Just hours ago, hip-hop mogul Jay Z spoke out about having signed two of South Africa’s top MCs, AKA and Cassper Nyovest:
“I am black and y’all know Africa is blessed with talent and for Cassper Nyovest and AKA they are the true definition of hip-hop,” the rapper said according to ondamic.com. He added: “In Africa they understand the game.”
Jay Z explained that he and his label, Roc Nation, had chosen Africa because of the exciting potential of a new environment where they can explore new talents.
This statement came just in time, bringing clarity for a whole lot of South African hip-hop fans and followers who have been waiting for an explanation since the initial announcement on the 26th of January 2016.
We have still, however, not heard anything from the two rappers concerned, who also just happen to be South Africa’s biggest hip-hop rivals. AKA and Nyovest have had several spats over the last two years, and continue to feud.
“Hip-hop is all about flexing so it’s no surprise that in an art form based on competition and ego and confidence, that two egos won’t get along,” said more veteran rapper AKA in an interview with MTV when asked about the origins of the dispute.
Will getting signed to the same record label mean they both will have to adopt the #SameTeam hashtag? Well, let’s wait and see.
Now, I’m a long time hip-hop fan. I’m the oldest niece and granddaughter on both sides of my family and was introduced to both jazz and hip-hop at a very young age by my many uncles. It’s safe to say that it’s in me. Which is why I also understand, like AKA said, that feuds are a part of hip-hop. That’s what people do… battle.
Although battling (which involves a ton of bragging and boasting) can occur on recorded albums (much like Drake and Meek Mill’s battle was), rap battles are often freestyled or recited spontaneously live, where each MC will perform on the same stage (head-to-head) to see who has better verses. Their sole purpose is to impress people with technical and creative rapping. Watching rap battles are my favourite thing!
HOW DOES ‘BATTLING’ APPLY TO REAL LIFE?
“Look carefully at your call brothers and sisters. By human standards, not many of you are deemed to be wise. Not many of you are considered powerful. Not many of you are from royalty, right? But celebrate this: God selected the world’s foolish to bring shame upon those who think that they are wise; likewise, He selected the world’s weak to bring disgrace upon those who think they are strong. God selected the common and the castoff, whatever lacks status, so He could invalidate the claims of those who think those things are significant. So it makes sense for any person to boast in God’s presence. Instead credit God with your new situation: you are united with Jesus the Anointed. He is God’s wisdom for us and more. He is our righteousness and holiness and redemption. As the scripture says: ‘If someone wants to boast, he should boast in the Lord.’” 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (The Voice)
A lot of us grow up battling others trying to show how good we are, and we don’t need to rap to do it. We could be using education, sports, acting, singing – whatever, as our weapon of choice. Our weapon of choice could even be proving that our life choices were better than those of our colleagues, or that we’ve achieved more in less time… and the list goes on. I’m incredibly competitive, so this way of thinking sucks for me – big time.
Meeting Jesus has changed my life. I no longer have to walk through life constantly on the “battle rap” – I don’t even need to prove myself anymore. When I accepted his Lordship over my life, I accepted who he says I am and what He did for me rather than the pitiful stuff I could do for myself. In fact, if it was really up to me, I’d be the common castoff, the less significant one. I had the fear that if I told people I was “good” at something, they could come back to me and point in my face if they found that I wasn’t, and I’d have nothing to fall back on.
I know I’m not alone. I know there are many like me. I also know that there are many people “better” than me at what I do. Which is why, even after accepting Jesus, I have to hold onto boasting in Him rather than boasting in myself.
I don’t know where you are in your journey, and how good you are at what you do, but I do know someone who will always be the best at what he does – we can always boast in him. He doesn’t need to constantly improve his skillset or continuously study to be the greatest, He is the greatest and He’s inviting you to use His CV when you’re presenting yourself for this job called life! If you want to know more about him why don’t you click on the banner below!