Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post presents selected comments from the YouTube discussion threads for two 2014 African Hip Hop tracks: "Rands and Nairas" & "Rands and Nairas" (Remix).
Because pancocojams is a family friendly blog and these two videos contain profanity, I've chosen not to embed these videos or link to their lyrics. Instead, I've decided to document selected examples of comments in those videos' discussion threads that focus on the historical nature and symbolism of a musical collaboration between South African rappers and Nigerian rappers, with an African American producer.
The content of this post is presented for historical and socio-cultural purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to the featured performers and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTES
Section "A" of this post provides examples of comments from the YouTube discussion thread for the original track "Rands & Nairas" and Section "B" provides examples of comments from the YouTube video for the official remix of that track.
The majority of the comments in both sections focus on the collaboration between Nigerian and South African rappers and what that collaboration might mean for the entire African continent. Most of the additional comments in both sections focus on comparisons between African Hip Hop and American Hip Hop, as suggested by these two tracks.
I've purposely omitted most of the comments that refer to opinions about the tracks themselves or opinions about how well all the rappers or certain rappers did -i.e. whether the tracks were "dope" or whether the rappers "killed it" or not" -"Dope" and "killed it" were the most frequently used African American Vernacular English [AAVE] originated terms superlatives by commenters in both of those discussion threads and a number of other AAVE terms were also used.
In contrast, although I may have missed some words/phrases, there appeared to me to be very few traditional South African or traditional Nigerian words in these two discussion threads. And perhaps because I know next to nothing about these languages, there also appeared to me to be very few South African slang words/phrases or Zulu Pidgin (Fanagalo) words/phrases, and very few Nigerian Pidgin English words/phrases.
Note: "Rand" is the name of the currency in South Africa [comparable to the word "dollar" in the United States. "Naira" is the name or the currency in Nigeria (comparable to the word "dollar" in the United States. A commenter in one of these featured discussion threads wrote that the word "Nairas" in the title "Rands and Nairas" was incorrect since "Naira" is both singular and plural.)
These selected comments are given in relative chronological order based on the year that they were published, except for replies. Numbers have been assigned for referencing purposes only. Brief explanatory notes are given for certain comments.
WARNING: These two showcased Hip Hop tracks/videos include profanity and the group referent for Black people that is referred to as "the n word". Profanity and "the n word" is also included in a few of the selected comments that are given in this pancocojams post. However, I've used modified spelling for those words.
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SECTION "A": SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THE YOUTUBE DISCUSSION THREAD FOR "RANDS AND NAIRAS"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=9&v=WKdh7YD-QS0 RANDS and NAIRAS - Emmy Gee ft AB Crazy & Dj Dimplez : OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO; Teamtalkless, Published on Jan 20, 2014
2014
1. Hirwa jarel
"where are these guys coming from? they know what do !!!"
**
Reply
2. Scopps94, 2015
"+Langeni Mate +cosmas mata +Mazwi Zwane
"Emmy Gee is a Nigerian rapper based in South Africa, the other two, AB Crazy & Dj Dimplez, are South African rappers. That's why it's "Rends and Nairas"
The remix has two more rappers reppin Nigeria; Ice Prince and Phyno.
We are all africans, but ya'll need to do your damn research be4 commenting, acknowledge where these artist are from"
**
3. Bakhona Ngcobo
"Great song, great artists and basically great everything but the video lacks African originality. Nice so though."
**
4. Nonhlanhla Radebe
"Africa rocks; from South to west; to east to North; and the central in between; big ups to Africa! I love this track!!!!"
-snip-
"Big up" is a phrase that I believe originated in Jamaican Patois. Here's a definition for that phrase from
"Big up
English Translation
Give Props /Respect
Definition
Used to show someone admiration or pleasure in a job well done , respect
Example Sentences
Patois: Come mek wi big up the chef for his delicious Ital foods and ting .
English: Let us give our respect to the chef for his delicious ital food"
**
5. Daniel Christian
"U guys hit a home run on this one,Dope beat, verses, and the hook is on point. Certified worldwide banger...Shoutout from Senegal"
-snip-
"Dope" is an African American Vernacular English originated term that means "exceptional"; "very good".
