Tag: Hip Hop

Throwback Thursday | Balozi Dola Soul – Nani Na Nani

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Indeed, it is once again Thursday, and as you are already aware, it is
time for this week’s Throwback Joint. Our focus will be on a member of a
rap and hip hop group from Tanzania who achieved significant success in
the 1990s. This artist is known by the stage name Balozi Dola Soul,
also referred to as (Balozi Wenu) “Dolasoul“

Balozi Dola Soul, born “Ahmed Dola,” began his career while he was a
student in Nigeria. He was raised in a family that prioritized
education, viewing it as the key to a better life. Initially, rapping
was merely a fun activity and not perceived as a potential career. After
completing his studies in the UK, Balozi returned to Tanzania and
pursued a career as a hip hop artist.

Upon his return to Tanzania, Balozi became a member of the rap group Tha
De-Plow-Ma-TZ, which included other members who were sons of Tanzanian
diplomats. DPT stands for Tha De-Plow-MaTZ. Alongside Balozi Dola, the
group featured Saigon Treach, born “Saleeh Mzee,” Trip Dogg, whose real
name is “Philip Mwimanzi,” and Storm, known as “Amour Shamte.” The group
released their debut self-titled LP in 1997 and was recognized as the
best rap group in Tanzania in 1999.


The Throwback Joint from Balozi marks his initial solo project outside
of the group. The song, titled “Nani Na Nani,” poses the question to
fans and the masses, “Nani na nani yupo kwenye fani hii, nauliza nani na
nani?,Essentially asking, “Who’s running the rap scene?” The song
gained popularity on radio stations such as Radio One Stereo, CTN
Radio, and Radio Free Africa, among others. It was released in 1999.



Balozi released his solo LP in 2002, titled Ubalozini. The album
featured a variety of hits, including “Kwenye Chati,” “Dini na Dunia Ft
Afande Sele,” and “Homa ya Jiji Ft Immam Abbas, Mac D & Inspectah
Haroun.”

Enjoy “Nani na Nani by Balozi Dola Soul” below;

AUDIO | Guilty Simpson – Tukusa 3IX Ft Nikki Mbishi & Kaa La Moto

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One of the most conscious and dope lyricist “Guilty Simpson“, Tanzanian hip hop pioneer Nikki Mbishi, and Kenyan rap veteran Kaa La Moto collaborate on “Tukusa 3IX,” a gritty boom-bap track produced by Black Ninjah.

This song is released under Dapstrem Entertainment and is part of the ongoing Tukusa series, a project celebrated for its heavy drums, sharp lyrics, and authentic hip hop energy. This installment bridges East African rap culture with Detroit hip hop through the involvement of Guilty Simpson, while Nikki Mbishi and Kaa La Moto contribute significant regional lyrical strength.

Nikki Mbishi is regarded as one of Tanzania’s prominent hip hop figures, recognized for his clever wordplay and socially conscious rap. Kaa La Moto has also established a formidable reputation in Kenyan hip hop, while Guilty Simpson is acknowledged globally for his underground rap heritage and powerful lyrical style.

“Tukusa 3IX” centers on lyrical supremacy, resilience, and the preservation of authentic hip hop. The track resonates with fans who appreciate bars, meaningful messages, and raw boom-bap production in an ever-evolving music landscape.

Listen to, “Guilty Simpson – Tukusa 3IX Ft Nikki Mbishi & Kaa La Moto” below;

DOWNLOAD MP3:

ALBUM | Khaligraph Jones – The Book Of Jones (Chapter 1)

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Khaligraph Jones, a heavyweight in Kenyan rap, presents a compelling new project titled The Book Of Jones: 1st Chapter, which emphasizes his lyrical adaptability and global appeal. This album fuses Hip-Hop with elements of AfroBeat, serving as a bold affirmation of his esteemed position in African rap. Featuring collaborations with leading artists from across the continent, Khaligraph offers a vibrant, energetic sound that transcends geographical boundaries.

