Emerging from the hostile streets of Motherwell, Eastern Cape's Largest Township is Yahkeem the Mastabilda a Profound lyricist, Poet Extra oedinaire, social commentator and Cultural activist. Yahkeem is a Hebraic name denoting "The one who builds", The Mastabilda is self explanatory and was given to him as by the GHETTO YOUTH UPRISING a social movement based in Motherwell, after observing the zeal and level of mastery in his quest to provide alternatives for his people. Mastabilda is more an attribute than a name. Growing up in the township he spent most of his time in the sphere of thought as he never mastered any of the ghetto arts fit to exalt and gain one glory in the hood this was a blessing in disguise for it enhanced his imagination, which was to be chief weapon in his arsenal in latter days.
It was very early in his life that he started to be fond of his pen, with no direction really aligning to anything that was popular on TV. The environment was not assisting him as well; it was dry and provided no motivation, inspiration or platform for a would-be artist. Things shaped up very late with the formation of the mighty Ghetto youth Uprising. It was in 2003 that he started to take his writing serious juggling in-between essays and rap scripts.
This was the same year that Khululekani an IsiXhosa Hip Hop outfit which proved a powerhouse not only in P.E but Thru out the Eastern Cape was formed, their glory stretching as far as places like Joburg and Cape Town to mention but a few. Khululekani enjoyed massive following and The Mastabilda was in the thick of things pioneering an era with this dynamic crew. He was a member alongside Tsiviel the Prince (one of p.e's fine and explicit rhyme slayer) and Ohayv (Founding member and vocalist of Usiba Noncwadi). K.K as it was affectionately known went on to release a greatly anticipated self titled E.P that enjoyed massive radio rotation from stations like Kqfm, Uwfm, Khanya fm,Bay Fm etc after the success of the E.P however life spiraled to different zones and made it almost impossible for the trio to meet and rehearse.
This vacuum set up a platform for Yahkeem to explore music as a soloist. 2009 saw a lethal combination between the Mastabilda and The Musical genius Beatology their interaction gave birth to THE SPIRIT LEVEL a bootleg album that wrecked havoc nationally. Prior the release the project got coverage in publication such as hype magazine it was the splendidly launched in April 2009 at Umhlobo wenene fm an on air one hour Launch this was a biggest step any independent artist has ever taken and a grand entrance on the scene. The Spirit Level established Yahkeem as the best kept secret and a jewel of hip Hop in South Africa. that very year got him performing in the sessions like The Hype sessions(The P.E leg), Queenstown annual Hip Hop session, Intloko Zeenyoka Launch, to mention a few.
In the year 2010 as South Africa was preparing to welcome the world Yahkeem Was busy at the Heavenly approved Studios with Geel Ben Israel eastern cape's most gifted and versatile producer working on an E.P entitled The One who builds with this project he went all out promoting it countrywide Performing it at sessions like Street Pop and did Splash Jam twice the same year (both in Joburg), Mr. Pickwicks, and townships around Cape Town. Massive activity also on The Fan parks and fifa zones around the bay. It enjoyed rotation on stations like ujfm, uwfm, trufm, vowfm, hedelbergfm, e.tc... The same year he was a panelist in The Splash Jam Hip Hop Conference raising the flag for the marginalized Eastern Cape.
Yahkeem's work has caught attention of the following media platforms:
Publications:
The Herald, Hype magazine. Ilizwi, Izimvo e.t.c
Radio Coverage:
UMhlobo Wenene fm, Kqfm, Fortefm, Rmr, Vut, ujfm, hot96, Bay fm, www.rechrgedradio.com, Trufm, Goodhopefm, Hedelberg fmuct fm, Khanya fm, alex fm, Moretele Community radio, Israelitemix, V.O.Wfm, Radio Graaf reiniet, Radio Zibonele E.t.c
Websites:
http://www.afrispora.com, http://rechargedradio.co.za, http://www.sheetstreet.co.za,,http://www.foundnation.co.za, http://www.reverbnation.com/TheMastabilda,http://www.facebook.com/mastabilda
Discography:
Intsimi Mixtape, Khululekani E.p, Concious Bling By Louzy Living, Bling City by Divided Souls(iamerican mixtape) The Spirit Level, The one Who Builds E.p, Formal Slang by Words Untame,Dj Zakes Mixtape, Truth Music Compilation, Reherb Mixtape, Officially Offside Mixtape(protest Compilation)
Latest Perfomances:
Opening Of The Season Hobbie beach 2010, Grass Roots arts Festival 2010, st. Georges Fan park2010, Fifa zone Central2010, Splash Jam 2010, Guild Theatre 2010 Mr Pickwicks 2010, Bensonvalle College 2009
Other music Related Abilities:
Radio Production, Deejaying, Master of ceremony, event Organisation, public speaking, Artist Management, Markerting and promotions.
Social Responsibility:
Workshopping inmates and motivating them to develop their artistry and interpersonal skills.
No comments:
Post a Comment