This is what is wrong with our music culture – Rattex is poison

by Nic Haralambous on 14/01/2009

I was sent a press release about this fantastic new artist breaking in to the market locally. Rattex (seriously?) is his name. I am always very open to promoting new music in South Africa so I decided to give the music video a watch:

The above is precisely what is eating away at the soul of the music culture in South Africa and providing our youth with the misconception of what it is to be famous, young, successful and funky. This is a discussion that I have been having for years and years, since I was in a band back at university. We tried very hard to be local, have flavour and maintain bits of our heritage or at least we thought, as much as we could. It’s tough though and I will give muso’s that much, it’s tough to be local.

But is it really that tough? Is it so tough to be local that you mimic American artists down to the background colour of your music video, your caps, baggy shoddy denims and “bling”. Why are our young rappers trying so hard to be American? Everyone hates America and the only person who could change that perception is Kenyan? African is cool, can’t they see that?

And what’s more is that Rattex claims to be proudly South African:

Rattex is now at the forefront of the new school of proudly South African rappers who understand that Hip Hop, more than any other musical art form, is about addressing important issues and representing where you’re from. It is therefore not suprising that Rattex is one of the pioneers of the ‘Spaza’ movement, where lyrics are performed in a combination of isiXhosa, English and Cape Flats slang.

Rattex has always been a true Cape Flats soldier, representing Khaltsha (Khayelitsha) wherever he performs. His music has also been on heavy rotation on community and campus radio stations (such as Zibonele, Bush Radio and UCT Radio) across Cape Town and the Cape Flats. Noteable performances include the Fire on the Mountain festival, Drudge Dialect II, the Hype Magazine Live Session and the Planetary Assault launch party. Rattex has also performed on Channel O’s number 1 rated show, Mzanzi Ridez. Most recently, Rattex supported legendary Brooklyn-born super lyricist Wordsworth on his tour to South Africa.

Read the full bio at his website. What goes through the head of an artist who claims to be from the flats, to embrace South Africanism and then puts on a music video feature his hommies, big cars, bling, scantily clad women and a distinctly western flair to it.

I am sorry but I cannot believe that any artist who produces this sort of tripe can claim to be proudly South African.

Have a look at a couple of “big rappers” in the following music videos from the States:

Spot the difference. Just like his name, I think that Rattex and this Americanised-afro-wanna-be culture confusion is ~~poising~~ poisoning the music and culture in South Africa.

nharalambous@gmail.com

There are 131 comments in this article:

14/01/2009Stii says:

Dear God! I couldn’t get past 30 seconds. It is THAT horrific!

That aside, you have a very valid point. I absolutely HATE unoriginal music. You would be pretty amazed at the crap I can listen to as long as it is the artist’s original work and not some copycat ripoff tune based on international artists. I might not buy it, but I’d give it a listen.

This, I’m afraid to say, is as good as the drivel that Afrikaans popstars like Kurt Darren and the likes, punish us with. I simply cannot stand it. It is the sad and sorry state of music in SA. Unless you produce something that has worldwide popularity, you cannot get exposure on any SA radio stations. When was the last time you heard K.O.B.U.S! on a radio station? Probably never as the radio stations still have a very conservative mindset where swearing is from the devil and Heavy Metal music gets produced in HELL. I HATE it.
14/01/2009Cape Town's Favourite Son says:

I suspect this wasn’t the type of online buzz his PR people were hoping for.
14/01/2009Nic says:

I suspect not. You can never predict what bloggers will do! It got what it deserved.
14/01/2009Cape Town's Favourite Son says:

Stii,

Careful… Kurt Darren is a legend.
14/01/2009Stii says:

Different strokes for different okes, my son! I cannot stand the Afrikaans Pop scene. It is not only unoriginal, but it is also a copy of Pop music from the old days. No, I do get that some sees him as a “legend”. I don’t.
14/01/2009Damian says:

You couldn’t have chosen a more inappropriate artist to vent your spleen on. Have you actually listened to Rattex’s album? Do you speak isiXhosa? Have you ever been to Khayelitsha? In short, do you have any idea what you are talking about? You couldn’t find a more kasi guy than Rattex.

Rattex’s ‘bling’ is an African bead necklace. His ‘baggy shoddy denims’ are actually Japanese (Evisu) and most of what he is wearing is local designers (Butan, FOC, Mustafa Maluka). I’m assuming everything you’re wearing right now was made in South Africa. If it’s not, you’re a hypocrite.

Characterising the musician that sings Rattex’s hook as his ‘hommie’ (sic) sounds like thinly-veiled racism. Can’t a black man just be working with another musician – does he have to be ‘hanging with his homey’?

Sure, this video has some of the visual cues of ‘international’ video making, but that doesn’t change the fact that he is a Spaza artist who is proud of where he comes from. Maybe you haven’t been to Khayelitsha recently, but you’ll find that young black men are not walking around in animal skins. International culture has permeated all walks of life in South Africa – get over it.

I’m not trying to convince you that you should like this song, or the video. The song is a simple club track designed to entertain. This particular video is designed to reflect the content of the song. It’s a commerical format because, unlike you, we are trying to put food on the tables of South African artists.
The music video channels weren’t interested in playing Rattex’s ‘The Government’ video because it was ‘too political’.

The rest of Rattex’s album contain songs about the harsh realities of life in Khayelitsha, the government’s failure to deliver on its promises, his hopes and dreams, xenophobia and African culture.

If you’re going to trash an artist on your little blog, you should at least do your research and look at the bigger picture.
14/01/2009Nic says:

Damian – Thanks for the comment. Granted, all great points and I concede to them all. I don’t speak isiXhosa and haven’t listened to the entire album. Unfortunately EVERYTHING that he stands for disappears when you WATCH the music video. It is unashamedly westernised and completely UNAfrican. Completely. Can you deny the blatantly copycat approach of his video to that of Pharrel and Snoop? You can’t.

I am sure that his lyrics are great and yes, he is rapping in an African language but surely you should be African in your entirety not pick and choose when to be African?

Are you kidding me with this: “‘hommie’ (sic) sounds like thinly-veiled racism”? Best you tread carefully when you accuse people of racism. That’s a hefty label you are prescribing. It was actually a reference to the American turn of phrase. NOT racially influenced at all. I don’t need to justify myself any more than that to you. And one last thing, the imagery in this video is so American-Afro-wannabe that Rattex stereotypes himself in the eyes and ears of his listeners and viewers as a typical black rapper from America rapping about his money, his cars and his women. Is that not the view that the imagery of this video portrays? I think it is. Very stereotypical and unoriginal. Yawn.
14/01/2009LucasGo says:

Wow your comments seem a bit severe, “poisoning the music and culture” is a tad extreme and for lack of a better word sounds a little traditionalist.

Personally I thought the track was pretty good, especially the production. I actually quite dig the name Rattex as well.

Honestly Hip hop isn’t my thing but I’m impressed. By the way Pharrell from your comparison video is a brilliant musician ( N*E*R*D is really good ) – Snoop is Snoop and that Hendrix track they did ain’t bad.

Anyway whether we like it or not, this is what kids want -

PS Zoopy + Safari = Fail
14/01/2009Nic says:

Hey LucasGo – I don’t think I am being harsh. There is a massive niche in South Africa for positive, proactive role models and if this is what young South Africans have to look at on their TV’s then we are in trouble, they may as well watch MTV and aspire to be just like Americans and lose their Africanism.

I absolutely love Pharrell, he is a genius as a producer and a musician. So is Snoop, no doubt. But why would we want to immulate, no, mimic them? It makes no sense, being African is so incredible, stick with it. If you know what I mean.

PS – Zoopy works fine for me on Safari and Zoopy is a fully fledged Mac-orientated office so we are all over Safari! Thanks for the heads up though, good to keep on my toes!
15/01/2009Leon says:

You can never predict what a commentator on a blog will do. Ha. Smackdown by Damian. It got what it deserved.
15/01/2009Damian says:

I have to assume that you haven’t seen many music videos. Pharrel and Snoop didn’t come up with the idea of shooting a video in studio with an infinity curve. It’s an economical way of getting a relatively slick looking video (no locations – no expensive lighting set ups). Are you going to criticize Beyonce for copying us? – she shot the video for ‘Singles Ladies’ after we did the Rattex video.

Rather than me thinking of ‘treading carefully’ about accusing you of racism, you should be treading carefully around actually being a racist. Just go and count the number of cultural and racial stereotypes you’re throwing around in your original post.

Re: ‘homies’ – it’s not just an ‘American turn of phrase’ – it’s a stereotype of a black American rapper. Did you hear Rattex use that expression? – why are you equating a South African rapping in an African language (that you don’t even understand) with a cliche of a black American rapper?

Don’t you see the irony in a white South African of European descent accusing a black South African of not being ‘African’ enough?

Rattex is not talking about his money, his cars or his women – but you wouldn’t know that because you don’t speak the language! Go and find someone to translate the lyrics for you.

It’s obvious that you just aren’t the target market because you don’t come from where he comes from. I would suggest that you stick to talking about subjects that you actually know something about.

I would love you tell Rattex to his face that he isn’t ‘African’ enough – and that his music is poisoning the minds of South Africans and destroying their cultural heritage. Maybe we could organise a meeting and you could blog about it afterwards?
15/01/2009Nic says:

Hey Damian,

It’s interesting how vehemenently you are defending Rattex – is he an artist on your music label? PioneerUnit? I think he might be, so much for transparency and honesty hey.

