Day. Thus B2TC was born, a heroic endeavour to rid post-Apartheid youth of political ignorance using hip-hop as the weapon.

Although only 3 500 people attended B2TC’s debut in 2006, word spread that a large, annual hip-hop street party would be taking place outside Ritual Stores that not even the pesky police were allowed to crash.  By 2012, Oz was sole proprietor of B2TC and attendance had swollen to approximately 15 000 supporters.

Ninja from Die Antwoord grabbed his balls and tuned, "FUCK INTERSCOPE." Fatty Boom Boom was a long time in the making hey? Photo courtesy of Rolling Stone SA

 Being a veteran who has been attending since 2009, nothing seemed unique at first glance when I arrived. Outside It was the usual urban marauders; skateboarders and BMXers, cyphers where crotch grabbing mc’s were honing their rap skills and the naive graffiti artists carelessly tagging over older yet more tasteful murals sprayed by more experienced veterans. To a pair of virgin eyes, this scene was totally cool, but I was arrogantly thinking to myself, “That’s it?” It wasn’t until entering the venue that I realised just how much I underestimated the power of B2TC.

It was like arriving at the Promised Land. To my left was a flowing beer garden and I wasted no time going over to quench my thirst, but on my way to this oasis the breakdancing stage caught my eye. One bboy contorted his limbs so awkwardly everyone held their breaths anticipating the unmistakable pop of a dislocating joint. So I changed directions and scurried to the bboy battles, but midway a weird graffiti mural distracted me. So now I was missioning to climb the towering graffiti scaffolds, but I was distracted yet again by a beat boxer on the main stage.

Photo courtesy of Rolling Stone SA

Overwhelmed by this sensory overload, I wriggled my way past the revellers to a spot where I slowly soaked in the magnitude of this event. Just five minutes ago I was scoffing, now here I am feeling dwarfed by the sheer scale.  Why didn’t I know of this new term ‘colour blocking’? There was also a tough bboy v bgirl battle which my chauvinist mentality deemed Impossible. The big shocker though, was that it was packed! Everyone was squeezed tighter than the overloaded Soweto taxis on the M1 above us.  All this was just the afternoon’s entertainment; the real show began at night fall when big crowd pullers performed. I hadn’t seen anything yet…

This is how 15k people at a hip hop show look like. Pics courtesy of Rolling Stone

With the prevailing darkness, a wave of nocturnal revellers came pouring in to view the star studded line up ranging from HHP to 5 time SAMA nominee Zakwe , who all turned up the heat on this chilli evening . Spaza Shop Boys did an amazing job as the evenings opening act. But it wasn’t until surprise act Die Antwoord, (who had replaced AKA at the last minute) performed Enter The Ninja and Ninja exclaimed, “F*ck Interscope Records…” that the crowd really got rowdy. With the heads totally amped, the following acts made short work of crucifying what was left of the show.

Alas, all good things come to an end, and the hardest part of this pilgrimage was leaving. All rituals outside Ritual Store were performed according to tradition. Copious amounts of alcohol were shared amongst believers, there was DJing, rapping and breakdancing to entertain the spirits and most importantly graffiti was re-sprayed on the eight pillars of faith, symbolizing hip-hops ever changing image. The hip-hop gods were definitely pleased with the offerings at B2TC 2012, and will reward us with good music until the pious pilgrims return to this haloed ground next year on another pilgrimage, back to the city. Below is my interview with SA rap heavyweight HHP.