NO. 2 - THE RICHEST PEOPLE IN HIP HOP

By Kopano Marumo

50 Cent
Dollar Status - $440 Million (R3.08 Billion)
Portfolio – G-Unit Records, G-Unit Clothing, sneakers, Formula 50 Vitamin water, Videogames, G-Unit Books and more

Not only has Diddy been head-butted from the number one position, he must also bow down to a man who built his empire in a record seven years.

It seems like yesterday when 50 Cent was rapping "Hey Shawty, it's your birthday/ We gonna part like it's your birthday..." Just last year, Eminem's protégé, had just made it onto the Top Ten with his $100 million bullet-scarred head.

After Glaceau, the mineral water company, was sold to Coca-Cola for a reported $4 BILLION, Fif's 10% stake in the company netted him a cool $100 million, propelling him 7 spots up this chart. Fif may not be the most respected MC but he sure knows how to make money work for him.

Even veteran Mary J. Blige is asking him for financial advice. His G-Unit mini-conglomerate is diversified through a hip hop clique, sneakers, clothing, ringtones, and a solo career spanning over three multi-platinum selling albums (over 20 million copies sold overall).

Corporates, such as Reebok, aren't put off by the fact that he has been shot nine times. In fact, it only adds to his allure. The best-selling video-game 50 Cent: Bulletproof is available for the XBox, PS2 and PSP consoles. Then there's his energy drink Formula 50 and once you’ve acquired the required stamina, there's of cause the condom range for those "Magic Stick/Candy Shop/Amusement Park" moments.

Fif is no actor but he already commands $3, 5 million a film, after just three movies. He also gets paid half-a-million dollars per show performed overseas. He is also due to sell his mansion that previously belonged to fallen boxer Mike Tyson. That should see him gain another pretty penny, at least in the region of $10 million.

He is a money-making machine and he's "laughing straight to the bank with this...” I guess he wasn’t joking when he said he’d “Get Rich or Die Tryin’”.

I KEEP THINKING OF YOU CHE GUEVERA

It’s been 40 years since the revolutionary Ernesto Guevara de la Serna, otherwise famously known as Che Guevera, was executed by the Bolivian army that was supported by the CIA and the U.S. Army Special Forces. After his death, Guevara became an icon of socialist revolutionary movements and a key figure of modern pop culture worldwide. An Alberto Korda photo of him (shown) has received wide distribution and modification, appearing on t-shirts, protest banners, and in many other formats. The Maryland Institute College of Art called this picture "the most famous photograph in the world and a symbol of the 20th century.” We asked Zenzile Khoisan, a famed journalist and poet, to usher a few words in commemoration of Che:



I keep thinking of you Che Guevara

I keep thinking of you, Che Guevara,
as we walk the perilous path of transition.

I keep thinking of you, Che, every time I pass a school,
every time I look at the progeny of the passive resistant fifties, the
conspiratorial sixties, the fiery seventies, the ferocious eighties, the
really crimson early nineties, and the dawning of a new dawn with our
reconciled miracle.

I keep thinking of you Che, every time I pass a Cuba cafe, your picture
adorned on restaurants I cannot afford, your image, like Coca Cola,
globalised.

I keep thinking of you Che, every time another war breaks out and the body
count grows without a major internationalist campaign, to stop the crimson
tide.

I keep thinking of you Che, thinking of the ease with which those crafted
in your image rose to the challenge of Addis Ababa, Hargeesa, Ho Chi Mihn
City, the long fight to challenge the excesses of the Latin Oligarch.

I keep thinking of you Che, every time, my asthma acts up, every time I am
astounded at the idiocy of television commercials, do they really think we
are all five years old.

I keep thinking of you Che, every time I am reminded that we are just past
first base because of bombs rained on Zimbabwe, sacrifices of Zambian
peasants, Ruth first succumbing to the evil schemes of Botha's emissaries.

I keep thinking of you Che, every time America tortures another Iraqi, to
show who is the real guardian of a negotiated morality.

I keep thinking of you Che, every time I remember that the cages on Robben
Island were unlocked by Cuban sacrifice at Cuito Carnivale.

I keep thinking of you Che, every time I buy an overpriced cigar, or watch
a human reaching for breath in a damp squatter camp because of TB

I keep thinking of you Che, and wondering ...

Are you really the international symbol of our spirit of never surrendering
to the IMF, the World Bank, the temples of capital and human sacrifice..

Are you a face on a T shirt, like the fading, drug fatigued stars that help
the punch drunk keep the rhythm alive.

Are you still ready to go to Bolivia, Kinshasa, the West Bank, Harare.

