Pyramid Magazine had a sit down with Vusi Tshabalala who is the founder and owner of Sharpeville Creations, and a well respected OG in the game of Hip-Hop who continues to be actively involved and contributes immensely behind the scenes with shows such as The Jump Off.

Pyramid Mag: The first important appropriate question to ask is, “What does Hip Hop mean to you?”

Vusi Tshabalala: To me Hip Hop is a way of life and not just music (RAP), which most people frequently confuse as what the culture is in it’s entirety as opposed to being just 1 of the 5 Elements.

Pyramid Mag: You’ve been one of the key influences in South African Hip-Hop for the longest time, some even consider you an OG. Can you tell us about your first or earliest encounters with #VaalHipHop?

Vusi Tshabalala: I don’t know about all that, but my earliest encounters with #VHH has to be hearing Kaydo & Optical get major spins on very “prominent” provincial and national radio stations like YFM and Metro FM in particular with music that contains heavy social content that most indigenous people in the country can relate to as it served as a reflection to what most in the hood we’re accustomed to on a daily basis.

Pyramid Mag: What are your views on the current state of #VaalHipHop?

Vusi Tshabalala: I think it’s definitely heading in the right direction sonically, but as much as I hardly entertaining this topic I feel like there are still unnecessary squabbles between creatives in the region which is gonna keep shit stagnant when we’re supposed to have our own industry already if it weren’t for such setbacks.

Pyramid Mag: This year we are celebrating the 4th Annual installment of “The Jump Off”. What motivated you to start the event, and what’s the purpose behind it?

Vusi Tshabalala: The establishment of Sharpeville Creations PTY LTD is what eventually motivated the inception of THE JUMP OFF as it came about as a celebration of the company being operational for a year hence it’s an annual event. The purpose is to showcase the dopeness that’s hardly ever on commercial platforms.

Pyramid Mag: What can the people expect from the event this year?

Vusi Tshabalala: A whole lot of skill showcased from the 1st act to the last with a combination of the Old & New School.

Pyramid Mag: What role does clothing play in the Hip-Hop culture?

Vusi Tshabalala: Clothing is an extended expression of an individual’s character which is precisely what the whole culture is all about.

Pyramid Mag: Can you tell us about the impact that Sharpeville Creations has made in the Hip-Hop culture, and Sharpeville as a whole?

Vusi Tshabalala: We’ve partnered with a few Hip Hop acts as Brand Ambassadors and drop arguably the sickest annual event in the region. As far as Sharpeville is concerned we’re well on our way to establishing what local residents can claim as their own since Deep Rooted.

Pyramid Mag: Where and how people order clothing items for Sharpeville Creations? And how’s the pricing?

Vusi Tshabalala: We don’t have a physical store as yet, but our merch can be obtained by following our social media handles on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (X) under Sharpeville Creations and by also adding/following the Sharpeville Rep account on Facebook.

All these handles are very active and promote all items you can find under our umbrella. The pricing ranges from R200 – R650 but most items that we sell also come in kiddies’ ranges which are much cheaper than the above-mentioned prices.

Pyramid Mag: How has Hip-Hop shaped your views on religion and world views?

Vusi Tshabalala: It taught me to be a Critical Thinker and to never take things at face-value but to always look for hidden agendas (they’re always lurking in the background) especially when it comes to religion and politrics as I like to call it.

Pyramid Mag: What legacy do you want to leave on earth? How do you want to be remembered?

Vusi Tshabalala: I wanna leave a legacy that gives my children a financial head-start in this capitalistic and materialistic world, personally I wanna be remembered a non-sheeple and very realistic individual who didn’t take shit from lames.