Its that time of the month again ….. the monthly staple ‘Party People’ is gearing up for another Kenzhero-helmed installment, this time featuring our very own Ill Skillz.

Taking place as usual at Zula Bar in Long Street the gig is likely to be one of the best Party People gigs hosted this year ….. Our boys have plenty of new music that they’ll be dropping so be sure to join the Honcho fam in Cape Town this Friday!

Yo!!! Enjoy some throwback pics from the Head Honcho archives. Remembering the times …. Volume 2 coming soon!

What’s good fellas? .. Its been a minute since y’all were up on here..

Flexx: True, good to be back on the freshest site in Africa. Still progressive.

Jinxx: Our works have been speaking a lot for us; we found ourselves way ahead to catch-up with… I’m just sayin!

Y’all have kept busy … what are some of the exciting projects/shows that you’ve been busy with?

Flexx: Damn. A lot has happened since the last time, let me see…some notable shows have been Back To The City Festival which is important on the SA Hip Hop Calendar, We also rocked with People Under The Stairs…shout out to KOL, there was the Hype Awards…we enjoyed that. Cape Town’s Most Wanted (Kool Out Live), Ill Skillz Exclusives series, the Cape Town Festival and Hip Hop Connected at  The Artscape Theatre.

We just recently did our NO-PROMO TOUR which included rocking at The National Arts Fest in Grahamstown and the Siz N Scoop X Nike Sportswear party at Gallery on 4^th in Joburg. The highlight though, must be doing the 24 Hour Project – Skillz That pay Da Billz in March.

Jinxx: True, true, true…

Tell us more about the “24 hr Project” ….

Jinxx: People thought we were aiming to just capture buzz over this initiative, but were lacking a better understanding of us as creatively-inclined type of artists who enjoy such innovative challenges. Our missions was to record about 9-10 tracks, mixed and mastered,… also including doing a video shoot for one of the songs, a photo shoot, artwork creation and as well as launching it in 24 Hours via the internet. Everything was captured in film and we aimed to create a DVD documentary overall.

We were fortunate to have Red Bull Music Academy on board offering us their recording space and other facilities, and Vuzu.tv as our media partner. Big shout out to HIT Entertainment too!

To read more of the interview and watch videos of Ill Skillz click on the link below:

When are you guys putting out the album and the DVD?

Jinxx: Eventually, we tentatively released it with 8 tracks in the beginning. As predicted, we encountered some technical challenges despite having accomplished most of our goals, but as one of the exec producers I personally decided it wouldn’t be fruitful enough to release it without the other 2 unfinished tracks, because they embodied the theme of the project. So in this way it took some time to release it as a full package.

Cut-the-story-short, we planning to release the DVD during August.

Flexx: Yeah August is a good month.

You guys are doing a lot of shows in Joburg … is the JSec market finally falling in love with Ill Skillz?

Flexx: It’s nice to be able to go outside of CPT and rock for a different audience, meet new people, make new friends and just get fresh inspiration.

I think the way we’ve been pushing, getting out there on Channel O, Vuzu TV, MTV Base and the internet has exposed people to ILL SKILLZ on a greater scale and we are such creative experimentalist when it comes to our craft we just surprise ourselves and get excited with the outcome and I would imagine for our new found following outside of Cape Town, it’s exciting to see something fresh or different from the norm.

I’d love to do more in Joburg, coz i don’t think people have experienced the extreme Ill Skillz yet. Radio still seems to be an obstacle for some reason. I think once we get on the major stations like Y-FM, Metro FM and 5FM and get regular rotation we’ll transcend a new frontier and be accessible countrywide. We’re getting there and I’m excited to be on this cusp. Feels Great!!!

Flexx …. you’re involved with another group at the moment, Pangaea, with NY rapper Whosane. How do you differentiate the two i.e. “ill Skillz” and “Pangaea”?

Flexx: Ill Skillz is a group with its roots firmly in South African hip hop and a very unique energy and style that stems from Jinxx and I’s personality and history. Pangaea on the other hand is a fairly new group with a completely different feel and sound….and has drawn quite a lot of attention to local hip hop from the U.S with Whosane’s presence here. Especially after Taxi feat. Mos Def leaked on the blogs out there. A lot of folk were curious to find out what he is doing out here, and they’ve discovered much.

It’s exciting, and Nonku’s female presence and amazing voice just sets Pangaea apart from any group out right now. Guess we’re just gonna have to wait for Black Diamond to drop and distinction will be clear as a beautiful summers day in Cape Town.

Jinxx …. you’ve been the business brain behind Ill Skillz for a minute …. how do you feel about the current state of the local hip hop industry? And what’s your vision for Ill Skillz going forward?

