Tuesday 24 May 2011

My African Dream

Tom wants me to stop going on about  Ms. Dynamite's "Neva Soft" baaaad gyal choon  and share some thought-provoking arguments with you. At least they were thought-provoking when Tom The Mith and I first had the conversation.

I'm a huge admirer of The Mith and the path his career is taking. I know that should he keep his foot on the peddle he will have the legacy of a founding father of Uganda's hip-hop movement. More than Uganda actually, Kora would suggest the entire Continent. The influence that The Mith and his peers (Danny aka Navio, Abba, and Keko for whom a special mantle is reserved) have cannot be underestimated. Perhaps more important than influencing the lives of young Africans or providing the rhythm, beats and soul of our times, today's artistes are ambassadors of our continent. In a world of YouTube, Facebook, SoundCloud, Twitter and digital radio stations, the  dissemination of information of any sort is almost immediate and definitely so far-reaching that it has already toppled governments and launched the careers of some of the most powerful careers in the global music industry (ask The Beiber - whether or not you're a believer!) There's no need to labour the point.

So, in spite of my lifelong love affair with The Mith and his hustle, I've still got beef with him and his ilk. With the aforementioned stage illuminated, why o why do our hip hop stars fail ever so miserably to project an accurate image of this here beautiful continent, its people and its times. Why do I have to be staring at borrowed Bentleys, poorly styled video vixens and Jay-Z imitating posturing when I watch our videos. Yeah, it's hip hop and it may go without saying that the genre is predominantly about meteoritic rises from nothing to untold wealth and exposure. I can understand the excitement and subsequent servings of Marcy to TriBeCa images, from American artistes. Why a Bentley would turn up in a Ugaflow video is beyond me. I don't mean to be too literal with the automobile but I don't think that our version of aspiration and success is of that exact fabric.

Whilst I'm not asking The Mith to have his videos set against a backdrop of rolling savannah, littered with starving children or any other cliched concepts of the continent, I think that these might sadly be closer to our Truth. The Mith's question to me is then, what exactly my version of the African Dream is. What would my ultimate aspirations be?

I might be the wrong person to ask on the one hand but like many I think I would zero in on a complex but less blingy dream. The basic human desire to survive, have good health, progeny and dignity take on a different form when, for the vast majority of Africans, these very things are threatened everyday by thriving parasites, both microscopic and homo sapiens. Everything from malaria to senile dictatorships and their failed interpretations of service in government make the African Dream so far beyond the money, the cars, the clothes and the hos.

What would my African Dream be? It would certainly be more utilitarian. It would be for better service from our leaders in the perhaps vain hope that they would fashion social economic conditions that allowed the Marcy to Tribeca transition to be less of a joke and more of a reality. How is The Mith to create this imagery? It isn't beyond the realm of his possibilities and it certainly would come cheaper than sourcing a Maybach in Kampala (yeah, I've upgraded :D).

Sidebar: I've got to give props to Navio for 'Nawulilanga' and The Mith for 'Where I'm From'. Navio's video was nicely styled but more importantly reflective of the traditional song on which his track is based. The lyrical content of 'Where I'm from' is so relatable to many lives in the country.

So whilst my dream might involve a radical change in government perhaps, I'm not asking The Mith to take up office. He is however in prime position to challenge those that are or can be such leaders. He is in prime position to show the world that beyond Band Aid and safaris, there is an Africa that is thinking, hopeful, progressive in a fashion that isn't regurgitative but unique and honest.

All this isn't to say that The Mith cannot show or tell us abt his Friday night aspirations, help us party or transport us into relaxation. He can. But he and all artistes shd be frighteningly aware of their ambassadorships and the mandate that comes with them. They should all be aware that their appeal will still be of shared aspiration tailored to voice the dreams of a voiceless many.

                               theothermrscarter

Hip Hop Canvass with The Mith...

How did you get your moniker, The Mith, and what does it represent? 
I got my name in Hillside High school. My friends used to call me Mythological because I was always reading on Mythology. When I started rapping I used THE M.I.T.H, which after a studio session with Hannz Tactiq, turned from just a name to the acronym, MUSIC IN THE HIGHEST. That’s what it represents, because that's what I deliver.

