Hip hop identity in a township reality. - Poppunt

In 1991, along with his cousin Zorro, he joined Fabulous Crew, but this disbanded
due to the uncertainty attached to this kind of lifestyle and most of the members
started working in ‘normal’ jobs. When Crosby returned back from the Eastern
Cape in 1996 to stay permanently in Gugulethu, he joined Chronic Clan. They have
enjoyed relative success, once reaching the semi-finals of the Fame competition,
and in 2002 being chosen as the best ragga group in the SABC talent search.
Crosby is from a musical family, so finds he does not receive the negative reactions
from them compared to most of the other interviewees. His father used to be a DJ,
and his uncle was also very much involved within the music scene.
Eavesdrop is twenty-four years old and grew up in Grassy Park. She started writing
about seven years ago. She has always kept a diary and enjoyed writing poetry.
From starting to write lyrics she was already listening to hip hop, watching video
clips and attending hip hop parties. She started to turn her poetry into rap lyrics,
without high ambitions. In 2004 she wrote her first performing rhymes, and took
the stage. Compared to the other MC’s we have interviewed, she started in rap at a
rather older age. She thinks that is because men have more support in the field of
hip hop and rap music.
Dirty Tale is sixteen years old, and recently moved to Wesbank from Khayelitsha.
He started rapping in 2003, forming Dirty Dogs with some of his friends. All the
other group members still live in Khayelitsha. His parents are in full support of his
musical ambitions; his mother gave the group R 200 to help them record their first
song. Though his father is more appreciative of gospel music, he respects his son
and the songs he writes.
DJ Eazy is 29 years old. He was twelve years old when he was introduced to the hip
hop culture. At that time, most of the rap music he heard was of men boasting
about their cars, houses and girls. He grew up in Bonteheuwel, an area where he
was not allowed out, even to the park, because it was too dangerous. He occupied
himself with his music (no Playstation or computers to distract him – they were
either not available or unaffordable). He idolised the people he saw on television,
and dreamed that one day he would make it onto the screen. His focus has since
shifted, and he is now immersed in the hip hop culture. He is a DJ, with his own
show on UCT Radio. Along with the afore mentioned organisation the Faculty of Hip
Hop, he wants to break down the stereotyping and stigmas associated to
mainstream hip hop. They occasionally release a CD containing local music from
people who have sent in their demo discs. He also organises projects in the local
schools, teaching children the basics in DJ’ing. In between playing their favourite