I met this girl, when I was ten years old
And what I loved most she had so much soul
She was old school, when I was just a shorty
Never knew throughout my life she would be there for me
On the regular, not a church girl she was secular
Raps Common on his track “I Used to Love H.E.R”, from his album Resurrection released in 1994. The track sees the Chicago-born rapper wax lyrical and sentimental about H.E.R and all of the changes he’s witnessed — and heard — H.E.R go through as time has passed.
In the song, Common has animated and brought to life Hip Hop, as an imagined beloved femme figure in his life with the acronym meaning “Hip-Hop in its Essence is Real”.
South Africa’s very own expression(s) of the genre and its supporting scene(s), has also gone through its own metamorphosis. From the days of Skwatta Kamp and Hip Hop Pantsula, to the Jozi and Back to the City era, right through to our contemporary moment; the creativity moving our local Hip Hop scene(s) forward has constantly evolved.
Langa’s SimulationRxps, is very much a rapper positioned within the current trap-heavy hip hop zeitgeist.
He is most widely known for his contribution in the hip hop subgenre Ringz movement — in which isiXhosa street slang is fused with witty English and Tsotsitaal raps — the young rapper has solidly cemented his presence in Cape Town’s hip-hop scene, alongside the likes of Dee Koala, Bravo Le Roux, Lay Lay, Soul T Idyan and Amilca Mezarati; all of whom he has bagged collaborations with.
Released at the end of July, Simulation is back with his latest single, “Phez’kwezinto” (produced by Orish) and its accompanying music video, following the success of his 2020 single and music video release, “Ezay’ Zolo”.
The music videos for both songs were directed by Mvjor Plvg, and both tracks see Simulation get playful with his lyrics and wordplay — all rapped in isiXhosa over laidback trap beats.
The video for “Phez’kwezinto” reminds me of the video for 11Eleven’s track “You Don’t Stand a Chance”, “aimed at showcasing a glimpse into the Johannesburg that moulded them.” In the video, Simulation shows various scenarios of grinding to make ends meet and being Phez’kwezinto, from being a blue-collar worker, street food hawker, a gangsta and a preacher.
“Phez’kwezinto’s” release forms part of a series of singles leading up to Simulation’s debut album — under Ta Ledza Artist Management — to drop later this year. The video for the Langa rooted hustler’s anthem is also packed with locally textured humour as the comical YouTube skit crew XhosaNostra, appear in it, in skits that add to Simulation’s intended sonic story.
Watch “Phez’kwezinto” here and be on the lookout for more releases from SimulationRxps!
