ENCORE BRINGS THE HOUSE DOWN AT BELEZA

Well, where do I start? Mmmmh.... the dope music? Nuh nuh.... I'll get to that later. Let me holler at you about the cool venue. No? Okay... let me see... what don't I first talk about the one thing that Cape Town has in abundance and other cities have in limited quantity. Any guesses?.... Beautiful women. There you go! As to be expected for a thrilling show of this nature, the gorgeous women of the Mother City with their sea-soaked beauty came through and as per usual, were at the front of the stage singing and dancing along, while the handsome fellas did their thing.

They waved, danced, sang and screamed, all in unison with the performing acts (aah, u gotta love it!). On the music side of things, all patriots (okay, at least most) spotted styling grins on their faces the entire evening as a result of the splendid music dished out by Alan Funk, Ill-Literate Skill, Chamber Concepts, DJ Nick Knuckles and our surprise performer Gugz.

Alan Funk's Busi Mhlongo-inspired tunes took us back to places that we've never been to before (yeah, u read that right!); premier CT hip hop representers Ill-Literate Skill, who will be heading to Europe for a 2 month-long tour seem to have have smoothened out their sound real nice, that of course can be attributed to their new and vibrant backing band; Chamber Concepts on the other hand mesmerized peeps with their tongue-twisting rhymes and torso-bending beats; and our surprise act Gugz ushered us into the early hours of the morning with some dance tunes that reminded us that "Kwaito ain't dead".

Overall, the night was as sweet as anybody could wish for. Encore management would like to thank all of the beautiful people that showered us with their graceful presence on this lovely evening. And mighty thanks to Siya and the Street Journal team for covering the event, be sure to check out the show on SABC 1 to see how everything went down.

We're bringing the house down again at another spot quite soon, so stay logged onto your favourite online music and lifestyle magazine for more details.

One Love.

[PS: More pics from the event will be uploaded on our Facebook group page. Copy and paste this link to check them out: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2632241622]

REMINDER - ENCORE SET TO ROCK BELEZA

We've preached and preached for a couple of days now about Encore's resuscitation of the live music circuit in Cape Town, but tonight we're finally putting ish into action. Join us tonight for a slicker-than-your-average show featuring 3 of the flyest bands in the Mother City. See you there!

P.S. Look fly as they'll be cameras in the house.


Venue: Beleza (cnr Burnside & Kloofnek rd)

Time: 8pm

Price: R50 (we all got paid right!?)

Line-up: Alan Funk, Ill-Literate Skill, Chamber Concepts, DJ Nick Knuckles & surprise guests

ENCORE HAMPERS UP FOR GRABS!

EXCLUSIVE : LUPE FIASCO FT. YOUNG JEEZY & T.I. - SUPERSTAR (REMIX)

THIS IS THE REMIX!!!

EVENT - SHOWLOVE'S PREMIUM SHOWCASE

SHOWLOVE is Johannesburg’s premier hip-hop entertainment company, having consistently put on amazing events around the city for over a year now.

The 28th we take our brand to The Crazy 88 in Norwood and showcase the brands within our brand, namely DJs Bizkid, Bo Black, Dimplez and Milkshake. GlenDaDJ will also be joining the line-up.

This promises to big a night swagger with beautiful people, an exquisite venue and incredible beats… come through and SHOWLOVE.

Venue: The Crazy 88,114 William Rd, Norwood

Time: 9pm

Price: R60 before 12pm... R80 after

Line-up: GlenDaDJ, BIZKID, BO BLACK, DIMPLEZ and MILKSHAKE.

100 FREE WELCOME DRINKS(HENNESSY) FOR FIRST 1OO PATRONS

... SHOW YOUR SWAGGER

EVENTS - HENNESSEY DINNER AND AFTER PARTY IN JOZI

Win 3 Double VIP tickets To The Hennessy Dinner Party @ Primi Forum and Afterparty
[http://www.mnet.co.za/ChannelO/Shows/DisplayCompetition.asp?compId=42]

Hennessy in association with Urban Concerts and Primi Forum, pay homage to doyens of the South African hip-hop industry by celebrating a hot new release by Outrageous Record's entitled, Hip-Hop Love Movement.

It's all going down on Friday 28 March 2008 The evening starts off with dinner at Primi Forum, Melrose Arch which is expected to run from 18h30 till 21h00.

The competition winners will get a taste of living like bosses - free dinner and welcome drinks. Also VIP acces to the afterparty at Black Orchid

Light entertainment is provided by none other than Tshepo Mogale, Loyiso Gola and Darren Maule who are sure to bring the house down with their creative comic genius. DJ Beatoven (Roach Inc) will be manning the 1's and 2's and is sure to keep the crowd on that feel-good hip-hop tip.

