Edited by Azizi Powell
Latest revision: Feb. 14, 2021: former Part II [nation signing in comments] deleted
This is Part II of a ttwo part pancocojams series about the Reggae song "Toast" by Koffee and documents selected comments from the discussion thread of that song's official YouTube video.
Part II presents definitions for the Jamaican phrase "big up" and documents examples with the term "Big up" from the discussion official video of Koffee's Reggae song "Toast".
The Addendum to this post documents a few other comments from this same discussion thread that include Jamaican terms or phrases. Selected responses from that discussion thread to those comments are also included in this post.
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2019/04/koffee-toast-jamaican-reggae-video.html for Part I of this series. Part I presents information about Jamaican Reggae singer Koffee (Mikayla Simpson).
That post also showcases a YouTube video of Koffee's 2018 video entitled "Toast". The lyrics for that song are also included in that post.
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The content of this post is presented for cultural and linguistics purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Koffee for her music. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publisher of this video on YouTube.
-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/09/examples-of-term-big-up-in-youtube.html for a closely related 2016 pancocojams post entitled "Examples Of The Term "Big Up" In YouTube Discussion Threads For African Music Videos"
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SHOWCASE VIDEO: Koffee - Toast (Official Video)
Original Koffee, Published on Nov 16, 2018
****
DEFINITIONS OF THE PHRASE "BIG UP"
These excerpts aren't given in any order of preference.
Excerpt #1:
From http://jamaicanpatwah.com/b/top-15-jamaican-patois-words-you-should-know#.V9MRmpgrLcs
Top 15 Jamaican Patois words you should know, Posted on July 28, 2014
"Big up
English Translation: Give respect / Give props
Definition: To give respect, encouragement or to acknowledge someone
Example Sentences
(Patois) Mi hav fi big up John fi everything him duh fi wi
(English) I have to give John respect for everything that he did for us"
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Excerpt #2:
From http://jamaicanpatwah.com/term/Big-up/912#.XLreIehKi70
English Translation: Thumbs up/ Props
posted by nharnhar.adu.jephson.7069 on December 8, 2018
Definition: To give thumbs up, respect or admiration
Example Sentences
Patois: Big up mi chargie fi yuh outstanding performance
English: Thumbs up my friend for your outstanding performance
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SELECTED COMMENTS THAT INCLUDE THE PHRASE "BIG UP" FROM THIS VIDEO'S DISCUSSION THREAD
This compilation presents selected comments from the official video for the song "Toast" by Koffee that include the Jamaican Patois phrase "Big Up". These examples document the fact that this phrase is used by non-Jamaicans in numerous nations throughout the world.
Some of these examples are replies to another comment. In that case, that comment is also included in this compilation. Some of these comments prompted a number of replies. Comments #18 to #32 are examples of this type of exchanges in that discussion thread.
Most of these examples are "nation signing in" comments. Part II of this pancocojams series includes a brief overview of those types of YouTube discussion thread comments.
Numbers are added to the comments in this compilation for referencing purposes only.
Disclaimer: I didn't read all of the comments in that discussion thread, but I did read A LOT of them. I believe that these selected comments are representative of the comments in that entire discussion thread.
1. cameron stewart, 2018
"Big up your self kenyan man nuff respect 🇯🇲🇰🇪"
**
2. iam_marwa, 2018
"Kenyan Watching from Dominican Rep. Bigup Koffee"
**
3. David Blaze, 2018
"You are going to be big, star on the rise. You need to make something with Chronixx! Big up from Germany"
**
4. Roberto Jacques, 2019
"Im Haitian 🇭🇹 I cant stop listening to this beautiful song 🔥🔥🔥❤️❤️❤️"
**
REPLY
5. Om Devine, 2019
"Big up urself brother. Nuff luv from 🇯🇲🇯🇲"
**
6. Dan Egorov, 2019
"One of the best young reggae artists now. Huge talent. Big up from Russia"
**
7. Marina Dawson,2019
"big tune. KOFFEE Belizeans love yo music"
**
8. Me Moi, 2019
"Koffee the anointed one, shaking up our soul with vibrations and mad tune! Jah Bless ❤️💗❤️ Big up Sis!!!"
**
9. Sarah Price, 2019
"Big up Koffee from Belfast, Northern Ireland. As a musician its nice hearing such conscious music coming from someone so young. Listening to your music think you have created a new Genre."
**
10. steveson sabore, 2019
"Heard this in kisumu kenya and it flows..bigUp koffee"
**
11. videolavida, 2019
"This ones starting to catch fire in California. Big up."
**
12. GirlisGaming, 2019
"Anyyy big up Trini"
**
13. stuzzielahd2208, 2019
"Big up from Scotland!"
**
14. Gachoka.J, 2019
"Big up from Kenya. Original and talent 👍"
**
15. Judea Hall, 2019
"Big up,respect man but this song Is fire,"
**
16. Boulie44tatoo, 2019
"Big up from Paris ! Top Koffee !"
