Only The Illest, or O.T.I., was an idea long before it was an actuality.
This idea began in 2008 from a project that Isaac (Taurus the Mind) Kotane decided to undertake, which was to gather the hottest raw and overlooked Hip-Hop and soul talent that Pretoria had to offer and compile it all into an 'Only The Illest' movement. This was aimed to be a Hip-Hop compilation of a mammoth scale which would be released annually. At this point the thought of a united group had not come into the picture at all.
Taurus and Lwazi Molepo were the only two at this point, and they began looking for the potentials that they would want involved in the project. 'Scouting' began on the streets, listening for who was coming up, then at the Writers Forum poetry sessions - which a lot of MC's would attend since there were no formal ciphers at that time - and later, in 2009, the cyphers (Capital Cyph) that Taurus and Lwazi started up, managed and organized. The unique aspect of Capital Cyph was that it did not only include the Hip-Hop elements, but also included singers, poets, live instruments etc., Most of which was “free-styled”. This was a breeding ground of mind-blowing talent and a recipe for amazing things.
It was at these ciphers that most of the current O.T.I. members were discovered and came together, including J.Smallz, Lake Flow, Lyrical TIP, V-Way, and Skivvy G, to name a few.
Other members were gained through association. To name just a few of them: La Reine Bee who came over to Maps and J.Smallz place, during the days when Kapow Studios was being run from there. Maestro (currently completing Actuarial science at UP) was the younger brother of a friend of Taurus's who showed explosive talent. Long time friend and fellow musician Ekene “Kenny BIG Dealz” Onwu (Actuary), Nigerian born artist and amazing pianist who also jammed with Taurus and Lwazi in the early days also joined the organisation. Portia “Nefertiti (Nef)” Thema came to us through the poetry sessions, and composer extraordinaire Tshepo “Quick-Pick” Tsotetsi joined after a jam with O.T.I. at the Musiaon at the University of Pretoria in preparation for a show.
Together they found that they fuelled one another's passion and inspiration, and so decided to stick together, organizing events and performances as a unit. This was by the beginning of 2010, but still they did not have a name for this giant new breed of crew that was taking form right before they're eyes. This was mainly because they didn't see themselves as a singular group, per se, but rather as a platform of many different singular entities and already established groups.
After a performance day at Monash University, it was brought forward that they had to decide on some form of name. Capital Cyph was brought up first and was used for a short time, but on discussion Lwazi suggested the name O.T.I. which everyone seemed to agree with, and so it stuck.
O.T.I. itself is not really a group, but a platform used by the artists within to promote and push them towards their goals, through the pooling of resources, contacts, talents, expertise etc.; as it was realized that more could be accomplished together, working as a singularly driven force rather than working alone.
OTI recently released an digital street album entitled GMETCM – GiveMeEverythingThatCostMoney which received much appraisal and 1500 downloads in a month from one of their download outlets on mediafire.
HopeBoysClub aka HBC : The Hope of OTI
The Hope Boys Club - or HBC is a crew that makes African Conscious Cool hip-hop music, founded in 2009 with up to 9 years combined musical experience; that brings together the diverse elements of the genre in a soulful and energetic blend that invigorates the senses. With a spectrum of skills that include song writing and music production, the group deals with a wide range of topics from love to lifting one's self out of poverty, each song holds an ultimately positive and uplifting message, while remaining light hearted and listenable.
Currently 2 of the members (Isaac “Taurus” Kotane and Tsepo “VWAY” Nkamba Van Wyk) are studying and completing production diplomas at Emendy Sound Technologies, while the lead singer Amelia is currently studying drama and theatre.
HBC is currently play listed on Y-fm, Metro-fm, Ikwekwezi-fm, VOW-fm and M-fm and are currently busy with a studio EP called Tswekere. The brand the band portrays in its music is one of positivity, happiness, feel good and diverse expression of themselves as each member is completely different from each other. They formed the group as an alternative to the negativity in hip-hop and combined their years of rap, hip-hop, culture, education, talent and resources together to form this band which has excelled tremendously.
The HBC target market is everyone as their music transcends age and time. The main market that has responded the best though to our potential is people between the ages of 22-45 and ofcourse the kids.
List of artist we have shared the stage with
• Deep Level ( Stagenights)
• Hydro (Monash Beer Fest)
• Khuli Chana
• Shuga Smaxx ( Slaghuis event)
• Slikour (Stagenights)
• AKA (Moloko)
• 985 (Zanzu Night Club)
• Ras (House 22)
• Nveigh (House 22)
• Black Les (House 22)
• Last Days Fam (House 28)
Member of Only The Illest- O.T.I ->www.facebook.com/OnlyTheIllest.OTI ,
After a performance day at Monash University, it was brought forward that they had to decide on some form of name. Capital Cyph was brought up first and was used for a short time, but on discussion Lwazi suggested the name O.T.I. which everyone seemed to agree with, and so it stuck.
O.T.I. itself is not really a group, but a platform used by the artists within to promote and push them towards their goals, through the pooling of resources, contacts, talents, expertise etc.; as it was realized that more could be accomplished together, working as a singularly driven force rather than working alone.
OTI recently released an digital street album entitled GMETCM – GiveMeEverythingThatCostMoney which received much appraisal and 1500 downloads in a month from one of their download outlets on mediafire.
HopeBoysClub aka HBC : The Hope of OTI
The Hope Boys Club - or HBC is a crew that makes African Conscious Cool hip-hop music, founded in 2009 with up to 9 years combined musical experience; that brings together the diverse elements of the genre in a soulful and energetic blend that invigorates the senses. With a spectrum of skills that include song writing and music production, the group deals with a wide range of topics from love to lifting one's self out of poverty, each song holds an ultimately positive and uplifting message, while remaining light hearted and listenable.
Currently 2 of the members (Isaac “Taurus” Kotane and Tsepo “VWAY” Nkamba Van Wyk) are studying and completing production diplomas at Emendy Sound Technologies, while the lead singer Amelia is currently studying drama and theatre.
HBC is currently play listed on Y-fm, Metro-fm, Ikwekwezi-fm, VOW-fm and M-fm and are currently busy with a studio EP called Tswekere. The brand the band portrays in its music is one of positivity, happiness, feel good and diverse expression of themselves as each member is completely different from each other. They formed the group as an alternative to the negativity in hip-hop and combined their years of rap, hip-hop, culture, education, talent and resources together to form this band which has excelled tremendously.
The HBC target market is everyone as their music transcends age and time. The main market that has responded the best though to our potential is people between the ages of 22-45 and ofcourse the kids.
List of artist we have shared the stage with
• Deep Level ( Stagenights)
• Hydro (Monash Beer Fest)
• Khuli Chana
• Shuga Smaxx ( Slaghuis event)
• Slikour (Stagenights)
• AKA (Moloko)
• 985 (Zanzu Night Club)
• Ras (House 22)
• Nveigh (House 22)
• Black Les (House 22)
• Last Days Fam (House 28)
Member of Only The Illest- O.T.I ->www.facebook.com/OnlyTheIllest.OTI ,
