Kananji-Malawi's Rising Son of Hip-Hop
Malawi's Hip-Hop Son based in Taipei.
Some have said he has a De La Soul type flow and others compare to what they know about hip-hop from the African continent, relating him to artists like K'naan, but Kananji, Malawi's latest Rising Son stands by himself. The uncategorized artist works out of Taipei for the moment but keeps it real for his homeland and the untapped hip-hop talents still to be discovered in Africa. Waakao got the first up close with Kananji the Rising Son.
Most people probably don't know that Malawi has artists doing Hip-hop. What is the scene like there? How do the people react to the music?
The Malawian hip hop scene is probably one of the most vibrant...there's a lot of people rapping out there with different backgrounds, influences and stories.. so it makes for some varied listening. Like in my city, over a 3 block radius you've got 3 different styles. And whereas in the past hip hop was ranked third after local music and reggae, people have been really taken to it right now, and Malawians are always willing to support good music and right now there's a lot ot good music out there.
My story isn't complete yet, but so far I'm a kid out of Malawi, lived in Canada and England for 5 years each when my dad was an ambassador. I'm a quiet dude believe it or not and that's probably why I started rapping, it always seemed like an better way to communicate my thoughts rather than just talking. Plus hearing rappers like Jay-Z, Nas, Das Efx, Helta Skelta, Common, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Pharaoh Monch, Souls of Mischief, The Fugees, Poor Righteous Teachers, and even cats like Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Steppenwolf, Ella Fitzgerald, Miles, Thelonius, Dave Chappelle...the list goes on..I grew uplistening and reading all kinds of stuff and I still like discovering new things so I still get influenced by contemporary stuff.
Besides that, my reason for rapping is trying to give people a sense of the stuff that runs through my mind and trying to get people tothink about different subjects that aren't addressed in too often. Plus just the feeling of putting together words and coming out with different emotions and rhythms..that shit gets me all the time. And the end of the day if I can entertain you and through that get you to think about a topic then that's my job done.
That list goes on too..besides K'naan, there's a South African dude called Proverb another dude called HHP (also from South Africa). Mr. Incredible from Nigeria..that kid is nice, Bamboo "the bantu" from Kenya, Zubz (think he's from Zimbabwe...And then there's the people Iroll with..Dominant 1 who is one of Malawi's (shit I'll say Africa's) best producers, Third Eye (probably my favourite rapper), Flo, Johnny Willz, Phi-Ella, Sage Poet, Chris Mack, phyzix, Marvel, Gospel, Ras Junior ...the list goes on and I know there's a bunch of other folks I've left out that are worth a mention...so I'd advice people to start researching african hip hop..cos there's somethin for everyone.
Do you remember the first rhyme you ever wrote? What was it?
Hahaha..damn! Sad to say but I do remember it...
it was "let's go get dough/ in my Escort/Step on the gas and drive to 'Frisco".
I was about 8 when I wrote that didn't even have a car, or any idea how to drive let alone how to get to San Francisco..but it was the mid 90's and every mu'f@#* was tryna be "jiggy". lol.
Talk about your latest project Memo- The Ruff Cuts.
The Memo is just what the name suggests. A memo gives you an
overview of what's about to come..and my project was made with that
intention in mind: give people an overview of me as an artist, the
things that I care about, the subject matter that affects my people, my
generation, my world...its basically an introduction.
The project came about when I was back home on vacation last summer...when I landed my friends Dominant 1 was like "yo you aren't leaving Malawi until we do a project"...me and D1 had worked before on a compilation mixtape called "Motowayaka" (the fire is lit) but this was the first project I worked on almost exclusively with him.. his brother Flo also produced a few tracks as well...but we vibed got our ideas together and bang! 4 weeks later the album was done.
I loved making this project, being home and seeing how hip hop is exploding there made me feel like I had a point to prove too. I got to work with a lot of talented artists (my sister killed it on this song called "magnificent") and had a great time doing it..and i think that comes across.
To here Kananji's Memo click the link...Memo
Right now I'm working with a homeboy of mine from Nicaragua a producer/artiist called Spooz on an album called "Don't Panic" (like the back of the hitch-hiker's guide)...and what we've got so far is sounding like the business..if I do say so myself..we've got Ras Junior on there and Paddington..who people should know if you ever get out to the reggae nights in Taipei..and a host of other artists..even you're on it! Lion raps on the album!!..if that's not reason enough to listen to it, I don't know what is.
At this stage I would like to see Africa as a more prominent figure not only in hip hop..but the arts in general and other fields...there's a lot of talent out there in Africa and it hasnt been recognised due to lack of resources and information...i think I haveto be one of those people who makes people abroad stop and listen and be interested in the music..then hopefully ask themselves "where is this dude from"...and then once they find out I'm from Malawi they
will hopefully be interested in other African artist...it seems like the world is having a dialogue and Africa isn't heard enough from (in a positive light anyways)..so if I can help link us to the world through this dialogue then I think I'll die happy.
Doing hip hop in Taiwan is a bit different from Malawi..mainly because of the language barrier..but I'm working on that ..lol..but hip hop is as much alive here as it is anywhere. Actually being here and seeing the way people embrace hip hop culture reminds me of home. Plus being in Taiwan has given me the chance to link with people and groups I wouldn't have had the chance to..which is always a good thing.
Yeah I like that track too... its a city thats alive and evolving always, but still manages to always feel like home. its a fusion of alot of cultures now..Malawians, Europeans, Asians, Africans, Americans..and it all co-exists. Lilongwe to me is sunshine days and hot nights, bright faces and dark alleys, its a community and it's beautiful.
Growing up there is an adventure..there's no day that passes with out something good or bad happening. Small city by the standards of Taipei (I think the recent survey says a little less than a million people) so almost everybody knows each other so you get raised by a whole city.
Can you kick some lyrics for Waakao?
Hahaha..um let me see.
Spittin that fine wine flow/
"Kickin'" it "tai-kwon" while flippin' through Taiwan dough/
Be tha sunhine bro, next to blow like KaBlaow!
Hold it down for the home town and let 'em know on WaaKao/
and I vow, to bring it back/
while other rappers spit it wack/
spittin' tracks that "two girls and a cup" wouldn't give a "crap" about/
I'll rap about what matters/
with a "schmorgesborg" of styles I suggest you get a "platter".
Peace and love WaaKao
To hear all of the tracks from Kananji's latest work-Memo check his page at the link, here
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