I heard it on Slikour

Cape Town - Hip-hop is the new face and driver of pop culture, and the demand for coverage on it is huge.

While local publications such as africanhhb.com and Hype Magazine provide a lot of insight, many are flocking to social media to get their news. And if you want to know first about hot new tapes, burner verses and clothes, then slikouronlife.co.za is the place for you.

The coverage offered by slikouronlife.co.za is mostly pushed through his Twitter profile, @slikouron. With his unique access to rappers and DJs around Mzansi, Slikour has been able to get scoops traditional media can’t – conducting impromptu interviews outside venues and backstage that he later posts on social media for his followers to see.

He also gives young and unknown emcees a chance to showcase their work on his platform. #Trending caught up with the Skwatta Kamp founding member to talk about how he’s shining a light on the new occupants of the local hip-hop scene.

Asked why he chose to start covering hip-hop instead of making it himself, he said: “As an OG in the game, this is an offering of self. I’m not looking for any glory. The idea was birthed from the love of hip-hop culture as well as watching young people being marginalised by the mainstream.”

Slikour mentions rapper Cassper Nyovest as being a pioneer for followers of hip-hop culture moving into the digital sphere. “I would have to say Cassper has done a lot to aid the evolution of consumption.”

When asked whether Cassper has the bars, he responds: “Whether or not he has the bars, he has opened a lane.” His site uses an open-door policy, meaning anyone can contribute relevant news. Slikour offered some great advice to haters out there – myself included: “If you don’t feel something or it doesn’t speak to you, leave it alone as opposed to shooting down a cultural icon.”

The artist is also venturing into creating original content that is informative to young people. His new web series, Views from the Bottom, is a collaboration with TV presenter Scoop Makhatini that dives into social issues.

The first episode tackles the issue of land reform by giving viewers a look into the life of Motswako OG, Mo’ Molemi, who is a farmer as well as a respected emcee.

While watching you’ll learn what it actually takes to own and farm a piece of land, all through the eyes of a respected member of the culture.

It’s been three years and three months since the birth of slikouronlife.co.za, and the artist believes it’s only going to grow: “We’re building a giant.”

PS: Skwatta Kamp fans – Slikour hinted that the group is busy cooking up something new for the streets.