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Unfazed Stogie T stirs the pot with claims of no South African Hip Hop classics
In a discussion, the veteran rapper said Mzansi Hip Hop has not produced a classic rap album in the 40 years of the genre in the country.
Rapper Stogie T’s comments about SA Hip Hop have riled up the SA Hip Hop community. Picture: stogie_T/Instagram
Despite spewing comments that riled up the South African Hip Hop community, rapper Stogie T doesn’t seem bothered as he enjoys his time on tour in France.
Hosted by broadcaster Siyabonga ‘Scoop Makhathini’ Ngwekazi in commemoration of 50 years of Hip Hop and 40 years of Hip Hop’s presence in Mzansi, Stogie T was part of a discussion about everything that pertains to the genre and culture.
Also part of the discussion held at the SA Hip Hop Museum, was Nomuzi ‘Moozlie’ Mabena, rapper A-Reece and DJ Uncle Party Time.
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Scoop asked the panel of artists about which South African Hip Hop albums can be considered classics, A-Reece said HHP’s 2007 Acceptance Speech without flinching, but Stogie’s is what caused the controversy.
“I don’t think we have a classic SA album,” said the rapper whose real name is Tumi Molekane.
“Classic is unskippable, classic is definitely relatability. But for me, it’s a very high standard. It’s absolutely timeless, you can shoot a video for it today and it still resonates,” said the veteran rapper.
“Remember I’ve released albums in this country too, I’m also saying mine are not classic,” averred Stogie.
He admitted that A-Reece’s choice does come close to being a classic, even mentioning Emtee’s 2015 album Avery.
Avery is a classic though… 🤷🏽♂️
— Sizwe Dhlomo (@SizweDhlomo) October 19, 2023
You are sitting at SA Hip Hop Museum, staring at SA Hip Hop classics on the wall and you say “There are no SA Hip Hop classic albums” pic.twitter.com/Xt4EBqul3r
— RASHID KAY™ (@rashid_kay) October 19, 2023
In France
Stogie T is on a 10-day tour in France with a band, having played a couple of shows in the last week, the tour is happening thanks to the French Institute of South Africa. “A celebration of his long term links to France,” said the French Institute of South Africa.
Stogie built a cult following in Europe many years ago while he was still part of the ensemble, Tumi and The Volume.
The current French tour is reminiscent to his days in the band. His band is made up of keyboard player Bokani Dyre, percussionist Justin Badenhorst, Clem Carr on synth, Shane Cooper on bass and Bonj on vocals. They play their last gig tomorrow night in Marseille.
Stogie released a single last week titled 80s Love. The song is a nostalgic look-back at how relationships were prior to the advancement of technology that birthed social media.
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