"Why ur videos not as dope as Jay-Z's shit?"
"Why u only got ten hoes in ur shit?"
"Where the champagne and shit at?"
"Where the nice R3,000,0000 cars at?"
That's a typical dialog I unfortunately have to participate in when i bump into a "South African Fan".
I can't take it anymore! Leave me alone...read a book or something BITCH!
Whoosa, Whoosa...
OK, now that I've pulled myself towards myself...can i chat with u my friends...my book reading, literacy embracing, between the lines reading, idiot-proof built buddies.
There's a reason to why everything is what it is.
I'd be chilling at home watching my wonderful public broadcaster (S.A.B.C)...with the T.V. license bill staring at me from my stain dominated coffee table, and wonder...are u worth my time?, the bill that is.
Click! What is that? Oh! It's American Idols! Why does the quality look so wack? Oh! Its the South African Idols!
I find myself going through the same shit every time i visit a friend without Dstv (satellite t.v.), I'm forced to put myself through that shit...watching American garbage remixed for the South African market. which brings me back to my point..."Why America Will Always Kick Our Ass!"
U can get a Citi Golf for a little under R40,000 and it'll take u wherever u wish to go. And if u happen to be R2,000,000 short...u might have to keep the Ferrari where it belongs...in your dreams buddy. And the reason for the pricing is...one is shiny and fast...and well...the other one is...well...a Golf.
Money, money...cash money, that's what it boils down to. same applies to entertainment.
As a South African artist I'm some how forced to use second grade tools, i.e. Equipment, Radio Dj's, Record Execs, T.V. presenters, and sometimes fans. And the quota system (80% International - 20% Local) ain't helping a brother out either.
So i ask myself, "How am i supposed to compete with the 50 Cent's of the world if my shit ain't up to par with the niggas shit? U tell me.
I'm lucky if i have R100k budget for my recording, R50k for my music video, and a R500k marketing budget.
So i ask u..."how the fuck am i supposed to compete with Jay-Z when he's got $1.mil to play with just on recording...how?"
Without going on too long and risking sounding like a hater...ima give a basic run down of what goes into breaking that new artist in the States vs. South Africa.
Recording Equipment
Mixing Consoles
This is what's used to record and mix songs. This is where the post production takes place. The quality of sound is really achieved with these babies.
U.S.A.
Solid State Logic (SSL)
Know users: Dr. Dre, Naptunes, Timberland...nearly every American a project goes through this sucka!
Price tag: $300,000South Africa
Yamaha O2R
Known users: Most South African professional studios
Price tag: $10,000
Known users: Most South African professional studios
Price tag: $10,000
Microphones
This how the voice and sound is captured...I rap, it captures and sends the signal to the computer, kapish!
U.S.A.
Price tag: $13,000
South Africa
Music Video
U.S.A.
Works: Busta Rhymes to Janet Jackson
South Africa
Piet Koekemoer
Works: Birthday parties, Funerals, Weddings, Barmitzfars...a few music videos
So there u have it. That's what we have to deal with, and those are just a few of them. The pot is much deeper.
Not to say all South African use the same shit but, that's the standard. Some can afford the expensive shit, but that's a small percentage considering that America kinda follows the above mentioned standards. It's sad...
So the next time u feel u have a have an opinion...go out and support local shit so we can afford to play with these nice toys...otherwise...
Shut the fuck up!
Conclusion
So there u have it. That's what we have to deal with, and those are just a few of them. The pot is much deeper.
Not to say all South African use the same shit but, that's the standard. Some can afford the expensive shit, but that's a small percentage considering that America kinda follows the above mentioned standards. It's sad...
So the next time u feel u have a have an opinion...go out and support local shit so we can afford to play with these nice toys...otherwise...
Shut the fuck up!
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Fuck player you are my hero! Thats a super article!
ReplyDeleteDope.2 Dope.Last I checked u were on dat R200k Studio Equipment but i'll come to your shows & buy your new album anyway.
ReplyDeleteayoba...cats need to realize what we have to deal with to give them music and compete with these cats
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I fully agree with your sentiments my good sir. What I'm going to say will probably push you to consult with voodoo priests and cast spells and shit over me. I do not buy that equipment maketh the man and I will list a couple of examples that dispel some of your theories. 9th Wonder used fruity loops, probably still does and his shit sounded awfully good. Think about it, dude, fruity fucking loops but that is not the gist of my argument.
ReplyDeleteI feel that some of the comments in your conclusion may be a bit short sighted, with all due respect. I mean, if I have to buy shit for no other reason other than the fact that it is local and cats gotta to eat, then we are sitting with a problem.I as a discerning music consumer, buy music because it is worth my time and ears and actually contributes something to the greater scheme of things. I think that argument borders uncomfortably close to emotional blackmail. I buy music because I can listen to it in 5 to 10 years and the question is, with some the shit cats put out, am I going to be listening to it when I'm in my 30's? The short answer is NO.
See, I refuse to buy lil Wayne because I can't stand that shit and I buy a Ben Sharpa album because I'm still listening to some of the shit he did with Krooked and them in the early 2000's. Since I met you is on heavy rotation on my ipod and even wifey digs it but in the same breath I had to give away the Selwyn cd that I bought because the shit wasn't that good. All of this has nothing to do with whether an album is local or from the states or whether you used expensive equipment or not. It has nothing to do with the quality of your video ho's, believe it or not, but rather to do with the quality of the albums contents, period.
I fell u Mpho, but ill school u on something. Firstly, u need to realize that 9th programs his beats on Fruity Loops, that's it. There after, vocals and the actual mixing of the recording is done & edited on Pro Tools & top of the line mixing consoles. Thats one debate i've always had with cats regarding 9th Fruity.
ReplyDeleteSecondly...the mastering of he album is done by extremely experienced engineers who make the overall product ready for the very competitive American market.
However...i agree with u on buying classical shit...no one should be forced to cop what they don't feel,but it's been a problem with heads not supporting artists. I know a bunch of Ben's fans who still don't cop his shit, but walk around like crusaders and talk all that underground crap. My take is, if real heads want the real shit to survive, they need to start talking with their wallets.
Bottom Line: If heads don't buy albums, real hip hop will not survive! Period!
This article was aimed at pointing out some shit we as artists that take our shit seriously, have to deal with, or wish we could play with. Music tastes is a topic for another day...actually...someone else.
My feel is...If i go into studio and put my all into producing a beat, the next guys in the chain should do the same, namely, the MC, mixing engineer, marketing people, video producers. I just feel the only ones putting in work are the producers and MC's, and everyone needs to chip in if we are to make this work...That's my Point!
Nuff respect on ur opinion son!
Nah, I feel you, black. I just took the opportunity to deal with the now tired "Buy local" sentiments that folks bandy about whilst the stuff they put out smells like dog shit.But like you said, that's a topic for another time.
ReplyDeleteIn any case I think we have a long way to go before we get to same standards that cats in the states live to exceed.
Keep on keepin' on until everything is everything. Looking forward to anther good read.