The Str TV 3 Mixtape Feature - Power Of Thought
Power Of Thought
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| Official Artwork: The Boombap Bandit. |
Hip Hop purist - Power Of Thought is one of the artists featured on The Str 3 Mixtape, and without question, he’s contribution to the tape is much felt. Hailing from Johannesburg’s West Rand, Power Of Thought is an emcee/producer of Greek ethnicity, and founding member of the underground Hip Hop crew, “Articulate Artists”.
Power Of Thought is a veteran in the South
African Hip Hop scene, who has paid his dues, gracing different stages from the
legendary Soweto Hip-Hop sessions: Splash Jam and 1808, to big stageslike Back
To The City and Jozifest.
Best known for his deep
tone, complex rhyme schemes and controversial content,Power Of Thought brings those skills to the Mixtape as a seasoned
and capable rhyme specialist and wordsmith.
We took some time to speak
to Power Of Thought to find out from
him what he thinks about the
The Str 3 Mixtape, as well as his opinion about the South
African Hip-Hop industry. And this is what he had to say.
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| Power Of Thought |
Q:
How did you get the opportunity to become part of the Mixtape?
A: L7
hit me up a few years ago and asked me to feature on a joint for The STR TV tape, of which i submitted "Wheres The Freedom At" from Dope Joints for POTheads Vol 1. A couple of years later, i was hit up again to be part of the 2nd tape, so we recorded “All Rise” at Sta B's "Sky Klinic studio", from there we went on to
record “The Streets” which I also did the cuts for. L7 asked me to
do cuts on a bunch of other tracks for the mixtape, which I did as well as contribute
a joint to The STR TV 3 mixtape, and I offered him a track from my forthcoming
EP “the Boom Bap Bandit” soon to be released through the European label KNKUC.
The track is produced by Greek producer Empne and features Dice Mak.
Q: Why did you agree to become part of this Mixtape?
A: I’ve
been homies with L7 for a mad minute now, and even though we don’t always agree
on everything, his passion for real Hip Hop is something I’ve always respected.
As a West Rand Hip Hop artist, I find it important to support people who are
pushing the local Hip Hop scene. It’s also important for artists who have more
experience in the game to act as role models for local kids who want to get
into the industry. When they see that local artists are making overseas moves,
shooting videos and being featured on multiple mixtapes, it portrays the
message that if they work hard enough, they too can achieve that.
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| L7, Dirty Trash & POT at West Side FM |
Q: Please breakdown the track(s) that you are featured on: concept/ writing process/intended message/ collaboration/ production
A:
There are 3 tracks which I am featured on. As I mentioned earlier the first
joint I did with L7 was “All Rise” featuring Meth-Udra from Agents Of Chaos.
The beat was produced by Sta B, but we all kinda had a hand in slicing the
sample haha! I actually wrote the verse for that track about 7 years ago for a
feature with Emperor Draz, but we never landed up recording it. When L7 approached me for a feature, I decided to write a hook that fit my verse and I spat it for
them in studio. Everyone loved it and agreed we should go ahead with it, and
“All Rise” was born. “The Streets 1759” was the last track recorded for "The STR TV 2 mixtape", and it was more of a broad concept. L7 expressed a desire to do a
joint detailing the West Rands (1759) HipHop scene called the “The Streets 1759”, and we met up at Sky Klinic studios to
brainstorm and find a beat. We selected a banger from his extensive selection
and we took the beat home to write our verses. About a week or so later, we
went back to Sky Klinic to record, and we decided that cuts would be dope for
the hook. We recorded a few phrases to scratch and I took them home with me to
record the cuts for the hook.
On The Str TV 3 tape, i feature with the joint lifted
from my forthcoming EP called “No
Justice” and features Dice Mak. I’ve always been extremely vocal about my
stance against police brutality and the abuse of power, and that is something
Dice and I have in common. We’ve always wanted to work together for a minute
now, and I figured the concept of police brutality would complement both of our
styles.
Q: Do you think The STR TV 3 Mixtape has any potential impact on the SA Hip Hop scene right now, if so how?
A: For
sure. I think ventures like the STR TV mixtapes serve as a unifying force in
the industry. Hip Hop artists are generally highly competitive, which is a
great thing, but when it gets taken too far, the game begins to resemble a
“dick-swinging-competition” (for lack of a better word). Collaborative efforts
like this prove that we can get more done by working together, as opposed to
working against each other.
Q: Judging
by the Holistic Sound, do you think the Mixtape caters for everyone or a specific
niche market?
A:I
think there is enough variation to appease most Hip Hop heads, but it’s
impossible to please everyone.
Q: According to you, what makes this Mixtape relevant in the masses?
A:The
concepts that are tackled and the authentic approach of the artists make this
Mixtape resonate well with the streets. After all, we live this shit on the
daily. Most people can tell the difference between an artist with integrity and
authenticity, and an artist that is fronting to appear “hard” or “rich”. People
respect authenticity.
Q: Do you have any special message or statement you would like to make in regards to SA Hip Hop in general?
A:I
just want to see this industry grow in a sustainable way. Artists need to start
valuing themselves and their work. After all, how can a promoter give you any
value if you don’t value yourself? I’ve seen so many talented artists fall off
because the industry does not foster talent and let it grow. Artists tend to
rely on existing platforms that are often monopolised, and they become
discouraged when they are not rewarded adequately for their hard work. My
message to all industry stakeholders is this, “create your own market. Host
your own shows. Start your own labels. Create your own distribution channels.
Engage the Hip Hop Community. Work together. And most importantly…just do you!”
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| The BoomBap Bandit EP |
Power Of Thought has just released his new EP entitled
“the Boom Bap Bandit” through the European label KNK Underground Collections,
which promises to be even crazier than his previous projects, featuring award
winning rapper Diabolic (WarHorse Records/New York), Anti-Bullshit, Dice
Mak/Slege Lee (EOW World Champ 2014) and fellow Articulate Artists member
SafarI. Keep your ears to the ground and your eyes open, as this Veteran flexes
us the Power Of thought.
To connect with POT, check out the Links below
To connect with POT, check out the Links below
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ONLINE
PROFILE
https://soundcloud.com/power-of-thought
https://www.facebook.com/articulateartists/
· ALBUMS/MIXTAPES
The WorkHorseProgramme
http://undergroundhardcorerap.blogspot.com/2013/02/articulate-artists-present-workhorse.html
Dope Joints for POT Heads Vol.1
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MUSIC
VIDEOS
Power of thought | Θύτης | Phobia - Knk triplet
(Produced by Empne) (OFFICIAL VIDEO) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_eCi5oEFeU
(International track featuring Power Of Thought) - Terror 2010 Music Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pILcp9MPdfk&feature=channel_video_title
(International track featuring Power Of Thought) - Worldwide Connections Music video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CabUw-699R0
Interview Conducted By: Is Gods Plan
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