"On point" is an African American Vernacular English originated term meaning something which is done exactly right.
"Banger" = a term that originated in the United Kingdom, meaning something that is (or someone who is) very good. [I don't believe that this term was or is used by African Americans.]
"Shoutout"= an African American Vernacular English originated term for a public expression of recognition or thanks (because of something positive that person or group did or does). "Shoutout" comes from giving a person (or group) "props" (proper respect) by shouting out his or her (or their) name.
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6. Lindiswa Sam
"Africans coming together... thats awesome.. hope they keep doing this for many more years to come.. its time we did .... we are all Africans :)... Love all the way."
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7. Mike Phiri
"Naija and SA keep on uprifting african music..dope track"
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8. Christian MALONDA
"omooooooooo this track go change the game oooo !!! i swear . no more alujoooo . hahahahahaha yes ooo na DJ MALONDA TALK AM OOOO .. BONJOURRRRR"
-snip-
Nigerian Pidgin English definitions from http://bwari.tripod.com/FGGCABUJA/id18.html
"omo"- "1. Child 2. My friend 3. Popular detergent powder"
-snip-
[in the context of this comment, "omo" means friend]
"ooo" - "O!: Placed at the end of sentences for emphasis and effect E.g. I go broke bottle for yua head O!
"na" = "it is"
**
According to Google translates, "alujo" is Yoruba for "happy". In the content of this comment, "alujo" might mean "happy talk" in the negative sense of that term, something without any real depth of worth.
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9. YungTrendZ213
"About time we got something that doesn't just represent SA alone, but Africa as a whole. Now that's the real ;) respect."
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10. lylecray1
"Absolute rubbish! What a bunch of idiots, i will never ever play this in my car .. Glad I live in Cape Town, yall can play this trash in Jozi tho lol"
-snip-
This was one of the few negative comments about this collaborative African Hip Hop track. Not surprisingly, this comment prompted a reply from someone from Jozi (Johannesburg) who wrote negatively about Capetown, South Africa.
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11. Speshi Mbande
"Africa does it again.* #WethechildrenofAfrica."
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12. radlegend
"Oh my word! First time i heard this on the radio i was convinced it was American. I'm so proud of my African brothers repping for us. This track is sick!!!!!!
One problem though: they have the same disease as American Rappers. Why feature white chicks in the videos? It's stuff like this that makes perfectly beautiful black ladies want to bleach themselves coz our own brothers don't feature us in videos. Come on now!!!!"
-snip-
"bleach themselves" -widespread customs (particularly in many parts of Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean) of lightening your skin color with creams which can lead to serious heath conditions
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13. Bongi Mngomezulu
"Wow this is great Africans coming together and making good music, South Africa meets Nigeria, This should happen more often. AB Crazy is one talented South African artist he sings and rap. #ProudlyAfrican"
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14. Mandla Mapela
"Africa stand up! The USA better feel the heat, we in the building!"
-snip-
"We are in the building" is similar to the African American originated phrase "We're in the house", meaning "We're here."
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15. gaxaza
"I love it when two great countries collaborate to create something of this high magnitude. I wish the whole of Africa can come together and build our continent than to destroy it with drugs and riots.......Good one one guys. keep it up....."
**
16. Trigga bee
"First south african rap jam im digging. This sh&t* is fresh cuzz.. Dope Beats Dope Lyrics (try not to be like lil wayne, be yourself ) Much love! Peace Homz
-snip-
"digging" = African American Vernacular English originated term which in this context means "liking"
*This word is Fully spelled out.
"cuzz" - African American Vernacular English originated abbreviation for "cousin" which in this context meaning someone who you are accepting as a family member, although not as close as a brother or sister.
"Lil Wayne" is an African American rapper.
"Peace" = in the context of this comment, Peace" was (and still is sometimes) used by mostly afrocentric African Americans as a farewell word. "Peace" is the English translation for "Salaam" which was lifted from the Arabic phrase "As Salaam Alaikum".
"Homz"= form of the African American Vernacular English word "Homie" (Homeboy), initial meaning "someone from your neighborhood", but here a friendly equivalent for "bro", "dude", "buddy", or "mate".