**
17. Florence Lewis, 2019
"Koffee big up uself Jamaica wi seh 🤘🤘🤘🎵🎵🎵🎵🎼🎼🎼🎶🎶🎶🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧"
**
18. Rory Hale, 2019
"Heard this on the radio in Toronto today the flow. Big up koffee"
**
REPLY
19. TZT, 2019
"Won't be long til yall steal it"
**
REPLY
20. Gabriella Brown, 2019
"ur not Jamaican! LMFAOOOOOO"
**
REPLY
21. Rory Hale, 2019
"Gabriella Brown so what?"
**
REPLY
22. Sarallina .S, 2019
"@Rory Hale yh so what?"
**
REPLY
23. Gabriella Brown, 2019
"@Rory Hale u don't even have an accent. UR using patwah slang it's cringey . Unlike u I'm Jamaican"
**
REPLY
24. Sarallina .S, 2019
"@Gabriella Brown ur being really ignorant
Since Jamaican music is so beautiful people from all different cultures and people with all different accents can appreciate Caribbean music.Thats a fact."
**
REPLY
25. kangol 0ne, 2019
"@Sarallina .S I think she is a child, don't pay her any mind she will outgrow it one day lol. We need to understand that people of all ages have access to the comment section"
**
REPLY
26. Rory Hale, 2019
"Gabriella Brown lol all I said was big up! I grew up around Jamaicans and have always had jamaican friend in my life that I would consider family. I have loved reggae music since I was a child and have never had any Jamaican tell me I am not welcome in the reggae/dancehall scene because of my skin colour. Also how did you know I’m not Jamaican? I’ve seen many white Jamaicans before. If you are a fan of koffee or chronixx or protoje I think your getting their message mixed because all about ❤️."
**
REPLY
27. meli xx, 2019
"@TZT steal what, the song? Makes no sense.. We talking cultural appropriation as usual. We are all free the enjoy eachothers art regardless of race or religion. One love ♥"
**
REPLY
28. TZT, 2019
"@meli xx na fam they are culture vultures"
**
REPLY
29. Rory Hale, 2019
"Gabriella Brown also.... all Toronto mans say “big up”, Toronto has a massive Jamaican culture you know. You can’t grow up here without speaking a likkle patois my yout."
**
REPLY
30. Ebony Blackstar, 2019
"@Gabriella Brown You are a very ignorant Jamaican. I wish you would stop telling people you are Jamaican. Instead please say, "I represent an ignorant and stupid class of Jamaicans." You are very myopic in your thinking. You need exposure and an education and please stay off social media. @Rory please continue to enjoy Jamaican music and culture."
**
REPLY
31. N Lee, 2019
"@Gabriella Brown girl I am from "Galtigo Bay" in case there are any boubts. So my question is and what is your point?
He likes what he likes. I live in Toronto now and trust me our culture is very celebrated here. This song has been on heavy rotation on lots of stations especially G98"
**
REPLY
32. canadianbeylover, 2019
"TZT you do know that Toronto has one of the biggest Caribbean, ESPECIALLY JAMAICAN diasporas in the world right? We all grow up together in this city sharing culture. 🤔 Are you ignorant or just stupid?"
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ADDENDUM
1. Mohammed 'Guru Voke' Mwiti, 2018
"Wow.. Big tchune.. Nuff love n respect from Kenya 🇰🇪🙏
-snip-
"tchune" = (given in Jamaica as "tune", "chune", and/or "choon"), meaning the complete song
**
REPLY
2. Mickie Browne, 2018
"Yow take the "T" out "tchune", disrespectful!!"
**
REPLY
3. Mohammed 'Guru Voke' Mwiti, 2018
"@Mickie Browne where i come from it doesn't mean anything negative, its all about where you come from like in Kenya if your song is good we say that tchune is the baddest.. Hope you get my point"
**
4. onismo mudavanhu, 2018
"The problem with dis tune is it ends. Good Vybez there, Zimbabwe approves."
**
5. Melanie Thompson, 2019
"Tuff tune can't wait to go home to Jamaica and be jammin to dis tune. I listen to this song in Florida am in Guyana now and still jammin to Koffee... nuff blessings"
**
6. lavian machimbirike, 2019
"Mad Tune ! jamming to this in Zimbabwe"
**
7. Fitzroy Miller, 2019
"Blessed up yourselves babes"
**
8. Kile Williams, 2019
"Bigger chune 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥💞💓frm 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦 toronto yuh zee it"
**
9. Rita Okorodudu, 2019
"I love this music so much koffee bless up sis✌️from nigeria"
**
10. Bria Kenzie, 2019
"Jones Christopher bless up ♥️🇯🇲"
**
11. InCored- Standoff, 2019
"The woman doing her hair must have been vex because of so much movement 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂"
**
REPLY
12. Regina Wiltshire, 2019
"InCored- Standoff I was saying the same thing 🤣"
**
REPLY
13. Kahdijah Holder, 2019
"So this song is EVERYTHING 😍😍😍😍 and I love the video ❤️❤️ but the one thing that amazes me is how I been buss in the head top with the comb for doing way less movement than that when getting my hair done.... 👀 She really IS Blessed..!"
**
14. Fitzroy Miller,2019
"Blessed up"
**
15. john maina, 2019
"Big Tune.... loving it from outta 🇰🇪... wakenya gongeni like😁😎..."
