Kings of the east: zero degrees of separation

The mantle in South African Hip Hop seems to continually be passed between certain regions. And specific spots within those provinces seem to breed exceptional talent.

Well, a quiet revolution seems to be happening in the game right now. When we sat down to speak to Priddy Ugly, we asked about the allegiances between East Rand rappers and were astounded by the proximity they all have with each other. We decided to dig just beneath the surface and untangle this web of collabs and shared histories.

Priddy Ugly tells us the first hip hop group was a christian rap group he was in alongside BigStar Johnson. This partnership signified Priddy’s beginnings as a 13 year old rapper who also lived in the same neighborhood as Jimmy Wiz, Shane Eagle and Frank Casino. These 5 rappers have since shared their journeys through the South African music industry. Except for Priddy Ugly and Frank Casino, all other three were competitors on Vuzu’s The Hustle. This generation of East Gods have so many ties, it’s uncanny. Let’s have a look at the web of collaborations and the 0 degrees of separation between them all.

Jimmy Wiz featured on the H20 and Friends roster happening at The Baseline on 9 December alongside legends like Stogie T, Zubz and Kaydo amongst others. He took us back to the raps with his joint Return of The New Old School.

Jimmywiz and Priddy Ugly ago way back as heard on this track from 2013:

From working with one childhood friend, to a collar with the first person who encouraged him to rap, Priddy worked with BigStar Johnson on his You Don’t Know Me Yet EP.

BigStar and Shane Eagle have frequently collaborated, at first with Way Up.

Their latest partnering act was on Top Floor:

Shane Eagle shared an appearance, on the breakout Dj Speedsta track Mayo, with Frank Casino:

As coincidental as this seems, it is uncanny but real. Frank Casino also partnered with Priddy Ugly by featuring him on Sauce:

If this doesn’t signify the power of collaboration, nothing will… the strength of the East Rand lies in its artists 0 degrees of separation. This revolution may be gaining more traction, and the soundtracks have been set by the artists reaping their shared hood. And just in the knick of time Jimmy Wiz drops a track titled Kings of The East, also featuring BigStar Johnson, to rep the East Rand even harder.