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

Nonhle Thema and Tibz

Don’t worry this isn’t a public service announcement. If you don’t know who I am, that’s fine but understand that I’m the shooting guard for the illest team in the game. My dude Nick is my captain, Mzo is my point guard, Justin has baseline to baseline defense and I’m here to shoot the lights out. My name is Tibz , I’m a proud Honcho and I’m here to win.

I’m Head Honcho’s marketing manager but at Head Honcho it’s almost pointless having portfolios since we all put in the work. We understand that there is no such thing as working hours and we live in the lab in order to produce the hottest street wear on the block.

So what do I do?

On a daily basis I play a part in executing the Head Honcho gameplan, I deal with stockists, ambassadors such as AKA, Dj Franky and Lulo Café.  I play a part in product placement of the Honcho brand at large events, music videos like Khuli Chana’s “Freshe” and talk shop with my captain.

The life of a Honcho can get really interesting, this month we’ve launched our Winter range, hosted a hot launch, caught love from Vuzu and then launched the new Shesha store at Eastgate the following week.

We’ve turned it up this winter range, dropping baseball jackets, fresh crewnecks and some crazy cardigans. We’re proud to say that the cardigans sold out at the Rosebank Shesha store in less than a week.

Like I said this isn’t a public service announcement, but I had to introduce myself before introducing you to the life of a Honcho. Expect to hear a lot from me, about the good and the tough and the magic moments like last night when I experienced my first World Cup game. It was a proud moment when I saw Spain vs. Honduras in my own country. I’m glad that I had Honcho gear to keep me warm.

I’d also like to apologize in advance. Us Honchos tend to shoot from the hip and go in… the aim is to live progressively so if my words offend you, please know that I mean no malice.

All love

Tibz Honcho

We launched our Winter collection in Joburg to much fanfare. The beautiful people of Jozi once again showed Head Honcho love and came out in droves to celebrate the collection that now includes custom items such as Cardigans, Baseball Jackets, Hoodies and Crewnecks for ladies and gents.

AKA and Kwesta tore it up on stage whilst DJs Master M, Naves, Lulo Cafe and others brought the house down with some fresh tunes. V-Entertainment (Vuzu TV’s flagship TV show) was also in the house …. the event’s festivities were captured by the fab KP for the TV show. Big Shout out to Vuzu TV for the love.

The collection is now in stores so please pop in at your nearest SHESHA Store and get some fresh new Head Honcho gear.

SHOWLOVE is teaming up with the hottest streetwear brand in the country, HEAD HONCHO for the launch of the Winter range… we call it WINTER HEAT.

You get to be the first to see the range and of course experience the vibe with the like of NAVES, MASTER M, FANATIC, T-LEE, LULO CAFE, SHLUDA and we got AKA live on stage along with a host of your favourite celebrities.

The new range is crazy… ladies you gonna love it too… HEAD HONCHO is turning it up!!

It’s on from 10pm… Ladies free before 11pm… otherwise R100.

Lots of give-aways ….. Look your freshest and come party with us Honcho style

THE NEW SHESHA STORE AT EASTGATE MALL IN JOBURG OPENS ON WEDNESDAY, 19 MAY ‘10. HEAD HONCHO WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM THE STORE, SO GO CHECK IT OUT! OUR WINTER RANGE WILL ALSO BE DROPPING THERE REAL SOON.

Tuesday, 27 April is Freedom Day and once again its going down in Newtown, Johannesburg ……. the Back to the City hip hop festival is where all the Gauteng masses will be gathered.

HEAD HONCHO will have a stand at the JUMBLE RUMBLE showcase area so come through and buy some fresh Honcho gear.

Address: Cnr Bree & Nxumalo Str, Newtown

Time: 10am – 6pm

See y’all there!

Our fam Showlove are hosting their 100th gig this Friday at Moloko, Johannesburg. We caught up with the founder Tibz who also happens to be part of the Honcho team, on what this milestone means. Continue reading and learn a thing or two about the highly-competitive events game.

HH: Wadup fam…. you’ve been on this interview seat before …. whats good?

Tibz: I’m good fam, a lot has happened since that last interview… You know we got some stories…

So its Showlove’s 100th gig this Friday (the 30th) ….. did you  ever think you’d get this far when you threw your first event?

Honestly, yes and I still think that I will reach my 1000th gig. I’m hungrier than ever and we still have plenty of work to do.

By the way…. how was your first event …. any hard lessons?

It was chaos… Mo Cafe in Norwood and it was packed. I didn’t have enough security, the amp blew( I cooled it off with a fan,lol) and of course that was my first experience with the infamous guest list.I grew in 6 hours and I’m still growing.

What would you say are your most memorable events and why?

50th floor of The Carlton Center(one of my birthdays), the original Old School vs New School (Kenzhero vs Milkshake) at 88, all our parties at The Palms and of course The Hype Awards. Even though those are all hip-hop events, we were completely outside of the box and we created unbelievable memories.

The business of throwing parties and hosting events is obviously a  cut-throat one … what has kept Showlove going when a lot of your  competitors have fallen by the wayside?

I’m still one of the very few that treats this like a job, I don’t just do this on the weekend. When competition emerges, the pressure is on them hence a lot of Showlove concepts have been bitten. We respect them but we do not fear them.

I sit with my team, brainstorm, social-network, etc. Despite having an office and dealing with corporates, I’m always in touch with the street,trends,slang,dances,etc… Showlove still sets the trends and pace.

On a lighter note …. if you had a budget of R1 million, what kind  of event would you put together?

I wouldn’t do one event. I would put on a roadshow/tour… Hip-hop is still in either Jhb or Cape Town… I would take it to the masses with great artists, djs, Head Honcho and attach all the relevant media partners…. We could call it the Showlove Circus… Hopefully they won’t bite that.

You’ve put in a lot of work for Head Honcho for the past  year-and-a-half …… what can cats expects over the next couple of  month where HH is concerned?

Expect the gear to get even hotter, expect it to be more in your face, accessibility to be easier for the consumer. Expect Honcho to be behind some fresh videos, endorse the hottest talent,strike interesting partnerships and to empower as many people as we can.

Above all expect Head Honcho to keep the competition up at night.

So what you got in store for the peeps who’ll be lucky enough to attend the “Showlove 100″ gig this Friday????
We’ve taken on Moloko as a client  and we’ve brought back that flavour we had at The Palms. It’s the sexiest venue in Jhb and has an amazing history.

We have amazing brands attached; Head Honcho, Pastry, Flud watches, Patron,Vitamin Water and Trace TV. The line-up is deep; Naves,Sphectacular,Master M, Dimplez, Vigilante, Biz and Capital… We going in… Expect me to be looking extra crispy.

Last words?

100 gigs is no joke but I understand that it may take 100s more before we reach our dreams. Showlove is still the platform for talent. All love to our new roster; C-live, Master M, Biz and Switch… Get Familiar. All love to our only artist AKA… Next SAMA your SAMA. All love to our various clients… We love taking care of your brands.All love to the street… Thanks for keeping us humble and on our toes and above all… All love to all those who show love.

We recently did a shoot with one of our brand ambassadors, the one and only LuloCafe. For those of you who are not in the know, our homie is one of the most sought-after house DJs in the country specialising in deep, soulful sounds for mature and discerning crowds.

After the success of his debut album, Lulo is almost ready to release his sophomore album which is due to hit stores May 19th …. Best diarise that date Honchos!

Visit www.lulocafe.com for more info.

More pics below:

All photos taken by Sivu Nobongoza. You can contact him @ nobongoza@gmail.com