Meet Qiniselo Nelson Radebe, aka Quality of Nature (QN), a 26-year-old lyrical maestro hailing from the Vaal. His journey began in 2012, penning rhymes for friends who had the vocal chops to sing and rap. As his passion for wordplay and holistic rapping grew, QN spotted a gap in the music scene, leading him to dive into the rap game full throttle in 2020.
QN isn’t just a rapper; he’s a triple threat—rapper, singer, and songwriter—although he admits singing isn’t his forte, he collaborates with vocalists to bring his visions to life. These years of honing his raw talent have armored him for the battles and triumphs that lie ahead. Keep an eye on QN, because this wordsmith from the Vaal is ready to shake up the industry.
The annual radio season has come upon the South African airwaves, and one DJ who’s been spinning the Hip-Hop decks on these waves is DJ Zan-D. Having secured another year on South Africa’s trailblazing commercial radio station known for its commitment to showcasing emerging talent and pushing the boundaries of conventional broadcasting, Y-FM, DJ Zan-D will be vibrating on high frequency on YTKO on Tuesdays between 18h00 and 19h00, as well as IN THE RING on Saturdays from 20h00 to 00h00 with Just Mo respectively.
There’s been many talks about the absence/presence of #SAHIPHOP in the commercial scene. The role of DJs in commercial hip-hop has evolved significantly over the years, transitioning from being primarily behind-the-scenes music selectors to influential tastemakers and key players in the industry’s commercial success. DJs now hold a pivotal position in shaping the sound, image, and promotion of hip-hop artists, albums, and brands. One of the hip hop DJs who’s been very vocal about pushing the envelope to the rise of #SAHIPHOP is DJ ZAN-D.
“SA Hip Hop has gone back to the underground. Rappers are rapping again and no one is trying to release bubblegum. The real hip hop heads are happy with the quality of music that’s coming out. The part time consumers are complaining because they are looking for hits. Part time hip hop consumers are also complaining about the lack of hip hop events but real hip hop heads know where to find their events every week” says DJ ZAN-D.
In addition to the state of #SAHIPHOP, DJ Zan-D also shared his views about #VaalHipHop: “Vaal hip hop has been the exciting over the last couple of years. Artists like Espiquet, Dj Kaymoworld, Hopemasta have contributed profusely to the game. We need more artists to shine now and gents must not remove the foot off the pedal.”
DJs often serve as a bridge between artists and their audience, providing a platform for exposure and helping to build buzz around upcoming releases. As a result, DJ Zan-D has released music that’s available on all Digital Stores.
Pyramid Magazine, the premier online digital platform dedicated to documenting the #VaalHipHop movement, has been recognized as one of the Top 10 South African Hip Hop Blogs on the web by a group of panelists from Feedspot. Feedspot is an international platform that has over 250k Influential Bloggers database classified in more than 1500 niche categories.
This accolade underscores Pyramid Magazine’s commitment to showcasing the vibrant #VaalHipHop scene and providing a platform for emerging artists to shine. Pyramid Magazine goes beyond the conventional to deliver inspirational stories, artist profiles, and insightful content aimed at educating enthusiasts about the music industry. From exclusive interviews with rising stars to in-depth features on industry trends, Pyramid Magazine continues to set the standard for excellence in Hip Hop journalism.
Pyramid Magazine’s inclusion in the Top 10 South Africa Hip Hop Blogs list affirms its position as a leading voice in the industry and underscores its ongoing impact of being the voice for #VaalHipHop on the global hip hop landscape. With a finger on the pulse of innovation and creativity, Pyramid Magazine continues to elevate and champion the diverse voices shaping the future of Hip Hop.
In a moment that sparked surprise and exhilaration, Leqhwa’s name blazed across the latest release by Symon Maguire, under the EasternVille Music Affiliate banner. Since the explosive ICE PROJECT, Leqhwa’s presence in the music realm had been veiled in mystery until his associate and #VaalHipHop luminary, Vincent Kheswa, penned a detailed letter unveiling Leqhwa’s status in the scene. The letter, shared fervently on Leqhwa’s Facebook profile, hinted at a seismic shift in the industry.
Armed with nothing but a pen and a soul brimming with authenticity, Leqhwa unleashed a torrent of emotions with his verse on Symon Maguire’s soul-stirring track, “Umndeni Wezitha”. His raw, impassioned delivery resonated deeply with listeners, striking a chord especially among those who found solace in his heartfelt message about the complexities of family feuds.
With each syllable, Leqhwa reignited a fervor for his artistry, leaving fans yearning for more of his lyrical prowess. His seamless integration with Symon Maguire’s melodious vocals bridged the linguistic gap between IsiZulu and Sesotho, crafting a harmonious fusion that transcended cultural boundaries. This unprecedented collaboration not only showcased the boundless talent within the EasternVille Music community but also underscored its unparalleled versatility.
If the tantalizing hints in the letter are anything to go by, audiences can brace themselves for an onslaught of musical masterpieces from Leqhwa in the coming year (2024), promising a resurgence that will undoubtedly redefine the landscape of the music industry.
Umndeni Wezitha is available on all Digital Stores from the project titled INGUQUKO by Symon Maguire
Pyramid Magazine presents Anzo “Islwane” Unleashed: The Freestyle Chronicles which offers a unique glimpse into the artistry and skill of freestyle rap, as Anzo takes center stage to deliver phenomenal verses, weaving intricate wordplay and mesmerizing flows on the fly.
This collection of freestyles marks a captivating journey through the realms of improvisational lyricism. Pyramid Magazine honours Anzo for the incredible work he continues to showcase in the Music Industry and reminds people that he is a lyrical genius with an untamed spirit of Hip-Hop.