I really wish you hadn’t taken this to a debate about race, but please, please don’t be foolish and ignorant enough to assume that only black South Africans can be recognised as truly African. How dare you for a minute equate me to a European because of the colour of my skin. Racial? I think possibly. I never once mentioned anything racial in this post and if you have racial hangups about yourself and your artist and you construde my reference to a reference that is possibly in every rap song, hip-hop video or Ghetto-based Hollywood blockbuster then that is your issue not mine.

I truly am sorry that you had to make this about race, it was never about race. I have the same hangups about bands like Prime Circle who sound like every other rock band in the States. But unfortunately I was sent this press release. And if you cannot recognise that pushing South African children towards this sort of rap-cool music video is violating their perception of African then we have bigger problems than I thought.

Oh – and you dare me to speak to Rattex in person – set it up, I’ll bring the Camera Crew, you bring the music video and Rattex in his music video getup and you got a deal. I want to ask him why he chose to be so americanised in this video if his music is so African-centric. How bout it? Are you interested?
15/01/2009Leon says:

I think Damian did use the plural first person, so I don’t know where you’re getting the idea that he wasn’t being transparent.
15/01/2009Andre says:

@ Leon. There are grades of transparency. Saying, “Full disclosure: This artist is on my label” is transparent. Saying “us”, “we” infers it, but allows for the interpretations “we rappers”, “we afro-centrics” etc. Not fully-transparent.

And. @Damian Do you *know* Nic? Have you read his blog (yeah, the big one)? Have you listened to the opinions and emotions that come out of his mouth to express his love for this country and it’s people? ALL of it’s people?

No. If you had, you would have reached for the race card, and then thought, “This is NIC. I’m being a fucking idiot!”, and put it away.
15/01/2009Rosie says:

Great Blog – I whole heartedly agree with your point.
I absolutely LOATHE it when people throw the word “racist” around. Racism refers to prejudice against race. I don’t see any prejudice coming from this blog concerning the artist’s race. What the hell does this have to do with colour? Absolutely FOK ALL. This is a debate about CULTURE. People who wet their pants when they hear the slightest question about anything cultural and wail that it is racism are so miss-informed and ignorant, I want to pull my hair out.
And to be very honest, I don’t think it matters a damn that this Rattex guy is from Khayelitsha and wearing SA designers’ clothing. I watched this vid without headphones, so I could only see the visual. And if I hadn’t read the blog, I would never have guessed they were South African. I would have thought they were straight from the US of A.
And you know what? I think that that is what that Rattex guy is after. I doubt the video would have been so popular if it was filmed in a squatter camp, the beach in Camps Bay or on the top of Table Mountain.
15/01/2009supercopygurl says:

It’s music, its subjective!
@Damian I have met Nic and he is so passionate about this country that it oozes through his blog and his personality. Calling him a racist, because of his opinion of a music video is just ridiculous. If I’m not mistaken, being born in South Africa and in Africa makes you African. I’m of Indian descent but I am damn proud to say: ‘I’m African!’ I don’t understand this music. But hey different strokes for different folks I also don’t understand Kurt Darren.

This is a blog, its opinion.
15/01/2009Jason says:

This is a very interesting topic of conversation…. it’s something that comes up a lot. firstly the one thing that absolutely pisses me off about (South) African artists is that a lot of them feel the need to speak with an American accent, you know… yeah yeah. waddup kinda slang. Now if they have lived and worked in the US for longer then a year, then fine. I’ve worked there before I never came back with a twang… so please, get over yourselves.

Having said that though, in terms of the production of the video… it’s way up there, which means these artists are keen to up their games. You can also look at Da L.E.S’s video We’re on fire. I think it’s great. He’s a good example of using the American music video style ie bling, clothing and localising it- Amakhipkhip and the GP caps. So that is good. Last November I went to MAMAs in Nigeria and I observed a lot. African artists are keen to get their music playlisted onto a global scale, great. The problem is if they rap or sing in the vernac, that global audience won’t embrace the music as much because they don’t understand it. So this is something our artists are going to have to work on. The question is how?
15/01/2009Barry says:

@Damian from what you are saying the album sounds interesting and real, and it seems like Rattex has something worthwhile to say.

That said they do seem to be aspiring to be like acts in the less talented “African American” hip hop category.

I would say that guys like A tribe called Quest and De La Soul are more Afrocentric in style and delivery than Rattex. It’s not all about money, hoes, cars and clothes.

@Nic, unfortunately that is what people want to hear. Same goes for the other genres. That is why mediocre bands like the Parlotones and Prime Circle are better known than say The Narrow.

The problem is that the music industry has been bought and sold, the masses are buying and the masses are… “not very discerning”.
15/01/2009Hans says:

Nic – love your work dude!

Damian – chill bro

The track’s not that bad and the video is a little copy cat but heh does that matter…. ? There is a market for it and that’s what counts – for Rattex and Damian

and Damian – until I had read this post I had never heard of Rattex but thanks to Nic your boy’s got some free publicity
15/01/2009Leon says:

Anyone who suggests that American symbols in any youth culture, whether its African kids in Soweto, or Muslims teens in Paris, is just about copying, display an ignorance about what the true meaning of that is in society.

If you watch the video, understand the lyrics, the meaning and what he is saying, you’d understand why this is not just parroting American culture.
15/01/2009LucasGo says:

@Leon – Exactly well said.

Quick to judge / stereotype / generalise – Could the same not be said about SA rock bands and 99% of SA music.

Although I don’t agree with the racist comments I think Damian should be commended for being clearly so passionate about his artist.

Anyway before damning it and labeling it poison what about the pro’s here. As far as I can see they seem to be trying really hard to get some local artists off the ground, give them a career and a chance with some cool beats along the way. What is so bad about that?
15/01/2009Nic says:

LucasGo – spot on: “Damian should be commended for being clearly so passionate about his artist”. Unfortunately Damian couldn’t resist the race card and in my eyes lost his commendability. However I do 100% agree with your point about SA Rock music. Prime Circle = carbon copy of ANY NUMBER of American rock bands. no doubt, unfortunately I wasn’t sent a press release for them and the video link and the bio link. I was sent one for Rattex.

And another thing that I think is disappointing to me is that people are harping on the music, I simply commented on the video that is tarnishing his music in my opinion, not the actual music, the video. I have no doubt that Rattex can rap, fantastic. But live the brand man. Live the Africanism don’t sell yourself out for a video that you hope will get airtime on a big TV station. Make your brand what you want it to be, be passionate about your own brand, identity and culture, stick with it and you’ll make it.
15/01/2009Nic says:

Leon – did you actually watch the video? Are you kidding? You are seriously trying to sell me that rubbish about ignorance of society and culture? Rattex’s video is a dime a dozen in the hip-hop/rap culture. Yawn. Nothing African about it with regards to the IMAGERY. not the lyrical content. I can be singing a lullaby to a three year old, but if the music video shows naked women, drinking and drugs, it’s still not acceptable for a three year old.
15/01/2009Damian says:

Firstly,,, I thought I had made it clear who I was because I entered my details in the reply box – I only just noticed that they didn’t really get published except if you click on my name. So anyway, apologies for not stating it up front. My name is Damian, I run Pioneer Unit, the label Rattex is signed to. http://www.pioneerunit.com

Secondly, please don’t fool yourself that race isn’t part of this debate. The cultural arrogance your are displaying is simply amazing.

Let’s look at the facts and please correct me if I’m wrong. You are a white South African. I never said that white South Africans weren’t African). I didn’t equate you to a European, I said that you are of European descent. If you are a white South African then you can only be of European descent, right?

You have already admitted that you don’t speak isiXhosa, that you haven’t been to Khayelitsha, and that basically you know absolutely nothing about Rattex’s culture. Despite this, you feel justified in accusing Rattex of poisoning the minds and culture of Africans because he looks a bit too ‘American’ for your taste. You do all this while making cultural and racial stereotypes about black Americans.

Who are you to presume to tell a young black African what he should be wearing or saying in order to be truly ‘African’?

Rattex is not trying to appeal to a global market. He raps in isiXhosa so he can speak to his people – not Americans or Europeans. Rattex doesn’t have an American accent. His subject matter is aimed at young black South Africans who share his struggles, hopes and dreams. Hip hop is a global culture. Global culture has reached the townships – kids there can take part in it – the same way you do – without losing their ‘identity’.

We just shot the video for ‘Welcome to Khaltsha’ in Khayelitsha. We shot ‘The Government’ outside parliament. We shot ‘Bread and Butter’ on my roof. Maybe these videos will be more to your liking?

If you take the time to do your research about Pioneer Unit, you’ll find that it would be hard to be more Afrocentric than the artists we put out. Listen to Rattex. Listen to Ben Sharpa (he grew up in the States, so yes, he has an American accent). Listen to Driemanskap. Listen to Jaak. Listen to Terror MC. Listen to KONFAB. Take the time to listen to what they actually say rather than making stupid superfical comments about the way they look and you will hear that they all deal with the social, political and cultural issues of life in South Africa.

We’ll gladly do the interview with if you’re in Cape Town.
15/01/2009Damian says:

“I would say that guys like A tribe called Quest and De La Soul are more Afrocentric in style and delivery than Rattex. It’s not all about money, hoes, cars and clothes.”

