Dunamis
Mohalenyane Phakela
THREE local rappers have been billed to perform at this year’s Mangaung African Cultural Festival’s (MACUFE) Tshepe Hip Hop show on 2 October 2015 in Bloemfontein, South Africa.
Dunamis, Papa Zee and Bloemfontein-based JCob are among the star-studded line-up at the fete, which also includes such South African heavyweights as HHP, AB Crazy, Reason, Anatii, Maths, The Traternity, Naycha, and Lava Wa Mrepa. The deejay contingent includes Vigilante, Major League, Sizwe Dlomo, Shaxe, Waxx and 2Zero while old school Kwaito exponent, Mzekezeke, is also expected to make a special appearance.
Tshepe Hip Hop is an annual show that kick-starts the MACUFE fete, and is premised on Sesotho Hip Hop artists battling with other rap cultures. MACUFE showcases the cream of African and international talent, attracting over 140 000 people from within the southern African region and the world.
Contacted for comment this week, Dunamis, who is billed by the show’s organisers as one of the Hip Hop kings, said his inclusion was testimony to his consistency and hard work.
“I have been in the rap game for a long time, but this will be my first time performing at MACUFE and something I have always longed for,” said Dunamis, who in 2009 won a South African Music Award in the Best South Sotho category for his album Mastered Seed.
“I was pleasantly surprised to note that the organisers put me at the same level as such icons as HHP and AKA, but I believe it is the result of hard work and perseverance.
To shore up support for local acts ahead of the festival, Dunamis said he convinced the organisers to hold build-up shows in Lesotho.
“We need the support of local fans since we will be representing Lesotho at the festival,” he said.
“These are the rewards of hard work, so I urge my fellow compatriots to focus on their endevours and not be distracted by naysayers. After all, they will only talk if you are doing something.”
On his latest single, Paper Paper, which features South African rapper Morale, Dunamis added that it had already passed the 50 000 downloads mark.
Meanwhile, Tshepe Hip Hop show organiser, Nyakallo “Ba2Cada” Leine, confirmed on social media that there would be two build-up shows in Lesotho next weekend.
“Due to the success of the pre party at Manchu Inn (in Thaba Nchu), we have decided to add Mandoza and Sbu Maloya to the line-up of the pre-parties at Lesotho’s 4Fordy and Purple Haze on 25 and 26 (September) respectively, together with Maths, JCob, Dunamis, Zola 7, Funky Tee and Fisha Fasha,” Ba2Cada said.