Renowned in the realm of Hip-Hop Production, Raw Beats is excited to announce an exclusive opportunity for seasoned and aspiring rappers alike. In a gesture of appreciation on the reception of the Vaal State of Mind, Raw Beats, in association with Sharpeville Creations, is giving away a FREE BEAT, providing a platform for rappers to showcase their lyrical prowess and creativity.
With an illustrious career marked by chart-topping hits such as Vanish and True Religion, and collaborations with industry heavyweights as on Crazy 8, Raw Beats continues to push the boundaries of musical innovation. recognized for his signature sound and impeccable production quality, he remains a driving force in shaping the landscape of #VaalHipHop and modern Hip-Hop.
This rare opportunity to access a free beat from a Hip-Hop luminary like Raw Beats is an initiative not only underscores Raw Beat’s commitment to nurturing emerging talent but also serves as a testament to his passion for the craft. By offering a complimentary beat, he aims to empower artists to express themselves freely and to explore new artistic avenues.
SHARPEVILLE CREATIONS PRESENTS ~ VAAL STATE OF MIND | FREE DOWNLOAD ~
For the love of Hip-Hop, Sharpeville Creations has been hosting Sessions for the longest time now, with The Jump Off being the most notable. However, December 2023 turned a new leaf with The Vibes Sessions hosted regularly going into the new at The Intersection, keeping the flames 🔥 ablaze. Cyphers are at the core of the Hip-Hop culture, and Sharpeville Creations provided a platform at these sessions to involve not only the rappers, but the DJs and producers as well. The Cypher has now turned into a track produced by the incredible Boom-Bap Specialist, Raw Beats, featuring Darklisted, Lone Judas, InnerCore, Maths Dipalo aka Ntate Beibi and Tha Lord Okest. The magnificent Hip Hop DJ, Terry Wizz, is on the decks on this one.
In the new age of the modern world digitization has taken away a tool that most rappers used as the greatest weapon to sharpen their craft, a Book of Rhymes. However, this was not the same case for InnerCore who decided to pay homage respect to the Art of RAP with his latest offering. Pyramid Mag caught up with the rapper following his success of over 10 000 streams for this project.
Pyramid Mag: It’s been a long minute since the release of D.I.R.T.Y, why did you take the long break?
InnerCore: I was going through a learning phase, and I was also building for the artists who reached out and opened doors on other platforms like Radio and Podcast. Basically, I was learning and building.
Pyramid Mag: What is the motivation behind the current release, and what are you hoping to achieve?
InnerCore: My motivation is the absence of the real meaning of music, especially the lyrical importance of RAP/Hip-Hop Music.
Pyramid Mag: What are your thoughts on the current state of #VaalHipHop?
InnerCore: In all honesty I think we are showing positivity in growth of music, however, we gotta work on the business side that involves marketing and networking.
InnerCore is featured on VAAL State Of Mind by Sharpeville Creations, alongside Darklisted, Lone Judas, Maths Dipalo and Tha Lord Okest. Track produced by Raw Beats.
Pylramid Mag: You had a Hip-Hop Radio Show on Sedibeng FM, The Core Hip-Hop Show, did that shape or had any influence on your Music, and how to go about releasing it?
InnerCore: That had a major influence yes, and through it all I was learning everyday meeting different artists having to hear their music and experience. I feel the selection of music or sound came from that influence. I heard different people and sounds and had to ask myself how I sound different.
Pyramid Mag: Do you think there’s a place for Hip-Hop music on commercial, local, and online radio stations?
InnerCore: Hip-Hop is Culture. Hip-Hop is art, fashion, skating, music, graffiti, break dancing, it’s impossible for it not to have its a lifestyle.
Pyramid Mag: What’s the story behind the title *Book of Rhymes*, and two releases?
InnerCore: The Book of Rhymes is actually a Series segmented into Chapters. The 1st Chapter of the Series is called Street Poetry.
This Chapter marks the origin of RAP, which is an acronym for Rhythm And Poetry, and this is where I illustrate the ART of RAP, setting a tone for the next chapters to come. I am basically taking street cyphers to the booth.
So, the 1st chapter is about preserving the Culture. To us who come from the Vaal Triangle, known as the Capital City of Hip-Hop and Boombap, Hip-Hop is not just music but part of our culture.
I take it back to the days of Streetbeat and SALSA. J-sec had Le Club, Soweto had Slaghuis, but Vaal had Streetbeat, and later SALSA.
Street Poetry is an illustration of WHO AM I, and WHERE I COME FROM. How I got my identity as a Rapper. What influenced my rhyming and how I write. I am telling a story of how my BOOK OF RHYMES began.
The 2nd Chapter is titled 420, named after the April 20 cannabis culture celebration which is the day that has become the rallying cry of those who seek to legalize weed.
These are hood stories I am creatively narrating through Hip-Hop music. Wait to see what happens next as the story unfolds in the coming chapters.
Pyramid Mag: Who did you work with?
InnerCore: I worked with SamOnBeats, Naked eYe, Xhosanostra, X-Rate, Tlhao Ntabanyane, Msolomba, and Dxn Swf.
From the artwork designs I am working with Sifu to creatively design all the graphics for the Series.
From a PR & Marketing point of view, as well as Branding and packaging of the series, and distribution, I am working with Vincent Kheswa from EasternVille Music. He is also the co-Executive Producer who gave the Series a direction that is has taken.
Pyramid Mag: What does it mean for your Music to be affiliated with EasternVille Music?
InnerCore: Earlier on I spoke about learning and building, the affiliation brought the business aspect of the music onto the table, administration, as well as guidance on how to move my Brand as InnerCore without changing the person I am.
For a hardcore BoomBap project to reach over 10 000 streams on Digital Platforms on this day and era is a result of this affiliation.
Two Chapters of the Book of Rhymes Series are available on all Digital Stores.