Jinxx: No doubt! I’m glad to be part of this developing era playing significant roles, results have been shown and proven… I mean major-labels started scouting for artists, corporates have indicated their confidence in the industry, and even on a lower-scale cats started having the audacity to build their own labels, set up studios, organise events etc.

And I find myself amidst of all of this shebang and I can’t say Ill Skillz hasn’t implemented any of this. We’ve paid our dues!!!

Y’all are always looking fresh in that exclusive Head Honcho ish …. how do you feel about the new winter range and HH’s growth?

Flexx: The new range is too ill, I bugged out when I first saw it and I’m proud to be part of the movement and growth. Think it also keeps us on our toes. We can’t slack when Head Honcho progresses so fast.

Jinxx: You better recognise,… you best believe it. Nah but fellas, I must say ya’ll dudes are murking the game right now… Peace to the Godz. And we feel privileged to be part of the Honcho movement, it equally complements our motives.

Summer is the biggest period for artists …. what are your plans?

Flexx: Oh summer is gonna be a whole new, different day. I don’t wanna count any chickens yet…but together with our ties abroad we’re gonna surprise ourselves and whoever is watching. One word “ Excitement!”

Jinxx: Catch me in every single city, locally and abroad, doing mad shows… putting in work.

How are you “Living Progressively”?

Flexx: Just trying to have productive days and staying inspired, fresh and living my dreams.

Jinxx: “I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, I’m too cool for that shit!”. Haha… I’m kidding, rather stay Ill Skillin’, staying unbreakable!

Watch Ill Skillz – Unbreakable

Keep up with Ill Skillz on the following networks:

http://myspace.com/ill-literateskill

http://facebook.com/ill-literateskill

http://twitter.com/illskillzmusic

FRESH DROP FRIDAY

PICTURES TAKEN FROM STAN 1′S SHOW “ONE NIGHT STAN” THIS PAST SATURDAY AT VERTIGO, CAPE TOWN.

PICS BY SIVU NOBO

Wsup Keziah …. how are you doing?

Hi Nick, I’m very well thank you.

You are looking amazing in the latest Head Honcho photo shoot ….  how was the experience and are you happy with the outcome?

Thank you!  It was such an amazing experience working with the Head Honcho crew and Khaya. We had so much fun! I’m extremely happy, Yes.

A lot of Head Honcho readers might not know you …. please introduce yourself.

My name is Keziah Fisher, I am a Cape Town-based South African R&B singer and Professional Architect.

You are currently enjoying some early success with your music … your singles are getting good airplay on Cape Town radio. You must be loving it!

I have been truly blessed to have the support of all the radio stations, not only just in Cape Town, but all over South Africa!  I got a call the other day to say my song was playing in East London, the person said it was really nice they wouldn’t leave the store until it played finished…I had to smile. It’s truly amazing.

Click on the link below to keep reading…

We understand that you’re a qualified architect; so how did you end up in the music business?

It all came as such a surprise! After I graduated at the University of Cape Town as an Architect, I told my parents I wanted to pursue my passion for music as a hobby while still continuing my work in the professional architectural and construction field. My parents always encouraged me to study further so that I could be independent and I finally achieved that so they were very supportive of me doing music. It is very important for me to have the blessing of my parents they play a huge role in my life when it comes to guidance.

With my architectural studies completed I thought “Why not I had nothing to lose”. Plus I needed a bit of a break so I decided to take a chance in studio.

In studio I just let my feelings go and wrote about how I felt and things I was going through at the time. But I wrote it in such a way that the listeners could relate. And that’s how “Jealousy” began. And it was a NO 1 HIT from day one all over South Africa and I have to thank ALL the local radio stations for that.

So you’ve got beauty and brains, lol! How do you compare your day job as an architect to being a singer?

(laughs) Thank you for the compliment (laughs). It’s chaotic!!! I have become a master of multi-tasking. My job as an Architect and Director of a Construction firm takes main preference in my life though but I give my all in everything I do. It has been tough because I’m always working. I’m a perfectionist and pretty critical on myself. I have a personal assistant who takes care of all the admin when it comes to my music.

Who and what inspires you?

I look up to my parents and believe in God. It is important to have the right role models and mentors in your life, because they play a KEY role in your success or failure e.g. the kind of advice they give you when you ask questions. I firmly believe that you have to surround yourself with the right people that share the same mindset that you have. What inspires me is helping others.

A little bird tells us that there’s a Keziah-inspired perfume in the works … Tell us about that?