Note the African American Hip Hop spelling which substitutes a "z" for a "s" for appearance sake, and to increase the "coolness" factor.
**
17. dennison osei
"These ni&&as* are not real they are just tryin' to copy what 2chainz , Future ,Drake and migos are doin' in the US.
-snip-
* This word is fully spelled out in the comment.
"Drake" is a Black Canadian rapper who has achieved popularity in the United States. "Migos" is an African American Hip Hop trio. " 2 Chainz" (formerly "Tity Boi") and "Future" are African American rappers.
**
Reply
18. Mazwi Zwane
"Dont bulls&&t* good talent. Nobody is copying anybody here. soon as you hear a hip-hop track then you think dollars. start thinking Rands and Narias for a change
-snip-
*This word is fully spelled out in this comment.
**
19. Joseph Oluwaseun
"Wow.... This music is a dope. Proudly Nigeria, always rockin throughout d universal. Africa is definitely d Future ( This is new AFRICA)... I so much dislike trash and explicit music and videos European Artist do release.... Africa don't imitate them cos we are unique and special."
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20. Hirwa jarel
"where are these guys coming from? they know what do !!!"
**
Reply
21. Langeni Mate
"South Africa!!!!!!! Must recognise."
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Reply
22. cosmas mata
"+Langeni Mate the owner of the song is Nigerian so whatchu saying?"
**
Reply
23. Hunter Lane
"jozi hence the gb number plate"
-snip-
"Jozi" = a nickname for Johannesburg, South Africa
"number plate"= license plate on a car
**
Reply
24. Langeni Mate
"+cosmas mata South Africans were thee people who said thee words and had thee flow to make thee track dope right?"
**
Reply
25. Jayjabz The Emperor
"+Langeni Mate +cosmas mata y'll should chill mehn. we are africans! and its a dope track
-snip-
"mehn" = Nigerian Pidgin English word meaning "men" [?]
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26. cosmas mata
"Just out of the fridge ,i'm very chilled brother.
I was just reping my brother in the video"
-snip-
"reping" [also given as "reppin'"], publicly standing up for or speaking positively on behalf of some place such as your city or neighborhood, some group, or some population
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27. Jayjabz The Emperor
"Y'll shoud chill mehn.. enjoy the good music... wats with d SA & Naija beef? we brothers n sisters yo! seriously? anyways ama keep banging my head to rands & nairas"
-snip-
"beef" = conflict; from African American Vernacular English originated [?] term meaning arguing, fighting
"SA" = South Africa
"Naija"= Nigeria
**
28. Malibongwe Mthimkhulu
"great track once again.....i hope nigeria and SA can stop beefing one day and love one another. Africa unite"
-snip-
"beefing" = arguing
**
29. Tumelo Kevin
"This song will always be the sh&t*, music video on point, song on point, chicks on point.... AB crazy gives us hope that African hip hop will penetrate through the stereotypical mindsets of people from other continents(countries) about Africa"
-snip-
*This word is fully spelled out in this comment.
**
20. NigerianHair
"ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS SONG! My husband got me hooked on it. Finally had a chance to look up the vid. Wish I saw more chicks that represent our beautiful continent. :/ Either way much love from Los Angeles.
**
21. Denis Maina
"I played this song in the states and my friends almost went crazy singing it. And the sawed one thing was we were from three corners of Africa, Zimbabwe , Kenya and Ghana. Dope track!!"
**
22. Keith K T
"keep checking African hip hop from Ghana Kenya Zimbabwe uganda may I say even Tunisia and Mozambique and you will hear wicked staff"
-snip-
"Wicked"- "something very good"- an African American Vernacular English positive meaning for this standard English word
**
23. GRIMM KRYPTIC
"At least not all Non-American rappers talk about DOLLARS in their songz.
Keep representin em currencies ma dawgz."
-snip-
Dwagz = African American Vernacular English Hip Hop spelling for "dogs" (in this context, an informal, generally positive referent for men); not the "z" replacing the "s" [In African American Hip Hop culture, the way a word (including a name) looks [is spelled] is almost as important as the way it sounds. Hip Hop languaging was Influenced early on by the Phonics educational movement of "sounding out words", resulting in some words being spelled closer to the way that they sounded and the spelling of some words being changed just to make a cool/hip statement.