**
16. Marina Dawson, 2019
"big tune. KOFFEE Belizeans love yo music"
**
17. Swaggie TV, 2019
"Big Chune!! DJ KHALED VOICE"
****
This concludes Part II of this two part pancocojams post.
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Showing posts with label Big up. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Big up. Show all posts
Saturday, April 20, 2019
Saturday, September 10, 2016
Examples Of The Term "Big Up" ("Big Ups") In Several YouTube Discussion Threads For Contemporary African Music Videos
Edited by Azizi Powell
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This post is part of ongoing pancocojams series on linguistics. I'm particularly interested in African American Vernacular English, Jamaican Patois, African Creole languages, and the combinations of those languages/dialects with traditional African languages in YouTube music, and/or in YouTube discussion threads.
Latest revision- May 18, 2023
This pancocojams post provides a definition for and information about the Jamaican Patois term "Big up". ("Big ups),
This post also presents selected YouTube discussion thread comments that include the term "Big up." ("Big ups") .
The content of this post is presented for linguistic, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
****
This post is part of ongoing pancocojams series on linguistics. I'm particularly interested in African American Vernacular English, Jamaican Patois, African Creole languages, and the combinations of those languages/dialects with traditional African languages in YouTube music, and/or in YouTube discussion threads.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/09/the-term-big-up-in-youtube-discussion.html for a related post on the use of the term "big up" in a 2013 YouTube music video's discussion thread - "Xigubu" by DJ Ganyani ft FB (Fiesta Black).
Click the tabs below to find other pancocojams posts in this series.
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JAMAICAN PATOIS DEFINITION OF "BIG UP"
From http://jamaicanpatwah.com/b/top-15-jamaican-patois-words-you-should-know#.V9MRmpgrLcs
Top 15 Jamaican Patois words you should know, Posted on July 28, 2014
"Big up
English Translation:
Give respect / Give props
Definition
To give respect, encouragement or to acknowledge someone
Example Sentences
(Patois) Mi hav fi big up John fi everything him duh fi wi
(English) I have to give John respect for everything that he did for us"
****
EXCERPT FROM ARTICLE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE TERM "BIG UPS" [Added 9/9/2016]
From http://grammarist.com/usage/big-ups/ http://grammarist.com/usage/big-ups/
"Big-ups (sometimes unhyphenated, sometimes singular) is an idiom that entered American English and, less conspicuously, British English around 1990. It has several meanings, but in the U.S. and Britain, where it started in hip-hop culture, it’s mainly used to acknowledge someone or to express respect or approval. It usually works as a noun. For instance, a performer on stage might send big-ups to a friend in the audience, or we might give big-ups to Grandma for her amazing green-bean casserole. In the acknowledgement sense, a big-up is similar to a shout-out. When it expresses praise, a big-up is similar to kudos and props.
Big up also appears as a verb phrase meaning (1) to give big-ups, (2) to make bigger (figuratively or literally), or (3) to pay homage to.
These 21st-century uses of big-ups descend from older senses primarily from English-speaking parts of the Caribbean, where the phrase has several meanings, including (1) a strong or important person,1 and (2) to promote or to elevate the importance of (someone). Outside the Caribbean, the phrase first gained traction in New York City and London, where Caribbean immigrants had an influence on the development of hip-hop culture through the 70s and 80s, and it gradually spread through the 90s and 00s. Though big-ups still appears occasionally, some might find it a little dated, and it tends to give way to shout-out and other synonyms.
Examples:
Music has become the vehicle to dis or big-up the latest fashion trend. [Vibe (1994)]
Big ups to Sean “Puffy” Combs who, despite being one of the most successful producers today, retains enough humility to reach back and pull up another black talent. [Billboard (1995)]....
-snip-
That article didn't provide any information about when "big up"/"big ups" was first used in the Africa continent. However, the earliest date that I found for the use of "big up" was July 13, 2010, in the title of and several comments from a nairaland.com [Nigerian] discussion post congratulating South Africa for their success in hosting the World Cup. http://www.nairaland.com/477417/drop-congratulatory-message-south-africa/1"...
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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
This pancocojams post documents in a small way that the Jamaican originated term "Big up" ("Big ups") has been and still is used in the continent of Africa.
The comments that are found below are from several YouTube discussion threads for contemporary African music. These videos were selected at random as a result of my "surfing" YouTube from contemporary African music.
Most of these videos have been featured in their own pancocojams post or may be featured in an upcoming pancocojams post.
The discussion threads that are quoted below are from YouTube videos from the following African nations (given in alphabetical order)
Cameroon & Uganda collaboration
Kenya
Nigeria
South Africa
Click the tabs below to find other pancocojams posts in this series.
