Thursday 13 November 2014

In Conversation with The First King Mr. Soul Clapper No.1

Yahkeem Ben Israel is an emcee, an event coordinator, a community leader and an entrepreneur. With three projects, The Spirit Level, The one who builds and the classic Concrete Thoughts album under his belt, Grass Roots Festival on its third year and being the reigning South African Hip-Hop Award King of the Eastern Cape, Yahkeem is a man on the move, destined for greatness.
SOUL CLAP SESSIONS founder Nkqo managed to pin down the king for an online interview about his third consecutive nomination for the King of the Eastern Cape (EC) category at the South African Hip-Hop Awards (SAHHA) and also to chat about general key points concerning the Eastern Cape hip-hop scene.
Nkqo: Shalom king. Let me take this opportunity to congratulate you on your third consecutive South African Hip-Hop Awards (SAHHA) nomination for the King of the Eastern Cape (EC) category.
Yahkeem Ben Israel: Enkosi kakhulu kumkani. I owe you a phone call. I will do it ksasa ngomso.
Nkqo: Okay dope! Looking forward to the call. Yahkeem, mandiyitshay’ isaqhuma! This is your third consecutive nomination for the King of Eastern Cape by the South Hip-Hop Awards (SAHHA), meaning you have been nominated in all the SAHHA since its inception. I was even hard pressed to find that in other provinces. What makes you that head?
Yahkeem: I love what I do Nkqo. I don’t do what I do for nominations, I did it long before there was SAHHA, but I must say it inspires me greatly to have people on a national scale acknowledging my efforts. To answer you I simply do me.
Nkqo: In your opinion, how has the SAHHA contributed or assisted in the development of the EC hip-hop scene over the last three years of its existence?
Yahkeem: In my own experience it opened doors that would have not opened if it was not for the endorsement of such a professional and effective entity. On the grand scheme of things though, SAHHA on their own would never move anything on our behalf. We as EC natives must do things to develop our province.
Nkqo: What's your take on the fact that not even Ifani is nominated on the main categories? I mean by main categories, the ones that are determined by the public vote. What does this mean about Eastern Cape heads to the SA Hip-hop scene? Should we start to worry?
Yahkeem: Yes. I believe we need to worry, but beyond worry we need to put in work. We need to be visible. We need to kill it. We need to stop fighting amongst one another and leave the mentality of throwing mud on anyone who shows himself to be moving. Eastern Cape is not an island we need to push beyond the province.
Nkqo: I feel you kumkani ‪#‎handless‬. Ha! As the reigning SAHHA King of the EC, what would you say is the province's biggest obstacle? We obviously have the talent. What seems to be the stumbling blocks here?
Yahkeem: We do not empower ourselves with simple and basic knowledge an artist should have. We look so much at what others are doing and not to the detriment of our own movement/progress. We have scores of performers and arm-chair analysts and few workers who will dedicate their energy and time in uplifting the province. Where are the bloggers? Where are radio presenters? Hip Hop journalist? Promoters? Managers? Videographers? You name them. The focus is on being a dope rapper and that is not enough.
Nkqo: That makes some much sense. I personally question EC bloggers all the time. Actually I think it should be a crime if one is studying journalism in the Eastern Cape and claims she/he loves hip-hop, but she/he is not blogging about it just for fun or building up her/his profile. Ok cool, enough about what I think. Why should the Eastern Cape be seen as something special in this competitive South African Hip-hop industry?
Yahkeem: Eastern Cape is raw and untapped. It is rich in almost all elements of Hip Hop. Our rap is characterized by heavy content which is the direct influence of political history most activists that commanded and influence the rest of South Africa with their thoughts. Given enough push EC could represent RSA internationally.
Nkqo: Are you sure you are talking general here or you are really uttering about yourself. Hahahaha. This year you are nominated withTsviehloheem ThePrince, your former group-mate of Khululekani [Let my people free]. Will we ever see the legendary Khululekani together again on stage or perhaps on a recorded joint, nje for some dope reason?
Yahkeem: Honestly I do not have a definite answer for that question. I try to avoid talking about Khululekani. I do not want to raise people’s hopes and not deliver. I love Khululekani with all my heart, that’s all I want the people to know. KK made me.
Nkqo: Come on Mastabilda! If you can lead a province, one assumes the right to think you can lead a hip-hop group. Your last thoughts on KK?
Yahkeem: We decided to quit KK. We did not have time for the crew. We kept messing up performances due to lack of practise. The day where we can fully dedicate time to KK then maybe we can bring it back. But also we do not want to rule out that just maybe KK's time came and went. Everything in its season.
Nkqo: Sweet! What is leadership in your opinion?
Yahkeem: Leadership is Influence.
Nkqo: Ok chill! No need for perfect sentences. Hahaha. No jokes though, I agree with that ish like my grab agrees with the mic at a dope session.. Who would you like to have a business lunch with?
Yahkeem: Osmic. If not, the premier of the Eastern Cape.
Nkqo: Haha. Go figure or gold finger! Which artists would you take along to that lunch?