Born Brian Ouko Omollo in Kayole, Nairobi, Khaligraph Jones is recognized as one of the most impactful hip-hop artists in Kenya. Named after the late politician Dr. Robert Ouko, his journey from underground rap battles to widespread acclaim exemplifies resilience and innate talent. His distinctive flow, powerful lyrics, and socially conscious themes have garnered him a loyal following throughout East Africa and beyond.

The title of the album, The Book of Jones, implies both a personal story and a broader reflection on the rapper’s life experiences and the societal issues surrounding him. In recent years, Khaligraph Jones has emerged as a voice for the youth, tackling topics such as social injustices, economic hardships, and the daily challenges faced in urban Kenya. His music often contemplates his ascent to fame, the obstacles he has encountered, and his aspirations, making his work resonate with many listeners.

STREAM/LISTEN TO “THE BOOK OF JONES” ALBUM VIA AUDIOMACK

PLAYLIST BELOW:

1. Khaligraph Jones Ft Teya Ticasso – Crashout

2. Khaligraph Jones – The Purge

3. Khaligraph Jones Ft Nyashinski – Risk

4. Khaligraph Jones Ft Mordecai Dex – Halfway

5. Khaligraph Jones Ft Falz – Favour

6. Khaligraph Jones – Khali Cartel 5 (East Africa Edition)

7. Khaligraph Jones Ft Silverstone – They Gotta Be Wrong

8. Khaligraph Jones Ft Timmy Blanco – Family

9. Khaligraph Jones – On The Real

10. Khaligraph Jones – OG Status

AUDIO | Songa – Sincity

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Tanzanian rap sensation Songa has released his newest single, “Sincity,” a fresh anthem that showcases his lyrical prowess and genuine artistry. Renowned for his unfiltered storytelling and impactful verses, Songa persistently expands the horizons of Tanzanian hip-hop, and “Sincity” exemplifies this commitment.

The track “Sincity” can now be found on all prominent streaming platforms, including Boomplay, Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. Fans are invited to stream, share, and incorporate this compelling song into their playlists.

Listen to “Songa – Sincity” below;

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THROWBACK | G.W.M (Gangsta With Matatizo)

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G.W.M stands for Gangstas With Matatizo also Known as Mazimwi, with the term “matatizo” being Swahili for problems. Attempting to embody the persona of a U.S.-style gangsta rapper in Dar es Salaam certainly presents its challenges. Nevertheless, G.W.M remained committed to reality rap, exclusively in Swahili, addressing the everyday struggles faced in the streets of Bongo, a colloquial name for the city of Dar-es-salaam that implies the necessity of intelligence for survival, as “bongo” translates to smart or clever in Swahili.

We compose our own lyrics and tackle societal issues. It is crucial to express perspectives that diverge from the official government narrative, as stated by K.R, one third member of the group.

The group consists of three members:
D CHIEF (real name Robert E. Makala)
EASY DOPE (real name Richard Makala), the elder brother of D Chief
K.R. Mullah (real name Rashid Ziada)

The Makala brothers began their rapping journey in 1993 while still in secondary school. Their father, Edward Makala, was a distinguished authority on traditional music in Tanzania. K.R. joined the duo in 1995, the same year they triumphed in a talent competition organized by Don Bosco, a studio owner in Dar. This victory provided them with the opportunity to record several songs with the support of a well-known group, which gained considerable popularity.

In 1997, G.W.M performed at couple of paid events, a commendable achievement for a rap group in Dar. Their primary audience consists of secondary school, college, and university students, a demographic shared by many other rap groups in the area.

Furthermore, GWM secured a contract with Mawingu Studios and started to record their full-length cassette. Their track “Yamenikuta” became a hit in November 1997, addressing the issues they observe in the streets of Dar that trouble them. This song features Tanzanian rap pioneer Joseph Mbilinyi, also known as Sugu or Mr II. “Yamenikuta” translates to “It bothers me.” They later on released they album titled ” Mikosi”

GWM has also released popular tracks such as “Cheza Mbali na Kasheshe,” “Haya Twende,” “Kipe Kitu,” “Mguu nje mguu ndani” featuring Balozi Dola Soul, and “Watapatapa,” among others.