At the after party itself, artists such as Mo Molemi, Pro, Zubz and F-Eezy will be holding it down.

BOOK REVIEW - DO YOU BY RUSSELL SIMMONS

By Nick Kaoma

Russell Simmons is a name as synonymous with hip hop as adidas shell toes, breakdancing and emceeing. His incredible story of how he built a hip hop empire in the eighties and nineties is a thing of legend now. Born in Queensbridge, New York, Russell was a restless and stubborn young man whose call to fame in the hood was selling weed and fake cocaine. This he admits was not a necessity; it was simply a sure-fire way of ensuring that he always had the freshest pair of kicks on his feet.

But after successfully promoting one or two parties around the block, Russell decided to shun his drug-dealing ways in favour of the entertainment business. From throwing parties, he started managing his brother’s group Run-DMC and eventually signed them to his and Rick Rubin’s nascent indie rap label Def Jam. The upstart label was of course finding it difficult to convince the major record labels to take their product seriously as they still held the view that rap was just a mere fad that would eventually lose its appeal like disco; however the young executives persisted with their vision and were eventually able to turn not only Run-DMC but the Beasties Boys and a young LL Cool J into global hip hop superstars.

Because of their early success, Def Jam was poised more than any other label to fully ride the crest of the hip hop wave as it took on a larger and more lucrative form in the nineties. Top-selling artists such as Jay-Z, Ja Rule and DMX gave the founders enough leverage and bargaining power to be able to pawn off the label to Universal Music for a figure in the north of $120 million.

Russell Simmons has of course found similar success in many other fields such as fashion, film, television, financial services and jewellery. In his latest book “Do You – 12 Laws to Access the Power in You to Achieve Happiness and Success”, the original hip hop mogul shares all the secrets that have propelled him to his current status. If you’re a young professional, an entrepreneur or just an all-out hustler, you’re gonna need to read this book. Straight up!

The insightful book is littered with wonderful business and personal anecdotes that force you to look at the world through his unique lenses – that’s not a bad option since the 57 year-old has found nothing but success in business and philanthropy.

His 12 Laws cover universally-accepted concepts such as “Stop Frontin’ and Start Today” “Surround yourself with the right people”, “There are no failures, only quitters” and “See your vision and stick with it”. To illustrate the last law, Simmons offers a story about the supremely successful Cash Money Records co-founder Baby.


“When a lot of people in the industry first met Baby, they almost automatically assumed that he wasn’t the best businessman. He’s got a deep New Orleans drawl, tattoos on his face, and more than a few paychecks hanging around his neck. After all this is the man who helped coin the phrase bling-bling. Not the guy industry suits are usually comfortable around. But Baby got a better deal for Cash Money than any of the suits from Harvard or Howard could have ever gotten. The distribution deal he set up with Universal Records was one of the most favourable I have ever seen. It’s become the standard that everyone in the music industry aspires to. What was his secret?

The answer is that Baby wouldn’t compromise his vision. When he and Slim started selling records independently in the early nineties, they learned how to distribute their own product and make their own margins. They became so good at doing it regionally that they started plotting how to do it on a national level. Of course, once the major record labels heard about these two brothers moving thousands of units in the Big Easy, they all wanted to sign them to the standard industry contract, one that gave the label most of the profits for very little risk. But Baby wasn’t going for it. He wasn’t educated in the industry norms and frankly wasn’t interested in being educated about something that didn’t make sense financially to him. Instead, he had a vision of what he and his brother could do and refused to compromise that vision.
I felt the power of Baby’s faith firsthand, because Lyor Cohen and I unsuccessfully tried to negotiate a deal with him at Def Jam. The way it went down was so gangster, he just refused to budge. He told us, ‘I’ll pay you a little fee to distribute my records, but I want to keep the rights to my masters. Plus loan me a little money while you’re at it.’ It was so outrageous, but he literally didn’t know any better.

Baby’s confidence in his vision became contagious. Because after watching him turn down deal after deal, the industry started to think, ‘This guy must really be holding a strong hand’. So eventually some guys high up Universal got involved and gave him the deal he was looking for. It was unprecedented. And it took someone from the streets to make it happen.”

The pages of this captivating book are littered with incredible entrepreneurial and philosophical gems that anyone who wants to succeed in the cut-throat world of business would be wise to use. The spiritual mogul however can at times get a bit too preachy. He makes countless references on how yoga has added a much needed spiritual component to his life and urges his readers to consider taking it up.

Aside from that, this book is one that all the so-called hustlers out there need on their bookshelves!

ENCORE PRESENTS "FOR LOVE AND JAZZ"

Encore la Familia, we are once again putting together a not-to-be-missed musical extravaganza this Thursday, 27 March '08 at Beleza (cnr Burnside & Kloofnek Rd).