Yahkeem: Adon Geel; Luckeez and WordsUntame
Nkqo: If you had to advise the MEC of Sport, Arts and Culture, what would you highlight?
Yahkeem: EC is talent rich and the continuous Provincial Brain drain is killing The Province. As part of their job creation drive they should never neglect the arts.
Nkqo: What is it that you love about the province, beside its talent in music?
Yahkeem: It is not over saturated. You still can connect with nature and the people. I love EC, it’s chilled.
Nkqo: I don't know if you've been to the Wild Coast, it's one of my favourite parts of the Eastern Cape. In fact, next time we host Soul Clap Sessions in Coffee Bay, I would be honoured if you would headline the line-up. What say you?
Yahkeem: I would be humbled and honoured to headline such an event. I have deep respect for Soul Claps; they have invigorated what was formerly known as the border region. It would be my first time also to the wild coast. So let’s do it.
Nkqo: It’s a deal king. Now, can you tell us something we do NOT know about the Grass Roots Festival?
Yahkeem: It is literally something from nothing. Graf might be the answer to most of the things EC Hip Hop been lacking on.
Nkqo: Can you tell us something we must know about the Grass Roots Festival?
Yahkeem: Grassroots Arts Festival bridges the gap and seeks to introduce the EC to the rest of South Africa. This year we will have the most improved Grass Roots Festival.
Nkqo: Why is the history of Urban Connection sessions important to the Eastern Cape hip-hop scene going forward?
Yahkeem: God! The Urban Connection! My man the significance of that history cannot be expressed properly in words. It introduced us to one another, it was a hub for creatives, it was an engine, a healing space, our escape, if there was ever a time when just being in a session was important it was that time. It was a spring board for movements across EC. Urban Connection renewed our hope made us believe in the Eastern Cape. Every dope emcee from EC has been there.
I don’t know if I answered you but you just took me back.
Nkqo: Yeah darkie yam! hahaha! Good memories indeed. Now we are in leadership positions and still shaping the Eastern Cape hip-hop scene. Can you name 5 rappers to lookout for in the EC?
Yahkeem: Automatic, Peace Avenue, Bliss, Static Flo and I met two cats at the Soul Claps on that abstract flow.
A special shout out to Blaqseed, Mr Douw, Nomsiki and Poetic Rebellion.
Nkqo: Word! Since we are now shouting out, I might as well tag my homeboys, Rhyme Related. What's up OIL, D Raw & Viking, Lush, I can go on forever. Which artist are you gonna be collaborating with next? Why that exact artist and why that specific producer?
Yahkeem: We are at the studio currently working on Builders Digest an album we are releasing next year. As for now we have worked with Cush Solomon, Adon Geel, Subz, War Snare, and other awesome producers. We have Naked Eye, Bonafide(LDF), Ranto, Nqontsonqa, Asanda Bam, Smerf, Bella, Love child and we are still working. I worked with these individuals because they are gifted and they respect their craft.
Nkqo: In your opinion of course, can you drop me 5 dope hip-hop producers in the EC.
Yahkeem: Top Shayela | Beatology | Adon Geel | Cush Solomon | Mr Measure | Myth
Nkqo: Which EC hip-hop deejay brings the house down for you?
Yahkeem: Kenichi is crazy with it. Adon Geel and Ms Jay are too smooth, Simone was a beautiful surprise, Subz and Beatology are brave. Everything is about the mood and concept. RIP Dj Miles
Nkqo: Ok cool, back to the awards. When we met in both the last SAHHA, exactly the same two thoughts kept coming to my mind. One, "****, this king keeps getting taller and taller, and two, this brother doesn't only look dope, but he represents the Hebrew Israelites Nation with proud and honour. Who designs your dope outfits?
Yahkeem: LOL that’s what you thought? LOL this cracks me. My wife is my stylist.
Nkqo: What do you say to critics who state that Grass Roots Festival is another Port Elizabeth event with Yahkeem's friends from J - Sec?
Yahkeem: I do not have to say anything to them. Nkqo abantu bakuhlala bethetha. If anyone thinks what I am doing is not fully representing then let them initiate something that will represent the way they hope Graf should represent.
Nkqo: Solid! Any last words to the heads?
Yahkeem: Keep it moving. Do you! Don’t complain. No one owes you anything. A dope script won’t sustain you.
Nkqo: "A dope script won't sustain you", I hear you. Oh well, that brings us to the end. Thank you so very much Yahkeem. Send my respect to your wife and kids for allowing me to borrow your attention. By the way, I think your oldest daughter has beautiful bright eyes. ‪#‎future‬ ‪#‎nations‬ ‪#‎health‬‪#‎wealth‬. I give thanks kumkani. Dope claps.
Yahkeem: Thank you for the opportunity that you have given The Mastabilda to connect with the Soul Clappers. My wish is that we all learn from one another and elevate our push beyond Eastern Cape. We need those who are not necessarily artists but believers of what we do to go to school come back and occupy key positions in relevant structures and organisation and help us push from inside. We sometimes pitch ideas to people who are totally ignorant of the texture of our art. We need an inside man. Shalom Shalom.

The 3rd annual Grass Roots Festival is on the 5th – 7th December in Motherwell NU2 stadium. Hip-hop lovers from all over the country, especially in the Eastern Cape are invited to be part of this hip-hop festival. Line-up to the Grass Roots Festival will be announced soon.
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