****
JAMAICAN PATOIS DEFINITION OF "BIG UP"
From http://jamaicanpatwah.com/b/top-15-jamaican-patois-words-you-should-know#.V9MRmpgrLcs
Top 15 Jamaican Patois words you should know, Posted on July 28, 2014
"Big up
English Translation:
Give respect / Give props
Definition
To give respect, encouragement or to acknowledge someone
Example Sentences
(Patois) Mi hav fi big up John fi everything him duh fi wi
(English) I have to give John respect for everything that he did for us"
****
EXCERPT FROM ARTICLE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE TERM "BIG UPS" [Added 9/9/2016]
From http://grammarist.com/usage/big-ups/ http://grammarist.com/usage/big-ups/
"Big-ups (sometimes unhyphenated, sometimes singular) is an idiom that entered American English and, less conspicuously, British English around 1990. It has several meanings, but in the U.S. and Britain, where it started in hip-hop culture, it’s mainly used to acknowledge someone or to express respect or approval. It usually works as a noun. For instance, a performer on stage might send big-ups to a friend in the audience, or we might give big-ups to Grandma for her amazing green-bean casserole. In the acknowledgement sense, a big-up is similar to a shout-out. When it expresses praise, a big-up is similar to kudos and props.
Big up also appears as a verb phrase meaning (1) to give big-ups, (2) to make bigger (figuratively or literally), or (3) to pay homage to.
These 21st-century uses of big-ups descend from older senses primarily from English-speaking parts of the Caribbean, where the phrase has several meanings, including (1) a strong or important person,1 and (2) to promote or to elevate the importance of (someone). Outside the Caribbean, the phrase first gained traction in New York City and London, where Caribbean immigrants had an influence on the development of hip-hop culture through the 70s and 80s, and it gradually spread through the 90s and 00s. Though big-ups still appears occasionally, some might find it a little dated, and it tends to give way to shout-out and other synonyms.
Examples:
Music has become the vehicle to dis or big-up the latest fashion trend. [Vibe (1994)]
Big ups to Sean “Puffy” Combs who, despite being one of the most successful producers today, retains enough humility to reach back and pull up another black talent. [Billboard (1995)]....
-snip-
That article didn't provide any information about when "big up"/"big ups" was first used in the Africa continent. However, the earliest date that I found for the use of "big up" was July 13, 2010, in the title of and several comments from a nairaland.com [Nigerian] discussion post congratulating South Africa for their success in hosting the World Cup. http://www.nairaland.com/477417/drop-congratulatory-message-south-africa/1"...
****
PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
This pancocojams post documents in a small way that the Jamaican originated term "Big up" ("Big ups") has been and still is used in the continent of Africa.
The comments that are found below are from several YouTube discussion threads for contemporary African music. These videos were selected at random as a result of my "surfing" YouTube from contemporary African music.
Most of these videos have been featured in their own pancocojams post or may be featured in an upcoming pancocojams post.
The discussion threads that are quoted below are from YouTube videos from the following African nations (given in alphabetical order)
Cameroon & Uganda collaboration
Kenya
Nigeria
South Africa
Tanzania
Uganda
Zimbabwe
Uganda
Zimbabwe
**
The fact that these comments are in a YouTube discussion thread for a video from the nation of South Africa does not mean that all the commenters are from that nation. However, most of the commenters are from some African nation as indicated in their comments.
The earliest form of this term is probably "Big up yourself".
**
This compilation doesn't purport to be all of the comments in that discussion thread to date that include the term "Big up"" ("Big ups").
****
EXAMPLES OF THE TERMS "BIG UP"/"BIG UPS" IN YOUTUBE DISCUSSION THREADS FOR SEVERAL AFRICAN CONTEMPORARY MUSIC VIDEOS
These comments are presented in chronological order for each video with the oldest comments given first except for replies. However, these comments may not be in consecutive order.
I've assigned numbers for referencing purposes only.
I. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ex0NwMcf8iE
Eddy Kenzo - Sitya Loss [Uganda]
1.Orode-Okah Benjamin, 2015
"I have played this song not less than 100 times since ystday... its been on repeat cos the happiness in it is sooo contagious. Big ups Eddy Kenzo!!!"
**
2. falia dudia, 2015
"too much love kenzo here in cape town, big up man."
**
3. guy ahanga8 months ago, 2016
"Never knew why this song was remembering me one of the song of Zaiko Langa Langa, the one that Fally Ipupa recently mixed in the F-Victeam generique #2 single, until I discover that they are our neighbors from Uganda. Big up Bujumbura 💗👏👍"
**
Diaze Plus, 2016
"big up brother"
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II. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCcuzqRRTHQ
PSquare - Shekini [Official Video] (Nigeria)
1. ViruSraSta, 2015
"great tune! Big ups from Poland!!!!"
**
2. Oscar Ruderstad, 2015
"Sweden, come into the dance. Big Up to this tune!"
**
3. RICCI CASTRO, 2015
"I'm So InLove With African Music 😍!! My Brother is A DJ And Every time he put this songs People too Crazy Loving this Music's. #BigUpFromHonduras!
#NYC!"
