WHEN, about two months ago, the SABC announced its switch to 90 percent local music on SABC radio stations, I’ll be the first to admit that the idea of not hearing my favourite Beyoncé songs blaring from my radio was anything but pleasing to me. Yes, in principle, I was happy for South African musicians but, trepidation was the dominant emotion on hearing the news.
Having grown up listening to the great sounds of Brenda Fassie, Bongo Muffin, and Mafikizolo, I am more than aware of the dumbfounding talent produced in our country. Yet, for some reason beyond my comprehension my ears have undergone over the past 10 years an extreme Americanisation, where the distinct sound of trap or talk of dollars have almost monopolised my tracklist.
However, this is not particularly surprising considering the South Africa (emphasis on the SOUTH AFRICAN) audience is force-fed endless amounts of American content. TV shows, movies and music – all hailing from the good old US of A.
Yet, what attracted me most to American music was its unyielding spirit. Pioneers of hip hop, R ‘n B, even new age gospel. The resistance that was distinct in all the genres when they first began, the unwillingness to conform to what society deemed ‘cool’ at their conception. This resistance is what gave American music its own fingerprint.
This individuality has been absent from the South African music scene for a long time. Yes, South African greats are still revered but many of them are from long ago.
The lack of identity in the past has been most distinct in South African hip hop. For years, too many rappers sounded like cheap Chinese shop knock offs of American hip hop.
Yet, I’m starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel. A light that looks and sounds like the real thing. South African music hip hop that sounds South African. It has its own groove, its own rhythm, without sacrificing brilliant lyricism.
It’s a form of poetic eloquence that is its own tooth-bearing, ferocious beast. I’m not just taking about the household names that are AKA or Casper Nyovest. I’m talking about independent artists who are sitting on the precipice of changing the music landscape in this country.
The likes of relative unknowns like Celestial Mic, Ampsirius, Lord Script, the list goes on.
So, sure I’m going to miss my Beyoncé, but I’m excited to watch South African artists do bigger things, and have the opportunity to touch more ears. Besides, if ever I feel like being a diva or a black leotard wearing single lady, I can pull my phone out of the charger and with a click onto my tracklist be reunited with Queen.
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