South Africa Reigns Supreme

By Amy Hume

Slege Lee became a household name, at least in End of the Weak households, when he was crowned the 2014 EOW World Champion in Kampala, Uganda last October. Uganda was the first country in Africa to establish End of the Weak and the MC Challenge, and Slege Lee was the first African artist to win the incredibly intense and entertaining World Finals MC Challenge.  Representing South Africa, specifically the province of Gauteng or as many of you may know, Johannesburg, Slege stepped off the plane in Entebbe mere hours before the event began.  He refreshed, refueled and took control of the stage at Open House with confidence, strength and the ability to win the crowd over. He competed against Jay Sentino (UG), Intikana (NYC), Monk E. (Montreal), Mas Law (UK), Gavino (Germany), and Cheeko (France); emcees that proved their skills in their home countries and blessed Uganda with their presence. 

The 1^st annual End of the Weak International Hip Hop Festival on 25^th October at Open House was pure entertainment thanks to the hosts Ruyonga and Mazzi S.O.U.L. Purpose, alongside performances by Angel Mutoni from Rwanda, Atlas da African, the legendary Lyrical G, Fasie MC, Keko, and Amy True, with uplifting beats provided by DJ Snuff (UK), DJ Proceed (Belgium) and Gadget (Germany). Kampala’s very own St. Nelly-sade, organizer, stage manager and local star, closed the event with a noteworthy performance full of energy despite the exhaustion of organizing such a massive event. If you were at the International Hip Hop Festival then you understand. If you missed the event or didn’t happen to be in Uganda let me assure you the event was legendary.

            Now let’s focus on Slege Lee, the young man whose mere presence brings a sense of calm and intrigue. He’s genuine, well spoken, and ultimately a voice for the future of South African, sub- Saharan, African, and global Hip Hop.  Welcome to the mindset, really just a tip of the iceberg, of Slege Lee.

            A proper understanding and appreciation of Hip Hop culture is key to the evolution and survival of the roots. Slege Lee was born into the cycle of consciousness.

My mother's side of the family is very artistic and socially conscious while my father's side is drawn to politics and activism. Hip Hop is the merging of both those genetic characteristics. Through the art I find a channel to express my political and social views in a creative way.

Being a quiet and mischievous child contributed to my attraction to Hip Hop. The art form gave the quiet child in me a voice to express the storm of emotions that I experienced within. As a youth there was always books on the shelves and music playing through the sound system and a naturally competitive mentality among myself and my siblings. As the youngest, I picked up Hip Hop from my older brother and sister.

Slege Lee and Lyrical G

My sister was heavily into R&B in the early 90's as well as Hip Hop acts like Salt n Pepa, Queen Latifah and Tupac who she had a serious crush on. My brother was deep into Hip Hop and introduced me to artists like Ice Cube, Naughty by Nature, Wreckx-n-Effect, Public Enemy and Kriss Kross.

Early Hip Hop spoke strongly to black consciousness and the injustices of racism. I was born into a family of activists at a time when South Africa was a racially divided country, so the first time I heard Hip Hop I could immediately relate to the struggles that were faced by other young black people across the world.

As the founders of Hip Hop in the grand ol’ USA (mostly) grow with age and wisdom, cities, towns, and villages around the world have adapted the foundation within their cultures.

He continues to describe his existence within Hip Hop culture in South Africa:

I'm one of the last standing MCs that still has links with South African Hip Hop from when it began to where it is now. I was there when Prophets Of Da City dropped their album following the release of Nelson Mandela. I was there when the Le Club MCs started building up the culture in the Johannesburg inner city. I was there when the Motherload Compilation dropped in 1995. I was there when Slaghuis and other hood Hip Hop events started blowing up. From Cashless Society to Skwatta Kamp to 985 I have been very close to the scene. 

My achievements in the local Hip Hop game have also put me in a position where I form an important part of the culture. I have graced the most street-celebrated stages, many influential radio stations and Hip Hop television shows since my introduction to the game in 2007. My new project takes this a step further because I feature SA Hip Hop legends such as Snazz D (Cashless Society), Korianda (5th Floor), Ben Sharpa (AudioVisual), Mizchif, Iko and other cats getting their rep up like Beatology (Driemanskap) and N'veigh (The Anvils).

In 2014, I made world Hip Hop history by being crowned the world champion of the End Of The Weak MC Challenge. This is sure to cement my name in the culture for many years to come. And this is not the only title I won for the year. I am also ETV's Shizniz Mixtape King of 2014.

A movement of improvement through Hip Hop culture, End of the Weak has spread from NYC to Asia and everywhere in between.