We would like to invite all of you who will be in Cape Town in this Jazz-filled week to come and hold it down with us as 3 of the coolest, freshest hip hop, afro and funk bands take the stage.

Alan Funk, Illiterate Skill and Chamber Concepts will be belting out goosebump-inducing live tunes till the wee hours of Friday morning. The captivating artwork of Pinkpipe, an urban afro art sanctuary will also be on display and will add to the inspiring aura of the eveving.

For the number of us who will be be attending the Cape Town International Jazz Festival over the weekend this is a sure-fire way to jump-start the festivities!

We'll also be giving away some dope Encore hampers to lucky participants. For more information about the gig contact Sivu at sivun@encoremag.co.za or on 083 283 2512.

Check out the site tomorrow (Wednesday) as we'll tell you more about the bands that will be performing.

AKON & FAT JOE COMING TO SA

The official word on the street is that Terror Squad’s kingpin Fat Joe and multi-platinum artist and producer Akon are coming to Mzansi in the month of April.

The two hip hop superstars will serve as the headline acts for the Urban Music Festival on the 12th taking place at Ratanga Junction in Cape Town.

Be sure to check them out.

JAY-Z & MARY J BLIGE KICK OFF TOUR

Jay-Z and Mary J. Blige kicked off their “Heart of the City” tour at the American Airlines Arena in Miami on Saturday night. A couple of their celebrity friend came to show love. Guests included Kanye West, The Dream, Timbaland, Fabolous, Young Jeezy and more.

WHO'S HUSTLING RIGHT? XOLISA DYESHANA

By Sivu Nobongoza

Xolisa Dyeshana is one of those hustlers you’re going to have to keep a close eye on, as I can almost guarantee you, he’s going to feature on a global scale going forward. He has graced the advertising arena with a number of accolades ranging from being a Loerie Judge to winning awards at the loo… I mean Louvre’s. Not only is he one of the most entertaining people you’ll ever have the pleasure of sharing a 2L Iron Brew with, he also has one of the most creative minds in the business. BD Mac, as his high school friends know him, has been macking the advertising game with a plethora of market relevant conceptual activities since he graduated as a copywriter at PenTech in 2001. Though his creative pizzazz existed long before his varsity training, his skills were harnessed here in Mother’s bosom before he yielded to the big shiny Kruger Rand in Jozi; the city of flashing lights. Even with his gleaming black beamer he has a heart of gold and the ability to see past his own needs. I’m sure there are more than a handful of individuals who can testify to his unconditional kindness… and his hook-ups. My man BD is a master of many things including his knowledge of PLASMA-screen TV’s, X-box’s, girls, politics, green-peace, music, dancing, romance and African development and lot of other impeccable things (‘cause that’s our concern here at Encore). Check out what he has to say about life in general.


What is your profession?

I'm a Creative Director in an advertising agency (Joe Public).

Creative Director? Sounds like you earn a killing... Is this the
highest creative position in Advertising? (if not...what is?)

Believe me it only sounds that way hahaha. It's definitely one of the more senior positions in advertising, but not the highest. The ultimate is Executive CD or Group Exec CD.

What makes a good creative?

Good creative friends. Just kidding. I believe we all have some level of creativity within us and I suppose a good creative person is one who identifies that skill and works to hone and develop it.

You were the second South African ever to be called on to judge at the
John Caples Advertising Awards in New York last year. How did that feel? (You’ll notice I didn’t say ‘black’)

It felt great. The opportunity to represent my country and see how we fare against other nations around the world was indeed a great honour and learning curve.

Your parents must have been proud, what was their reaction?

They asked what I’d bring them from New York! No, my parents have always been very supportive of me throughout my career, so when the Caples opportunity came along, they were extremely happy for me, but were also quick to point out that such blessings do not come sorely out of ones own power and wisdom.

Rumour has it Sean John, otherwise known as P. Diddy, may have asked you to do his next big budget advertising campaign. Did you accept?

Diddy really do that?! Well I think his people are still negotiating with my people.

Who is your favourite musical performer and why? (so we can catch up to
him for you)

Locally, I’m really feeling Siphokazi’s amazing insurgence into the music scene. She’s really gifted. Internationally, R.Kelly’s creative genius continues to captivate me.

One of the things about a good writer is that you have to be able to
write anything for an ad... Please oblige us with a worthy Encore verse!

You’ll always want more from Encore! (Ed's note: damn that sounds like a tag line for a Lubners ad)

What words do you have for junior mafias out there who are looking to
get into the creative field after school?

