Johannesburg - Jabulani Tsambo, aka HHP, was the host of the South African Music Awards (Samas) last week. He had a good time cracking people up with his impromptu skits. While the music industry is singing the praises of such performers as AKA and K.O., it is people like HHP who came up with the genre of Motswako, the indigenous rap music with predominantly Setswana lyrics.
Few people know this, but it was HHP that brought Cassper Nyovest into the game as his protégé.
The two appeared on the song, Wamo Tseba Mtho. Although they are close, in typical HHP fashion the mature rapper has not taken sides in the beef between Nyovest and other young rappers.
He has been in the rap game for 15 years and has won numerous awards.
His versatility has seen him enter and win Strictly Come Dancing, a thing that few people expected, given the rapper’s humungous frame.
His versatility and genius have seen HHP collaborate with musicians like PJ Powers and US rapper Nas.
Through the hit song Bosso, HHP has introduced pop culture phrases like “Bosso kemang? (Who’s the boss?)” – a statement one makes when bragging about one’s achievements.
Naturally hilarious, HHP used his talent to make the Sama ceremony memorable.
The rapper will be launching an album and a tour next month to celebrate reaching the milestone of 15 years.
You were the host of the Samas last weekend. How was that experience?
I think it was the first time I got to the Samas and got royal treatment. From just driving into and parking in the entrance of the Cascades Hotel at Sun City – it doesn’t get any better than that. They even allowed me through with my family.
You got mixed reactions to the way you hosted the evening. How well do you think you did?
I hadn’t MCed or hosted anything before and I had about two days to get it right and so I think it went okay. In the little time I got to prepare, I realised some of my shortfalls and some of my strengths. I know that if I had another week I would have killed it.
What did you learn from it?
I think I took three things from that experience. First, I think I should pursue musical theatre. I did it a bit in university. but didn’t pursue it. Imagine a musical pantomime done in rap.
Second, I am considering public speaking. I have not done it before. However, I keep getting invited to do gigs and never take them up. Third, I am considering stand-up comedy. I am seriously thinking about trying out comedy clubs.
How important was it for you to speak about xenophobia?
It was important for me to talk about it, whether or not they had asked me to do so. There are a lot of things they asked me not to talk about, but I did anyway. In fact, when the time to talk about it came, the Autocue (teleprompter) jammed and so I shared my sentiments on the subject from the heart.
You had a skit that made fun of DJ Sbu and the energy drink that he is promoting.
Yes, that was my idea. I called Sbu and told him what I had in mind and he was okay with it. So on the Autocue, DJ Sbu’s name was there, but scratched out with Zuluboy as his replacement. It was really funny.
What other rap names did you have before HHP?
I was named “Jabba” in high school. The name came from the Star Wars creature, Jabba the Hutt, because I was a big kid.
After matric I had a song out where I described myself as Hip Hop Pantsula because at the time I could not get hip-hop clothes that fitted me. Fubu had no sizes for me and so I wore Dickies and Converse, clothes that are synonymous with pantsula guys. I hated the name at first.
You have done great duets in the past. Who else do you want to work with?
I have a lot of people in mind. I want to do something with Thandiswa Mazwai. I need to do something with Stevie Wonder. I must also do something with Caiphus Semenya and Themba Mkhize.
I have to do work with Beatenberg, people are sleeping on that band. I also want to do something with Don Jazzy from Nigeria.
If you formed a rap group, what would be the group called and whom would you include?
I’d call the group U.N.A. (Ugly Niggaz Association) and I would have Amu and Pro.
We would also need a hot vocalist. Everyone else can raise their hands and we will decide.
If it weren’t for the music, what would you have done with your life?
I would make films because that is what I studied. In fact I am working on a couple of projects in this regard.
What are you busy with?
We have just put out the Motswako High School album and we are promoting it and celebrating my 15 years in the game. We will be doing 15 shows around the world – eight on the continent, four in Europe and the rest in the US. I have a television show coming on SABC 1. Then there is a comedy concept that I am working on with Mpho Popps and JR.
This year, bosso kemang (Who is the boss) in the rap game?
Bosso is someone who doesn’t value the tangibles. That somebody doesn’t value money, awards, women or houses. It’s someone who is all about their art. Shout out people like Boyznbucks, who have been doing their thing for a while and who are blowing up now.
Shout out to CashTime Life who are handling everything for themselves. Everything is run in-house, from graphic designers to PR people. They are running a machine. Dream Team are really killing it, too.
The Sunday Independent