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Ok, so I didn’t really get to meet Spoek. But in the digital realm (that counts, right?) I broke bread with South Africa’s hippest export; the “Post-Apartheid, Post-Hip Hop Posterboy.” Now based abroad, things are moving fast for this homie. We spoke about his debut album, gracing on the cover of FADER, and being kind of a big deal…

Firstly, where does the name Spoek Mathambo come from?

From the TV show ‘Emzini Wezinsizwa’…my favourite TV show ever. Best south african sitcom.

Are you really descended from royalty?

Yes. My great grandad was Solomon Maraba for whom Marabastad was named. Ndebele royal line of the Marabas.

The video for the title track of your upcoming album Mshini Wam, is bevok/(dope)! Its got a lo-fi Afro-Urban feel to it. What inspired the video and where/when was it shot?

It was shot in Yeoville (inner city Johannesburg) a month ago…I guess it’s inspired by grime ‘hood videos’…as well as old HipHop and dancehall videos that said nothing except, WE ARE DOWN WITH THE PEOPLE. I was tired of doing overstyled videos in sterile environments that don’t say much about South Africa.

I went on a quest through Yeoville and Hillbrow to find some hood directors, local people that shoot stuff(weddings, graduations, bahmitvahs)…I was especially trying to stay clear from working with people from ‘my world’.

I ended up bumping into some pretty cool Cameroonian and Congolese directors and spent the day shooting the video in Yeoville with them…pretty easy. We hung out with my cousin and brother and shot.

The illustration stuff was done by artists from my manager’s agency, One Louder.

‘Umshini Wami’ (Bring my machine gun) is a now-controversial anti-apartheid struggle song, popularly/ notoriously sung by president Jacob Zuma in post- apartheid rallies. Is referencing  this a move towards political satire/ commentary for you?

It’s me saying what I want to say as always.

Your album is being released at the end of the month through Barely Breaking Even (BBE.) They’re kind of a big deal, right? Who are they and how did you get on
board?

I don’t know about ‘big deal’…but they’ve released many ‘big deal’ acts in the past: Jazzy Jeff, Masters At Work, J Dilla, Will I Am…the list goes on.

Big deal will be chinchila coats and diamond- studded braces…and a dental plan. That’s what I’m working on…who wants to see a toothless rapper? I have the worst set of teeth.

I’m picking up more of an Afro- house vibe and some Kwaito sounds on your new stuff, as opposed to the futuristic electro booty hop (did I get that right?) of your earlier projects/ collabos, PlayDoe and Sweat X. Is this a conscious move on your part and why?

I was in full control of this project (as opposed to past collaborations) and I made the music I am interested in. Check for my DJing project H.I.V.I.P…I mostly buy, DJ and listen to Afrohouse/Township Tech,
Kwaito, UK Funky, Grime and some Bashment.

How do you think international audiences respond to Kwaito sounds, something us South Africans generally think of as something only played here.

Like I say, I DJ kwaito and township tech around the world and it’s been recieved with excitement. They don’t know what is in clubs…they just move to it.

I like the sense of humour you bring to your work. It always seems like you are really
enjoying yourself/ taking the piss. Did you always have this approach?

I wouldn’t say taking the piss…but yes, I hate heavy handed SERIOUS people…life sucks and is depressing…but who want to hear about that ALL THE TIME? Well i guess goths and black metal heads do, but I generally like my life and don’t want to die any time soon. Bare in mind, a lot of the content on the album is pretty dark…as well as festive. Balance.

I once read some stupid journalist call me ‘irrepresively merry’…that’s a piss take.

In a Playdoe interview with you and Sibot, he referred to the Cape Town music scene as “nice and healthy.” How would you describe the Cape Town/ South African music scene right now?

I don’t know about the Cape Town scene…it’s always seemed quite pathetic to me. What I enjoy are the Durban, Nelspruit and Pretoria house scenes…now that’s nice and healthy!
Great output…solid albums…good sales..adoring fans. HEALTH!

You’re cleverly described on your Myspace page as a Post-Apartheid Post- Hip Hop Posterboy. You also describe yourself as an MC. How do you feel about hip hop today?

I rap,  sometimes I sing or DJ or produce. I always try to be a great MC…I don’t know about hiphop though. …4 elements and all that? I really don’t know anything about that anymore. Even as far as Rap, it’s splintered into kaziliion subgenres…
I by no means align myself with hiphop anymore because i dont even know what it is. My favourite encarnation of Rap is Grime.

I still follow some yank rappers…my latest favourite is Jay Electronica…my friends from Texas Cerebral Vortex, Damaged Good$.

What I used to take from hiphop was pride in skills development…and a drive to be the best. I have grown up with that since I was 4 or 5…so it’ll never never (leave me) however disenchanted I become with it.

You’ve performed all over the world, worked with some amazing talents and graced the pages of the most discerning international magazines. What’s been the highest high for you so far?

Releasing my first album ever in two weeks, that’s my highest high! I still have a lot to do but i’m proud of… the cover of the next Fader magazine. It’s really the only magazine I buy…I’ve been following and buying it for the last 4 years…and this month I’m on the cover. I’m excited.

What’s really fresh out the box right now?

Oh, there’s a lot of great music i’m hearing thanks to Spotify (if you don’t know google it). I’m excited to live in this era. My wife, rapper/dancer Gnucci Banana is coming fresh!!! We’re releasing an EP in September called, Hush, we just shot the video for that. Look out!

Whats next for Spoek and how do we ‘follow’ your movements/ show love/ internet stalk you?

Best to check my blog http://www.2faced1.com/blogs/zombo and soon my new websitehttp://spoekmathambo.com/ (Comin’ September)

Many thanks bra Spoek!

Thank you!!

Look out for Spoek’s album dropping at the end of the month!!! FAYA!!!