Enjoy these three excerpts from GWM’s classic songs;

G.W.M – Haya Twende (Snippet);

G.W.M – Kipe Kitu (Snippet);

G.W.M Ft. Mr II – Yamenikuta (Full Track);

Special Thanks to Jumanne Thomas of http://www.africanhiphop.com for sharing some of the Audio Clips for this Post.

AUDIO & VIDEO | LL Cool J Ft. Eminem – Murdergram Deux

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Recently, it has come to our attention that two iconic figures in the music industry, LL Cool J and Eminem, have collaborated on their latest track, Murdergram Deux.

This new release serves as a sequel to LL’s original Murdergram, which was featured on the classic album “Mama Said Knock You Out,” released in 1990. Murdergram Deux emerged from a deep-seated passion for music and exceptional lyricism. LL Cool J discovered the beat and remarked, “Eminem would excel on this!” Subsequently, he reached out to Marshall and shared the beat with him.

Before long, both artists found themselves in Dr. Dre’s studio, recording the track, which has since been accompanied by a music video that is currently available on YouTube. Notably, Eminem pays homage to Big Daddy Kane within the video.

Stream Audio/Video of “Murdergram Deux” below;

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ALBUM | Snoop Dogg & Dr Dre – Missionary

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Snoop Dogg’s twentieth studio album, titled “Missionary,” is set to be released midnight December 13, 2024 under the labels Death Row Records, Aftermath Entertainment, and Interscope Records. The album’s production is overseen by the renowned Dr. Dre.

Promoted as a sequel to Snoop’s iconic 1993 debut album “Doggystyle,” “Missionary” represents the first comprehensive collaboration between Dre and Snoop since the release of “Doggystyle.”

The announcement was made via a promotional video shared on social media, featuring two Mormon missionaries who arrive at a stranger’s door, only to be greeted by a woman dressed in lingerie, who exclaims, “What the heck? Your advertisement claimed you were committed to missionary work.” This new project showcases the enduring partnership between Snoop Dogg and the legendary producer Dr. Dre, with whom he has collaborated for 30 years. Enjoy!

Missionary – A Short Film Ft. Snoop Dogg & Dr Dre

Please check out Snoop Dogg & Dr Dre – Missionary Tracklist below;

Stream this Album here:

Snoop Dogg & Dr Dre – Missionary (2024) | Download

Throwback | Hard Blasters Crew

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Throwback Joints of the Day

Terry Msiagi – a Hard Blaster

Big Willy – a member of Hard Blasters Crew
Cassette Cover “Funga Kazi 2000”

It’s Thursday again, and today we’re celebrating the 90’s Tanzanian Hip Hop group, The Hard Blasters Crew. The group originally had five members: Terry Msiagi (Luna T aka Fanani), William Shundi (Big Willie aka Crazy One), Ngida Raphael (KC1), Gabriel Kilunga (Tuff Jam), and Frank Korassa (Trigger F).

In 1994, they participated in the Yo Rap Bonanza Competition and came in second place. This success led them to release their first album, “Mambo Ya Mjini,” which featured popular songs like “Matapeli,” “Cheka nao,” “Mabishoo,” and “Ni Hard Blasters.” The album was a hit, prompting them to work on a second one in 1996. However, during the production, three members left the group to focus on school or pursue opportunities abroad, while others took over family businesses. Despite the challenges, they completed the album titled “Blast Nuff,” which included tracks like “Aje Naua,” “Kwenye Rap,” and “Blast Nuff.”

Their final album came after they added Joseph Haule, also known as Professor Jay, who was previously called Nigga J. This album, “Funga Kazi 2000,” featured popular songs such as “Chemsha Bongo,” “Mamsap,” and “Chuzi Limekubali.” To celebrate this throwback, I’m sharing one song from each album. Enjoy!

Stream these 3 tracks here:

HBC – Cheka Nao (Snippet) (1994)
HBC – Aje Naua (1996)
HBC – Chemsha Bongo (1999)