Advertising is an amazing career choice. It’s fun, it’s pacy and it constantly stimulates and challenges to you think beyond the obvious. So if you’re the kind of person who enjoys coming up with all kinds of ideas, then there’s no better place to be. And in the words of Apple CEO - Steve Jobs -“STAY HUNGRY”

Who would you like to see interviewed on Encore Mag in future?

Lerato Mbele (Ed's note: we'll make that happen homes)

Having studied and harnessed your skill in Cape Town, I think its its only fair to claim you as one of its protégés. How have you found the move to Jozi and what would it take to get you back?

The move to JHB was quite an eye opener for me, cause till then, Cape Town was the biggest place I’d lived in. It was also quite a culture shock because you have so many different people from so many different backgrounds, all trying to get their hands on the gold and competing vigorously to be the best at what they do. I think the best thing for me is that instead of all that mass drive intimidating me, it actually did quite the opposite and I feel I am more inspired now than I’ve ever been in my life. I think it would take quite a lot to bring me back to the Motha City because the two cities are so different in pace. As much as I really love Cape Town and all its people, the truth is that you somehow always know where the roof is when you’re there and that didn’t quite work for me.

In 2007 Cosmopolitan Magazine rated you as one of Jozi’s top bachelors (we’re not worthy). Did that boost your street cred amongst the ladies?

No they didn’t! hahaha

In that case we’ll have to lay off our researcher for bad intel. In 2006 you were the proud winner of the Louvre Advertising Competition. Tell us about that?

Funny, I won for an idea I had on the plane as I left Cape Town. It felt really good for me and I’m sure it must have made my new employers quite happy about their ‘choice’. On top of that I got a really cool plasma as a prize and THAT definitely boosted my street cred among the ladies.

Where to from here? Can we expect an award winning sitcom or book from you in the near future?

For now, I’m really pushing my self in my career and I really want my department (BTL at Joe Public) to do as well as I believe it can. There is also some really exciting things in the pipeline which you’ll probably hear about before June. More than that, I’m taking each day as it comes and making the most of it.

Last but not least “Who’s your daddy?” (not your old man, but who’s your daddy?)

The same guy who brought you Jesus and more recently, Encore Mag.

MTN SAMA AWARDS - THE NOMINEES

South Africa’s biggest musical event i.e. the SAMA awards, is upon us. The full nomination list was released earlier this week to the usual ooohs and aaahs from various quarters of the music industry.

As you read this, there are probably a fair number of artists who are throwing tantrums in their managers’ offices lamenting the fact that the SAMA committee has snubbed them once again. Fuck the SAMAs they’ll say, I don’t need them anyway! Yeah right.

There are not too many surprises this year; hard-working artists such as Hip Hop Pantsula, Freshlyground, DJ Cleo and Jimmy Dludlu have walked away with two or more nominations. TS Records artists are however conspicuous in their absence. Aside from a single nomination by Pro in the Best Rap category, the former mainstay of the prestigious awards has come up short, big time.

It should be interesting to see who will walk away with the biggest award of the evening, Album of the Year. The serious contenders in my opinion are HHP, Jimmy Dludlu and Freshlyground with “Acceptance Speech”, “Portrait” and “Macheri” respectively. But if I was a betting man, I’ll put my hard-earned rands on …… drum roll please…… Freshlyground. They are simply a dope band and they have consistently released riveting albums that are a reflection of SA's urban space. Their latest no less.

Here’s the full list of nominees:

Best R&B / Neo-Soul Album
Gift Gwe – Back To You (Sony BMG Africa)
Loyiso – Blow Your Mind (Sony BMG Africa)
Seed – Germinating (GRC)
Tony B – Thanku (Universal Music)
Tumi – No Guarantee (J2 Records (Pty) Ltd)

Best Rap Album
Hip Hop Pantsula – Acceptance Speech (CCP)
Jub Jub – My Shine (Bonzo Music)
Molemi – Amantsi (CCP)
Prokid – Dankie San (TS Records)
Slikour – Ventilation Mixtape Volume 2 (Buttabing Entertainment)

Best Kwaito Album
Alaska – Kasieology (Universal Music)
Brickz – Estokfeleni (Ghetto Ruff)
Howza – Cut To The Chase (Faith Records ex Groove Luv)
Mandoza – Champion
Tzozo En Professor – Togetherness (GRC)

Best Male Solo Artists
Black Coffee – Have Another One
Chris Chameleon – Ek Vir Jou
Hip Hop Pantsula – Acceptance Speech
Jimmy Dludlu – Portrait
Mccoy Mrubata – Brasskap Session Vol 1

Best female Solo Artist
Karen Zoid – Postmodern World
Kb – My Rhythm
Louise Carver – Saved by The Moonlight
Tasha Baxter – Colour of Me
Zonke – Life, love N Music