Define your lyrical style in a few words…
I try my hardest to be relevant and make people relate. There are many people out there rhyming about everything, but where they’re from. I rhyme about the life of a Ugandan.

When and how did it all begin for The Mith?
It started in Hillside High School in 1999. I wrote my first rhyme, THE REASON, and got hooked to words and what they do. I haven’t stopped since then.

 
At what point did you know you were an above-average rapper?
I thought I was okay, but when I started getting word from South African rappers saying I impressed them with my writing and all, I decided to take it to the next level.

 
While our focus is on emcee skills so let’s dig into that for a bit. Who influenced your style growing up?
I listened to a lot of Biggie, Jay-Z, Nas, Snoop, Pun and Canibus. So I took a lot from each of them. But my main influence had to be the African artists I started listening to. From K-South in Kenya all the way down to ProVerb in South Africa, these guys influenced me a lot because it’s so much easier to relate to them and what they rap about. The African Dream is the same all over.

What's your take on the hip hop industry right now both locally and internationally and where would you like to see it at 5 years from now?
F**k the international scene, [it's] not of any interest to me. Locally, I think there’s no genre moving at a better pace. I see Hip-Hop artists always trying to better themselves. Whether it be with the music, the videos, the performances or the mergers and Business ventures, the artists are pushing the boundaries further and further on a daily basis. So the Hip-Hop industry can only grow. 5 years from now I can’t wait to see where it’s going to be.

According to you, what makes you appear as unique in the music industry in Uganda or East Africa?
I have refused to dumb down. A lot of the artists in E.A have dumbed down a lot in order to get some money, but in the process, they have lost who they are. I am still me, no 2 ways about that.

Which (mainstream or underground) artist earned your respect and why?
I think there’s no 1 artist I respect over others. There are a bunch of artists I respect and for various reasons. Nonini is building an empire. Dude has gone from videos for every song on his album to tours in States and phone apps, to movies and managing artists. Navio mainly because dude is persistent. The Ugandan industry usually affects the artists' heads, especially when they gain success, but he still stays regular working hard like he is just coming out. And many others.

The Week Of September is the title of your upcoming LP. What influenced this album title? 
I was born on September 8th and I started conceptualizing the album with a friend of mine, P-Tech, in September 06 before he died. 

The September Reign mixtape was definitely sizzling hot, what can we expect from your new album The Week Of September?
Better production. Better concepts. Better lyrics. Better collabos. Everything on the album has been put to a Better level.
   
What is your favorite album of all time?
Ready To Die – Biggie. But Doggy Style has to be mentioned, they go hand in hand for me.














You just finished recording your album. Any special guests on the album you can reveal to the fans?

Percussion Discussion Africa.
Nonini
Navio
Don MC
Deejay Aludah
Tickie Tah
F**k it, every collabo is a special 1.
Percussion Discussion Africa

Deejay Aludah
Tickie Tah
Don MC


Nonini


Navio



Immortal interview question; any artists you’d like to work with on your next EP/LP/mixtape?
Lillian (Blu*3)
Maurice Kirya and some more I won’t reveal because I don’t want these non-creative f**ks to go and do them before me.

Lilian (Blu*3)
Maurice Kirya











 
If you had to drive from Ntinda to Nairobi and you could only take 3 CDs with you, what would they be?

 Life After Death – Biggie
Afrigo Bands first album
And anything from Freshly Ground.
Afrigo Band
Freshly Ground
Projecting, what does the future hold for The Mith?
More. I am putting out more music. More videos. More collabos. More ideas. So the future for me is all about MORE.

 
Do you have any other ultimate goals?
Doing an album that crosses over. A soundtrack of sorts. One that will get accolades in every award ceremony and get noticed in every country.

Okay so this one's a little bit left-field; On to Fashion, what do you consider to be your personal style, what brands are you rockin' right now?
I’m So UG T-shirt, Latif jeans, Adidas shoes and all.
Adidas Classics

















Final thoughts?
THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER in stores soon.