Yes, this is true (laughs), It has been a project that I have been researching and working on for the past 2 years which my mom has been managing for me. It has resulted in a trip to New York earlier this year for training on how to manufacture the compound. It has been a very costly and time-consuming process. At this present moment I am busy with the packaging and bottle designs with my team. The compound has already been sorted out and I own all the rights to the product. It is called “Jealousy” by Keziah Fisher. No date for release has been given just yet.

Why do you think there’s a need for you to go that route (making a perfume) this early in your career?

Why not? I say. I’m young, independent, I’m not in a relationship and I have all the energy and time now! You only live once, and I’m living my life to the fullest, I’m not holding back.

Apparently you also have a hot new website that you’re about to launch. What can people expect from it?

Yes, www.keziahfisher.com. I have been busy on it for 2 months. Due to my schedule it has taken slightly longer, but I won’t rush it and release something I don’t approve of because I set very high standards for myself. It is due to release End July 2010.

Where would you like to see the ‘Keziah Fisher’ brand in 5 years?

I would like to see myself leading numerous brand extension ventures. With the completion of 2 albums, signature clothing line, fragrance, cosmetic, jewelry collection and eventually my own store.

How do you “Live Progressively”?

A person who lives progressively is someone who is influential and takes charge of their life. It’s all about the attitude baby (says with an attitude and laugh’s), your lifestyle and your positive spirit. My favorite saying is … “You can do anything you set your mind to”.

When Maino performs this track at CHROME next week Saturday (29th of May) …. all hell is gonna break loose. It’ll be a sight for sore eyes!!!

Tickets for the Cape Town show go on SALE tomorrow @ Shesha (Canal Walk), So Treal (210 Long Str) & Head Honcho HQ (62
Roeland St). Get your pre-sold tickets & avoid standing in lines ….. you know how our parties get!

CC: R120 Normal pre-sold; R150 Normal at the door; R200 VIP

Lets go!!!

Cape Town are you ready for the biggest hip hop event in our city this year???

We are proud to bring you one of New York’s biggest and most popular rappers MAINO. Yes you read that right….. MAINO, coming all the way from the birth of hip hop!!

You’ve danced to his chart-topping hits such as “A Million Bucks” feat. Swizz Beatz, “Hi Haters” and “All of the Above” feat. T-Pain and now you’re about to hear these very same hits performed LIVE AT CHROME, CAPE TOWN, by the guy that critics call the FUTURE OF NEW YORK HIP HOP.

Buy your tickets beforehand to ensure that you and your friends will be vibing with us on SATURDAY, 29 MAY. Since Maino will be performing at CHROME, only 500 pre-sold tickets are up for grabs for R120. Details on where you can buy them will be revealed very soon.

The rest of the tickets will be on sale at the door for R150 NORMAL & R200 VIP.

CHROME will be running a number of bottle specials on Champagne & Spirits on this special night so bring your A-Game and pop some bottles with us at the biggest hip hop event of the year.

Come wearing HEAD HONCHO gear and expect special treatment (You know how we do)! Look fly as they’ll be mad cameras in the house!!

DJ LINE-UP

** GLEN DA DJ (JHB)
** pH (5FM mix-show DJ)
** LEO LARGE (The baddest in CPT)
** OZY (CPT Veteran)
** LYLE (Chrome resident)

Doors Open @ 9pm

CC: R120 (pre-sold); R150 (at the door) & R200 (VIP)

BROUGHT TO YOU BY CHANNEL O, VUZU TV, GLEN 21, PREMIUM & HEAD HONCHO CLOTHING.

LOOK OUT FOR PRIZE GIVEAWAYS LEADING UP TO THE EVENT ON THIS PAGE

Ne-Yo, the award-winning R&B extraordinaire, will be bringing the house down in Cape Town at Bellville Velodrome on Tuesday night.

We’ve been tasked with hosting the mother of all After Parties the same night. So straight after his performance, Ne-Yo will come and party @ Chrome with his Cape Town fans…. Ladies you don’t wanna miss this one.

I repeat, Ne-Yo will be making a Special Guest Appearance…. so come party with the man himself.

CC: R60 before 12 …. R120 for VIP.

Line-up: Leo Large, Ozy, Mr Jay Charles, Loyd & pH

Look Fly & Stay Fresh

www.headhoncho.co.za

What’s good homie …. How are you living?

All good my man, just Doing me…

They say comedians are the new rock stars…. What do you have to say about that?

We pack up venues my man with no instruments or props…just one mic.

You must be happy with the country’s sometime hilarious state what with Malema’s never-ending sagas, ET etc ….. SA is kind to you comedians …. What do you say?

Ow fo sho…as long we still have Julius singing, people touching each other on their studios and bloody agents getting kicked out…we will never run out of material. So tell the Honchos a little bit about yourself …. Where do you come from and what were you doing before becoming a comedian?

