Fidstyle Friday Week 30 with Nikki Mbishi
On this episode, FidStyle Friday is celebrating its 30th episode anniversary with Nikki Mbishi. The emcee who woke up everyone to this movement with his crows. Nikki Mbishi starts by rapping his classic Sauti ya Jogoo single. The relevance of this single is as crucial as the importance of Jogoo in our society, the same way FidStyle Friday is. This King of the underground mainstream briefly explains how realism in Hip Hop, and the artists who embrace it in their lyrics, sets them apart and contributes to their longevity.
Nikki Mbishi’s FidStyles critique our society and the rap game, including those who play it. Nikki, who is not short of bars and punchlines that are provoking, is both thoughtful and controversial. He tells us, how [they] want to slaughter this Jogoo and eat him, but the emphasis is on ‘they’. Who are these ‘they’? Nikki leaves you to ponder, if he’s rapping about the crocked politicians, or his fellow emcees who are actors.
But, isn’t working off imagination through a created character part of creativity?
In the end, Nikki Mbishi has a candid conversation with Fid Q about his thoughts on Hip Hop, artists, and his place in this perfect storm of Bongo Hip Hop. Ever heard of Drosophila melanogaster? Well, Nikki explains what it is, and why he is exactly that.
Enjoy the episode, and make use of the rewind button to capture Nikki’s wordplay (Hata ukiwa na mvi Shirazi unahitaji Afro)!!
More on Nikki:
- Buy Sauti ya Jogoo: iTunes, Amazon UK, CDBaby
- Sauti ya Jogoo Album Review
- Listen to Nikki’s songs
- Get to know Nikki
Fidstyle Friday week 29 with KALAPINA
Kikosi cha Mizinga crew are arguably one of the top-tier heavyweights in Tanzania’s socio-conscious Hip Hop movement. Led by the striking persona of Kalapina, over the years the crew has amassed a cult following within the region sending shockwaves from the epicentre Block 41, Kinondoni, Dar es Salaam.
In this episode we once again get to feel Kalapina’s direct, socio-politically charged lyrics over dope beats. Other crew members such as Zimwi, Aboo Gaidi, Onya Man are also featured and all possess that classic Kikosi cha Mizinga sound and energy. Fid Q engages Kalapina on an insightful dialogue touching on various sensitive issues, from Tanzania’s perverse copyright laws, or on platonic reflections about the art of lyricism — to write what one feels versus what one thinks?
Enjoy the episode after the jump.
More on Kikosi:
Fidstyle Friday week 28 with Godzilla
If the monster Godzilla breaking of freestyles instead of buildings wasn’t enough to cause an earthquake on FidStyle Friday, the presence of freestyling Fid Q definitely did it. On this episode, FidStyle Friday turns into a boxing ring, as Godzilla and Fid Q exchange rhymes, punch for punch.
Godzilla who impressively represented Salasala, with his ability to freestyle off the dome and still make sense, with some humor in his rhymes, only further legitimized his throne as King Zilla. Is he similar to 50 Cent? Hear what Bil Tha African has to say… I will let you be the judge. Intimidated, you should, because the story he tells about Salasala in his lyrics, even Fid Q himself compared the images to Soweto.
There will be no time to take a breather, as the energy lit the mic thanks to Godzilla and Fid Q who kept the fire burning till the end.
More on Zilla:
- Follow Godzilla on Twitter
- Video: King Zilla
Fidstyle Friday week 27 with JCB
JCB!.. Caution: You should be ready for that A-Town raw Hip Hop flow. Mr. Ukisikia Paa is bringing that energy of a fired bullet onto FidStyle Friday. JCB needs little introduction, due to his longevity in the game. As Mejah Mbuya (of Wachata Crew) says, JCB has been holding down the fort at Kijenge Juu since 1996, making sure The Roots remain grounded.
JCB takes time to spit the original verse from “Ukisikia Paa!”, but on a different beat. Apart from the FidStyle, JCB uses the opportunity to discuss his and Watengwa‘s upcoming projects. Also, he briefly talks about S.U.A. project — be on the lookout for more details when CheusiDawaTV crew visits Kijenge Juu and interviews Daz Naledge.
Enjoy the street ride… Some fascinating stories. Charisma, confidence and presence.
More on JCB and Watengwa:
- TZhiphop interviews: JCB, Chindo, Daz Naledge
- SUA facebook page
- Watengwa’s ReverbNation page
- Watengwa’s Playlist
Fidstyle Friday week 26 with Cliff Mitindo
Up town Magomeni aka Migo Migo. Most would argue that every bit of Dar is definitely represented there — that is, Magomeni has got everything Dar es Salaam as a city has to offer. People always on the grind, unemployed youth hustle whichever way they can, non-residents pass by with their cars or on public transport with ‘windows closed’! An up-and-coming artist, Cliff Mitindo, reflects, “Bahati is on vacation, gundu is on patrol!”
But, if you know the ways well, Migo Migo is the place to be, especially in the evenings. Everything — yes, Every Thing — is available at a reasonable price.
The Migo Migo cocktail of various walks of life has made Cliff Mitindo unique on his own way, with lots of stories to tell, and now he’s convinced he would soon be “eating beats and shi**ing Bongo hits!” The FidStyle Friday host sees similarities between Cliff and a certain emcee whose arrival has been a breath of fresh air in the game.
Watch out.
Fidstyle Friday Week 25 with Kadgo
Lighting strikes twice. So does Kad Go! Having used well his minute-of-fame in an earlier cypher with the Mecco-South crew, Kad Go comes again with a dope lyrical delivery for Tanzanian Hip Hop fans. In this set he spits raps mostly addressed to Tanzanian youth who need awakening. This theme aptly remixes what fellow Mecco-South MC Malle addressed in the single Kawaambie Madogo. With mellow beats by Ender, Duke Tachez and Mujwahuki, Kad Go laments the plight of the walalahoi in bars like “…tumeundiwa tume, tume zimeundiwa kamati“. On each occasion he ”intercepts” at “point X comma Y” with ‘Y’ being any number (of MCs?) and ‘X’ as zero (0), giving you that 2012-till-infinity type of gradient-flow.
Within the set Fid Q provides a classic dialogue delivery as they discuss various matters on TZ Hip Hop culture, Fan-aticism, and fluidity in support (or lack there-of) for Hip Hop and Bongo Flava music. We also get a sneak-peek of what to expect from Fid Q’s upcoming LP KitaaOlojia. Check the episode after the jump.
More info and links: