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MOSSEL BAY NEWS & VIDEO - They're young and they mean business. At Crystal Blaq, these young hip hop artists are adamant that they represent a movement for good.
We meet at their studio in Elangeni. As their name stipulates, they are dressed in uniform - black.
It is here they craft their music, a brand that by no means takes a backseat to whatever is currently popular on the airwaves.
The youngest member of the crew is Yoks. He weaves together the beat and prides himself in creating something unique from old school influences as well as modern up-tempo vibes. Yoks chuckles when asked if it is difficult to please his fellow artists, each sporting his own style of hip hop.
Mystic Flow chips in and explains that, although they are solo artists, they have learnt to compromise, meeting each other half way to achieve the best result when they collaborate.
"No one is an island, you know. It is also in fact easier to tackle our challenges when we are together." Mystic Flow has been a participant in the Mossel Bay's Got Talent showcase several times, where he honed his skills.
His new music video is in the production process and will be completed soon.
Walter Blaq, responsible for more of the administrative tasks and planning, although a hip hop artist in his own right, comes from a more choral background. "I first heard hip hop music way back in the village. It wasn't so different from choral music I realised, because there was a strong message in the lyrics. It felt like home."
Graphic designer and poet, Gavin Jay is a freestyler par excellence. He has a particular gift to craft and pinpoint a rhyme at the drop of a hat. "I keep tabs on the news and sing about social issues. I also sing from my own life experiences and struggles. I like shaking them with a message." Like Mystic Flow, he is also looking forward to releasing a new music video soon.
Kaiza, the quiet one, prefers the more underground sound because, he explains, he can express himself better in the genre.
In a quiet moment as everyone digests the discussion, the last member of the crew arrives - Mof-Cando, the chef. Straight from work, he disappears only to return again with refreshments - a bottle of chilled sauvignon blanc, Greek salad and something more traditional - pap, chakalaka and liver.
He is a vocalist and trained chef, who gave up work at Primi Piatti in Cape Town "because a purpose back home was calling".
"We are a movement with our roots in Mark 16:15 - 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.' We want to reach and influence, for good," says Walter Blaq.
Crystal Blaq Entertainment has big plans. "We dream of a venue where we can make hip hop come to life. A place where all South Africans can meet and we can serve them food. What we do, is not just a black thing."
Visit Crystal Blaq Entertainment on facebook to learn more.
Watch a video below:
Vocalist for Crystal Blaq but also a trained chef, Mof-Cando, serves up something delicious. Photo: Cornelle Carstens
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