Notes & Noise

In this episode I host Misa Narrates from SlikourOnLife as we discuss how to make it in the industry and up and coming artists' dos and donts. We chat about the Ambitiouz saga, Nadia's debut, and some recent releases. Studio engineer: Sthembiso "Instro" Herimbi Opening sequence: Hope-Junior Herimbi Music discussed in this episode: Nadia Nakai - Naked https://familytreerec.lnk.to/NadiaNaked Khuli Chana - Ichu https://ditto.fm/ichu Tshego - No Ties https://umgafrica.lnk.to/NoTies

In this episode I host Gavin Gutu and Mzwa Sibanda from Universal Music Group as we discuss people in South African hip hop who put on for their cities in every aspect of their career, and what necessitated that. We start the episode off with recent events, the duty of journalists in SA music, and we end off with #Versus. Studio engineer: Kitso Moremi Opening sequence: Hope-Junior Herimbi Music discussed in this episode: Youngsta - 3T http://hyperurl.co/3T The Big Hash - Young http://africori.to/thebighashyoung ASAP Shembe & Fireman - Butter 2 https://fanlink.to/butter2 ByLwansta - Spijonget https://fanlink.to/SpijongetOne #Versus: Mercy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9ivLcd2dcY Gavin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMAyWlLrFLU Mzwa https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYdcyvdHD94

In this episode I host Menzi Mzimela and Sipho Muchindu as we discuss the fluidity of the genre, when is it hip hop and when isn't it hip hop, and to what degree are artists allowed to play around with the music without dipping out of the genre. We talk about Nasty C & AKA's recent performances and Sipho has an OG rant of note. Studio engineer: Kitso Moremi Opening sequence: Hope-Junior Herimbi Albums and singles discussed: N'veigh - Peanut Butter https://itunes.apple.com/za/album/peanut-butter/1454118323 Luna Florentino - Mariachi Mondays https://song.link/album/i/1458073008 K.O - Supa Dupa https://sonymusicafrica.lnk.to/KOSD Blaklez - I Have No One https://itunes.apple.com/za/album/i-have-no-one-single/1453877365 Shane Eagle feat. Bas - Ap3x https://electromodeza.lnk.to/Ap3xAr

In Episode 2, I'm back to host Queen Azizzar and Spoken Priestess as we talk about artists who start their careers in one field and move into different spheres of artistry, particularly music; artists who explore different facets of their creative identities. We also discuss a few recent live events, and give our #Versus in the second episode separating the noteworthy from the noise in South African hip hop. Studio engineer: Kitso Moremi Opening sequence: Hope-Junior Herimbi Albums & EPs discussed can be found here: Yugen Blakrok - Anima Mysterium https://itunes.apple.com/za/album/anima-mysterium/1443907112 Tellaman - God Decides https://tellaman.lnk.to/GodDecides Rick Jade - I Want Something New https://audiomack.com/album/rick-jade/i-want-something-new Boity - Bakae https://boity.lnk.to/BAKAE Muzi - We Are Growing (Muzi Rework) https://itunes.apple.com/za/album/we-are-growing-muzi-rework-single/1449611263 #Versus for the episode can be found here: Mercy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhdxwySgEPQ Azizzar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtjLDpG0O7E Precious https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsrPHSaVYLs

In the debut episode of Notes & Noise, we talk about debut albums - some of the better ones, what makes them work, what doesn't, and why. I host Sabelo Mkhabela and Tseliso Monaheng, music journalists worth their salt, as we discuss some of the recent releases since December, ethically questionable practices in the industry, and give our #Versus in the first episode separating the noteworthy from the noise in South African hip hop. Studio engineer: Kitso Moremi Opening sequence: Hope-Junior Herimbi Albums and EPs discussed can be found here: Sho Madjozi - Limpopo Champions League https://itunes.apple.com/za/album/limpopo-champions-league/1444846207 uSanele - Gangular https://itunes.apple.com/za/album/gangular-ep/1449028850 Sjava - Umqhele https://itunes.apple.com/za/album/umqhele/1445531751 DJ Speedsta - Bottlebrushstr https://itunes.apple.com/za/album/bottlebrushstr/1446554806 Shane Eagle - Never Grow Up https://itunes.apple.com/za/album/never-grow-up-ep/1446855930 #Versus for the episode are: Tseliso - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3S3z7QykF0Y Sabelo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhN_GzCbH0I Mercy - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSmpjAPN9sI

