Artist: Gumshev
Album: Sphandu Cash
Label: Ghetto Ruff
Year of Release: 2011

Spandu Cash is the second album from Ghetto Ruff rap duo Gumshev.  The 16-track album was produced by popular MC Ammunition and award-winning Afro jazz singer Malik. It also features guest contributions from well known artists such as MXO, Tee Pee and Mr Welwyn.

Like most local rap albums, Spandu Cash talks about Joburg swag and thug life. The Gumshev rappers, Bruno and Fistos, spent most of their childhood in and out of prison and this album paints a picture of the thuggish life they’ve been exposed to.  Predominantly performed in Zulu, the album also sees the duo glorifying their abilities to get the best guns, money, ladies, and generally all the cool things in life.

The album opens with ‘lana’Spandu Cash’, which is one of the decent cash-themed tracks on the offering. The Ammu-produced track features a cool beat and the rappers give it their best, incorporating loads of vocal effects on choruses and cleverly twisting their words. On the third track, “Get down”, Gumshev delivers another interesting song, this time targeting club-goers.

Eyeing  a cross-over sound, the rappers deliver a reggae song, ‘Around di Camp’. It’s all right but nothing to write home about.

R&B crooner Tee Pee adds his unmistakable voice to “Ngikufunala”, one of the most enjoyable songs on the disk. The sex-themed jam features a seductive chorus and could have been a hit but the rappers seem to lack the charisma needed to complement Tee Pee’s precious voice. Bruno and Fistos are cool rappers but they also have their weaknesses. Most of their tracks are marketable but they don’t have the horsepower needed to make this disk a classic.

Overall, a decent album that portrays a growing rap act.

South African singer and actress Nondumiso Tembe will star in the upcoming season of ‘True Blood’. The Durban beauty will appear in several episodes of the fourth season of the popular American supernatural drama, which also stars Oscar-winning actress Anna Paquin and her real-life husband Stephen Moyer.

Tembe will portray a “French-speaking supernatural” in the show, which kicks off its fourth season in the United States on the 26th of June. Tembe shot her scenes in April, and took to Twitter to share her experience. “Shooting on location tonight, my first night shoot. Big up to HBO for the dopest trailer ever,” she tweeted. She added: “When I said ‘shooting all night’, I had no idea we would wrap up at 6.30am. I have a new respect for film acting. Very humbling experience.” Tembe, who is currently based in Los Angeles, released her first album ‘Izwi Lami’ earlier this year.

Popular Hip Hop artist Ishmael “Ish” Morabe, recently publicly revealed his addiction to cocaine.

Morabe, who has been in the industry for more than two decades, revealed the details on SABC1’s top music show Live. Now clean for four weeks after time in rehab, Morabe said he had been taking cocaine for the past 11 years.

“It ruled my life and affected my work, health, finances, and caused friction between me and my family.” he said.

The award winning musician, who makes up the other half of the successful hip-hop outfit Jozi with Da L.E.S, said he  now wants to be a good role model to his fans.

“Cocaine did change me. It made me feel like I was on top of the world and arrogant. I need to share what bad things drugs make you do with young people who look up to us (celebrities) and take everything we do as the right thing,” he said.

Top Gospel (TopTV channel 350) is set to screen a special edition of Rebecca Malope’s acclaimed 30th Album Celebration DVD on Sunday, 19 June from 6pm.

According to the channel, the show will see the queen of gospel music performing all the songs on her 30th album, My Hero, which was produced by Sizwe Zako- her discoverer and long-time mentor.

“Audiences will be enthralled with Rebecca’s 30th Album Celebration DVD. The multi- award-winning singer performs hits like ‘Let me come to you’ which was composed by the late Vuyo Mukoena,” reads a statement on TopTV’s website.

The DVD was recorded at the Lyric Theatre in 2010. Top Gospel viewers will also catch captivating behind-the-scenes action during the show.

Rebecca has released 32 albums in a music career spanning over 27 years.

In her illustrious career, she has performed all over the world, and won numerous South African Music Awards (Sama’s)

She released her 32nd album, Ukuthula, early this year.

ShisaBoy, born Israel Isaac Dhludhlu 24 years ago, hails from Nelspruit and has always had a passion for music. He started his career as a dancer for Mzekezeke, then went on to dance for Izinyoka. He is renowned in the East Rand as a talented dancer for his acrobatic dance moves.

ShisaBoy, after a failed stint as a dancer, packed his bags and headed back to Mpumalanga to continue to pursue a music career.  When he was a guest judge on Jika Majika, he met DJ Clock, who liked his dance moves and his vocal talent. DJ Clock then roped ShisaBoy to his record label, AM-PM Productions, and together they came out with a smash hit “Ngomso.”

ShisaBoy enjoyed a lot of success from the hit single which then inspired him to start working on his solo album, featuring DJ Clock. Within weeks, ShisaBoy has released a hit single “Uzoyimela” featuring Groova Lounge, a group that also comes from Mpumalanga.

ShisaBoy’s main aim is to be the first artist to represent Mpumalanga and pave a way for more talented artists coming from the province.

For more info or bookings call 011 789 8267

The jazz legend Hugh Masekela is bringing his live music magic to the Lyrical Theatre at Gold Reef City Casino. Masekela is known for charisma and his legendary mix of jazz bebop, funk and afrobeat.

By the early 1970s, Masekela had attained international fame, selling out at major festivals in America. Heeding the call of his African roots, he moved to Guinea, then Liberia and Read the full story

South African Hip Hop crew Teargas has been nominated for a Black Entertainment Television Award (BET Award).  The three-man band, which is based in Johannesburg, is competing in the category: Best International Act: Africa.

Other African acts in the category include 2Face Idibia, D’ Banj, D-Black, Fally Ipupa and Angelique Kidjo.  Formed in 2005, Teargas is comprised of Ntokozo “KO” Mdluli, Ezee “Ma-E” Hanabe and Bantu “Ntukza” Hanabe. Read the full story