**
24. Makwa Leopa
"Africa stand uuuuuuuuuuuuuup"
-snip-
"Stand up!" is another way of saying "reppin' yourself" (your continent, your people)
"Igbo Kwenu" is a traditional way for members of the Nigerian ethnic group Igbos to say the same thing.
Click fhttp://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/10/excerpts-of-articles-that-explain-what.html. for the 2015 pancocojams post "What "Igbo Kwenu!" Means"
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2015
25. Lucky Mashabela
"Top African HIP HOP smash hit"
**
26. Nonhlanhla Radebe
"dope track! another successful Nigerian and South African collaboration."
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27. Thembile Matebesi
"The message in this song is something we need to hear - That we're all ONE. We're all Africans and we wanna be friends. Gimme them rands and them nairas b&&ches!!!!*"
-snip-
*This word is fully spelled out in this post.
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28. leon george
"If you listen to just the audio you would think that guy is DJ khaled! :/
But the song is really good tho"
-snip-
This is how this comment was written on that discussion thread
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29. silas likuvu
"This is my best African track so far, the beat, lyrics and video just killin' it. Always listening to it in my car. This is real hip hop, (rick ross, wayne, birdman,future, dj khaled, drake) we coming."
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30. Kwamz_Mt Gaming
"Ab crazy is good I wil like him to collaborate with sarkodie (from ghana)"
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31. silas likuvu
"Tupac - Lyric King
Biggie - Flow King
Dr Dre - Beat King
Eminem - Rhyme King
50 Cent - Hustle King
Rick Ross - Burger King
Emmy Gee - African King"
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2016
32. Neil Smit
"This is what happens when the 2 most powerful countries unite , even if it is just music I personally compare it to music of the USA , WELL DONE"
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Reply
33. Olayemi Ibrahim
"Neil Smit Don't even compare this to American music. This is our music."
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2017
34. collo kiplangat
"i was teary after 00:20 like Africa we made it ... way too dope...mob love from kenya"
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35. nadal andsons
"What a song , Africa standup and be proud , US have DJ Khaled , we have DJ Dimplez."
-snip-
"US" = USA [United States Of America]
**
36. MJay Gold
"when Africa comes together"
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SECTION "B"
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZN1obx0lR8
RANDS and NAIRA REMIX - Emmy Gee ft Ice Prince, Cassper Nyovest, Phyno, ANATII,Dj Dimplez,Ab Crazy
Teamtalkless Published on Oct 23, 2014
[as of Octobr 11, 2017
"Rands & Naira remix featuring a host of South African and Nigerian artists, shot by the same guys who brought you the original - molotovcocktail.tv"
2015
1. inmyJimmychoo choos
"Nigeria and South Africa need to make songs together more often.I have to host I like this."
**
2. Daniel Wabuge
"Who produced this song? The beats are so dope."
**
Reply
3. Jae Mac
"+Daniells Wabuge it was American producer Vybe Beatz and Shizzi was a co producer on the remix"
**
Reply
4. odinese nwad
"Shizzi is a Nigerian bro."
**
Reply
5. A.S.A Instrumentals, 2016
"They changed the beat a little bit but the original beat was produced by Vybe Beatz AND FlamingBeatz, that guy deserves his credit as well"
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6. Lucky Thabo
"I don't know what the Nigerian guy was saying but his part does it for me #allthewayfrom_msazi"
-snip-
"Msazi" [usually spelled] "mzansi"
"xhosa word for the country of south africa.
SABC's slogan is ,"Mzansi fo sho!"
#south africa#msanzi#sabc#mzansi fo sho#za
by mandla668 March 26, 2008, http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=mzansi
**
7. Mrclean eddyfresh, 2017
"Lucky Thabo there are all Nigerians excluding nyovest and anatti..."
