The fifth annual South African Hip Hop Awards have a wider representation of women across the categories than ever before. Helen Herimbi looks at the coveted Best Female pyramid
FIFI Cooper’s debut album, 20FIFI, was not just a quirky title for a body of work that was released in 2015. It was a declaration. Her plan to be on everyone’s lips that year was so grand that she banked on people forgetting the 15 in 2015 and replacing it with her name.
In many ways, it paid off. In addition to churning out music videos and performing across the country, the Ambitiouz Entertainment rapper went on to scoop three gongs at the 2015 Metro FM Music Awards. Now she’s nominated for four South African Hip Hop Awards (SAHHAs).
Mabala Noise signee Gigi Lamayne has consistently won the Best Female SAHHA. And even when she didn’t enter last year, her name was still on people’s lips. She has been nominated three times this year for her Ground Zero mixtape and has recently released her debut album, iGenesis.
Another person who can never be left out of the conversation when it comes to women in hip hop is Nadia Nakai. The Family Tree rapper dropped the Bragga EP – for which she has been nominated – this year and cemented her place as a versatile rapper. Lyrically and conceptually, Bragga is one of the most slept-on offerings of the year.
This is the first time the Best Female category has consisted of people that most of the nation would know. Entering that fold is 20-year-old MegMafia who, as a lesser-known rapper then, was nominated in the same category in 2014 for her 18 Mixtapes release. This year, her Stories 2 Tell mixtape has made enough waves that she is a welcome addition to the list of contenders. Attempts to contact Fifi Cooper were unsuccessful. NADIA NAKAI Nominated for:
Congrats on your nomination. How do you feel?
It was cool because I knew that this year I’ve been working really hard, so I kind of expected it. To get recognised is dope.
Do you have your acceptance speech ready yet?
Ha! No. I’m going in expecting to not win. I just feel like when you expect something, you can get disappointed. I’m just focusing on my work and performing and getting the best music out. I don’t do it for awards. If I win this, then great. If I don’t, everything will still keep moving. I’ve grown so much. Before, things like (awards) were so important to me. Now I’m focused more on growing as a musician and cultivating more fans and on the next music barrier that I can push.
Do you think the increase in women represented at the SAHHAs is a reflection of South African hip hop in general?
Definitely! I’ve been saying for the longest time that women are such powerhouses. Miss Pru is nominated three times but has been active for probably two years and it’s fantastic that she’s been able to do so much groundbreaking work. Ms Cosmo has been in the game for a while and she’s also nominated. It’s great to see women killing it.
How do you feel about Godessa being the Honourary Award recipients this year?
That’s amazing! They totally deserve it. There are a lot of young people who are coming into the game who have their own different role models. I’m 26 and I know Godessa and what they did – especially in the time that they were doing it. You can’t overlook what they’ve done for the game. We wouldn’t be where we are today if it wasn’t for what they did. MEGMAFIA Nominated for:
This year’s SAHHA theme is Who Wants to be a Billionaire. How close are you to living that dream?
(Laughs) Internally I feel like I’ve already reached the pinnacle of success. Being a billionaire is all about self-achievement. For me to be the youngest nominee ever in the SAHHAs makes me feel like a billionaire in my own right.
You’ve entered the SAHHAs before and lost. What made you come for this category again?
You know what? I’m literally an independent artist, I’m not just one of these people who claim to be. I manage myself. Financial backing, everything – I do it myself. I needed to show people you can do it yourself. My intention this year was not to get nominated to win. It was to prove a point: no matter what label you’re under or who is managing you, you are capable of doing it on your own. This year, I don’t want to win because I don’t feel like I’m there yet. I haven’t achieved anything yet to get this reward.
Who do you think deserves to win it then?
Fifi. Not because we’re close but because she’s put in a lot of work. She’s put in the time and effort and deserves it 100 percent.
Is there enough of a presence of women in these awards and, therefore, in the industry?
Not currently. I feel like we’re still making our entry but I don’t believe there are enough of us. I feel like we should all be rappers or DJs and not stereotype people because you’re a female or a male. GIGI LAMAYNE Nominated for:
Congrats on your nominations, how do you feel?
I’m excited that I was able to stand among so many giants in the industry (from) the likes of your Khuli Chanas to your Cassper Nyovests. Nominations in three categories – some of which have never had a female nominee before. For me that’s mind-boggling. This is not the be all and end all of everything but I am extremely happy and, win or not, I will continue to work from strength to strength.
Once again, you have been nominated in the Best Female category. How do you feel about the category this time around? Is it a strong offering?
I am excited to be in the category, however I am an artist of note who seeks to go beyond gender stereotyping. For me, Best Mixtape and Best Lyricist are a bigger deal for me as I have been nominated regardless of gender. There is a general shortage of females in the industry. A huge shout out to the ladies who came through and worked extremely hard. It’s a pivotal time in SA hip hop. MEGMAFIA
You consistently won in this category, what’s been your secret to success?
I worked beyond the category. I compete with myself and everyone I aspire to be like. That’s the only secret I know. Whether it results in success or not, we would definitively have to wait and find out what happens to my brand in the next few years.
Goddessa is the Honourary Award recipient this year. What are your thoughts on this?
I’ve looked up to Goddessa and I honestly do believe that their name deserves all the historical glory that comes with it. These talented products of South African culture have gone against the South African societal grain to prove that they are well equipped to run and will go down in our historical terrain as icons. I am extremely fortunate to even witness this in my lifetime.
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