Social networks have brought us closer to our favourite personalities. Hip hop heads with their independent orientation utilise these platforms to their advantage and stay in touch with their fans (and – wait for it – ‘haters’). After some intense stalking, I compiled a list of 10 hip hop personalities whose internet personas I find interesting in their own unique ways. Of course, there are others but I only have space for 10.
1. Hipe
Apart from being the best hip hop beatmaker in the country, Hipe has one of the illest Instagram games on the internets. In an interview I did with him last year, he had this to say: “The cats from Dilated Peoples (Evidence and DJ Babu) are my main influences. It’s become an addiction lately, where it’s at a point where I have to take pics everyday. It’s a great little hobby.” Little? Modesty huh.
2. AKA
So apparently I’m “disrespectful” coz I don’t usually RSVP for shit …. I’m sorry I didn’t realize how important your K.Dot tickets were. — AKA (@akaworldwide) February 7, 2014
The prince of SA rap is free with his thumbs. Apart from utilising Twitter to push his music more than any other rapper in the country, he speaks his mind on the social site.When not retweeting compliments from his fans, he’s tweeting about anything from soccer to the unfairness of the South African hip hop industry especially to South African artists. Known for not holding much back and demanding what he feels he deserves, he’s been deemed arrogant by many. Hey, you decide for yourself.
3. Rashid Kay
4. Beat Oven
Wait a minute, what happened to dance crews? Crampers and them joints? Kids grew up and had kids? Anyone?
— #RollWithTheRoaches (@ROACH_INC) January 31, 2014
Label owner and veteran Pretoria DJ, Beat Oven is the most humorous individual on my Facebook friendlist. Period. Just check him out.
5 . Tumi
When it’s about struggle you call us, when it’s about money you call them. Voetsek khabalenja — Tumi(Volume)Molekane (@TumiMolekane) January 25, 2014
One of the most gifted wordsmiths of SA hip hop, Motif Records boss and poet/MC, Tumi (formerly from The Volume) reveals his true personality through his tweets. Known for not being “nice” to fans and getting at anybody who steps on his toes, he has been in many a Twitter feud (if I may) – among others, one with Joburg MC, Morale and another with MC/writer, Rashid Kay. 6. Sizwe Dhlomo
I’m never unsure. RT @khayadlanga: Let’s see what Sizwe does now with that trap. I bet he became unsure of himself even though he was right.
— Sizwe Dhlomo (@SizweDhlomo) February 4, 2014
One of the most (if not the most) followed hip hop heads on Twitter, Sizwe Dhlomo has become infamous for his know-it-all demeanour and never changing his avatar (because that’s such a big issue, right). I’m not sure if he’s the most followed head ’cause of his tweets or just ’cause of his status and reputation. But hey, I guess he’s worth checking out. Just make sure your grammar and punctuation are on point before you tweet him. 7. Dplanet
Cape Town producer and label owner, Dplanet who recently scooped the King of Western Cape award at the 2013 South African Hip Hop Awards, is not on Facebook and Twitter to make anyone comfortable. He tells it the way he sees it – which is usually the way it is – about the circus that is South African hip hop. Many may think he’s bitter but hey you be the judge.
8. Jay Stash
When not promoting his debut album We Keep Marching on Facebook, Joburg veteran MC, Jay Stash is expressing his frustrations, failures and successes; giving advice to rap up-and-comers and youngsters in general; and venting to his fans on facebook. His posts may not be the most eloquent and he gets a tad too emo at times, but he is a somewhat interesting character. Oh and the comments on his posts can be hilarious too.
9. Maxhoseni
Eastern Cape spaza rapper, Maxhoseni has a legion of fans on Facebook spanning to two profiles that have both reached friend limit. Humble in every form of that word, he has a relationship with his cyber supporters. In an interview I did with him last year, he had this to say about that relationship: “Let people get to know you as a person, meaning when they see you they can have a conversation with you about your music or whatever. People want to at least get a feel of the person that they might be supporting.” And he does exactly that – his posts can be intensely emotional while some can be just straight up humorous, making up a complete human being.
10. DJ Lemonka
3rd call “unjani love”?I was like “kwena mang obatlang”?
— Lemonka (@Lemonka) February 4, 2014
Two-times recipient of the King of North West award at the South African Hip Hop Awards, Motswako DJ and Kopanong FM’s station manager, Lemonka has a buzz on Twitter. He owes his prominence to the humorous tongue-in-cheek anecdotal stories he tells on the social network.
Written by Sabelo Mkhabela
Twitter: @SabzaPassword