In what universe can Americans be more Afrocentric than an African rapping in his mother tongue? His only reference to the kind of capitalist dream your are inferring is his desire to escape the dire poverty his people are in as a result of colonialism and racial oppression.
15/01/2009Nic says:

There is no racial innuendo here. At all. Wont say that again. If you have a cultural hangup that is your cross to bear. Do not project your feelings or those of your artist on to me. If you want to avoid this sort of thing then maybe you shouldn’t participate in the debate Damian. It seems as though you are hellbent as painting me as a racialist. I am not a racialist.

I am an African, my parents are African, my grandparents of African yet because of the colour of my skin you say that my culture is European? You are mislead and illustrating incredible ignorance yourself. Just because I don’t speak isiXhosa does not make me any less South African than the next South African. I am not sure if you noticed but we have eleven national languages, can only people who speak all eleven be called true South Africans? Is this the premise you are working on, or is it only black languages that you think qualify?

I am also not culturally arrogant. When did I ever mention anything about my culture being better or worse than yours or Rattex’s? I didn’t. This is about maintaining ones Africanness and in my opinion Rattex did not do this in the video that I feature in this post. It’s really that simple, the other videos you shot might be extremely African-centric and I applaud you for that but I am not talking about those videos, I did not see and was not sent those videos, I was sent this video.

I am not in CT but will be soon. I’ve tried to contact the number on your website, have called and SMS’d, please get in touch with me and we can set up the meeting, would love to chat to you and Rattex about this, I think it’s an extremely important issue right now. I really just hope you let go of this racial hangup that keeps popping in to your comments.
15/01/2009ME says:

This blogger is clearly clueless about SA township culture – slang, party life, gear, etc otherwise he would never ever cosnider Ra to be a US copy cat. Unless he belives rapping should only be for Americans and Africans should be chnating around fires. ignorance! whay do people criticise what they dont understand instead of trying to understand it. one of the most stupid things I have read all year. Well the year is still new but i doubt there is someone who’ll beat this nonse. Ra from khalthsa a US copycat – HAHAHA! My nephews who are not even into hip hop dig him coz he is all about kasi life. the good and the bad. the strggles, the parties.
15/01/2009Nic says:

Ah the plight of the pursecuted. Why do you assume I know nothing of the township culture? Because I am white? Because I have a view that differs from yours? Ignorant. Anyways, if you can watch the video in this post and tell me that it represents in its IMAGERY, the township culture of South Africa then I just don’t know.

Thanks for the comment anyways.
15/01/2009Barry says:

@Damien Chill man.. I get it.

I just don’t think it’s a good thing. I think there are better parts of global culture that can be imitated.

More constructive etc.
15/01/2009Peewee says:

Dude u talk kak!

What the fuck is being american about style?? what i dont get is why the sense of fashion / style critique is always placed on black people, or rather african hiphop heads?

when a white south african kid wears surfer clothing or has that kinda style, he is not trying to be australian is he? why cant it be that this sense of fashion can be appealing beyond rap / nation / colour. But when a white kid wears hiphop clothing he is trying to be black – NOT AMERICAN but BLACK! WTF IS THIS KAK??

Rattex is reppin who he is, how he was cultured (which is not limited to the spaza lifestyle) and is proud to be where he is from… more power to u bra!
15/01/2009Nic says:

Peewee – thanks for your opinion/comment. Again, I reiterate, I did not make this a black/white issue. It’s not, it’s cultural. I couldn’t agree with you more, white kids in South Africa trying to be Puff Daddy/Usher/Snoop/Pharrell make me sad too. They should have local hip-hop/rap artists to emulate. Not Americans. Unfortunately if young South Africans were to watch the featured Rattex video in this post, they would emulate him emulating an American culture. Can you not recognise this?
15/01/2009Lucien says:

What an entirely ignorant ramble. I’m sure you have not listened to or bothered to understand the album as a concept at all. I may suggest that you listen to it, get a friend to translate it and make an educated comment or at least deliver some semblance of a professional and informed review, commentary- whatever.

Furthermore, your point would have been better illustrated if you had taken the time to spell the key word “poisoned” correctly throughout the piece. “Poising” the culture may be a term I am unfamiliar with in which case I apologise there.

An embarrassing and ignorant review, in fact just what is wrong with SA music. Please, as a purported knowledgeable source , do these things with a bit more thought.
15/01/2009Nic says:

Lucien – Thanks for the spell-check, appreciate it and rectified.
15/01/2009Peewee says:

Haralambos is that you?? didnt recognise u there? my apologies for any insults, didnt mean them. Its Peewee…as in Peewee from rhodes… so u get a ghetto pass (LOL) with me.

look, the one thing u need to understand that the whole hiphop form of music and lifestyle is not south african. Its american, and thats what we grew up on. we will imitate what we know, the dude can rap and what u need to understand is that rattex is doing a good job of averting that western culture by rappin in vernacular. thats a great step to have a national xhosa rap-artist. u cant ask a man to change his sense of dress and how he has lived just like that? its superficial. Im sure others will come along and embrace this cultural change and add to it, so that we can have our own african way of hiphop. Nonetheless he deserves his credit for taking that stance.

if u talk about musicians trying to be american thats naive, because we are trying to be something we are not. Look at businessmen coming up in african countries? whats african about them these days? NOTHING? look @ someone like tokyo sexwale prior to his wealth and him now? u cant even differentiate him from someone on wallstreet (bar his accent). our way of life is influenced by these cultures…cultures which were forced on us, and now how do u expect people to change?

cheers
15/01/2009RR says:

I’d like to mention first that I’ve listened to the album and I didnt like it much and that had nothing to with anything else but how it sounded to me musically. But as a person who has listen to it, and what i know about the artist since i met him often enough, i disagree with Nic. Cultures new and old have adopted/borrowed from or influenced other cultures. Rattex’s subject matter, if it satisfies you to know this, is very much local in its entirety. If Rattex happens to look or sound too american then its a matter of what appeals to you. Maybe you should judge the video on quality rather than what it should represent culturally as nothing is that original about any culture.

If you still believe your comments about him being a copy cat and not African enough, I guess ATCQ and De La should be critisized negetively for trying to sound African and not american enough.
15/01/2009Maluka says:

I will go back to the original intent of this blog post. what was the aim? what was damian’s response and is his criticism of the harsh dismissive opinions of the blogger valid?

Firstly, looking at the blog, the blogger is clearly not a hiphop fan. He has a subjective opinion about the form and content of both the song and the video. That is fine. Where the problem arises is that he goes on a diatribe about how this artist is not being “African” enough. What is African? What is “our” culture? The last time I checked, culture was something fluid, ever evolving.

My father was wearing Levis and Adidas when I was born over 30 years ago. He was listening to Stevie Wonder and Billy Paul. We grew up on the Cape Flats during a period of political turmoil. Our “leaders” were either dead, in prison or in exile. We looked at American and British rappers as role models because they were articulating experiences similar to the ones we found ourselves in.

For someone to tell me that our experience which is that of a globalised, hybrid society, is not “African” or “authentic” enough is simply laughable.

Damien’s criticism is spot on, “you couldn’t have chosen a more inappropriate artist to vent your spleen on”.The thinly veiled racism is just that, thinly veiled. Racism is a reality in South Africa and if it takes a white guy like Damien to call you out on it then I think it’s even more valid.

People like Rattex or Ben Sharpa or Spoek Mathambo or Ill-Literate Skill don’t need to try “very hard to be local, have flavour and maintain bits of our heritage” the way the blogger’s band were doing. These are artists who are confident in their identities. They are able to make videos that have an International quality, produce music that is of an International standard and perform this music on International stages. South Africa is ultimately just a little bubble on the world map.

The blogger would rather see some crappy rock band do well. The only qualifier that will make a band “authentic” would be if they had an afrikaans name perhaps.

Get out from under your Rock and listen to some authentic South African music:

Ill-Literate Skill (UNO) live in Berlin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_UEvbmBOng

Playdoe (Spoek Mathambo+Sibot): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BA8JCuD6ejQ

Ben Sharpa: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWQ8_L97MbQ

Rattex ft. Ben Sharpa (The Government): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yh7bmzouStk

Ben Sharpa live in Belgium: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5psQerM19U
15/01/2009Nic says:

Yo Peewee man, I thought it had to be you commenting, I was waiting for you to realise it was me!

You make some great points Peewee, for sure and I 100% agree than rapping in vernacular is a MASSIVE step in a positive direction. At least the man is staying true to his language. Unfortunately the point still stands that the featured video is unacceptable American. It’s not a matter of what he grew up on, when you get to the point of making a video rather stick to his Bread and Butter type video and The Government. Those are much more locally centered. This one drops the ball and is unashamedly unoriginal and westernised.

Hi lyrics are great and so are Ben Sharpa’s but I say again, why tarnish those lyrics with imagery that just isn’t African.

It’s an opinion thing and maybe all the commentators on this post feel like I completely miss the point of the underground sub-culture happening in townships around the country, but you are the first one to explain it so that I can understand.

Appreciate your effort Peewee!!
15/01/2009Nic says:

Ah Maluka. I’m not going to defend myself to someone who clearly wants to brand me a racist. I don’t need to defend myself to you. I don’t need to justify to you what you want me to think African is. I don’t care if you agree with my definition of what I think African might be to me because it will never be the same as your definition of what it is to be African. But again you take the blog post out of context. Compare the two videos above. Are they not spitting images of one another? This is what I was commentating on, not Rattex’s race, colour or creed, on the content of the video which is unashamedly American-centric.