I keep thinking of you Che, and wondering if tomorrow can really really
help us through our present quandary, guide us through the travel scam, the
devoured pieces of our idealism, help us raise that tattered flag of those
who still believe.

I am listening, Che, if you are on line...

Could you please log on, with your revolutionary salutation, and, ag man,
just a small bit of advice on how to really braai a fish.

Zenzile.

A LOVE FOR DARFUR – THE CONCERT

Since 2003 the Darfur region in Sudan, a fellow African country has been plunged into a bloody and disturbing conflict that has seen 200,000 people killed and 2 million displaced according to U.N figures. In scenes frightfully resembling Rwanda, villages have been depopulated, looted, burnt to the ground; non-combatants have suffered dismemberment and brutal killings at the hand of militias.

Acclaimed South African artist, Tumi Molekane together with fellow South African musicians are currently making a public appeal to raise awareness about the plight of the Sudanese people and to assist in providing funds to purchase supplies, medication and food for those who are displaced.

‘A Love for Dar4ur’, a concert taking place on Saturday, 15 September 2007 at Bassline in Newtown, Johannesburg will see some of South Africa’s best artists unite in showing solidarity to the plight of the people of Darfur, in raising awareness and much needed financial support for tents and vital food supplies. Also a secondary aim is to demystify the idea of benefits or charity, to simplify the process of which one could change a reality by just participating

The breath-taking confirmed line-up include Tumi & the Volume , 340ml, Tumi & Papercutt, Zubz, Khethi, Kerryn Rogers , HHP, Levi pon de Mic, Njthapedi, Slikour, DJ Kenzhero, Siphokazi, Koldproduk and DJ Bionic.

A series of Public Service Announcements (PSAs) will be initiated following the ‘A Love of Dafur’ concert. The PSAs will feature some of South Africans finest actors, television personalities, radio presenters, musicians and high profiled personalities who have been moved by this issue.These PSA’s feature Lebo Mashile, Sello Maake ka Ncube, Kyla of Freshly Ground, Sugar Smaxx of Skwatta Kamp, Andile Carelse, Akin Omotoso, Siphokazi, Lira, Lee Kasumba, Chris Cube, Toni Goroga, 340ml, Khethi and they were directed by Vincent Moloi and will be flighted for the first time at the event.

Tumi appeals to his fellow South Africans ‘I am not a soldier, nor am I an aid worker. I am an artist making music inspired greatly by the beauty and troubled disturbances of this soil. Let’s get together and extend our voices to help heal Dafur, every step counts’.

The world renowned GIFT OF THE GIVERS FOUNDATION (www.gift ofthegivers.org) are to administer the proper distribution of the monies that will be raised and fly the supplies into the Darfur Region.

So show your love for the people of Darfur by supporting this wonderful event.

See you there!!

REMEMBERING STEVE BANTU BIKO

Steve Bantu Biko, who died on this very same day (12 September) 30 years ago, was a noted anti-apartheid activist in Mzansi in the 1960s and early 1970s. A student leader, he later founded the Black Consciousness Movement which would empower and mobilize much of the urban black population. Since his death in police custody, he has been called a martyr of the anti-apartheid movement. While living, his writings and activism attempted to empower blacks (and succeeded by many accounts), and he was famous for his slogan "black is beautiful", which he described as meaning: "man, you are okay as you are, begin to look upon yourself as a human being". We asked Zenzile Khoisan, a renowned journalist and cultural thinker, to put together a poem in commemoration of Steve Bantu Biko:

FOR BIKO, AN EVERGREEN SIGNPOST ON A BEAUTIFUL JOURNEY

Three decades have now passed, the blood has dried
on cell 619, but the searing image of your defiance
dignified rejection of mediocrity, eloquent counterpoint
to book burners, intellectual savages, residents of the abyss

Bantu Steven Biko, brilliant lighthouse illuminating the path
in confusing, turbulent times, your simple credo, of self respect
still stirs the embers of our resistant, idealistic souls
we refuse to dismount for charlatans, carpetbaggers

Biko, father of the South African conscience
field marshall of what's left of the pieces of a precious dream
fortress of our resolve, our spirit of no surrender
Your were, and evermore remain, the real thing.

Zenzile Khoisan

[Zenzile Khoisan is a published author and poet. He currently serves as the Editor of arts and culture magazine, Rootz Africa]


Famous Quotes from Steve Biko

"The logic behind white domination is to prepare the black man for the subservient role in this country. Not so long ago this used to be freely said in parliament, even about the educational system of the black people. It is still said even today, although in a much more sophisticated language. To a large extent the evil-doers have succeeded in producing at the output end of their machine a kind of black man who is man only in form. This is the extent to which the process of dehumanisation has advanced." — "We Blacks"

"The most potent weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed." — "White Racism and Black Consciousness", in I Write What I Like

"It is better to die for an idea that will live, than to live for an idea that will die."