I come from a small town called King William’s Town in Eastern Cape. Growing up I always thought there’s a bigger world out there to explore than chill in E.C. After matric I went to study at the Cape Technikon in cape town…thats before they changed it to CPUT…Central Prison of…lol just kidding. Can you believe I started with retail Management first…realized middle of the year that this was not me. The next year I changed to Graphic design. I went on to work as an Art director at one of South Africa’s recognized Ad agencies called The Jupiter Drawing Room.

And how did you eventually end up being a comedian …. It must have been a giant leap of faith???

Dude it was all about a cellphone…a Nokia 3310 joe!! In my second year at tech Vodacom Campus Tour came through with a lunch hour Comedy show. There were three comedians performing and before they introduced the last guy the host was like “We need three people who think they’re funny. you have two minutes to make us laugh and every second counts. You stand a chance to win a cellphone”. My boy Molete Mathaba was like yo dude go you’re funny. I was like Heelll Nooo!! Dude jumped up cause he used to go to comedy workshops held by Cape Comedy Collectives back then. He did well, meanwhile I’m sitting there thinking I can do that. Second guy jumps for the stage and he gets booed off stage. I didnt think about it I just went for it not even knowing what I was going to do. they were flowing with me but I ran out of time and my Boy won the phone that day. From that moment I vowed that when they come back again the next year I’ll be prepared and I will win that phone…and I did. Then comedian Cokey Falkow invited me to come do open mic at the celebrated Armchair theatre…and the rest is History dude.

What was your first official gig and how did it go?

The Barnyard Comedy Festival that was organized by Comedian Kurt Schoonraad who first saw me at the Armchair Theatre. This went around three Cities and we started in Durban. I remember first night dude I was so nervous,from performing for +60 people at the Armchair to +500 people. Stuart Taylor was hosting it,then Dave Livensohn,me and Kurt closed it. I was supposed to do 15 min…I think I did 7min cause I was so nervous I rushed through my set so fast. Of cause complaints come through about me and I felt like sh*t dude,like I let these dudes down.But they were so cool about it and sat me down,went through my stuff and I learnt something that day cause Dave was like “Ndumiso you’ve got it..relax, just speak slow. If you feel like things are not going your way don’t rush,just slow down and they will catch on wit you…and keep the mic on your chin”. The next day I KILLED IT!! Damn!!

You were initially based in Cape Town and moved to JHB recently… how was the CPT comedy scene and how did it prepare you for the much bigger Jozi scene?

What I liked about the Cape Town comedy scene is that whole thing of comics supporting each other. Older Comics supporting young comics. I have to say the Jo’burg scene is divided,kinder like the East and West side story. But I work with whoever wants to work with me. Also When I started out I performed mostly for a white audience in Cape Town. Then when I started playing Jo’burg I got introduced to the middle class black audience. Now you can put me anywhere I will crack that audience up because comedy should not be about wether you’re black or white…it should be about laughter.

How would you describe your style of comedy ….. What can people who have never been to one of your shows expect?

My style is very observational,stuff people take for granted. I like to make comparisons between the races we have because I believe we’re still in a process of knowing each other in this country. We do things differently,ever notice how white people can have a snake as a pet and with black peeps that is associated with whichcraft, we find out you have a snake your house will be on fire.

How would you compare the local comedy scene to that of the States …. Do you think you’d be able to cut it out there?

I think over the years S.A comedy has matured to international standards. How we can take our stories and make them internationally relevant. I recently performed with Capone a comic from New York(check his Def Jam comedy performance on youtube). He was so amazed by my performance and he kept singing the Zulu song I do as a joke and he would crack up laughing. It really meant a lot to me when he said I would do well in New York. So I guess I should get my Visa ready…

You’ve worked with a number of local comedians …. Which guys do you look up to and why?

Riaad Moosa …his timing,delivery and performance on stage is outstanding. He’s the kinder comic that makes you wish you thought of that joke first. David Kau because he’s material is always current. Cape Comedians really made me who I am today. From Cokey Falkow,Kurt, Stuart Taylor,Dave Livensohn and Mark Lottering. I know these guys are a phone call away if I want an advice.

Please fill in the following:

Joburg is filled with possibilities.

My favourite qualities in a woman are her Smile, sense of humor and personality.

My life ambition is to show my nephew and Niece…uhm guys from back home that anything is possible if you Dream Big.

Julius Malema should not sing shosholoza…the Gautrain will crash.

Bafana Bafana are going to surprise everyone like the Karate Kid.

How do you Live Progressively?

I Pray a lot, set goals, go for what I want and Believe. I always say I’m a Dreamer and one day I’ll wake up and realize I’ve been living my dreams…so I like it when they keep telling me to dream on.