The EOW platform has been very important to the scene in South Africa. It is the first time that the country has managed an MC competition of this kind and to add to this, South Africa's champ has been crowned World Champ in its first go. The format is very different for the South African crowds as the crowds are used to battle competitions. This is a competition that focuses on so much more than one's ability to diss an opponent and therefore really shows people what the MC art form is really all about. 

This is sure to see growth in sponsorship and garner more corporate interest as it builds momentum. It will help young artists work on their skills and it also bridges the gap between South Africa and the rest of the Hip Hop world. This first participation has enabled me as the world champ to work on songs with artists from Uganda, Canada, France and other countries opening up my horizons and introducing SA to the world in terms of Hip Hop.

Musicians, painters, dancers, DJs and multimedia artists all have a different experience in discovering EOW, but at the end of the day it’s community that keeps them coming back.

I became aware of the competition [MC Challenge] on Facebook and I entered one of my songs so I could be considered for the competition that would crown the Gauteng Province winner in South Africa. I was successful and ended up winning for my province. I then competed against the other provinces to be crowned winner of South Africa and I came up tops. This is how my journey was to the finals in Uganda.

Bana Mutibwa and St. Nelly-sade, with assistance from a handful of people, worked their asses off over the extent of 2014 to organize the International Hip Hop Festival and World Finals. The emcees coming from North America, Europe and Africa had their own trials and tribulations with all of them succeeding in coming to the Motherland.

I had difficulties making it to the finals in Uganda with visa and passport issues. Through persistence and dedication, I finally received my passport and visa the day before the actual competition and took a flight on the morning of the competition. I arrived 4 hours before the competition. Upon arrival I quickly had something to eat and had a brief moment to meet all the other contestants, organisers and judges, then we hit the stage.

The MC Challenge was amazing. I was totally in the zone and the response from the crowd was amazing. Being in Uganda was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. I met so many legends of Hip Hop from all over the world. I also experienced what life was like in Uganda hanging out with local organisers Bana Mutibwa and Saint Nelly. I stayed in the same house with the contestants so we really got a chance to hang out and get to know each other. We visited Lake Victoria and travelled on boda bodas. We even went out at night and experienced the nightlife. My most special day was going to the Breakdance Project handled by Abramz and his brother. This project really showed me how much Hip Hop can be used to better our communities and build confidence in young people.

Mas Law (UK), Gavino (Germany), Monk E. (Canada), Slege Lee (SA)

Slege Lee became the 2014 EOW World Champ. Enough said.

I couldn't believe it at first, but it has sunk in and I am very proud of my achievement. It has opened more doors for me at home because people now realise that I am not just an ordinary rapper. I am one of the best in the world. At first this was a dream. This title has made that dream more of a reality for me than ever before and I will eternally be thankful to the entire EOW team. I am honoured to say this is one of the most respectful and professional movements I have ever been a part of and throughout they have carried themselves with kindness and integrity. Truly a blessing to work with.

Everywhere I go I am referred to as the champ. After many years of doing Hip Hop this is the first time I receive this kind of recognition. The support has truly been overwhelming and at the same time it is a reminder to never give up on your dreams. Although the publicity has not been huge, there is a certain respect that I have attained among Hip Hop lovers in the country and I am deeply humbled.

As conflict, hardship, and struggle make headlines all the while attempting to define the future of the world, there is hope with music, culture, and empowered individuals.

My dreams for the future of SA Hip Hop are that we expand our understanding of the culture. I feel that in South Africa we have not done enough to follow the concept EACH ONE, TEACH ONE. As a result a lot of young people don't have a true understanding of what Hip Hop is about. There is more a feeling of individuality and silos rather than a united Hip Hop community. 

Also, I'd like to see more local content on radio stations and television stations and more interest being shown by the mainstream media in what's going on with local Hip Hop. I would like us to buck the international trend where the media focuses on a small group of individuals because the reality is that there a lot of talented MCs in the country and I feel it would be great for more of them to get recognition. (Props to Yfm and ETV Shizniz for putting local artists on) On that note, there are movements that are cropping up and providing platforms for upcoming and unsigned artists predominantly using online media. Some of these include DropXVI, Innerview Interviews (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-moQDZzUbnF8vqcS7m8XPA/videos), www.bakgatradio.co.za and www.hipradio360.com

Shout out to my crew Metropolitan Kingz, my blocks Xavier Reef, Naturena, Southdale, Yeoville, Berea and my whole city JHB. Johazardous stand up!!!! EODub Salute!

Voices like Slege Lee, Amy True, Monk E, Angel Mutoni, St Nelly-sade, Intikana, Bana Mutibwa, Jay Sentino, Gavino, Mas Law, DJ Snuff, and so many others spread light throughout the international Hip Hop community. Through Hip Hop music, culture, and enlightenment the world will be a more peaceful and accepting entity.