Best Duo / Group
Freshlyground – Macheri
Ladysmith Black Mambazo – Ilembe
Malaika – Sekunjalo
Seether – Finding Beauty In Negative Spaces
Soul Brothers – Amacala

Best Newcomer
Camagwini – Zivile
Molemi – Amantsi
Mpumi Dhlamini – Combined Elements
Tasha Baxter – Colour of Me
Tumi – No Guarantee

Album of the Year
Dj Cleo – Eskhaleni Phase 4
Freshlyground – Macheri
Hip Hop Pantsula – Acceptance Speech
Jimmy Dludlu – Portrait
Zonke – Life, Love N Music

Best Music Video
Freshlyground – Pot Belly (Sony BMG Africa)
Koldproduk – Hush (Uproot Records (Pty) Ltd)
Lira – Ixesha (Sony BMG Africa)
Loyiso – I Want You Feat. Obita (Sony BMG Africa)
Vusi Mahlasela – River Jordan (Sony BMG Africa)

Contemporary Jazz
Jimmy Dludlu – Portrait (Universal Music)
Julian Bahula – Live Again (GRC)
Mpumi Dhlamini – Combined Elements (Sony BMG Africa)
Schalk Joubert – Kayamandi (Lee Throp Ent.)
Steve Dyer – Native Art (Sony BMG Africa)

Best Adult Contemporary Album: African
Camagwini – Zivile (CCP)
Jeff Maluleka – A Twist Of Jeff (Sheer Sounds)
Kwela Tebza – King Kwela (CCP)
Palesa – Phantasy (Bokone Music)
Phinda Mtya – Yithi Paha (Sheer Sounds)

Best African Pop Album
Jaziel Brothers – The Beginning (Sheer Sounds)
Malaika – Sekunjalo (Sony BMG Africa)
Martin Phike (Faith Records ex Groove Luv)
Ntando – Uhambo Lwam (CCP)
Speedy – Going Live (999 Music)

So who do y'all think should walk away with an award?

PRO FINALLY GOES GOLD

Our sources at TS Records have just informed us that Pro's latest album "Dankie San" has officially gone gold (20 000 copies sold). Congratulations to the diminutive rapper, he deserves it after hustling and bustling in the game for more than 6 years. He becomes only the fourth local hip hop act after Skwatta Kamp, HHP and Tuks to go gold. Salute!

NEW TRACK - THE GAME'S "BIG DREAMS"

This is The Game's fresh new joint, Big Dreams, which is produced by Cool & Dre. It is taken from his upcoming album L.A.X, which according to certain sources Dr Dre has already contributed some tracks to.

Check it out!

BIGGIE, DIDDY KNEW TUPAC WILL BE AMBUSHED IN 1994

Los Angeles Times journalist Chuck Philips has more surprising allegations concerning musical icons Tupac Shakur, Notorious B.I.G. (born Christopher Wallace) and Sean "Diddy" Combs. In an article that the Times published this morning (March 17), Philips alleges that Combs and Wallace were aware, a week in advance, that Tupac would be ambushed in the 1994 shooting at New York's Quad Recording Studios, two years before he was shot and killed in Las Vegas.

"They were advised in advance of what was going to happen," Philips told MTV News on Saturday. "They did not know the assailants were going to be shooting. In fact, [the assailants] were told no shooting. But Tupac pulled a gun, and it went haywire. It was supposed to be a severe beating."

Shakur was at DJ Ron G's home laying down raps for a mixtape on November 30, 1994. He was called to Quad Studios to rap on a song by Uptown artist Little Shawn, for which he was to be paid $7,000. When Pac got to the studio, he was robbed, beaten and shot a reported five times by the assailants (although some reports say he shot himself twice accidentally). Philips' article also alleges that the main mastermind behind the Shakur setup was Jimmy "Henchman" Rosemond who currently manages a slew of artists such as the Game and Gucci Mane.

Philips said he arrived at this conclusion after years of delving into the incident. He has talked to men who he believes were directly involved in the shooting and has uncovered papers documenting an FBI investigation whose findings coincide with his research.

"The FBI talked to some criminals that said Jimmy Henchman was involved," Philips said. When reached for comment on Saturday, Rosemond said Philips' story is so ridiculous, he refused to dignify it with a remark. As Tupac's fans know, Shakur himself accused Henchman of being a part in the scheme in "Against All Odds": "And did I mention/ Promised a payback, Jimmy Henchman/ In due time/ I knew you b---- n---as was listening/ The world is mine/ Set me up/ Wet me up/ N---as stuck me up/ Heard the guns bust/ But you tricks never shut me up."

