23 Jul 2017

At first inspection, the streetwise sensibility of hip-hop and its often violent themes do not seem to make an ideal vehicle for the peaceful, easy vibes of Christian music.

However, worldwide artistes like Lecrae, Trip Lee, T-Bone and whole lot others have gained fame with Christian Rap and shown that there is indeed an audience for this unique hybrid.

In our local musical scene, Testify of Motsotsonyana fame has also taken advantage of Christian Hip-Hop proliferation to spread the gospel.

A newly established Christian Hip-Hop group named Nigger Camp has also joined the ranks and kept gospel rap alive through releasing a sizzling 6-track album with a self-proclaimed crew title name. 

In an Interview, the group leader, Keaorata Sakarea known to his fans as Salcido said the album was recorded and mastered at World of Music Studios under the production of Eugene Ncube. 

The 26-year-old said Nigger Camp comprised four members being, John Disang, Adoboy Tlalanyane and a Zambian born Curtis Lungu.

The Kang/Morwamosu born and raised musician started his music career during his school days at Maiteko Junior Secondary School as he grew up in a Christian family. 

Although he grew up listening to Rhumba music, he was introduced to Hip-Hip/R n' B genre by his cousin, Kabelo Matlhatsi a couple of years ago. 

During that era he discovered his music versatility potential and subsequently started picking up song samples to punch some few lines so as to develop his rapping skills.

The project is a definite exquisite album of duets - an eclectic mix of hip hop and R n' B. 

Track four, which is titled No need to cry, encourages all believers to trust upon the Lord despite all life challenges and tribulations. 

Featuring South African producer, Eugene Ncube, the song will blow the listener away with their mid-tempo beats. 

Although disappointedly short, the song has a soulful danceable feel with beautifully arranged instruments.

 It surely deserves to be put on repeat mode.

Vindictive, track number five simply preaches non vengeance in confrontational matters. 

Perhaps more of a somewhat new sound would have complemented Salcido’s vocals even more; John Disang’s lines have definitely made the song a killer. 

The tune is engaging and contains good lyrical content.

Another notable song is Unashamed features Shaddow with spirit-filled prayer point. 

It will go down well with 90’s R n' B listeners and Japanese songwriter, Stevie Hoang followers. 

The song encourages Christians not to be ashamed of the Gospel as Apostle Paul had implored, but rather seek the kingdom of God with all their hearts.

Salcido noted that he was not yet satisfied with the airplay from radio stations, but he appreciates Duma FM for once having played his songs.

He pleaded with radio stations to play gospel music each day to uplift the spirit of the nation, as these were the last days and hard times ,but not to focus on playing gospel only on Sundays.

Furthermore, Salcido has implored established artistes to leg-up upcoming musicians by giving them a chance to showcase talent during their shows. 

He said the opportunity would help them break through, adding that the industry was not that friendly to first timers doing it on their own. 

“I need support to stand on my two feet because music for me is a means of livelihood and there is nothing else I do or love better than music. But it’s very difficult to get my song played on radio, which makes it really hard for me to penetrate the market,” he pleaded. ENDS