Mixtape Wednesdays

With much a legend told about the ‘breeding fort for rhyme’ that was Le Club, another fold to its historical denseness and fame is unraveled in story and shape of its sons, that being the verb stacker known as Vikinduku. His Genesis chartered way forward as part of Asylum Tribe, an outfit whose acclaim in Soweto and J-sec was largely owed to their steely and middle finger wagging tendencies in both bravado and rhyme.

Vikinduku’s endevours post his tenure in ‘the asylum’wake to take a much more organizational turn, in that he went as far as rallying alongside Urban Clutches whose onus was to promote gigs and run workshops in cohesion with MIDI. Viki’s rise to the echelons of community organization with hip hop as a noteworthy tool came into its own during 2003 when Black Sundays emerged. He describes the time frame as having been “during the decline of Le Club and much was needed”.

Black Sundays having been a turf where the likes of Sudan, Ngwenya and Prokid amongst many displayed skill that was to be remnant for many more years to come was according to Vikinduku “the kingmaker of many rhyme stalwarts”. Conventional wisdom doing the rounds then was firmly rooted in the thinking that the culture needed a well needed resurgence after Le Club.

Soul Warrior being the album Vikinduku released in 2006 had a heavy Jazz influence with Kenzhero’s involvement for added measure. Beyond the offering Viki’s influence at Black Sundays was forged forth in him assuming the role of a commentator cum radio host for in-house displays and interventions.

His current mixtape labled Eyez on the pryz comes under the housing of The Akademy, a relationship which he dates back to ties he’s had with dj Medicine from the days of Black Sunday. He regards the partnership with The Akademy one “fused with plenty opportunity” and that a local tour is in the works where a thorough marketing plight will be in conjunction with the release of his current offering. It all comes with ample dosages of a thorough thrash from the man…he’s been keeping them coming for a while worth legendary beatings.

Vikinduku is currently working on Eyes on the pryz vol 2 and Zone Two (The Head hunters) a collaboration with with Mc Scent

FELA this bitch of a life

Nigerians in the new world order i.e globalisation have become 'popular' for various reasons;Everyone knows a Nigerian and I met one;in the flesh,sound,ideology,David character and  unique image of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.I found it hard to not engage with the read,my imaginations were set forth through humour and vulgar depicted by Fela.However,Moore's attentiveness was explicit,a job well done!None detail was left out.Now I can say I know Fela Kuti.

He was a soul who stood his fort & simply emphasized social reformation and fairness.Although he wasn't sure in the early days of his life,note that Fela always knew he was differnt to everyone in his household thus the reason he fell easily into depression later in his life.His love for woman wasnt a secret,his music was sound designed from reality-the song 'Lady' was the soundtrack to every chapter of Fela's life.

Ironically,the lady(women)he adored so much became entwined with all his miseries and his manhood;I possed a question to why did he marry all 27 of them.Going back to globalisation,as a social scientist,I believe Fela was overwhelmed by it.His loyalty to bein an 'African' wasnt clearly justified by his surroundings,the Nigerian system didnt accomodate any Robin Hoods & Steve Biko's,thus they were shut away or killd 4eva.Fela disregarded all of this and his mother's death created more vulnerablity and loss-this further triggered his ignorance of his illness and the fact that he was distant from what was happening around him.Fela was a great image,I shed a tear in closure of Moore's work but I fear that his life continues unconsciouly in the lives of many of us,true Africans:we are 'shuffering and shmiling.

Review by Rothe Singo (Social Anthropology, MA, University of Western Cape.

Black on Both Decks

Celebrating Rhythm, originality and creativity by black musicians and the influences they've had in global music. As a dj, another task is to be a curator of culture, tracing the history of music is really tracing the history of a people, each vinyl         collected contains a history of its own. On the night in question we will travel from home into the diaspora, we will travel to Ethiopia, Mali, Ghana, Kenya, Egypt, across the Mediterranean to Spain, Brazil, the Americas, the Caribbean, France, London, Berlin. and back home. all this in a melting pot that has become Braamfontein. Kitchener's, situated at the corner of Juta & De Beer.

This is the first annual event of its kind and the objective is to grow the brand every year as we discover more of our music spread across the unverse

BeJazzled

            

Every now and again i delve deep into my Jazz crates. checking original samples of records that
inspired some of my hip hop peers. Charles Mingus, Dizzy Gilepsie, the likes of Hebie hancock, Jack mcDuff and so forth. friday the 13th May was no different as we boogied down to Bebop, Hardbop, funkyjazz, even straight up avant garde with a twist of acid jazz in the mix.
Bejazzled is a mixtape i put together live @Bassline on a rainy afternoon after going through crates of my Jazz collection.
tracklisting:
1.Orlando Julius & His Afro Sounders-Mura Sise
2.Charlie parker- tico tico
3.The Bamboos- the bamboos theme
4.The Lafayette afro rock band- Oglenon
5.Bobby Hughes experience- Sahara72
6.Tom Middleton &amp & Spanky Wilson-the sunshine
7.Manu Dibangu- Big blow
8. Brother Jack Mcduff- Obligetto
9.Milt Jackson- a sound for sore ears
10. James Brown- Fat Bag.
http://soundcloud.com/deejaymedicine/bejazzled-mixed-by-djmedicine

8 Habits of highly effective dj's[Habit #2]

Habit # 2: Increase your Record Collection, is on at Braamfontein Kitchener's,
tuesday,  26 April 2011 On this one we featured two of Jo'burg most notable
record collectors, Sellotapes and Nok. Mixtapes by djmedicine and Bubbles
will be available for free @ the door.

Dj Medicine presents: Phonography, the mixtape re-issue.

This mixtape was originally put out on the streets late 2009. 

It is out again by popular demand and this time it has an ad-

ded bonus track at the end of the mix, which is a 31minute 

interview of the late J Dilla.

tracklisting:

1.intro- djmedicine

2.History- MOs def feat. talib kweli

3.Put your records on & on -Erykah badu- (corrine bailey rae rmx)

4.Sex-god- brand new heavies- (dj spinna rmx)

5.Kiss of love- Sade- (dj anything rmx)

6.They don't really care about us- Michael Jackson

7. Don't fuss when you leave- Stephen Marley and Stevie Wonder

8.Melody- Blendcrafters feat. Mf Doom (instrumental)

9.They can't stop us now- Nas

10.Fall in love (rmx) -Slum Village

11.The revolution will not be televised- Gil Scott Heron

12. Solo drum- ?uestlove

13.Hey Mr dj- Zhane

14.Taste of funk- Mateo & Matos

15.Dance till dawn- Lenny kravits

16.Bus stop bitties- Rjd2

17.Rock Steady- Aretha Franklin

Bonus : J Dilla interview

Djmedicine Presskit