In interviews, Rosemond has gone on record saying that he played no part in the scheme. After the Quad shooting, Shakur considered Combs and Wallace bitter enemies, and their feud continued all the way until Shakur's murder in 1996. But prior to the incident, Pac was supposedly friends with the Bad Boy camp. So why would they turn a blind eye to him being set up, or play any part in it at all? Combs was unable to be reached for comment about Philips' new article, but in the wake of the Quad shooting, both Combs and Wallace appeared on MTV to deny that they had any knowledge of who shot Tupac and said that they had nothing to do with it.

In another shocking allegation, Philips said that the 1994 incident might have been meant to strong-arm Shakur into officially coming to the Bad Boy camp.
"What I believe is that Bad Boy, who was very young then — they had Craig Mack and Biggie back in '93," Philips explained. "They were a brand-new company. Puffy was trying to start his company, and they wanted other artists on this label besides those two. One of them might have been Tupac. Tupac told them no. He told a number of other people no. ... You have to remember, Puffy got a lot of money to start up Bad Boy from Arista. A lot of people wanted to get their hands on some of that money. A lot of people he hung around would do things to try to impress him."

This is not the first bombshell Phillips has dropped concerning Shakur and Wallace. In 2002, he wrote an article alleging that Wallace had offered the Crips $1 million to murder Shakur. In fact, he said Biggie was negotiating the hit on September 7, 1996, the night Tupac was shot in Las Vegas. That article was immediately refuted by Wallace's family and friends and shown to have some holes in his theories.
"We are outraged at the false and damaging statements," Wallace's family said in a statement in 2002. "For the record, Wallace was at his home in New Jersey on the night of Tupac Shakur's murder, with friends who will continue to testify for his whereabouts, since he is unable to defend himself. Both men will have no peace as long as stories such as these continue to be written."

In 2002, Voletta Wallace, Big's mother, told MTV News that she was outraged by Philips' article. "For a second, I felt that my son was just murdered [again]. My initial reaction?" she said, with anger. "I'm hurt. Somebody's attacking my son, my son who died five and a half years ago. How do I feel? I'm downright angry. I'm a mother, I'm a human being, and [Chuck Philips] is gonna attack my son that's not here to come forward and defend himself. Damn, I'm mad! ... I will find peace when myself and my lawyers deal with Chuck Philips and the L.A. Times."

Philips still stands behinds his previous story. "Yeah, I do," he maintained Saturday. "I think the story was misinterpreted. ... What I wrote in that story was that the Southside Crips were in Las Vegas, and so were the Bloods. Tupac punched a Southside Crip, and Suge's guy piled up on that guy. Those guys made a decision the minute this happened that they were going to kill him. ... You don't punch a gang member in a public place, where you're humiliating him. They were going to kill him. And they did kill him. ... Prior to this time, in the month ahead of this, the people I talked to said Biggie had asked the Southside Crips — as had other people in their crew — to kill Tupac. Southside Crips didn't take it seriously. They thought he was just talking. On this night when they decided they were going to kill Tupac, they said, 'Let's make some money out of this.' Then this transaction went down. It's almost like extortion."

Philips' theory contradicts Biggie's claims that he loved Pac. "I was living in Manhattan," Wallace's widow Faith Evans recalled in 2002 about the night Tupac died. "I was about eight months pregnant with our son C.J. The night [Tupac was shot], I remember Big calling me and crying. I know for a fact he was in Jersey. He called me crying because he was in shock. I think it's fair to say he was probably afraid, given everything that was going on at that time and all the hype that was put on this so-called beef that he didn't really have in his heart against anyone.

"I think it would be some element of fear that would kind of run through his mind," she added, "given the fact that his name was involved in a lot of the situations involving Tupac before his murder. He was already getting threatening phone calls. I'm sure for all he thought, he could be next. Which ironically, months later, he lost his life as well."

Source: MTV

NEW VIDEO - LIL WAYNE'S "LOLLIPOP"

This is Lil' Wayne's video for his new single "Lollipop". The song is taken from his highly-anticipated album "Tha Carter 3". I haven't formed an opinion about song as yet, so let us know what you think of it. Is it hot or is it garbage?

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW - HIP HOP PANTSULA

By Isaac Mahlangu

Rapper Jabulani Tsambo better known as HHP just had a fabulous 2007. His album YBA2NW sold gold, he got nominated for the MTV Europe Award and also won Strictly Come Dancing competition. He has started 2008 with a bang after winning the Star of Mzansi award. Encore caught up with him to discuss SeTswana rap, his latest offering Acceptance Speech and his star that is forever on the rise....


Q: You had a great year in 2007, with multiple award nominations including the MTV Europe nomination and you also won Strictly Come Dancing, how did that make you feel and do you regard it as the best year of your career?

A: 2007 was indeed a great year for me. I wouldn’t say it was my best year...rather I'd say it was one of my greatest years in the music biz. From a productive point of view, yes, it was my greatest year yet.