**
8. Scott Sedeya
"Africa going HAM...#AfricaUnite"
-snip-
Going H.A.M is an African American Vernacular English originated term that is an abbreviation for [going] "hard as a motherF__ker". Since "being hard" is considered positive in Hip Hop cultures, "going HAM" is also considered something positive. Here's an early urbandictionary.com definition for "Ham"
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=ham
"Ham
When a person is unstoppable or just in the zone in any type sport or competition setting; It can also be defined as going crazy and buying up everything in a store; or even doing something beast like
I went ham on Tyrone out on the court yesterday; I went ham in the Gucci store earlier today; Damn you went ham on them wings
#goin ham #goin crazy #goin postal #out of control #wildin
by Nick "The Coach" Charles April 09, 2008"
**
9. Nonhlanhla Radebe
"#AfricaUnite ! <3 love this beat. Jozi to Lagos!!!!"
-snip-
Jozi- Johannesburg, a major city in the nation of South Africa
Lagos= a major city in the nation of Nigeria
**
20. Sipho Gumbi
"+odinese'__ 'nwad come to Free State you'll see that we are brothers. we all hate xenophobia believe me m brother all this sh&t* are doing by ppl who are not educated
-snip-
*This word is fully spelled out in this comment.
**
Reply
21. odinese nwad
"+Sipho Gumbi cool I'm going to delete my comment.thanks for ur apology!"
-snip-
odinese nwad is a frequent commenter on discussion threads for YouTube contemporary West African music. If I recall correctly (based on a comment he wrote), I believe Odinese nwad is from Ghana.
**
Reply
22. 2Tumelo Modise
"About 97% South Africans r not Xenophobic..fact We love our African bro & sisters :-)
**
Reply
23. Nonhlanhla Radebe
"+Teamtalkless Most of us are against xenophobia #AfricaUnite its mostly a group of ignorant people that do this and they give a bad name to the whole of the country. I am very sorry :(
-snip-
I don't know what prompted this exchange as it appears that more than one comment was deleted.
**
24. Dj Isso Hip Hop Beats
"hip hop around the world!!!!
peace around the world!!!"
**
25. Edward Martins
"We want more do an Eastafrica kenya UG ill take care of a very awsome video like this one"
-snip-
This comment is actually three sentences run together: "We want more. Do an East Africa, Kenya, UG [?] (collaboration). I'll take care of a very aw[e]some video like this one."
**
Reply
26. Master Steve
"Edward martins i see you..we need an all heavy East Africa Collabo..."
**
Reply
27. TheCaloz
"We have a project going from nakuru kenya. High quality music and all we need now is high quality videos to take over the continent. Can we patner? Check us out on twitter @Mystiqmusic"
**
28. blacksedy
"Dope song should have features #Gh in the line up"
-snip-
"#Gh" = Ghana
**
Reply
29. odinese nwad
"They r talking abt randz and niaras not Ghana cedis"
**
Reply
30. blacksedy
"Then they add our cedi too!"
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31. Nene Palmers
"N I G E R I A
S O U T H A F R I C A
#AfricaUnite"
**
32. master aripuya aka wickedmaster
"why are nigerians trying to sound gangster. am in atl and mofos sing all those gangster sh&t* and gun sh&t* cos thats what happens here. all african artist that try copying americans always fall. example dbanj"
-snip-
*This word is fully spelled out in this comment.
**
33. BIGG BOOI
"cn I plz nt eva hear the word ni&&a* again in our African music bcoz in our part of the world it simply has no meaning, usin it means yall r jst tryna b American clones"
-snip-
*This word is fully spelled out in this comment
**
34. Lebohang Otarel
"What language is phyno speaking?"
**
Reply
35. cosmas mata
"Igbo language.South-east Nigeria"
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2016
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2017
36. awanda mpofu
"Dj dimples is one of Africa's best still up now i put this song in my was in the States they were feeling it even asked me who made the beat"
**
37. Keith Hlongwane
"Soon the whole world bout to realize where the talent was born. hahahahahahah We run ish...Africa Stand up...Straight from S.A"
-snip-
"ish"= an African American Vernacular English originated complimentary referent for something which has its source in the word "sh&t".
**
38. tawanda mpofu
"Dj dimples is one of Africa's best still up now i put this song in my was in the States they were feeling it even asked me who made the beat"
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