This is a past interview with Johannesburg emcee Nthabi from 2007.

The Hip-Hop culture is indeed global. And while the foundation was laid in the United States, new talent is emerging in other countries. Representing Johannesburg, South Africa is one of the most talented emcees to emerge in Hip-Hop…Nthabi.
If Hip-Hop is dead due to commercialization and corporate interests, then Nthabi is a reflection of the new school of emcees looking to revitalize the art. This is Hip-Hop for the people by the people.

Art– At what age were you first exposed to hip-hop and when did you actually began emceeing?

Nthabi– Got exposed to Hip Hop when I was like 12 years old, but I had absolutely no knowledge about the culture and how deep it actually goes.
It was only once I started rhyming that I realised that there was so much more to it than what I thought. Even when I was in cyphers at the age of 15 (which is where my emceeing is rooted), I was just concerned with sounding nice not really about sending across a valid message. Obviously that changed over time because I started to realise the power of words. It wasn’t just about sounding nice or having a nice flow anymore, but more about the mark I leave and message I portray as a head.

Art– Who were some of your musical influences coming up?

Nthabi– Growing up, our home would be filled with music by Letha Mbuli, Aretha Franklin, Mama Makeba and many more. My parents loved blasting the radio every Saturday and Sunday morning and this is all I would ever hear. I also used to play the piano so classical music played a huge role. It’s still evident today actually ‘coz I tend to be attracted to beats that have some kind of piano/classical sound. With reference to Hip Hop, I had friends in school who would always rap to me and I would be on some…WHAT! Eventually I got hooked.
The first Hip Hop artists I was introduced to were 2Pac, Kriss Kross, Da Brat, Queen Latifah & The Fugees
Later on I, I started relating more to the sounds of The Roots, Bahamadia, Rah Digga, Pharcyde and many others who influenced me to change my perception of Hip Hop.

Art– Is there a hometown support of it’s local artists in Johannesburg from radio entities?

Nthabi– Honestly speaking, the supprt is there, but can be improved a lot. There aren’t that many radio shows that one can listen to that play more than 50% local stuff. Yes, some South African artists music get air play and loads of rotation, but the mojority of the content that goes into radio shows is international. So there is some form of support, but it needs to be improved on.

Art– It seems to appear that many places from around the world are starting to come into their own indentity in terms of hip-hop and not really just following that of the United States. Would you say that’s true about the scene in Joburg?

Nthabi– The Jo’burg scence had really expanded in terms of diversity. I think we’ve reached a stage where people are no longer trying to mimick international artists, but rather form their own identities. We all want “that thing” that differentiates us from everybody else. There is still mad space to develop further though. I mean, why is it that we are so influenced by the international market yet they aren’t that influenced by us?

Art– Your album titled “From the Streets to the Lab” is currently out now. Who did you work with on this album in terms of producers and how long did it take to complete the album?

Nthabi– It’s actually not an album, it’s an EP that we’re distributing for FREE. The production was mainly a guy called D-Mongs, but I also featured producers such as Oots, MrC, Instro and BattleKat.
It took about 6-7 months to complete.

Art– You have a song called “Home” on the album. What was it like coming up in the city Johannesburg?

Nthabi– Nowadays people are repping their hoods in their songs. Because my Hip Hop influence stems from so many places, there isn’t a specific hood I can rep. I grew up in Pimville (Soweto) and I’m proud of where I’m from, but my Hip Hop influnce does not come from there. Everytime I get on stage, I rep me as an artist first, Jo’burg, South Africa then Africa as a continent. Growing up in Jo’burg has made me appreciate the smallest things in life. I mean damn…as beautiful as other countries may be, I don’t have to worry about Tsunamis and stuff.
A lot of people have misconceptions about this place I call home. Yes the crime level may be higher than average, but there are so many other beautiful things about it as well. It’s not all as bad as the media makes it out to be.

Art– In an age where sex and sexism in songs are highly marketable, how difficult is it to break out as a female emcee who is not taking that route?

Nthabi– I’ve learnt that people treat you how you allow them to. If your aim is to talk about sex and flashing booty to get what you want, then don’t be mad when people treat you like a skank.
If your aim is to send a message purely through your lyrics, then your audience will treat you in that respect. Using my body to grab attention has never been my aim so it wasn’t that difficult for me to do what I do because it’s not foreign to me. My music is an extention of who I am.

Art– What else can people expect to hear when they pick up your EP?

Nthabi- I would actually prefer if they didn’t expect anything and just let the music speak for itself. Expectations can sometimes lead to disappointments.
Hear it, listen to it, try to understand it and if it speaks to you, then it was made for you.

Art– Where do you see the Johannesburg hip-hop scene going in the next few years?

Nthabi– I definately see it elevating. We have so many talented artists who have the potential to blow both locally and internationally. It’s basically all up to them to see how far they are willing to go and up to the music industry to start taking these artists seriously and not just using Hip Hop as a money making scheme, but actually paying attention to the artistry as well.

Interview by Art Jefferson

All images courtesy of Nthabi