I do 100% completely agree that cultures are not and cannot be separated from one another anymore, but does that mean that we should embrace the others and lose ourselves within one music video? I don’t think so. I think that Rattex could have done things entirely different. And again, as I said to Peewee, maybe I just completely misunderstand the intention of the video, but I doubt it, I’m not ignorant (contrary to views on this blog) and when you say things like: “The blogger would rather see some crappy rock band do well. The only qualifier that will make a band “authentic” would be if they had an afrikaans name perhaps.” You illustrate your racist and ignorant innuendo because you are making the assumption that I like Afrikaans, South African rock. Tsk tsk, why is it always an eye for an eye? I have already stated that I think SA Rocks is falling in to a dangerous arena of copycats like Prime Circle.

It really is a pity that this has descended in to a racially heated debate because I think we are missing the more important stuff. Oh well.
15/01/2009ME says:

“Anyways, if you can watch the video in this post and tell me that it represents in its IMAGERY, the township culture of South Africa then I just don’t know.”

seems like you really dont know. I dont understand what part of this imagery is American? is it girls – the cars – the dance moves. It’s a party track. nothing you wont find at a party / club in any “black” part of SA.

And to go as far as saying this is what kills SA music, is ridiculous. Why not say what kills SA music is quotas on radio & TV that favour overseas artists (which means kids are liley to want to emulate foreig artists). Why not say piracy kills SA music. To say it’s the like sof Ra is laughable. … Ok, simple question – have you bought the album? if not, Please do. get to know Ra.
15/01/2009Barry says:

Tumi and the Volume have a lot to say as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUzhNpZUz1g
15/01/2009Nic says:

Me – You’ve got a deal. I will go right now to a CD shop and buy his album. I’ll blog tomorrow sometime, or over the weekend about my thoughts.

Fair?
15/01/2009Luke says:

The production is tight. Fashion is fickle and personally I don’t care what these guys wear. On the wheels tip, I did think the golf cart was a nice counterpoint to the hummer type thing.

PS Immolate means to set yourself on fire. Interesting choice of malapropism. I think the word you were looking for is emulate.
15/01/2009Maluka says:

@Nic: You are both ignorant and arrogant. What other qualifier besides a name like “fokofpolisiekar” (which is a name I came across while skimming your previous blogs) would make a south african rock act “authentic” or “African”? I love Afrikaans. I support more Afrikaans artists than you could ever dream of. I just don’t have my head up my Rock ass.

You have failed at making a valid argument in your blog post. Any defense of your critique shows your utter lack of tact. Perhaps you should get out of you little hole and explore some of the artists I’ve suggested. If you look carefully, you may notice that some of them are indeed white too!

People like you are the ones poisoning the music and culture in South Africa.
15/01/2009Nic says:

Hey Luke – ye, thanks wrote in haste and suffered for it, i’ve corrected the error!
15/01/2009Nic says:

Maluka – thanks for your comments.

Geez – did I once write about a Afrikaans band? You’re kidding? That must mean that I am a white supremacist? That’s insane, out over 1000 articles i’ve written here you find one and brand me because of it.

I don’t think I’ve failed to make a valid argument, I just don’t think you like my argument and therefore disregard it as invalid. And so what if I lack tact? Is there an issue I should be dancing around here? I’ve already listened to the artists you suggested that you think I’ve never heard of or seen/listened to. Thanks for “educating” me.

Anyways, thanks again for the comments.
15/01/2009LucasGo says:

The production is tight. I like.
15/01/2009RR says:

As much as im on your side on this one D, I feel the dude wasnt being racist. You’ve supported your reasoning your saying what you said and it’s makes a lot of sense and understandable and yes, the context in which the word homie was used is rather insulting but i dont think dude what being racist. He just doesnt know enough about the culture he was commenting on and hence made the reckless comments.

With that said, I also feel the responses directed to the blogger in gereral are rather too harsh because he has stated his reasons and responded humbly to a lot of the comments and admitted where he thought his views might have been out of ignorance(though he did not use this word).
15/01/2009Trompie says:

HI,

I honestly felt sick after reading this…. in fact… felt like saying curse words in yo face… but well.. I aint gonna… Im not that any more… see.. I changed that perception because my color or race is actually perceived in that way…although we aren’t.

I honestly feel that because this is yo circle, ppl should just respect what you’re saying and move on… but I challenge you to come out with such statements in a public forum where this kind of issue can be debated.

I want to add on more that, when an artist has a track written down in a certain manner, if it involved his lifestyle being one that is a thug that rapes, is he entitled to shoot a video in a church?

Please consider that artist also want to have their shine and show the world that they also have that stage appearance, have that market and have the worth of pulling those kinda videos off.

If you’re asking about artist not being pro South African, did you by any chance go to Khayelitsha and interview the guy personally? Have you bought his album? Do you know what he’s saying in that track?

Then ask yourself a question: What have I done that is pro South African that can be useful to the nation?

signing off….

Bleksperm (does that make me American?)
15/01/2009Rosie says:

Wow, this blog states that perhaps using an American cultured theme in a music video is a bit generic and suddenly he is branded a racist?
Wtf – that is not fair and it is not right.

@Damian – “Secondly, please don’t fool yourself that race isn’t part of this debate. The cultural arrogance your are displaying is simply amazing.”

Dude, culture and race are two completely different things!!! Are you saying as soon as someone says that they don’t like something of another culture that they are racist? What utter bullshit, really. Nic did not mention the guy’s colour once!!!

It is people like you who keep this hatred alive in South Africa. You use the word racism in the wrong context and before we all know it, South Africa is one of the most racist countries in the world!!! (again). I am so sick of people being big girl’s blouses and branding everything racists. An attack on someone’s RACIAL GROUP is racism. Making a comment about culture has sweet fuck all to do with racism.

I thought in the new South Africa that colour doesn’t matter or make a difference. But people like you make it matter and make it a sore spot from absolutely nothing. What if the guys rapping had been white? I would still think that the video is a slave to American ideologies and fashion! And what would you have said to Nic then, because if they were white the argument would still stand – they are using generic American culture to gain record sales and money.

Who gives a toss about what their colour is, that is nothing to do with what nic is arguing! And seeing as Nic never mentioned their colour, you are really just making such a shitty argument out of this which is so digressed from what the blog post is about.

And you are making your record label look extremely wussy, ignorant and actually quite scary. But that comment is aimed at you, not the people in the video, good heavens I wouldn’t want someone to say that because I said the record label was ignorant and wussy that I am racist.
15/01/2009Nic says:

Trompie – Not sure I follow you. Why did you feel sick exactly?

I have already stated that I would willingly and would love to sit down with Damian and Rattex in a public forum (with a camera crew) and film the debate that would ensue. In fact I have already contacted Damian and told him when I will be in Cape Town to do the interview. I am not shy of my opinion at all.

“Please consider that artist also want to have their shine and show the world that they also have that stage appearance, have that market and have the worth of pulling those kinda videos off.” So the only way to show the world that these artists have stage appearance is to do it like an American rapper would?

I have done my part for this country and in fact I still am, every day, constantly looking for ways to make it better. Thank you for reminding me of that!
15/01/2009Stefano says:

bla bla bla.

Too much kak to read. I reckon it’s not that bad, it’s quite catchy. I’d listen to it again, and the music video, well… it’s better than the majority of local vidz, i can tell you that much.

It has some american flavour, yes… but are you xenophobic?
15/01/2009Stefano says:

Oh, and the ladies are definitely african
15/01/2009Rich...! says:

Andre (and the rest of you), we’re not on twitter, and are perfectly capable of understanding names without requiring the @ tag before them. It’s silly, please stop.

Dude, for me it was very clear that Damien represented the label. I don’t see that he was being vague at all. When you mouse over his name it links back to the label. I think this particular argument is petty.

Nic bro, I have huge respect for you, you know this, but in this case I think you’re being unfair. Not with your original post, you wrote it like you saw it, but after Damien cleared things up, I think you should have backed down. Don’t fight this on the blogger code. You made broad sweeping generalizations based on your exposure to one song. I look forward to your post listen follow up.

I run a South African business. But I’m sitting on an Italian chair typing on an American (Chinese) computer and listening to music on a Taiwanese CD Player. So what if he’s wearing American clobber?. That’s his genre and his look. In my more fanatical Punk Rock days I got the old “you all look the same to me” label all the time, but from inside the scene the subtleties are obvious. That’s how it is here, we’re not part of the Hip Hop scene, so we can’t really see things the insiders see.

Damien, dude, I agree that Nic bandied around stereotypes, but I didn’t see any hint of racism at all. You too are being a bit sensitive. In SA that word means a lot, let’s not turn this into a witch hunt.

Respect bitches…!
15/01/2009Hans says:

Jeeezuz – would all the ignoramusses let up now and actually read what was written in the initial post before continueing on this path of ignorrance and immaturity – fuck have you not got anything better to do than try to cause dissension and turn a relatively simple personal review into a racial and political debate.

