Industry players fill up bookstore in support of Slikour’s book launch

Some of the biggest contributors in South African Hip Hop filled the Exclusive Books in Rosebank last night, as Siya ‘Slikour’ Metane launched his book that is published by Penguin Books.

The variety of people in attendance is an indication of the different roles Slikour has played in his career. From being a founding member of Skwatta Kamp, to starting his own record label with friend Lebo ‘Shugasmakx’ Mothibe and even getting into the taxi industry with his father – Slikour has worn many hats.

Slikour’s family was present, so was his former school teacher. Some of the people present on the night included businessman Bonnke Shipalana, rapper and producer Amu, Director at Universal Music Group Africa Thabiso Khati, Native Rhythms founder and former PRASA chief strategy officer Sipho Sithole.

“Always finding other avenues to express yourself is an incredible thing. For a guy like Slikour to write a book… the guy is so well versed. From the Skwatta Kamp days to launch SlikourOnLife, there are so many stories and so many lessons,” Kwesta told The Citizen.

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Kwesta was signed under Slikour’s and Shugasmakx’s record label, Buttabing Entertainment.

“I haven’t read the book, but I’m assuming there’s honesty. I’m sure he’s not giving himself props throughout the book. I’m sure he points out his mistakes, so we’re able to learn from him,” said the Ngud’ rapper.

Why a book?

“I never was gonna write a book, Helen literally came to me at an event where they were talking about Hip Hop and they never mentioned us and she said to me ‘you see you guys are getting erased from history’ and I was like ‘you know, if you haven’t had an impact in people’s lives you can’t force yourself to’. And she was like, ‘why don’t you write a book’,” Slikour explained where the idea for the book came from.

The rapper wrote the book with music journalist Helen Herembi, who couldn’t attend the launch because she’s out of the country.

Slikour was answering questions from his friend Shugasmakx, who was the programme’s director on the night. The two rappers sat on stage to an attentive and intimate audience inside the bookstore, as Slikour explained how the book came about while reminiscing about life events that have brought him to where he is now.

“Everyone that reads the book, they say it’s a love story between me and Lebo (Shugasmakx),” said Slikour honouring his best friend Shugasmakx.

The two have been friends for a number of years, dating back to their time with Skwatta Kamp and then becoming business partners. But there was a strange absence of some of the Skwatta Kamp members like Bozza, Nemza and Relo.

Archiving history

DJ Naves, who too was under Buttabing was present on the night.

“I’m so happy to see so many people here who started a lot of the things that are happening. By that I mean Sprite is here, Leo Manne is here, the guy who was a programme’s manager at Metro FM when this Hip Hop thing started to take place. I’m excited man, Slikour has turned over a new leaf,” said Naves.

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“For the fact that you’ve got people in numbers here to support, it shows you the expansion and maturity of the culture. A kid who doesn’t understand what it takes, can now read you know. There’s a thing they always say, with books you literally have you mentor – that’s what a book is and now he’s just solidified himself as a mentor to somebody, forever,” said Osmic Menoe, who is the founder of the SA Hip Hop Awards, the Hip Hop Museum and the Back to The City festival.

“Slikour releasing a book, for me is documentation of the industry,” said media personality Seipati ‘Twasa’ Seoke.

“We need more voices to document the journeys that have really opened up the industry to talent that we see today. I’ve already read half the book and I feel like I’m walking down memory lane,” said the Lesedi FM DJ.

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