Friday, 16 August 2013

EXCLUSIVE: INTERVIEW WITH KINCEE (USA)




Written by Gratitude Fisher for EMagazine First
And it came to pass that the 2012 apocalypse was another world-end myth. The prophets 
now say that 2013 will be the year in which we see the “Emancipation of Analog”. 
EMagazine First got the opportunity to share thoughts with  Kincee(USA) and find out a
 little bit more about his music, projects close to his heart and what more he has in-store
 for us.
FISHER: Who is Kincee? Outside of the boombap rap slaps hip-hop lyricist?-

KINCEE: Outside of the music I would mostly define myself as a conscious individual of the universe, a father and one who’s always looking to embrace knowledge.


FISHER: “A friend of mine always says definition of style is definition of self”.  Now I know you define your music as that of the Golden Era of Hip-hop, when we could still feel the real in the lyrics and the beat. How would you define your style and who or what has been your great influence?- 

KINCEE: My style’s definition would be of many, it mostly depends on the texture of the beat and indeed my moods at the particular moment, my style is at most Genesis style of my own.


FISHER: Break-away into solo careers are common among hip-hop crews, what lead you to leave “Silent Hornetz” and pursue a solo career? – 

KINCEE: Mostly a lot of negative energy; you know without going into specific details I felt at that particular moment it was best for me to part ways from the group. I was solo before the group had formed, it was me that had connected with CG Muzik and introduced him to other cats out the group, I wish them the best of luck and success. As for the other member their history states a lot about their being.


FISHER: I mean “Emancipation of Analog” is a great album with some of my favourite tracks such as Shine, Jade, Struggle and Time. Would you guys come together to release another brilliant “file”? – 
KINCEE: At this moment I can’t really say, I’m really enjoying what I have accomplished on my own without the group. And pure as it was that was a great album.


FISHER: I listened to your albums Prayer for peace and Art of Sound vol 1, and I got that militant feeling that most of us are forced into, in order for us to stay true to our art… tracks like Scriptures, Frontin’ and Shine inspire me to Soldier on…what keeps you going throughout the evolution of hip-hop? – 

KINCEE: Staying true to myself and defining HipHop as an outlet, you know I’ve been to combat so that warzone mindestate will forever be within me, no matter the day and age. I choose to pay no attention to the negative positive thoughts only brings about positive outcomes.  




FISHER: The Half the Sky Movement is a project close to your heart…what is it and how are you involved? How can other artists get involved? –  

KINCEE: The half the Sky movement is an organization I decided to donate proceeds of downloads from my reverbnation account to, from my understanding it’s a charity.


FISHER: Getting personal: I realised you don’t have a lot of love songs, what’s up with that? -   
KINCEE: LOVE SONGS!   I can explain! I have a few that’s not yet released on any projects as of yet.


FISHER: What else do you love doing outside of hip-hop? Interests? – 

KINCEE: Outside of the music I enjoy reading , I also meditate when I can , mostly spending a lot of time and energy into my other profession as a computer engineer.


FISHER: Are we seeing you in South Africa anytime soon? – 

KINCEE: Yes hopefully real soon, Projektah and I have been putting a lot of time into mapping out a time frame for a tour of that side.


FISHER: A break from your music…what are your views on the world’s chaos? – 

KINCEE: The world is as the men who designed it to be destructive. Power, Slavery, Debt, Greed, and so on this is what they wanted for us and this is what they got. Things will never change until the new age comes along.


FISHER: The following and last question has become a standard in our Emagazine First interviews…Please complete the following:

We would need to___________ as a people, for peace to finally embrace us.

KINCEE: Accept one another
 

 FISHER: Music is _________________________.


KINCEE: More than anything life has to offer the world
 
"Thanks for giving me the opportunity to give you a bit of insight. I’m currently working with a lot of producers and artist always looking to extend and network with individuals. For features or booking info I can be contacted via email at kincee1@yahoo.com (serious inquiries only)! You can also reach me on twitter @therealkincee and also on facebook." KinCee


Thursday, 25 July 2013

GIG REVIEW: HIPNOTIK YOUTH FESTIVAL 2013 (SWAZILAND)

Written by Bon bon
Photography by Nyiko Baloyi And Kagiso Phiri



If, by definition of the title, Hipnotik is anything to go by, my first trip to the Kingdom of Swaziland with the Emagazine First team (joined by other South African media) then the Hypnotik Youth Music Festival is one event which I am quite certain that myself and other individuals who witnessed this fine Swaziland outing, had a night none of us are soon to forget.


 

The stars of Swaziland shone new perspective not only to the young and vibrant residents of the Kingdom, but also the Jo'burg team took home quite some unforgettable experiences. Even days after the turn out of Hipnotik, which was hosted at the famous House on Fire on July 6 2013, there's a string of hypnosis still buzzing in my head.
Sakhile Nkambule who is the founder and director of Swazi Jive (a professional fashion and entertainment enterprise) also heads the Hipnotik Youth Music Festival together with other art-loving individuals, and as friends, work together with their different skills to head projects such as the ArtReach project.
ArtReach is a non-profit organization rooted in developing fine arts in Swaziland and branching out to rest of the Southern parts of Africa. Sakhile heads a team of 6 other members namely:
Lindelo Dlamini- Swazi Jive co-founder
Buhle Makhubu- Hipnotik Festival sponsorship manager
Mvuyo Nxumalo- Hipnotik Festival social media manager
Zwakele Hlanze- Hipnoyik Festival brand strategist
Thabiso Makhubu- Hipnoyik Festival South African media manager
Zamahkubie Dlamini- Hipnotik Festival sponsorship manager




When the young bloods from the Kingdom of Swaziland come out to play at night, they support in vast numbers dressed like it’s a night of royalty; fashion show in the latest trends and  their hearts and arms wide open in the air for local and international acts as they blazed the stage through the cold breeze under the moonlight in an elegantly decorated open space of House on Fire with colorful light décor, a comfortable VIP area, and an indoor party area which was packed to the roof. House of Fire has interesting Swaziland history sites both indoors and outdoors at the venue. Hipnotik takes their stage set up seriously and local performers were too eager to share their art to a point where their performances dragged for minutes on end. The audience belted out more energy as the night went by and the South African artists too did not disappoint.  


 

The audience danced their money's worth as if there was a musical spell in the air.
Although Hipnotik is a music festival catering for various genres, hip hop seems to dominate each year. Last year South African top rappers AKA and Khuli Chana headlined the stage with a bit of Kwaito flavor topped by Big Nuz. In 2013, local artists Psycholusion, Tendaness, and Qibho were joined by South African hip hop dancers The Repertoires, Kwesta, PRO, Red Button, and Cashtime.
Quoted from Sakhile Nkambules blog: “ The Hipnotink Youth Music Festival is an event aimed at celebrating the rapid growth of the hip hop culture in Swaziland and the Southern African regions.” As one who can claim witness to the magnitude of this idea, Hipnotik is not only a much needed branch in extending the culture of arts in the Kingdom of Swaziland, but an aid in assisting the change of perception of arts.