Nic – hats off for dealing with all the contentious issues head on and in a pro manner

Damian – I think everyone understands your aggression re the Dis on your label although indirect but next time handle it differently.. keep race and politics out and lastly SO WHAT! there will be millions of people that will not enjoy what you and Rattex are doing but heh there are plenty that do so focus on what you are doing and just laugh it off… life is too short for all this conflict – there’s enough of it already.
15/01/2009Nic says:

Hey Rich…! there is no bloggers code here. That is not why I am arguing. I find it extremely difficult to back off a topic when I am being accused of racism to be honest. Not gonna happen. I get your point, yes I called it as I saw it but could’ve handled it slightly differently, but I bandied about stereotypes to make a point, and a point that clearly didn’t sit well with Damian.

I also see your point about the chairs, designer this-that-and-whatever. But it’s most definitely not the same thing in my eyes. Rattex is setting trends, defining people’s opinions and outlooks and needs to be careful with the image he portrays. That’s all.

And yes, it was one video, but if you want to send out a press release then expect it to be reported on, especially if you are punting one specific video on youtube.

I am most definitely buying the album today and will get a review done asap.

Thanks for the comment Rich…!
15/01/2009eurotrash says:

wow, so let me get this straight, you are african, your parents were african, your grandparents are african, but clearly somewhere down the line, you have european ancestors, no? what ‘African’ language do you speak? Afrikaans? the roots of Afrikaans is dutch right? that’s european right?

I believe you have a very culturally biased way of looking at things, because you know the end all of what is ‘truely african’ and not, not to long ago there was an austrian, who felt he knew what it meant to be ‘truely european’, 6,000,000 deaths later, i guess we still struggle to live and let live…huh Nic?

I find your statements about African Americans to be shallow, disrespectful and that you are perpetrating stereotypes, your narrow mindedness really shows in these areas, hopefully after some of these comments I’ve read, you will learn to step outside your box, and not be so quick to pass judgement over some one and their cultural heritage. Try embracing your own for starters, and quit living in denial. Your opinion is not that important, for you to randomely pick ‘Rattex’ as your example shows you didn’t really do your research, thought you would just slap him on your canvas, hmm? The reason I say this, because I feel there are some artists that do pretend to be something they are not, but you might have picked the worst example of them all, and a lot of your arguments seem more like a personal problem, there is an old ‘european’ phrase, that says ‘he who points his finger, has three of his own hand pointing back at himself’, you seem bitter, Thanks for sharing your worthless slander on this useless blog.

out
15/01/2009Peewee says:

@ Rossie – slow down and actually look at shit before u run to the rescue. I know Nic personally and would never call him a racist. this is a very contentious issue, because it shows a lot of double standards…

I have personally experienced shit when i was at rhodes when i was at uni, where people would say why do u dress like an american or why do u talk like an american? and my reply would be why do u want me to talk like a south african?? if i have the same accent as u or if i dress like u then im cool.. if not then im fake? GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE (and thats directed to all the self righteous fuckers that have made comments).

why is heritage and being proudly south african always linked to trying to keep it real… shiiiiiiiiiiit i mean u tell me how many rock or alternative bands have embraced their heritage… better yet what the heck is ur heritage and how do u show it? i know that nic didnt mean that we should walk around in skins and have spears…but hey… the fuck are people saying is generic about hiphop style or lifestyle, that is not generic about alternative bands and their music (THE SHIT SOUNDS THE SAME TO ME). shit i mean i didnt even know the parlotones were south african till last year!!!! so where is the crit for them? Nic brought it up earlier and i respect that, but the rest of u, dont come here and pretend like u apply the same standards to other genres.

HIPHOP IS OUR CULTURE SO IF U DONT LIKE IT STAY THE FUCK AWAY FROM IT.

that ends this public service announcement. Peeeeeeeeeeace!
15/01/2009Nic says:

Hahahaha – Eurotrash you are trying to pull me in to one of these debates that you think will make me look/sound stupid. Let me say this: I am an African. You can disagree with me because you think I am too white, my heritage is too far North or you don’t think that I own/act/live it enough. You can disagree with me, but I am still an African just as much as you are.
15/01/2009eurotrash says:

I think you are poisoning our childrens minds, and that you are not African enough!!
15/01/2009Rosie says:

@peewee
I am not in on the hip hop debate. I was highly pissed off by Damian’s banter that Nic was being racist. i never said you said he was.

I grew up in Holland and the UK and no one gave a sheit what colour you were. It really grates me when people cry ‘racists!!!’ when someone is debating cultural stereotyping.

That’s all.
15/01/2009eurotrash says:

I’m joking Nic, (about that tad bit after the comma), you should get off of Rattex’s back, he is a positive role model in his community, and is proud of his heritage, I’m sure of it..
15/01/2009Peewee says:

@ Rosie

Dont lie to urself about the UK, many people will tell u that place is as racist as anyplace in the world. but thats not the argument. I completely agree with u on the issue of race its played out but its a reality. And by nic starting this topic he had to expect this.

Now my point is ur not applying the same stereotypical standards of what being african is to other genres of music. Im not south african by the way so im pretty objective in the matter (unless me being black is an issue- LOL), and i will tell u that if u dont care about what race i am then u shouldnt give a fuck about what i wear how i rap, dress or talk period!

I mean what is this issue of bling and bitches in african videos like its a sin, can u not relate? dont we have bling in SA? are there no jewelley stores? dont we have bitches – hoes -(no offense ladies i mean the real bitches)?

with all due respect Nic’s argument is very flawed because its centred around a whole genre and not just an individual… what u are saying is people who behave like rattex are not being true to themselves? what happened to freedom of choice, who are u to decide what i am and how i should behave?

Nic its all love. its all in the spirit of debate
15/01/2009Nic says:

Ye Peewee – no stress man. All in the name of debate. But to be honest, I really didn’t expect this sort of racial response. At all. I thought that people had moved on beyond that and could be rational.

But good debate is always welcome!
15/01/2009Peewee says:

the reality is still prevalent man. its very sad. but true. dont stress it isnt personal
15/01/2009Nic says:

Nah man – no stress, debate is good! Appreciate your input.
15/01/2009eurotrash says:

nah but the thing is, Rattex doesn’t even act like that! lol, where is flashing jewely in his videos?! last I checked the man was wearing beads, and he’s not disrespecting women in his videos either?!

The video above is basically a club joint, that Rattex did for people to have fun to, too bad he had to get bashed for trying to feed his family, the Media and the Consumer’s play an important role, in the way music is being presented as well, I don’t feel Rattex deserved this kind of treatment at all..

out
15/01/2009Damian says:

If you don’t ‘expect’ to be accused of racism when you post comments containing derogatory racial stereotypes, then you are either very insensitive or very stupid.

I’m not saying that you are a racist, but you are expressing racially inflammatory remarks that I, and many people I have shown them to, find offensive.

How can we ‘move on’ and be ‘rational’ when people like you are writing such ignorant rubbish?
15/01/2009Damian says:

Here’s another SA videos shot in a white studio:

Ama Vuvuzela Remix:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNodYGlhkeM
15/01/2009spo0ky says:

It’s just unfortunate that you picked one of the most South African rappers to make your point.

Judging someone’s South Africanism on the background colour of one of his music video, without researching and considering his entire body of work, is rather unprofessional in my opinion.
15/01/2009spo0ky says:

2 more for the road

Slikour (sorry, only behind the scene, can’t find the final online)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wsd14U0e_Qo

Music & Lights, HHP feat. Amerie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTxfr8yYdhU
15/01/2009LucasGo says:

Wow that Ben Sharpa / Homogeny video is pretty damn good. Looking good even on budget. So was Imbube. All seem very South African to me. I’d buy Ben Sharpa if it was on iTunes. I’m an Art Director at an ad agency, and I have to just say the album design work on the Pioneer Unit site is pretty solid. Overall I’m really impressed.

PS Pioneer Unit site a bit slow though!
16/01/2009whitewash says:

Nic im sorry but you really have no idea what you are talking about, and you should admit it.

First, hiphop is american. Thats where ‘hiphop’ music started and so it will always have some american influence. Even if it it is a russian artist rapping about vodka and the kgb, he was influenced by hiphop and american culture.
Second, the fact that Ra is wearing clothes which you perceive to be american style does not mean he is trying to be american. As pointed out already the majority of his gear is local. I would bet that you wear more american apparel than he does. If i wear a versace shirt then i must be tryin to imitate italians and obviously want the world to think i am italian yes?? You are wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses in your profile pic does that make you a baseball fan who is tryin to imitate europeans?
Your argument can not hold up in this globalised society we live in. Everything and everyone has been influenced by someone or something (mostly america and western society) so there will always be elements of that. The fact that you are writing a blog isnt very ‘african’ i suppose because africans didnt build computers? Would you have Rattex shoot a video in lion skins with his face painted? talkin about huntin wild animals? maybe the colours were american and the video should have been shot in black and white, with an african made camera..wait… would that be ‘african’ enough for you?

The video may be an accurate depiction of the life Ra leads, and that many people lead. If he is being real to himself and his lifestyle, he is not african right? How would you know? And who are you to judge?

Music is still entertainment, is it not? I found the video entertaining!