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III. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drq46aiC_4I Gasha & Eddy Kenzo -"Chill", a Cameroon & Ugandan collaboration
1. Debel Ajiboye, 2015
"I am a Nigerian and I am just knowing about Gasha through this song. OMG! She is really talented. What a talented female artist Cameroon got. Big up Kenzo for futuring her, she killed the song with her opera voice, you must indeed buy her an aeroplane like she said loool"
**
2. Georges MOMO, 2015
"Big up Gasha"
**
3. paul barezi, 2015
"beautiful music big ups Gasha n Eddy K"
**
4. Olivia Fodouop, 2015
"Been playing this song on repeat since discovery yesterday, PROUD Cameroonian! Big up, Gasha & Eddy Kenzo :)"
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IV. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WL_EM4wSbqc
Joseph Garakara -Idya Banana [Zimbabwe]
1. merenguero1026, 2011
"im not african but this sounds like soca calypso from the carib of honduras... so im guessin this is where the roots of our music is from beautiful music i must say ;) big up to Zimbabwe"
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V.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6sv27w-eQw Kitole Official Video By Stephen Kasolo [Kenya]
1. Shanice Blessing, 2016
"waoo amazing one kitole big up, thumbs up for your dancers they are just making the song to be more than awesome👌👌👌👌👌"
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VI. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_XkTKoDI18
Yemi Alade - Johnny (Nigeria)
1. ISAAC JUMA, 2016
"Yemi big up yourself....sexy woman..reminds me of the antique African ladysexy Yondo sister.....Africa hoyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee..a big chune"
**
2. djmaleda, 2016
"Love this tune. Big up my Nigerian massive. Nuff love.
"And he say i no do him like the west india they do"?"
-snip-
"massice" = people (masses of people)
**
3. Sebenzile Magagula, 2016
"yemi rock big up strong girl💪😙"
**
4. Spade Guidingstar, 2016
This Song Is The Sh&t!* I love this tune. I played this song at wedding and the place went stupid! No one at the party never even heard it B4! This tune is hard! Big Up Yemi Alade!
-snip-
*This word was fully spelled out.
****
VII. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhk52GlkhVA
MAFIKIZOLO ft Uhuru KHONA (official video) (South Africa)
1.Ras Sjamaan, 2013
"#1 tune! Everybody understands now that afrohouse is the future of music! Big up SA for putting it down."
-snip-
"Afro House" is the music genre for this South African record.
**
2. Lulu M, 2013
"MAFIKIZOLO..... <3 br="" girl="" u=""> Big up all the way from East Africa, TANZANIA :)
Ur songs never disappoint us. HAKUNA MATATA ~"
**
3. sd17 mufc, 2014
"Big Up South Africa!!!!!!!!!!!!"
**
4. Haroon Ebrahim Collier, 2014
"Beautiful African Queen, Stunning Voice, Well produced Song and Music Video, Wicked Beat, it's no surprise they won song of the year for this one, Big-Up Mafikizolo and Uhuru
-snip-
Another commenter wrote that they won the MAMA award.
**
5. Busy Kasanke, 2014
"song is a hit is UG Kampala. big up Mafikizolo"
-snip-
"UG" = Uganda
**
6. Patrick Kamara, 2014
"No doubt, Khona will be the song of the year 2013. This is going to be a 'Khona Christmas' LOL. Love it here in SIERRA LEONE. Song hitting in all clubs, pubs and pubic transports.... I mean everywhere! Big up to Mafikizolo and Uhuru for making Africa proud."
**
7. Jolly twapstar, 2014
"wow such a nice beat and nice track. I enjoy this music so much anytime i listen to the music. Big up man. Mi from nigeria. Your music rock everywhere in my city"
**
8. gedza Mak, 2014
"U CAN ONLY UNDERSTAND THIS MUSIC WEN U VISIT SA###BIG UP PRETORIA"
**
9.. Daniel Adu, 2016
This tune is blazing hot in my stereos right here in GHANA and the replay button is RAPED! Big Ups NAFIKIZOLO....I dnt understand sh&t* in the song but it is a banger merhn"
-snip-
"reply button is raped" = keeps on being touched; I've also seen this written (on other YouTube contemporary African music video discussion threads that the replay button is being "murdered" since it was hit so much.
*That word is fully spelled out in this comment.
"A banger" - a hot tune, the bomb
**
10. kingjoe mnand, 2014
"big up good music sa"
**
11. pat dad, 2014
"@Gh.... really proud to be African... BIG UPS; BEAUTIFUL SONG..."
**
12.john Ng'ang'a, 2014
"big tune buh i wish i knw the S.A language.big up khona."
**
13..Wangui Rae Malkia, 2015
This is about THE AFRICAN SPIRIT. AFRICAN POWER AFRICAN BEAUTY. the devil is a lier oh.My sistoh OH .. One Africa. BIG UP YOURSELF. BIGUP. Haha kumekucha."
-snip-
The comment "the devil is a liar" might be in response to a number of comments that are either in support of or opposed to the inclusion in this video of the featured dancers who are known to be gay.
-snip-
Here is the an example from that Mafikizolo video's discussion that ends with "props":
"Matthew Xiu, 2014
"Whoever is directing these Mafikizolo videos (and the video for Xigubu as well) is doing a GREAT aesthetic job. The outfits, scenery, everything is beautiful! The music is awesome too! #Props"
-snip-
This is the only example of a comment that I recall reading in the period of time that I've been doing this particular research that ends with that word instead of the synonyms or closely related terms "big up" or "well done", "congratulations", or "bravo!"
****
VIII.