Q: You kick started your career with your high school buddies, calling yourselves Verbal Assassins, what happened to the group? Were you just teens who were merely just experimenting?

A: The group dissolved after we finished matric in '98. It wasn’t something that we thought would go on forever. We all had dreams of doing it for ourselves on the solo tip. Tebogo joined his brother, the late Iggy Smalls, to form the group Twistyle. Colin went on to join a band which later became Kwani Experience (although he didnt hang around for their first release) and Joseph carried on with his studies to become a corporate brother.

Q: Some people argue that you are now becoming more of a kwaito artist, what would be your response to that?

A: They clearly haven't heard my latest album Acceptance Speech...

Q: What is different about Acceptance Speech?

A: Its more me than what sells. Usually when you put together an album, you think about the sales and whether it will have commercial appeal. YBA2NW and this current album are the two albums where I just did my thing. And the positive response is really humbling.

Q: What would you say was the most embarrassing moment of your career?

A: At the Miss Universe pageant hosted by Jerry Springer I got asked to do a collabo with Lebo Mathosa on stage. Rehearsals went great and everything...until we went live on air. I walked out and went blank. I had forgotten all my lyrics that I was planning to use that night. I remember just mumbling something on the mic for those few minutes and walking off stage thinking "What the hell did I just do?!" I went straight to my room that day and only came out the next morning.

Q: You are one of the members of Motswako, what is really is Motswako?
A: I can say that I put Motswako on the map. But, the actual movement of Motswako was started by Stoan of Bongo Maffin back in the day. I think it was the year 1995/96. Motswako is the melting pot of creativity, style, music and art. Wyclef for instance has Reggae/Rock/Hip Hop and R&B influences all jumbled together in his music. Not that sometimes he does Reggae/Rock/ Hip Hop or R&B. He does them all at once. That my friend, is Motswako. I mix kwaito/hip hop/jazz/gospel and funk in my music. Others use different genres all together.

Q: Was it not difficult to convince record label executives to believe in SeTswana rap music?

A: Well, at the time when I joined, Zulu was the most common language of command in the music industry and I did receive a lot of pressure to try change the language I rap in. But, because I was/am so good, they tolerated it until the rest of the country did.

Q: I understand you are now getting into acting, how did that come about?

A: I was the chairman of my High School's drama club in 1998. My passion for acting started in theatre. After High School I studied film at Allemby and later finished at the Wits University. It was at wits that I did my first "acting" job on camera. It was for a movie called Hladini shot for international release only. I was the lead supporting actor and I played a ruthless rebel leader of Liberia called Prince Johnson. My next gig was for City Sesla the sitcom which I quite enjoyed. Now, Ive been asked to take part in the fast growing soap Rhythm City. Although Its unlike all my other acting jobs. This time I play myself.

Q: Do you believe in street cred and how do you define street cred?

A: Street Cred is all about staying relevant to the masses (the people who buy your music). Street Cred is partly the reason why I am where I am today.

Q: Who do you think is SA's most under-rated rapper?

A: Well, I have two in my opinion. Mzambiya( Yes, Mzambiya the kwaito guy) and the latest Hip Hop release F-EEZY. I had the privilage of hearing these two guys rap nine-nine and I was blown away.

Q: Would you engage in rap battles?

A: No. Rap battles are a platform to sharpen your skill for the mainstream rap industry. I've passed that stage.

Q: You released an album Omang but a year later Omang Reloaded was also released, what was that about?

A: After I released Omang, I recorded Harambe. The song that I now regard as my biggest offering ever. I also recorded Tswaka which also became my biggest 'street' song. Now, I had two choices. Either I wait 18months to release those songs or I just do it. I JUST DID IT. Im planning to reload another one of my albums in the future. Look out.


Q: What do you think is your best song ever and why?

A: Well that depends...best song for me or the best song for the people? I would say (judging from my shows), the best song I've ever done is Harambe. The best song I've ever done for mewould have to be the track from my latest album Acceptance Speech called Wayza. The reason why I rate both these songs as the best, is because they are purely original. No sample or influence what so ever.

Q: You have a huge following in the country, how do you handle groupies?

A: I handle them a day at a time.

Q: What are the challenges facing Mzansi hip hop?

A: Knowing the business behind the music. All we know is how to rap. Now, we need to know how to make a living from that.

SUPERMODEL "TOO BLACK" FOR SA MAGS

International supermodel Oluchi Onweagba says she has been snubbed by some top South African magazines — because they won’t put blacks on their covers.

The Nigerian-born beauty, who won the first Face of Africa competition in 1997, claims that local editions of Glamour and GQ magazine — which belong to the Condé Nast Independent Magazines stable — refused to have her on their covers because she is black.

