A seven-piece top South African hip-hop act
pronounced "Skwa-tah Camp", the group's name is
derived from "Squatter Camp" -- a term for the
shantytowns littered around South Africa’s open
landscapes. The people who live in these informal
settlements are seen as outcasts, a nuisance rife
with crime and grime.
The group has seen life take a turn for the better
in the last years since their now-legendary and
independently-released Skwatta Kampain 2001 debut
album and have since walked off with multiple awards
and nominations (SAMA, Metro FM, KIdz Star Awards,
Channel O Video Music Awards, and KORA Awards).
Skwatta Kamp
Skwatta Kamp refuses to apologise for not making
Kwaito, Afro-pop and House albums even though they
are from Johannesburg, the capital of those genres.
With their fifth official album aptly named “Bak On
Kampus”, it is clear that they are still not
relenting in their stance.
After a year’s break made up of solo albums and
break up rumours, Skwatta Kamp returns with a brand
new album which is a breath of fresh air.
Sometimes, meaning exists within a name, but like
many prophecies may be taken lightly by the
unenlightened. The group name Skwatta Kamp says it
all :( pronounced Skwa-tah Camp); the group’s name
is derived from the term Squatter Camp which are
shantytowns littered around South Africa’s open
landscapes. The people who live in these informal
settlements are seen as outcasts and a nuisance.
This was the situation in the music industry that
Skwatta Kamp found themselves in a few years back,
where their form of music was not seen as an art
form but a passing fad not worth mentioning in high
regard.
But in true squatter fashion they are not going
anywhere but are here to stay in the music industry.
Skwatta Kamp is Slikour, Shugasmakx, Nish, Flabba,
Bozza, Nemza and Infa and they are determined to
leave a chapter on the hiphop landscape by being
consistent in their business acumen and by
representing the true essence of South Africa’s
urban street culture worldwide.
Skwatta Kamp
Their music offers insight into where they are from.
Through their music the listener gets a look into
how South African youth vibe. The canvass is the
beats prepared by the best beatmakers and Skwatta
are the lyrist capturing the detail of daily living
, popular culture, escapism and the township concept
of fashionabilty.
As leaders of the hiphop revolution the group has
seen life take a turn for the better in the last six
years.
Their debut album, Skwatta Cam-Pain was released in
2001 to a virtually non-existent hiphop scene and
the first single, The Rest Shut the F$%* Up, made
waves on radio instantly.
Skwatta Kamp
The name Skwatta Kamp started to ripple through the
streets and their second album Khut En Joyn elevated
them to the stage where they walked away with the
SAMA (South African Music Award) for 'Best Rap Album
of 2002'.
The album featured hits like Rau Rau and Manyisa;
they instantly became the face and voice for the
South African youth. Able to relate to most of the
youth of the country, as they were and still are
humble and respected members of their respective
communities. All coming from under privileged
backgrounds, deciding music would be how they would
fight to escape a life entrenched with poverty; they
took the South African music industry by storm.
Their third album, Mkhukhu Funkshen, sold well over
40 000 copies, becoming the first South African
hiphop act to achieve Gold Status and lifted Skwatta
Kamp’s already established reputation as South
Africa’s premier hip hop group. Mkhukhu Funkshen’s
success was undeniable with hit singles like Umoya,
Skwatta Khanival and Animal. Umoya topped charts
across the country and the track Umoya was chosen as
the theme song for the Vodacom Challenge.
The
album saw the group walking away with the SAMA for
the 'Best Rap Album of 2003' as well as the Metro FM
award for 'Best Hip-Hop album'. Another great
achievement is Source Magazine's nomination for
'Best International Group' at the Source Awards.
Source is known as 'the bible' of hip-hop and is the
biggest publication of its kind in the world!
Skwatta Kamp remains the most successful hiphop
group in South Africa in terms of accolades and
album sales. Two of their albums Mkhukhu Funkshen
(2004) and Washumkhukhu (2005) have both separately
sold in excess of 25 000 units (gold status) and
counting certifying them a firm favourite amongst
music buyers – no other South African hip hop group
has achieved this.
Skwatta Kamp
Their success locally had, soon after the release of
their second album, spread into the rest of Africa
and in some cases over to countries in Europe. Their
popularity had increased that, when multi-platinum
selling international recording artist, Ludacris was
performing at the MTV Base Launch Party he
personally requested for Skwatta Kamp to perform
with him.
They
have performed on the same stage as Talib Kweli,
Dead Prez, Jeru, Black Thought, Basement Jaxx, Will
Smith on the Black August Hiphop Tour and MTV
Concerts in recent times and many others.
Their last release, Washumkhukhu, is still very
popular to this day and has been renowned for
arguably the most popular South African hip hop
song- The Clap Song.
A
well travelled group, Skwatta Kamp has graced the
shores of many African countries, Zambia, Senegal,
Ghana and Swaziland.
Their music has breached borders and reached the
living rooms of many families, their lyrics have
captured the essence of the average South African
and their combined life stories have filled so many
ordinary youths with hope and courage to achieve
their goals while fulfilling their dreams.
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