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yso4qCfM-0 OLD SCHOOL BONGO CLASSICS MIX 2020 - DJ KENB / FT ALIKIBA, MB Dogg,Belle 9,Professor JayRH EXCLUSIVE [Tanzania]
Visitor comments are welcome.
The fact that these comments are in a YouTube discussion thread for a video from the nation of South Africa does not mean that all the commenters are from that nation. However, most of the commenters are from some African nation as indicated in their comments.
The earliest form of this term is probably "Big up yourself".
**
This compilation doesn't purport to be all of the comments in that discussion thread to date that include the term "Big up"" ("Big ups").
****
EXAMPLES OF THE TERMS "BIG UP"/"BIG UPS" IN YOUTUBE DISCUSSION THREADS FOR SEVERAL AFRICAN CONTEMPORARY MUSIC VIDEOS
These comments are presented in chronological order for each video with the oldest comments given first except for replies. However, these comments may not be in consecutive order.
I've assigned numbers for referencing purposes only.
I. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ex0NwMcf8iE
Eddy Kenzo - Sitya Loss [Uganda]
1.Orode-Okah Benjamin, 2015
"I have played this song not less than 100 times since ystday... its been on repeat cos the happiness in it is sooo contagious. Big ups Eddy Kenzo!!!"
**
2. falia dudia, 2015
"too much love kenzo here in cape town, big up man."
**
3. guy ahanga8 months ago, 2016
"Never knew why this song was remembering me one of the song of Zaiko Langa Langa, the one that Fally Ipupa recently mixed in the F-Victeam generique #2 single, until I discover that they are our neighbors from Uganda. Big up Bujumbura 💗👏👍"
**
Diaze Plus, 2016
"big up brother"
****
II. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCcuzqRRTHQ
PSquare - Shekini [Official Video] (Nigeria)
1. ViruSraSta, 2015
"great tune! Big ups from Poland!!!!"
**
2. Oscar Ruderstad, 2015
"Sweden, come into the dance. Big Up to this tune!"
**
3. RICCI CASTRO, 2015
"I'm So InLove With African Music 😍!! My Brother is A DJ And Every time he put this songs People too Crazy Loving this Music's. #BigUpFromHonduras!
#NYC!"
****
III. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drq46aiC_4I Gasha & Eddy Kenzo -"Chill", a Cameroon & Ugandan collaboration
1. Debel Ajiboye, 2015
"I am a Nigerian and I am just knowing about Gasha through this song. OMG! She is really talented. What a talented female artist Cameroon got. Big up Kenzo for futuring her, she killed the song with her opera voice, you must indeed buy her an aeroplane like she said loool"
**
2. Georges MOMO, 2015
"Big up Gasha"
**
3. paul barezi, 2015
"beautiful music big ups Gasha n Eddy K"
**
4. Olivia Fodouop, 2015
"Been playing this song on repeat since discovery yesterday, PROUD Cameroonian! Big up, Gasha & Eddy Kenzo :)"
****
IV. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WL_EM4wSbqc
Joseph Garakara -Idya Banana [Zimbabwe]
1. merenguero1026, 2011
"im not african but this sounds like soca calypso from the carib of honduras... so im guessin this is where the roots of our music is from beautiful music i must say ;) big up to Zimbabwe"
****
V.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6sv27w-eQw Kitole Official Video By Stephen Kasolo [Kenya]
1. Shanice Blessing, 2016
"waoo amazing one kitole big up, thumbs up for your dancers they are just making the song to be more than awesome👌👌👌👌👌"
****
VI. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_XkTKoDI18
Yemi Alade - Johnny (Nigeria)
1. ISAAC JUMA, 2016
"Yemi big up yourself....sexy woman..reminds me of the antique African ladysexy Yondo sister.....Africa hoyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee..a big chune"
**
2. djmaleda, 2016
"Love this tune. Big up my Nigerian massive. Nuff love.
"And he say i no do him like the west india they do"?"
-snip-
"massice" = people (masses of people)
**
3. Sebenzile Magagula, 2016
"yemi rock big up strong girl💪😙"
**
4. Spade Guidingstar, 2016
This Song Is The Sh&t!* I love this tune. I played this song at wedding and the place went stupid! No one at the party never even heard it B4! This tune is hard! Big Up Yemi Alade!
-snip-
*This word was fully spelled out.
****
VII. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhk52GlkhVA
MAFIKIZOLO ft Uhuru KHONA (official video) (South Africa)
1.Ras Sjamaan, 2013
"#1 tune! Everybody understands now that afrohouse is the future of music! Big up SA for putting it down."
-snip-
"Afro House" is the music genre for this South African record.
**
2. Lulu M, 2013
"MAFIKIZOLO..... <3 br="" girl="" u=""> Big up all the way from East Africa, TANZANIA :)
Ur songs never disappoint us. HAKUNA MATATA ~"
**
3. sd17 mufc, 2014
"Big Up South Africa!!!!!!!!!!!!"
**
4. Haroon Ebrahim Collier, 2014
"Beautiful African Queen, Stunning Voice, Well produced Song and Music Video, Wicked Beat, it's no surprise they won song of the year for this one, Big-Up Mafikizolo and Uhuru
-snip-
Another commenter wrote that they won the MAMA award.