Oluchi said: “As a Nigerian and an African I have done so much in my career to represent everything African in Western countries. There is a diverse group of people in South Africa, be it black, white, Asian.
‘‘What baffles me is them saying they can’t put a black person on the cover of the South African edition.”

She said GQ had scheduled an editorial shoot with her in Cape Town but cancelled at the last minute. A GQ South Africa insider revealed that the magazine has never had a black model on its cover.

GQ editor Craig Tyson said: “I am not responsible for bookings, my creative director is, so I will have to consult him before making a comment.”
Oluchi admitted that though she could not make the date for a Glamour shoot, this was used as an excuse to exclude her, even though she was willing to reschedule.

Pnina Fenster, editor of Glamour magazine, said: “We were desperate to shoot her, but it was most unfortunate that she was not available on certain dates.
‘‘We would be crazy to turn her down, but she was otherwise engaged.”

Fenster added that Glamour had booked a photographer who had previously worked with Oluchi. The New York-based model has graced the cover of the Italian edition of Vogue, was selected as a Victoria’s Secret “Angel” and has walked the ramp in New York, Paris and Milan for top international designers, including John Galliano, Christian Dior and Giorgio Armani.

Andy Davis, the former editor of SL Magazine, a student publication aimed at 19 to 24- year-olds, said he left the magazine because it was “not representative enough”.

“I am not surprised by Oluchi’s statements. There is an unwritten dogma in the consumer magazines industry that black covers don’t sell. The lack of frequency of black covers proves this, unless it’s a magazine like True Love."

In the late 90s, people buying magazines were your white, upper-LSM audience and publishers did not want to lose that market.”

Davis said that, though there were “token [black] covers”, the publishing industry needed to take risks and be proud to be African. SL Magazine’s current editor, Louise Gamble, admitted that there have been “very few black covers over the past 15 years”.

“I’m going to put my neck on the block here and say that we have not been representative enough in terms of covers, writers and contributors.” Oluchi said magazine editors should fight for change. She said Brazilian and eastern European models were appearing on the covers of South African magazines and “making it big internationally”.

Oluchi said: “Their careers are given a huge boost. Why can’t the same be done for girls from Africa? If you pick up Vogue India everything about it, from the first page to the last, is very Indian.

‘‘I would like to see that in South Africa. They [magazines] need to embrace diversity and show more love.”
Oluchi arrived in Johannesburg last week to model for fashion labels Marianne Fassler, Sun Goddess and Stoned Cherrie at the Johannesburg Fashion Week.

She said: “I’m down here to help the [local] fashion industry the best that I can … it’s nice to support the fashion industry.

“It doesn’t give me joy to pick up a copy of South African GQ and feel like I’m reading American GQ,” Oluchi said.

Source: The Times


[Ed's note: Having worked in the publishing industry for a number of years now, I unequivocally share the sentiments expressed by Oluchi. If you want evidence of how biased magazine editors and publishers are, all you have to do is take a closer look at the newsstands. Magazines such as FHM, GQ, Elle and Fairlady rarely feature a black cover, despite the fact that a large percentage of their readers are black. As an avid reader of GQ I can honestly state that I'm disgusted at the fact that they have such a low regard for black models and cover subjects. It goes without saying that they have just lost a loyal reader.

What do you guys think about this issue: does it matter that these magazines don't feature black covers? Should we continue supporting them or should we shun them until they transform? Please write to me at nickk@encoremag.co.za and I will publish your comments in their entirety in a follow-up article]

VIDEO - SLIKOUR "UMSINDO" REMIX

Y'all need to check this out. After the huge popularity of Slikour's "Umsindo", the second single from Ventilation Mixtape Vol. 2, he decided to assemble a crazy supporting cast made up of Brickz, Bleksem, Mr. Selwyn, Kwela Tebza, Shuggasmaxx and Tdo for the remixed version. They performed the track on LIVE on SABC 1 a month ago. Check it out!

LAURYN HILL MIGHT PLAY RITA MARLEY IN FILM

According to stories making their way in the media, Rita Marley is apparently desperate for singer Lauryn Hill to portray her on screen in the first-ever biopic of her late husband, reggae icon Bob Marley.

Marley is working as executive producer on the big-screen adaptation of her 2004 autobiography No Woman No Cry: My Life with Bob Marley--and has her sights set on casting the former Fugees frontwoman, her daughter-in-law, in the chronicle of her tumultuous 15-year marriage to the musician.

She explains, "Lauryn would be ideal (to play me). She sees my life as her life."

Bob Marley's son Rohan--with former lover Janet Hunt--is married to the "Everything Is Everything" hitmaker, who has been largely absent from the music scene following her hit 1998 debut solo album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.

The as-yet-untitled project is slated to begin filming early next year.