"The system concedes nothing without demand, for it formulates its very method of operation on the basis that the ignorant will learn to know, the child will grow into an adult and therefore demands will begin to be made. It gears itself to resist demands in whatever way it sees fit." — "The Quest for a True Humanity",

"In time, we shall be in a position to bestow on South Africa the greatest possible gift—a more human face."White Racism and Black Consciousness", in I Write What I Like


Steve Biko's internationally renowned book "I Write What I Like" can be found in all good bookstores around the country.

A SKILLZ EXCLUSIVE GIG THIS FRIDAY

By Nick Kaoma

It’s that time again in CT when hip hop brethren are called upon to congregate at the Hip Hop Church of Zula to celebrate and honour the underground icons that have sacrificed their lives in the name of the art that is …. Rhyme-slaying.

The last time a Skillz Exclusives gig took place, J-Sec MCee Proverb alongside Ill-Literate-Skill and Driemanskaap mesmerized the jam-packed crowd at Zula Bar in Long Street. The tiny venue was bursting at the seams with heads eager to witness cutting-edge Mzansi hip hop as performed by the above-mentioned trio.

This time around, a bigger line-up has been put together with Hymphatic Thabs and Archetypes added to the bill that would obviously feature headliners Driemanskaap and Ill-Literate-Skill, so there is absolutely no reason for you not to be there, dear hip hop lover.

The show will also be carried by the delectable skills of Romz Deluxe and Nick Knuckles on the turntables.

So peep into Zula Bar on Long Street this Friday (14 Sept. 07) and check out the best in CT hip hop. Doors open at 20h00. R30 cover charge.

UNCUT POETRY FOR THE MASSES

By Qhama Dayile

It takes place in one of the most unique venues around, a glass
tunnel above the road. On a night it features more performers than any
other session in Cape Town. What is it? UNCUT Poetry. It has been running irregularly for the past 3 yrs. It was created out of a need for poetry sessions that were not just a side track to a hip-hop gig. It was also formed with the aim of debunking the stupendous myth that alleges that poetry sessions are simply an over-celebrated gathering of escapist romantics lamenting over their lost loves.

UNCUT, as it’s popularly known, has dealt with issues from identity, crime, politics and may others that are pertinent to the youth today. Although UNCUT does not necessarily dictate or share views with the artists who perform at the gig, it has a collective objective which has to do with Progressive Critical Thinking, that is, looking deeper into how the dynamics of our society affect us. But not questioning for the sake of questioning, also looking for answers. The aim is to present this mindset not as once-upon-a-night event, but as a way of
life.

So much of the above is entrenched in the UNCUT philosophy that it moulded
it into more than just a poetry session. An example of this is a part of the session called "OFF THE MIC". The thinking behind this is simple: not everyone who comes to a session is a performer, but EVERYBODY has something to say.

It is during “OFF THE MIC” that anybody wishing to express their thoughts as per theme gets a chance to do so. It is this and other elements that continue to draw crowds to the session for a unique experience in raw, soul-stirring, street level spoken thought.

The UNCUT sessions, which start at 5pm, will take place at The Brige on the CPUT Cape Town campus on Tenant Street this Friday (14 September 2007). For more information call (076) 633 7239.

Come experience cutting-edge poetry like no other!

[Ed's note: If there is anything exciting and culturally relevant that is taking place in your hometown, send some info to the publisher at nickk@encoremag.co.za]

NO. 3 - THE RICHEST PEOPLE IN HIP HOP

By Kopano Marumo

DIDDY (Sean Combs)
Dollar Status - $346 Million (R2.422 Billion)
Portfolio – Sean John clothing, Bad Boy Entertainment Group, Unforgivable cologne, Justin Restaurants, Real Estate and others

While others have expanded their wealth by a bucket load, Diddy can only claim to have added “just” $12 million to his name since last year.

It takes more than that to hold on to the pole position. And his best-selling fragrance "Unforgivable" could only do so much, once the brouhaha had died down. He can’t be happy with being below Fif, especially after losing Mase to G-Unit.

With no energy drink or sneakers, we could see the Bad Boy slipping further. Ok, maybe not. He still has his restaurants, a TV and film production company, a $300 million clothing line, and he pocketed a cool $29 million after he sold 50% of his record label to the Warner Music Group.

His Bad Boy brand has ironically added class to the game. Diddy likes the finer things in life and that kinder charm has the potential to attract plenty deals. Diddy should look into that in between earning more than a million dollars a month for being a producer, recording label executive, clothing designer, reality TV star and actor.