**
5. Busy Kasanke, 2014
"song is a hit is UG Kampala. big up Mafikizolo"
-snip-
"UG" = Uganda
**
6. Patrick Kamara, 2014
"No doubt, Khona will be the song of the year 2013. This is going to be a 'Khona Christmas' LOL. Love it here in SIERRA LEONE. Song hitting in all clubs, pubs and pubic transports.... I mean everywhere! Big up to Mafikizolo and Uhuru for making Africa proud."
**
7. Jolly twapstar, 2014
"wow such a nice beat and nice track. I enjoy this music so much anytime i listen to the music. Big up man. Mi from nigeria. Your music rock everywhere in my city"
**
8. gedza Mak, 2014
"U CAN ONLY UNDERSTAND THIS MUSIC WEN U VISIT SA###BIG UP PRETORIA"
**
9.. Daniel Adu, 2016
This tune is blazing hot in my stereos right here in GHANA and the replay button is RAPED! Big Ups NAFIKIZOLO....I dnt understand sh&t* in the song but it is a banger merhn"
-snip-
"reply button is raped" = keeps on being touched; I've also seen this written (on other YouTube contemporary African music video discussion threads that the replay button is being "murdered" since it was hit so much.
*That word is fully spelled out in this comment.
"A banger" - a hot tune, the bomb
**
10. kingjoe mnand, 2014
"big up good music sa"
**
11. pat dad, 2014
"@Gh.... really proud to be African... BIG UPS; BEAUTIFUL SONG..."
**
12.john Ng'ang'a, 2014
"big tune buh i wish i knw the S.A language.big up khona."
**
13..Wangui Rae Malkia, 2015
This is about THE AFRICAN SPIRIT. AFRICAN POWER AFRICAN BEAUTY. the devil is a lier oh.My sistoh OH .. One Africa. BIG UP YOURSELF. BIGUP. Haha kumekucha."
-snip-
The comment "the devil is a liar" might be in response to a number of comments that are either in support of or opposed to the inclusion in this video of the featured dancers who are known to be gay.
-snip-
Here is the an example from that Mafikizolo video's discussion that ends with "props":
"Matthew Xiu, 2014
"Whoever is directing these Mafikizolo videos (and the video for Xigubu as well) is doing a GREAT aesthetic job. The outfits, scenery, everything is beautiful! The music is awesome too! #Props"
-snip-
This is the only example of a comment that I recall reading in the period of time that I've been doing this particular research that ends with that word instead of the synonyms or closely related terms "big up" or "well done", "congratulations", or "bravo!"
****
VIII.
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yso4qCfM-0 OLD SCHOOL BONGO CLASSICS MIX 2020 - DJ KENB / FT ALIKIBA, MB Dogg,Belle 9,Professor JayRH EXCLUSIVE [Tanzania]
1. Charles kakooza, 2022
"This is the best BONGO OLD SCHOOL NONSTOP,BIGUP ON YOSELF"
**
Reply
2. RICHY HANIEL, 2022
"Thanks for the support, Big up"
**
Reply
3. Charles kakooza, 2022
"BIGUP to you bro"
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
The Jamaican Originated Term "Big Up" In The YouTube Discussion Thread For The South African Music Video "Xigubu" by DJ Ganyani ft FB (Fiesta Black)
Edited by Azizi Powell
Latest revision- May 18, 2023
This pancocojams post provides a definition for and information about the Jamaican Patois term "big up",
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/09/examples-of-term-big-up-in-youtube.html for a pancocojams post that documents the use of "Big up" in seven other YouTube discussion threads of contemporary African music videos.
****
JAMAICAN PATOIS DEFINITION OF "BIG UP"
From http://jamaicanpatwah.com/b/top-15-jamaican-patois-words-you-should-know#.V9MRmpgrLcs
Top 15 Jamaican Patois words you should know, Posted on July 28, 2014
"Big up
English Translation:
Give respect / Give props
Definition
To give respect, encouragement or to acknowledge someone
Example Sentences
(Patois) Mi hav fi big up John fi everything him duh fi wi
(English) I have to give John respect for everything that he did for us"
****
EXCERPT FROM ARTICLE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE TERM "BIG UPS" [Added 9/9/2016]
From http://grammarist.com/usage/big-ups/ http://grammarist.com/usage/big-ups/
"Big-ups (sometimes unhyphenated, sometimes singular) is an idiom that entered American English and, less conspicuously, British English around 1990. It has several meanings, but in the U.S. and Britain, where it started in hip-hop culture, it’s mainly used to acknowledge someone or to express respect or approval. It usually works as a noun. For instance, a performer on stage might send big-ups to a friend in the audience, or we might give big-ups to Grandma for her amazing green-bean casserole. In the acknowledgement sense, a big-up is similar to a shout-out. When it expresses praise, a big-up is similar to kudos and props.
Big up also appears as a verb phrase meaning (1) to give big-ups, (2) to make bigger (figuratively or literally), or (3) to pay homage to.