Why does talking about cars, nice clothes and women (or ‘his hommies, big cars, & scantily clad women’ as you put it) have to be western? I have a car, im sure you do to. Should I be riding around on horseback or donkey-carts because I am from africa? I like nice cars, clothes & women. So i must be tryin to imitate americans right? As my friend peewee said, GET THE FUCK OUTTA HERE!
16/01/2009whitewash says:

In fact if I hadnt read all yr comments defending yr ridiculous stance on the subject, I would think you were simply trying to get more traffic to your blog with that post. But I see that in fact you really are confused and have no idea about the subject at hand
16/01/2009hosh naiers says:

Fuck it, I’ll add my 50 cent (oops, too American). Here’s my take on it. So, Nic got the biog, saw the vid and heard/read the name: Rattex. Rattex=poison – wow nice play on words plus I can project all my issues (cultural or otherwise) on this artist. He went off on his aesthetic/moralistic/cultural rant – until Damian took offense. Damian expressed his point to defend an artist on his label and to point out certain contradictions in Nic’s initial posting. Damian proceeded to imply Nic is a racist (although, in a later post he toned it down and claimed the statement was racist). For Nic race and culture cannot be equated and to make a not-so-positive remark against something ‘cultural’ does not make one a racist (something rosie – who lived in the uk and holland and appears absolutely oblivious to racism there – also argued). The tricky thing is this is a debate involving white (and other) South Africans. Racism is a sensitive topic and probably will be for a few more generations. Nic took this accusation personally (coupled with probably saving face as webmaster/blogger). That’s understandable – ego is a motherfuckah.

The other tricky thing is that culture is the new race. Meaning, before scientific discourses were invoked about a specific group, but now cultural references serves the same purpose. There is a whole area of study dedicated to this. To argue that Nick didnt mention the word race, so you cannot claim it was about race is kak. For example, ever read a news headline that says something to the effect “the murderer is from Soweto”. No race mentioned – only geography..right??? get it? get it??

The issue is not (so much) that Nic is a racist. In his mind and others that know him he is not one. That is a useless point anyway, because we do not know his heart. What I feel can be pointed out is that the framework he uses to critique rattex is very problematic. One does not have to be a racist to be implicated in some racist discourse. fuck, you can embrace a particular black pride ideology and still work within a white supremacist framework. all u do is add melanin to particular racist ideas – shake and tadaaa u have ur own thing. The main issue for me (as others have pointed out) is that Nic has particular ideas of how certain people should behave/act/present themselves. This is above and beyond musical tastes. Nic had a very moralistic tone in his initial blog (he later shifted to a particular video that is supposedly poisoning). He also seemed to have agreed that white South African artists are not judged by the same standard, but that he wasnt reviewing their work in this particular posting. The problem with that is that if you do not bring them into the mix, then it is very very very easy to read what you’re saying through a racialised lens (intended or not). imagine in a country where whites have policed and judged the actions of others (from good boy to cheeky), then in 2008 a white African blogger tells a black African artist he is not African enough. That claim is so insane on so many levels. The fact that you’re saying you’re “white” and African implies a certain heterogeneity to what can be regarded as African. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. At the same time your argument makes a case for some kind of homogeneity or easy to box categories. Furthermore, Nick (and possibly Damian) reduce something that is a fucking economic strategy by government and South African corporations (Proudly South African) to something moral/cultural/aesthetic. In case you didnt know, the borders of South Africa (including the rest of Africa, for the most part) are colonial constructions. Let’s not get our knickers in a knot over something that can be used to say fuck the rest of Africa (the Proudly SA campaign).
And then there’s me – taking up your fucking time with a long-ass comment about this bs. Ego, indeed is a motherfuckah.
16/01/2009Luke says:

@whitewash – hahaha
@hosh naiers well put – I respect Nic and his love for this country, and all the good intentions that come with that but..

I wholeheartedly agree that this post is on very shaky ground, particularly in the cultural sense, in terms of critiquing what is

a) An expression of local hip hop culture that Nic does not subscribe to nor understand, and that will never conform to his (perhaps somewhat twee) perception of how Black South African artists should be presenting themselves.

On this level his critique is an irrelevance and fairly pointless, aside from gathering hoots of approval from likeminded haters.

b) This video is a reflection of values and aspirations that already exist amongst young Black people in Gugs and Khayalitsha, hell across the country. There is a thin line between saying that music leads the youth astray, and taking the opposite stance – recognising that it is a reflection of values and cultural aspirations that arise from a life of poverty in the township. Whether the shiny veneer of MTV started this shit or not, its here now and it’s not going away.

Ultimately this is a party track. It doesn’t come with any major agenda and the superficial props that are at work here – fly clothes and expensive cars – thats what the audience *already* responds to, and that’s what sells music. Like it or not. And these guys need to sell music to put food on the table.

When life is hard you don’t want some earnest principled Bob Dylan type shit when you hit the club. You want to forget all that crap and get down.

Ultimately this will be an unsatisfying argument that springs from our weird cultural background. Its a very problematic platform for us whities to be shouting our opinions from.

Normally I wouldn’t touch it with a ten foot pole. What the hell am I doing here?
16/01/2009Nic says:

Hi all – so after some thought and alot of defense of my initial point which has been lost amongst all the debate I have decided that I will go out and get the album, ill also try to find someone who can translate the lyrics for me and will be doing a load of research on Hip-hop/Rap culture.

I will concede that I spoke about a culture (hip-hop/rap) that I didn’t fully grasp. I still stand by my comments about the music video and still believe that in spite of my race I should be able to comment about Hip-hop/Rap (just look at Eminem).

I understand many of the comments that came through but I don’t agree with the way in which arguments have been presented on this forum. Throwing around words like racist and accusing me of being a racialist is completely uncalled for and unfounded.

Look for the full (and researched) review of my Rattex experience in the coming week.

I do appreciate all the debate surrounding the issue and one thing that is clear to me is that there is still racial and cultural segregation surrounding music in South Africa.

If anything this blog has taught me to not be naive about the way in which I put forward opinions.

I still think the video was crap though.
16/01/2009Damian says:

Hi Nic,

Can you please stop saying that you have been branded a ‘racist’. I NEVER called you a racist!

This is what I wrote and I stand by it…

“Characterising the musician that sings Rattex’s hook as his ‘hommie’ (sic) sounds like thinly-veiled racism.”

There is a big difference between calling someone a racist and critiquing their commentary as _sounding_ racist.

I don’t believe that you are a bad person – I just feel you have some naive and ignorant opinions. It reminds me of back in the UK where people used to say, ’some of my best friends are black’ as a defence when being called out for racist remarks. Having black friends, or not having racism in your heart doesn’t preclude a person from making racist comments.

However, you have shown that you are willing to engage in the debate and I respect that.

As for thinking the video is crap – I don’t have a problem with that. You are entitled to your opinion and you aren’t the target market.
16/01/2009eurotrash says:

here are a few of the things I took offense too:

” Everyone hates America and the only person who could change that perception is Kenyan?”

“puts on a music video feature his ‘hommies’, big cars, bling, scantily clad women and a distinctly western flair to it.” – his ‘homies’ dog? what are you trying to say here?

“I think that Rattex and this Americanised-afro-wanna-be culture”

::There’s more, but these are the basic hight points of what offended me, they might be your opinion, but why would you show your ignorance, when trying to argue someone else’s ignorance? (which I believe to be a misperception and non existent)

I hope you get a hug soon Nic, and stop spreading your hate for oh I don’t know ‘America’ for example, you can’t hate a whole country for maybe political reasons or cultural, and justify it by saying everyone hates them. Hate is definitely not the way to go.

Show some love Nic. Stop being a hater, you don’t need to hate in order to feel justified. Love is the same energy just a different charge, so on that note, peace.

In the words of American rapper Ta’raach: “We need a Lovelution today”.

and I’m out
18/01/2009Sensai Tate says:

The original blog already dismisses the artist first on his name even before listening to the music or watching the video.

I am not sure Nic can speak from any position of authority on SA Hip hop scene. I do appreciate where you are coming from in terms of the video being very much a typical Hip Hop video. Perhaps that is the idea. If it is proudly South African yet still true to its hip hop identity there will always be an element of mimicry.

I have been involved in the SA hip hop scene for close to 10yrs now. I do not speak Xhosa but I am familiar with Rattex’s body of work and appreciate what he is doing. I do not particularly like his music but I can appreciate that he remains true to his South African identity in the music.

I do agree Damian may be reaching a little by painting Nic with the racist brush. However the use of the term “homie” was derogatory maybe not as a racial stereotype but as a “hip hop” stereotype.
18/01/2009SARAH says:

I think that perhaps the central issue for me is not that the hiphop video lacks a South AFrican feel to it. It certainly follows all the cues and cliches of hiphop styled storytelling and culture, around the world… just check out the average hiphop video from France, Japan, Australia or the UK… same narratives, same key icons etc. The issue for me is rather the lack of CREATIVITY and originality of the video, that it is overcliched, it is beautifully shot and very contemporary, so for me the lack of ‘juice’ lies in it lacking something edgy that makes it stand out from all other hiphop video. An example of a video that does offer me something refreshing could be Ludacris, who chose to shoot Girls Around the World on Durban beachfront – he’s a massively respected US star who used the SA scene to differentiate his video but still has many of the icons in it. Then more recently, I dig the MADCON Beggin you (that features an SA born MC) video that really intrigues me as a viewer and is multilayered and original.

I dont see why Nic cant comment, but I do think that its sometimes best to stick to what ones expertise and homeground.. i say this from experience.

But come on guys, get a bit of a world view, there’s enough hate everywhere, don’t get petty.
18/01/2009SARAH says:

correction, sorry, PIMPING all over the world by Ludacris.
18/01/2009eurotrash says:

Those are very nice videos Sarah, all of which had very BIG BUDGETS! lol, I do believe the Rattex video is a low budget video, where funds needed to be stretched, comparing it to those clips, almost doesn’t seem fare, but I guess it speaks in his favor of getting compared to high end videos, cause it shows the expectation, which if high, should reflect on the artist?
18/01/2009Damian says:

We shot ‘Get Down’ for around R13,000. The budget for craft services alone on Ludacris’ video was probably double that.

