SLIKOUR LEAVING SKWATTA KAMP?

By Nick Kaoma

The rumour mill has been spinning extra hard in the music biz in the past couple of days. The issue that has gotten groupies and journalists excited is the apparent departure of Slikour [real name Siya Metane] from his long-time group Skwatta Kamp.

At first glance, such rumours might seem far-fetched considering that not only is Slik a co-founder and leader of the group, but he is extremely close to most of the fellas. It will almost be like RZA leaving Wu-Tang Clan, strange neh? But any savvy individual would also be cognisant of the fact that a highly ambitious person such as Slik can and should be able to make moves that elevate him in the game. The next level in this instance might be pushing his solo thing full-time with the aim of becoming a lucrative and easily marketable brand.

One of Slikour’s icons, Jay-Z, did the same thing. After enjoying a 10 year fruitful partnership with Dame Dash and Kareem “Biggs” Burke under the Rockefeller umbrella, Jigga went his separate way, which as we have consistently reported here on Encore has been quite lucrative for him (see “Jay-Z signs landmark $150 million music deal).

So in order to put all rumours to rest, I personally called Slikour up to seek clarity on the matter. In quite an interesting conversation, I posed various questions which were met with satisfactory but well-rehearsed answers. The first question I asked was obviously, “Have you left Skwatta Kamp?” The media-savvy artist/businessman answered with those dreadful words that a journalist never wants to hear, “Eh, I don’t have ever a comment at this stage”. I pressed nevertheless, “Encore readers are worried about this issue, when can they expect clarity on this matter?” He promptly replied, “A week from now”.

It doesn’t take a genius to surmise from the above that the brother is definitely about to make a move. Sources tell me that he’ll be appearing on SABC 1’s Live tonight where he’ll reveal everything.

Since I had him on the phone, I decided to make the most of the opportunity by asking him about his latest album, “Ventilation Mixtape Vol. 2”, and how it’s fared. “The album is doing very well”, he offered. “It’s definitely fared better than the previous one. What I’ve appreciated most about it is that various songs have been receiving strong airplay on an array of radio stations thus proving the versatility of the sound”.

In this not-so-pleasant climate of hip hop where talented veterans such as Mr. Selwyn have quit the industry to go work at a call centre selling insurance products, I had to ask this self-proclaimed hustler if he’s frustrated at the game. “Of course, there are times when I am frustrated at certain things, but at the same time it is not just the hip hop scene that is frustrating, the whole music industry can be quite depressing in a way. However nothing positive ever comes out of frustration, you just have keep doing your thang”, he said. Fair enough!

He further stated that he has no intention of quitting the music business and that he sees himself working with more corporate brands to help them reach their audience.

Whatever comes Siya’s way, I’m positive that he’ll not only make it but he’ll succeed beyond people’s expectations, because he’s just a HUSTLER like that!