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.
Pyramid Magazine had a sit down with Dukii Gone Green, a rapper from Sharpeville in the Vaal Triangle who’s been keeping the streets buzzing with his unique flow and amazing music talent.
Pyramid Mag: You’ve been in the game for a minute, however, it’s only now that you’ve released your debut project. What led to this decision?
Dukii Gone Green: Well I’ve been meaning to drop a solid project since 2021 after I did a song with Real Deal Genaro (Mamello E Tswala Katleho) but I had my doubts about the songs as I kept working on new music until the deadline kept passing me for the passed 2 years, until my girl and my friends told me how not serious I am… It got so real I cried my lungs out thinking it’s really chaai for me and I’ve run out of inspiration…
But as I mentioned above that my girl and friends kept pushing me… One day my friend whose name is Joy, one of the people who anticipate my music, came to me and told me he spent almost the whole day watching TV and he was so angry that he came straight to me from his house just to tell me that if such songs can play on TV while mine are what the world deserves to hear, then I’m also capable of doing such and being played on TV, it’s all in the palm of my hands… Honestly after hearing that from him, I must say that was a wake up call “hore watseba keng Dukii, ska bapala poi, spana, you’re capable.”
Pyramid Mag: What inspired the project title and what can people expect from it?
Dukii Gone Green: Well honestly speaking, nothing outside me inspired my project… it’s because I’m not the type to listen to anything before I record because I feel like I’d re-do what I just heard, instead I listen to the beats and go through my WhatsApp chats or just have a conversation about literally anything until I hear something cool or knowledgeable about a certain conversation… My girl will tell you, she even realized that whenever I ask a lot of questions especially when I’m out of context she knows that I’m up to something… musically though… As for the project which is my first of many coming soon you can expect a little bit of my aggression from the tone and a bit of my emotions from the lines I spit.
Pyramid Mag: Can you tell us who you worked with on this project? I.e., Production, engineering, features, etc.
Dukii Gone Green: On this project I literally worked with quite a few people whom I really look up to not because of what they did for me but for the participation of the tape as well…namely Syra who produced the beat for “A lot” where I featured JustSam and the song “Mmh”,Lxcko who produced “Interlude” and Jolly who engineered and produced my favourite song where I featured my Girl’s cousin who has the same name as my Girl actually Lebo, I call it “HYKMW“… and well 60% of the project was engineered by Justsam and that’s what I also appreciate from him as not only did he help me make my project sound crisp and quality but I did get a verse of the decade as he promised me.
Pyramid Mag: You’re part of the crew called LTD FAM, can you tell us more the crew, and is there any music coming in the near future?
Dukii Gone Green: Well at this point I don’t have anything new I can tell you about the crew, but we are still family and we will always be family because whether I make it first or Hamilton makes it before JayPrince or whatever… People should just know that I am who I am today because of those 2 people and never should they doubt that I will always love and appreciate them. In terms of music we have so much unreleased songs we are planning on dropping… but of course we need to fabricate a solid plan for them as we don’t want them trending on WhatsApp statuses only, they literally deserve to be heard… But to cut it short we are coming and very hard for that matter.
Pyramid Mag: What’s your view on the current state of #VaalHipHop?
Dukii Gone Green: Right now all I’m gonna say is they should watch out for the kids that have been left out, from Terry Trill kay, Definition Da Don, Hemustbefabulouse, T’bu Twiz, S.W.O.T and Dynasty to name but a few… I feel like everyone is doing what they think is good for them but as the game as a whole I must say I’m proud of my hometown creatives as everyone now is literally coming to own what they deserve but mostly they should also lookout for my brother JustSam, watch the space.
Pyramid Mag: What would you say is the reason that made you find a voice in Hip-Hop as a culture, and how are you using that voice?
Dukii Gone Green: Well I won’t sit here and lie to you and say it’s always been a dream as kid that I’d be a rapper and all that as because I started as an athlete to playing soccer until I got an injury that compromised my future to being a professional in that field…. But as a kid, I was a very active kid who wasn’t afraid of trying something and I never believed in failure hence you see me doing so good, but I’d also like to give a shout out to magrootman a kasi who believe and motivate me to go even harder… because of them I’m striving for more.
Pyramid Mag: When you write music, do you write based on the beat, or do you start with lyrics and then choose the right beat?
Dukii Gone Green: Well, I’d say a bit of both because I write every chance I get, but I prefer listening to the beat and coming up with something from scratch before recording to the beat… as because before writing for the beat it needs to invite me… like seriously if the beat is not inviting I promise you I won’t reach my full potential but instead I’d write just to have something to record.
Pyramid Mag: How would you define the type of Artist/Rapper that you are?
Dukii Gone Green: I’d leave that question to the people who actually listen and understand me and my music because if I were to answer that I will answer that based on “how I feel about myself” and honestly I feel like I’d be wrong because when I started this music thing I started because I wanted to be something relatable to the kids, because as black people we have quite a few things in common and I felt I’d take that place and be the voice for the black kids who grew in this democratic era where we have too much freedom, and I feel like I’m the perfect example to motivate them to go extra harder as because I was one with causing trouble in high school, fights, drugs and so forth to being a role model and now I put half of that in my music to motivate the kids “hore bafwetho being a loser to the society because of certain dumb decisions doesn’t define your future.”
Pyramid Mag: What do you hope to achieve with your music? Where do you want your music to lead you?
Dukii Gone Green: Not only do I hope my music reaches the masses of the world but I strongly believe I will move from one place to the next where I will reap success through this music, because as I grew I learned that everything really does exist ONLY if you believe in it.
Pyramid Mag: What impact do you want your work and music to have on your audience/followers, as well as the industry at large?
Dukii Gone Green: I honestly I can’t wait being in music debates on who is the greatest, as because I will now hear the other side of what people really think of my music and that will help me improve where they feel like I lack, as that will also help fix a few things because honestly I won’t lie I still feel like I haven’t found myself as yet.. As much as people feel like they really love my music I still feel like I’m short with something and their opinions on it gives me the strength to fix and replace a few notes and the angle of delivery on it.
South Side to Lefatshe is available on Digital Stores
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.