Get Down was directed by Anne-Sophie Leens of Apartment Studios (http://www.apartmentstudios.net/). She is an extremely talented director, photographer and graphic designer.

We know it’s not a ground-breaking piece of video making. Her brief was to make Rattex look like a star, within a tight deadline and with virtually no budget.

In order to do this we needed to keep locations and post-production to an absolute minimum whilst using some of the visual language of modern international video making. The cheapest way to achieve this is to shoot in a white studio with an infinity curve.

Rattex’s next video is for his track, Welcome to Khaltsha. You can see a couple of screen shots here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/spo0ky/3077339257/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/spo0ky/3077519417

Anne-Sophie also directed How We Roll by KONFAB Ft. Jaak:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypRhFV_p4CY

… and Go Against Us by Trusenz:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5hFvmtbZWk

She also designed the cover for B. Sharpa by Ben Sharpa:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/spo0ky/2944207508/
18/01/2009SARAH says:

yeah well for a tight budget i think its tightly done! Have you seen Kanye West’s video for Love Lockdown (talking of BIG BUDGETS) – full of so-called ‘African’ scenes set on that gorgeous white background that the BEST int videos are using (nice one producers that you’re on a par!) …how ironic. mmmhhh food for thought???

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiRX6Gk5ym8
18/01/2009SARAH says:

I’m on a roll. Let’s face it, HipHop is a state of mind and a culture, you’re either in it or out. I’d much rather SA hh on most days than say… a naffy (to me) Freshly Ground, but I know lots of people that prefer FG and can’t listen to HH at all… it depends on your own taste and frame of reference. HH in SA, while it’s grown immensely thanks to heads like Lee from YFM, Ready D (Prophets of the City, still the godfathers!) and hardworking promoters, artists and venues… it was once a very small underground culture that grew from the roots up and has many different layers, nuances, linguistic and other sub-groupings (ie CT v JOZI v DBN for instance!!)

Some of my favourite SA HipHop videos (and tracks) more than likely on tightish budgets ? Nic, you may enjoy some of them and get you into the flow… Anyone else got any to share?

TUMI and the VOLUME’s track live at the old BAssline ‘76′ is def one of my best tracks ever.

*awesome video* CASHLESS SOCIETY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zcQ4ucxc4c

MORAFE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GM0tALpFWKI

JOZI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yp4Py90wt0&feature=related

HIPHOP PANTSULA
JABBA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njlhEPTY01Y

SKWATTA KAMP – UMOYA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNLOSjC2jd4&feature=related

ZULUBOY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkGycJUZfHs

ZUBZ (Actually if we must quibble, he’s from Zim- crap quality but you’ll get the picture)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRmRiRqrTws&feature=related

PROVERB
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGr-Z0pMI5s

Then on another tack altogether… Kwaito… this is still my best Kwaito track ever – classic old skool video too.

TROMPIES
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijMMwmxBVQQ&feature=related
19/01/2009ZondiX says:

middle class hip hop debates…entertaining!
19/01/2009ZondiX says:

Loved the “I dare you to meet us face to face” bit….south central here we come…make hip hop not war girls, before someone leaves a drawing pin on the chair next to your computer and takes this to DA NEX LEVEL
19/01/2009Damian says:

@ZondIX – what’s ‘middle class’ about it?

I didn’t ‘dare’ Nic to meet Rattex as a threat. I said I would love him to put that argument to Rattex in person – which Nic has agreed to do.

There’s no e-thuggin’ going on here.

Thanks for your valuable input though.
19/01/2009ZondiX says:

middle class gangsta’s breaking it down to street level…we come from the ghetto, we tell it like it is….entertaining!
19/01/2009Damian says:

Hmmm,,, still not with you.

Who is claiming to be ‘gangsta’?
19/01/2009hosh naiers says:

Sarah, with all due respect but Nic’s initial accusations went way beyond whether he liked (the look) of the video or not. I think he said “This is what is wrong with our music culture – Rattex is poison”. Look, Nic (like all of us) has the right to comment on the video whether he is a hip-hop head or not. I think it is silly to suggest he should shut up if he is not one. I also do not think Rattex nor any rep from his label need to defend or justify the look of the video. Some people will like it, others won’t. if Nic said, “I hate the vid. I think it sucks”, so fucking what!!! The main issue for me is, when you (as in Nic) claim an artist’s work is the reason music culture is messed up and that he is not African enough, then we’re dealing with something else. When you project your curioshop fantasies on Rattex, you (Nic) should get called out. Also, he cannot claim he is serious about “music culture” but unable to see how almost the entire music industry (from the A&R to music programmers at various media outlets) is implicated in reproducing formulaic crap. You cannot leave payola, increasing corporate colonialism, and a myriad of other factors out of the discussion. This has FUCK ALL to do with being African enough. I argue Nic (and his blogroupies) is poison!
20/01/2009ZondiX says:

“I would love you tell Rattex to his face that he isn’t ‘African’ enough” ………….sounds like fightin talk to me?

or perhaps you were just angling for another dragged out bitching debate on the fundamentals of being a politically correct hip hop aficionado?

10 dollars says Rattex would agree?
20/01/2009YOU says:

yo Nic

you are the poison here son. I’m from khayelitsha, i know Rah. Whats your problem dude. So what if the guy has an Americanized video. Rah is making moves. We don’t need you pulling him down. Are you a hip hop head? Do you know what it’s like comin from Khayelitsha & trying to make it. Dude do yourself a favour STAY AWAY FROM OUR CULTURE. I couldn’t not believe that you would take time & write shit about a dude who’s more african than you’ll ever be. why are you bitching that the video has an american feel? some SAD ASS SHIT!! NIC YOU ARE POISON!!! YOU KNOW NOTHING. just a big mouth. OXYGEN THIEF
20/01/2009Nic says:

YOU – thanks for your comment.
22/01/2009Kaptin says:

An interesting debate but apologies I didn’t make it all the way through the comments so some of this reply might now be a bit old. I can understand why Nic made the American associations, not because I think that Rattex is trying to be American but the general cultural code in the video (not the track) are similar to some American Hip-hop videos, much as they are all around the world. America no longer holds the exclusive rights to Hip-hop, far from it, but their influence is still the strongest. We are built from our influences and so it is no wonder they shine through. It seems Nic, and please correct me if I’m wrong, that you’re kinda frustrated with this fact, you love your country so why should any other have such a cultural stronghold on it, but unfortunately that is how it is at the moment. But you should not confuse influence with imitation. Obviously you saw a way to vent this frustration through Rattex’s video, and were pretty vehement about it, so it is no wonder Duncan came to the defence. Of course the fact that Rattex takes his name from a poison probably had some influence in your post title but I didn’t catch on to that til just now. However whether race is an issue subliminally or even institutionally within some of the topics raised I’m not gonna spend the time to analise, I’m sure it might well be, especially within a place like South Africa (I speak from a very limited understanding). But it is unfair to accuse Nic of racism for the post, I’m sure this was not a deciding factor on his dislike for the track in the slightest and such assertions can only damage debate of the issues. I would love to see this debate taken to video in an interview though, please can someone make that happen, even if it is simply for the exposure these great artists rightly deserve.

I happen to have major respect for the artists on Pioneer Unit, Ben Sharpa especially is producing what I feel to be some of the most relevant music out there today. I played one of his tracks on BBC Radio 1 last week along with a PH Fat tune and I would have dropped a new Playdoe but it fell foul of the oversensitive BBC censors. South Africa is musically alive right now and I’m loving the stuff I’m hearing come from there. Spoek from Playdoe hit me up with a mix of more Kwaito stuff for my blog recently that was fantastic. I hope that you might find some tracks you do like that you can post up on the blog also. I also hope Nic and Duncan work it out if they have not done already.
22/01/2009Luke says:

nh.com hits the bigtime, Radio 1 Hip Hop Dj’s in the house! Did Westwood finally get put out to pasture?
22/01/2009Luke says:

Sick looking mix on your blog Kaptin, its coming down now.
22/01/2009Kaptin says:

Nice one Luke, wouldn’t say i’m a Radio 1 DJ though, I just kinda borrowed a show for the night
22/01/2009Nic says:

Kaptin – thanks for your comments and for stopping by, much appreciated. I also appreciate the rational approach you’ve taken to responding and are pretty much spot on in your opinions.

Glad you played some local music on Radio 1, top notch stuff!!

Luke – it’s the big time for me!! hahaha.
24/01/2009Guzlum says:

Nic, who appointed you as saviour of African culture? I’m not going to get into whether you are a racist or not but at the very least you seem to have a very narrow, distorted and partial view of Black South African culture. As a white South African you should not feel comfortable in telling Black South Africans they are not being African enough.
Why should Rattax take on the mantle of a role model as you suggested? He’s making music, that’s it, he’s not school teacher: he’s an MC. A dope MC.
Can I ask you what you would have put into a Rattax video? I dread to think.
25/01/2009Nic says:

Hi Guzlum. Why as one South African (me) to another (Rattex) should I not be allowed to have my say? What makes you think that I am less or more anything because of the colour of my skin? That, my friend is narrow-minded. The fact that you don’t think white South Africans have a right to be part of the definition of African or involved in the African debate shows how narrow-minded your views are.

