Ill Skillz - "Coolest In Da City" feat. Stan1

The Cape Town crew drop another music video yo. This one features Stan1. Check it out and let us know what you think.

Let's Play Catch-Up

Picture borrowed from HERE

As you may or may not know, Dude was a part of the STR.CRD blog challenge a while back and while in it, he got to shoot some pretty dope material. Now the competition is over and I know that some of you may not have been able to attend the Joburg showcase or just may not have seen this footage. Shot on theblaggcam and edited by Dude, this is a quick gonzo-like interview he did with Ofentse’s friend in the head, Va$htie and after that video, a dope performance by Cape Town’s own, Ill Skillz.

Va$htie:



Ill Skillz:

Ill Skillionaire

I won't lie, I was madd excited to see the new Ill Skillz (Tommy Jinxxx, Jimmy Flexxx and DJ ID) video when it dropped this week. But Ill Skillionaire... sigh... I have so many questions. And no, misogyny wasn't the first thing that entered my mind and it certainly wasn't the last. I mean this level of creativity is what we've come to expect from the three-man crew:



But what does The Ordinary Girl know. Watch the Ill Skillionaire video below and tell us what you think.

Ill Skill In London

The Cape Town collective that comprises Tommy Jinxx, Jimmy Flexx and DJ I.D are in London this week. Their second 24 Hour Project will take place at the Red Bull Studios over there and as they did in CT, the cats will record, master, alles in just 24 hours. Here is a sneak peak of what they have been up to while there.



Picture from Head Honcho.

TTP Presents Hip Hop Sessions Vol 1 (UPDATED)

Pic by Flow Mokale

Wassup blaggers and blagettes. Because theblagg respects everyone's right to be themselves, we've decided to not only update this post but change it all together! TTP's our boy - not just because he gives away goodies in our comments section. So here it goes:

As TTP (pictured above) has proven, sometimes there is something special about certain rap songs. And other times... well, let's just leave that to your imagination. TTP - real name Thapelo Raphuti - has been doing his thing in SA hip hop and is known as one of the go-to-guys in certain circles.

Titled TTP Presents Hip Hop Sessions Vol 1 (name sound familiar?) and dropped on 22 October 2010, the compilation features some well known acts as well as some up and coming cats. The likes of Pro, HHP and Khuli Chana feature. So does Tuks - who is a questionable inclusion if you ask me, but since you didn't let's move along. Mothipa's Ode to Mary Jane opens the CD and after that you can hear Ifani, Spaceman and The Federation before Ill Skillz closes it off with their popular Baby Baby.

TTP tells theblagg that he has "been working on this compilation for 3 years, collecting songs from emcees that I love and respect. By the way Khuli Chana is my favourite emcee has always been. Most of the guys I have selected some way or another I have worked with. Like Pro (helping out on getting Soweto and other stuff on radio ), HHP (Marketing and Branding of Omang and later did Acceptance Speech launch ko Soweto) etc."

This is the same dude whio was behind some of your favourite radio shows. He tells us he's "worked on YFM - remember The Bridge (Lee, Ace of Spade and Dj Kenzhero)? And produced that show as well as The Essence with Kamza and Andile Ncube..."



This compilation - which, if the Vol 1 bit is anything to go by, will be turned into a series - because it's bigger than just music. He says the artists featured on the release will conduct workshops in their respective townships so as to "inspire and teach up and coming artists."

In these business, image, technical, and life skills workshops, 100 aspiring rappers will see their skills put to the test as they vie for a spot in the Top 12. TTP's community reach-out programme will also "run a competition where the top 12 artists will be chosen to be part of the Best of the Best Graduates compilation. From the 12 selected finalists, one will be selected to be the ultimate winner who will receive marketing and recording back up and also receive a clothing endorsement from Loxion Kulca for 6 months."

You keen blaggers and blaggettes? TTP Presents Hip Hop Sessions Vol 1 is now available at all major retailers, Ritual Store and scoobysnax.co.za

Can You Pay My Bills

Can you pay my telephone bills, can you pay my auto-mo-bills...?
Ha! The curse of being a Beyonce stan. Nevermind me folks, this right here is about Ill Skillz. Earlier this year Cape Town's Tommy Jinxx and Jimmy Flexx - known as Ill Skillz - hooked up Skillz That Pay The Bills, a 24-hour project that consisted of them recording an entire album (with collabs), shooting a music video and performing some of the music from that album. That's normal, right? Not if you have to do it ALL in 24 hours!

But the Head Honcho affiliated cats pulled it off. They're living in the 21st century and doing something mean to it. You don't believe us? Here's the proof (you know some people don't believe anything unless it's on youtube):


No wonder there are talks of them doing a lil sum-sum overseas. Thatha Ill Skillz! Oh, and about my bills... holla at us Uno!

Converse Rubber Tracks Studio

I can't stress how many times I have mentioned that Converse South Africa is sleeping ( Optimistic rebels is cool but come on ya'll!!! ) and here is more proof. You have probably heard about Red Bull Studios in Cape Town where people like Ill Skillz and Ben Sharpa record music? Well Converse is building a studio in Brooklyn New York where artists will be able to record for free 99!!! They say the studio, called Converse Rubber Tracks Studio, will be opening in early 2011 and they put out this video.

Ill Skillz - "Unbreakable" Video

Picture by Max Mogale


The Cape Town crew just dropped this music video. Peep!!

Back To The City

Dominique, Osmic and their friends are at it again. The cause for many a head's excitement, the annual Back to the City, will be held next week Tuesday (April 27) in Newtown. This Freedom Day Festival is an all-day hip hop gig featuring some of the country's biggest names in hip hop.

Above: Archetypes

Expect to see "live music, street art, break-dancing, art installation, skateboarding, film, street soccer, street fashion, gaming, speakers and panel discussions." That means you can watch graff masters do their thing while the likes of Archetypes, Illiterate Skills, Driemanskap, Reason, Mothipa, Zuluboy, Prokid, Tumi, Kenzhero and the Music Atlast DJs are on stage.

Above: Ill Skillz

The Back to the City Freedom Day Festival is from 10am to 11pm on 27 April under the bridge next to Ritual Stores on the corner of Bree and Henry Nxumalo Street in Newtown. Entrance is R50.