We close off the year by going through some of the highlights and lowlights of the hip hop in 2018. We chat about Global Citizen and #FillUpMosesMabhida and have a lengthy discussion about some of the recent album drops. You can find us on Twitter and Instagram @uhelenh @missmercia_ The albums we discussed can be found here: Reason - Azania https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/azania/1442590046 Cassper - Sweet and Short https://itunes.apple.com/za/album/sweet-and-short-deluxe/1444738910 JR & The Cousins - Love Me... Now https://itunes.apple.com/za/album/love-me-now/1442559852 Dope Saint Jude - Resilient https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/dope-saint-jude/1273682233 PatricKxxLee - Nowhere Child https://itunes.apple.com/za/album/nowhere-child/1441485701 Youngsta - YVR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_w4TQCloCA Our versus for the episode are: Stogie T on Sway in the morning https://www.iol.co.za/entertainment/music/local/stogie-t-on-no-beef-with-cassper-nyovest-drops-killer-bars-on-sway-18146173 Sho Madjozi - Huku https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_EeqZcZ6dI

The church of Helen and Mercia is in mourning. We pay tribute to Jabba after his passing. We also discuss artists who'd stepped out of the limelight and made a return to music after a while. You can find us on Twitter & Instagram @uhelenh @missmercia_ The albums we discussed can be found here: Jabba X - #FGTBB https://itunes.apple.com/za/album/fgtbb-ep/1438092692 A-Reece - And I'm Only 21 https://itunes.apple.com/za/album/and-im-only-21-ep/1439685821 Tshego - Money Machines https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/money-machines-feat-nasty-c-nadia-nakai-single/1439492802 Yugen Blakrok - Carbon Form https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/carbon-form-single/1436644410 Our versus for the episode are: HHP's Sebentin Remix verse https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVcLBnTxdmI HHP - Harambe https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xT7zQEdHxOg

In the wake of AKA dissolving the BEAM group and headed back to Sony and Vth Season, we discuss artist headed record labels, challenges they face, where it works, and why. We also talk substance abuse in SA hip hop in the wake of World Mental Health Day and how the commercialisation of the genre via brand partnerships aids it. You can find us on Twitter & Instagram @uhelenh @missmercia_ The albums we discussed can be found here: Kid X - Thank Da King https://itunes.apple.com/za/album/thank-da-king/1434073988 Solo and the BETR Gang - Tour Dates Deluxe https://itunes.apple.com/za/album/tour-dates-delux/1438426583 Blaklez - Baby Brother https://itunes.apple.com/za/album/baby-brother/1420474526 Black Motion - Moya Wa Toala https://itunes.apple.com/za/album/moya-wa-taola/1436643963 Our versus for the episode are: K.O's Run Jozi verse - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-ADxrqcyxY Ma-E feat. AKA - Lie 2 Me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WG_n0akXvik

WE’RE BACK! Did you miss us? In this episode we discuss what makes South African hip hop South African, the goings on at HipHopHerStory, and we pay respects to the icon Prokid. The albums we discussed can be found here: Moozlie - Victory https://itunes.apple.com/za/album/victory/1431849083 Big Star - Me & Mines https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/me-mines/1420216550 The verses on #Versus can be found here: Khuli Chana - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AdA2PYjhDM North Geezus - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIuXDU-V954

In this episode of #HelenAndMercia, the pair discuss Didi wanting Cassper to #PayBackTheCoins, iiMotherf*cker (as Nadia Nakai calls them) and pay homage to Ben Sharpa. The albums we discussed can be found here: Kandy Koated - Smoke Silence ll https://itunes.apple.com/za/album/smoke-silence-ll/1414031580 Pdot O - Under the Sun https://itunes.apple.com/za/album/under-the-sun/1405302959 Gigi Lamayne - VI https://itunes.apple.com/za/album/vi-ep/1400767915 The verses on #Versus can be found here: Tuks - Monate Twaa https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_0ZaXVk6Gw Ms Cosmo - Ay Baby https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EN1Hxp-VgdY Follow the podcast via @HelenAndMercia

In this episode of #HelenAndMercia, the pair take you behind the scenes of cover stories, discuss the evolution of the Mzansi rap OG as well as Nasty C and motivational speakers. Plus Mercia schools Helen about Tsibipians. Follow the podcast via @HelenAndMercia