Hahahahaha – how can you possibly say that he’s not a role model? Are you kidding? He’s got a following, people want to be like him, do things like he does, he is massive in the Cape. We all know what happens to famous people when they become famous, they gather a cult following of people who want to be just like them. Don’t be ignorant. Famous people are idealised.

Statement of the entire thread of comments for me: “As a white South African you should not feel comfortable in telling Black South Africans they are not being African enough.” I can only see racial issues in this and racial confusion and racial segregation. I thought we were over this. What if Eminem told Rattex a few things, would that be unacceptable too? Because he is white? Race, race, race, that’s all I can read in your comment.
25/01/2009Luke says:

Its a question of your criticism being packaged within your own assumption of what is African – and pointing out some kind of deficiency at this level. In reality (thank god) culture is far more subtle and complex than this.

This guy’s life experience (and that of his audience) is very far away from your own. There is a musical dialogue going on that does not included you.

That makes it nearly irrelevant when you judge him based on your own concept of our national cultural norms. That is a very blunt instrument with which to deconstruct a piece of music. If SA musicians operated at that level they’d all churning out endless remixes of nKosi Sikelele.

Also, please stop with the Eminem comparisons – that is just silly.
25/01/2009Guzlum says:

Nick,
Seeing you already admitted you didn’t know who Rattax was, how do you know there are people in the Cape copying him?
Second, noone should be given the responsibility of being prescribed ‘role model’ unless they seek it. Just because Rattax is a dope MC, why should he be held to a higher moral code than others? If you ask me, a true role model is true to himself and doesn’t conform to peoples (people like you) expectations of what an African should be.
In terms of the racial dimension, this is where your happily oblivious opinions towards contemporary South African nature annoy me but, unfortunately doesn’t suprise me. South Africa is still the most racially stratified country in the world where class and race pretty much means the same thing. The reason race crops up (which you instigated by calling Rattax’s hype man his ‘homie’) is because the ugly truth is that it still permeates all aspects of society and there is still an untolerable amount of racism here. As a white South African you have absolutely no right to say you have a stake in Black South African culture just because you live in the same country: the truth is you live in different worlds.
25/01/2009Nic says:

Guzlum, thanks for your comments, you have some interesting opinions, but we will clearly and definitively never agree as you think I do not belong here and therefore am unable to comment on things in my own country. I am as much African as the next South African. That’s my opinion, you don’t have to agree, but that’s what I think. I live a very different life to many, but the mere fact that you are on the internet surfing blogs and websites means that you have a PC (or access to one) with internet connection which means that you also live in a very different world to most of our country. At least I am honest about who I am, what I do and how I do it.

Thanks again for your comments I really do appreciate the input but simply don’t agree with you.
25/01/2009Nic says:

I don’t think the Eminem argument is silly, especially if so many commentators state that Hip-hop is an American genre and they follow the trends of the genre. Eminem is part of that genre and white and relevant as one of the best MC’s around in his time.

Anyways, again, I don’t think we will ever agree, so I say thanks for your comments, you are entitled to your opinion just as I am!
26/01/2009Luke says:

@nic

maybe I wasn’t being clear .. to me its silly to compare your position to that of Eminem’s – he’s a famous hip hop star who has earned respect by mastering the artform. You are an opinionated blogger. Even Vanilla Ice as more cred than you in this argument
26/01/2009Nic says:

Hahahahahahahaha – Touche. OK, fair point, but I do feel that I know what it’s like to be African (in spite of it being problematic for some that I am white) just as a white rapper knows what it is to be a rapper. So that’s where my comparison came form..
26/01/2009Leon says:

Nic, does the fact that you are an African qualify you to express opinions on the complexities of all African matters. It’s a big place, you know.

I’m a dutchman. But honestly, if a Masai tells me that Van Wyk Louw should have used more abab rhyme in his poetry I will tell him to jump.

Perhaps you need to tell everyone what should Rattex include in this video to make it more “South African”. Please, be creative.
26/01/2009LucasGo says:

Seeing as I’ve tried and failed to unsubscribe from this post I might as well partake.

I’d also like to know how you think Rattex should be more South African, as an artist and potential role model.
27/01/2009ZondiX says:

Big G’s….have pitty on Damian/Duncan and Nic, it must be hard being a honky in a world they try so desperately hard to be a part of. Hip Hop is art, expression, lifestyle…Pseudo intellectual hip hop blog debates by such people are humorous, sweet (and mildy tragic).
Step back, allow space, we are simply witnessing frustrated whitey attempting affirmation in this new and amazing country of ours….rather entertaining!
27/01/2009RR says:

@ZondiX

you’ve just written the dumbest comments by far.
27/01/2009Luke says:

@Zondix

and your glib opinion matters why?

tw@t.
27/01/2009ZondiX says:

oh luke…are you the guy they all call ‘little winky’?
27/01/2009Luke says:

Wow, you really have a knack for undressing me with your rhetoric. fuck off to youtube with the rest of the retards.
27/01/2009ZondiX says:

@Luke

peeeeeeenis
30/01/2009hosh_naiers says:

then end.
31/01/2009LucasGo says:

@Nic

No ideas on how Rattex et al could be more representative of South Africa / Africa?
31/01/2009hosh_naiers says:

@ Lucas – It appears Nic is not really serious nor interested in really confronting some of these issues nor responding to some of the comments directed at him. We’ve seen some valid statements ignored and he appears to still be stuck on the “i’m no racist” argument that he feels Damian and others accused him of. This line of selective responses allows him to come across as the one who is unfairly attacked and thus can ignore all the real issues that some people raised here. Who knows – perhaps he realizes that he opened a Pandora’s box where some of his assumptions, blind-spots and ignorance on certain issues are exposed, and he does not really know how to respond. Perhaps his pride is telling him “as long as I stick to the crap video and not being a racist line then fuck it – I can save face”. Lucas, I’d be semi-surprised if he actually responds to some of these questions.
1/02/2009Nic says:

Hi LucasGo and hosh_naiers – I’m not ignoring anything. Unfortunately I took a stance that I wont entertain anymore comments on this blog post. I have said as much as I can and let’s be honest, absolutely anything that I say will be misconstrued, or taken over the edge, or taken out of context. Basicall I’m doomed however you look at it.

I can’t offer an sort of constructive thought, as I’ve said and admitted I don’t know the ins and outs of hip-hop culture so anything i offer wont be acceptable as an idea. I’m just saying, think out of the box. That’s all.
1/02/2009Luke Goller says:

@Nic

No offence dude, but in all fairness you can’t make those sort of comments about an artist and then have no clue on how you think he should be representing himself as an African, role-model etc.

It makes your initial comments, in my opinion, completely baseless.
1/02/2009Nic says:

Luke Goller – so a food critic can’t be a food critic unless he is a masterchef and a movie critic can’t be a movie critic without a Best Directors Oscar? A cricket commentator can’t do that unless he is a cricketer? Silly argument. Sorry.
1/02/2009LucasGo / Luke Goller says:

If you hadn’t thrown around cultural poison and the likes, I would have accepted your analogy, but then again if you hadn’t, I wouldn’t be typing this.

Personally I would never make such strong criticisms / accusations about culture and heritage without having at least some constructive input in return. We aren’t discussing movies or sport here. You took this way beyond a music video review.

If you are so Proudly South African, impart your wisdom with your fellow South Africans, Rattex included.
1/02/2009Leon says:

Food critic writes a review and says the menu of a certain french restaurant is not french enough. Somebody says: “What would you like to see on the menu to make it more french?”

Critic says I don’t know.
2/02/2009ZondiX says:

Here we go again…Zzzzz, makes for a great platform mind you. Yeah, the perfect spot for me to vent my anger against silly little blogging twits who feel that their opinions are gonna change anything…as for the French Chef analogy…Le Peeeenis’s
2/02/2009Leon says:

@zondix – Lol.
Are you blind to the fact that you’re doing the same thing that you are accusing others of? The irony. Too beautiful.
2/02/2009LucasGo says:

@Nic

You totally contradict your response to my last point. Or does the Positive Action banner not apply here?

http://sarocks.co.za/about/ Watch from 1:08 > 1:25.
2/02/2009Nic says:

nope, positive action definitely applies. But again, if I don’t know enough (as has been repeatedly shoved down my throat) then why hazard an attempt and get ripped into repeatedly, personally and irrationally?

Lucas, I really think I have done as much as I can to be amicable here. So thanks for the comments.
2/02/2009LucasGo says:

Sigh. You dear sir are beyond simple logic and reason.
I can’t decide what’s more transparent, your victim or hero role.
3/02/2009ZondiX says:

yes yes yes…let’s keep it going, this is almost as exciting as the Cape Town ‘underground’ Hip Hop scene…Nic, do you also play the role of ‘fanny banana’ the Long Street lesbian break beat queen?

how do you keep ya nuts tied up?
12/02/2009nh [dot] com » Blog Archive » The follow up. I was wrong. Rattex represents says:

[...] Hi and welcome to my blog! If you’re new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting and do come back.This post is a follow up to: This is what is wrong with our music culture – Rattex is poison. [...]
23/03/2009Damian says:

Welcome to Khaltsha video by Rattex…

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This is what is wrong with our music culture – Rattex is poison

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