Local artist aims to spread awareness about abortion
The ambitious rapper has a new single out called through which he hopes to raise awareness on the dangers of illegal abortion
SHANE Phiri is a local rapper with a difference: he wants to make music with purpose and an important message.
Phiri, or Shane Q, the stage name he goes by, has released his first single, called Abortion, through which he aims to spread awareness on the dangers of abortion.
“After capturing many scenarios in different townships across the country, such as women having illegal abortions and new born babies being dumped, I felt there was a need to write something about this situation.
“Abortion is something we tend to be more comfortable with discussing in passing and not something of importance and a big issue in this country. The feelings it provokes are too complicated to face in all their particularities. Which is perhaps why very few people talk openly about their experiences, leaving the reality of abortion out of our political discourse,” Phiri said.
The 34-year-old from Tembisa, who calls himself a hip-hop ambassador because he trains and supports young and aspiring artists, released the new single in June and has already been receiving air play on radio stations such as the Voice of Tembisa.
The song, which features female artist from Botswana, Lify Jones, was featured on the radio station’s Kasi In The Mix local hip-hop chart on Fridays from 9am to 10pm.
“Even though abortion is legal in South Africa, I still, as a Christian, believe it is not right because it is the same as murder. When someone has an abortion, they are killing a baby that could have grown up to be the country’s future president or a successful doctor who could have played a vital part in saving lives.”
Phiri also plans on making a name for himself as an actor and has made an appearance in a locally produced film called Chappies. The movie, in which Phiri plays a cop, stars Hollywood actors Hugh Jackman and Sigourney Weaver, as well as local group, Die Antwoord’s two members. It will be released in 2015.
The official video for the single Abortion will be shot in November but for now, a promotion video for the track is available on You Tube.
Right now he just finished shooting another single called Never Gonna Dance Again, featuring Numi from Cashless Society.
