One could refer to it as “Sibling Rivalry”, a feud that has existed since Hip-hop gave birth to its second born, “the main stream” child. But like everything else, fights also evolve and what were known as “street corner battles and ciphers” have now become fully organised rap battle leagues that are becoming more and more popular in the South African hip-hop scene. E-magazine First, had the opportunity to interview Gin I Grindith, an MC who needs no introduction to the above mentioned, if you are wondering who this is, check your local hip-hop collection for a man named Gin I Grindith and tell me you didn’t know meat is healthy in his side of town…
FISHER: It is a known fact that the underground hip-hop industry in South Africa is a huge market but it is not a lucrative one, though it hosts huge potentials of being the biggest and most profitable sector of our music industry. With this said, what makes you “keep keeping on” with your art and your chosen style of hip-hop?
GIN I: Its not that we choosing a style, its a style thats developed and grown over the years. Most shit today is generic. Its a copy of a copy. Its a style for now and played out tomorrow. We dont want to be those people. We do this because its what we are, its all we know. We live in what we do, its got nothing to do with wealth, its got to do with a culture and a spirit amongst conscious heads and being true to what hip hop is. Its a voice and a powerful weapon.. thats why the media and corporations bought it.. they knew what the repercussions were an empowered youth, so they came in to switch it on itself. We are the balance of the true, juxtaposing the false ideas of what is now the industry. We are independent of mainstream conformity.
FISHER: The previous question was asked so that the readers and I could get an understanding of where you draw your persevering spirit, seeing that most of the rappers and Mc’s who were introduced to the market round about the same time as you, have either “sold out” to the “new generation” type of rap, got a 9-5, or they now roam the streets as “has-beens”. This then brings me to my next question, how do you view the current state of hip-hop in South Africa?
GIN I: Right now you have industry and you have what the industry calls the underground. I dont really give a fuck about either of them. I dont care about all these labels kids give shit these days.. The hip hop scene is developing on both levels.. On an industry level all the clones are being pushed to flaunt the new trends and fashions, and the ‘underground’ in itself is growing and becoming more organised and business minded in itself. It has a far greater potential to benefit off itself than commercial rap does. So for now its on its path, but i dont really concern myself too much with that shit.
Article by Gratitude Fisher
Edited by Nyiko Baloyi
Many thanks to Gin I Grindith from the EMagazine First team
awesome!!!! i love this dude...hope he keeps rocking!!
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