These 21st-century uses of big-ups descend from older senses primarily from English-speaking parts of the Caribbean, where the phrase has several meanings, including (1) a strong or important person,1 and (2) to promote or to elevate the importance of (someone). Outside the Caribbean, the phrase first gained traction in New York City and London, where Caribbean immigrants had an influence on the development of hip-hop culture through the 70s and 80s, and it gradually spread through the 90s and 00s. Though big-ups still appears occasionally, some might find it a little dated, and it tends to give way to shout-out and other synonyms.
Examples:
Music has become the vehicle to dis or big-up the latest fashion trend. [Vibe (1994)]
Big ups to Sean “Puffy” Combs who, despite being one of the most successful producers today, retains enough humility to reach back and pull up another black talent. [Billboard (1995)]....
-snip-
That article didn't provide any information about when "big up"/"big ups" was first used in the Africa continent. However, the earliest date that I found for the use of "big up" was July 13, 2010, in the title of and several comments from a nairaland.com [Nigerian] discussion post congratulating South Africa for their success in hosting the World Cup. http://www.nairaland.com/477417/drop-congratulatory-message-south-africa/1
I'm not sure when "big up"/"big-ups" was first used in the nation of South Africa. However, there are a number of examples of their uses in South Africa- for instance, "big ups" is used in the ranking scale for Holiday Inns https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g312586-d1139671-r225060228-Holiday_Inn_Express_Sandton_Woodmead-Sandton_Greater_Johannesburg_Gauteng.html “big ups!” 5 of 5 stars Review of Holiday Inn Express Sandton-Woodmead".
To cite another example, Big Ups is the title of a South African anthology series of popular short stories for juveniles. The first Big Ups was published in April 2013 and a Big Ups #4 edition was published in 2016.
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO - DJ Ganyani ft FB - Xigubu (Official Music Video)
GanyaniEntertainment, Published on Apr 26, 2013
-snip-
Click http://www.last.fm/music/Ganyani/+http://www.last.fm/music/Ganyani/+wiki information about Ganyani Tshabalala. That page briefly mentions the Ganyani's work with "popular Fiesta Black".
**
Here's a comment that summarizes the record "Xigubu" (link given below)
Lwandlekazi Mda, 2014
@ Tjai She had a bottle of jameson in her hands, she didn't have any plans then a BBM came through announcing that DJ Ganyani and friends will be playing. The she continues to say that the beat will hit you hard meaning that she's having a good time wherever dj Ganyani was playing.
-snip-
Here's a link to a question about the similarities and differences between "BBM" and phone texting: http://forums.crackberry.com/native-blackberry-os-apps-f152/so-whats-difference-between-bbm-texting-122117/
Here's one comment from that page:
johna1234, 12-24-08, 03:23 PM "bbm is blackberry messenger, opnly [only] those with bb's can use it...free text service basically."...
**
Here are two comments of a number of comments that explain the meaning of the word "Xigubu":
“Jarboo” Makhoba, 2014
..."The language is called tsonga, one of the ethnic languages spoken in the Northern parts of South Africa (Limpopo province). The lady sings about "xigubu" - traditional drum, which somehow "xibha nkofu" - 'goes hard' - rather sounds nice."
**
Rodney Ngwenya, 2015
"+nicolas nemarimila Sorry man Nico but you got the translation all wrong. Xigubu is a drum, yes. But "xiba ngopfu" doesn't translate to "beat louder" the best translation I can think of is that "the beat of the drum is every enjoyable""
-snip-
"Every" is probably a typo of "very".
****
SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THE OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO DISCUSSION THREAD FOR DJ GANYANI FT FB - XIGUBU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npWF7kvyWc4
The comments below represent a large portion of the comments in that discussion thread to date [September 10. 2016] that include the phrases "Big Up" or "Big Ups". However, this compilation doesn't purport to be all of the comments in that discussion thread to date that include those terms.
Notice that a number of these comments include African American Vernacular English (AAVE) terms such as "dope" & "track" and/or some other Jamaican Patois terms such as "tune" and "massive".
The fact that these comments are in a YouTube discussion thread for a video from the nation of South Africa does not mean that all the commenters are from that nation. Some of the commenters mention their nationality in their comments.
These comments are presented in chronological order with the oldest comments given first except for replies. However, these comments may not be in consecutive order.
I've assigned numbers for referencing purposes only.
2013
1. Mehluleli Sibanda
"Bigup to Dj Ganyani 2013 is your year Brother"
**
2. mukharactor muk
"purely and truly south african track.big up 2u tatani ganyani"
**
3. MrChicco
"I salute his talent and hard work. Yoh, I the video. Big Up Ganyani!!! I personally like your album, job well done!"
**
4. thobile mcobothi
"nice track, big up"
**
5. Mbusiswa Nyuswa
"I swear, I thought this was a Ganyani ft Busiswa track. Nice video and track, big upz"
-snip-
Busiwa (Bucie) is another contemporary South African female singer.
**
6. Chwayita Oniwe
"<3 6="" along="" and="" baby="" br="" bro="" dj="" fifi="" ganyani="" he="" is="" move="" my="" of="" oh="" shika="" sings="" song="" stunning="" thinking="" up="" when="" who=""> -snip-
Fifi = singer Fiesta Black
**
7. survs21
"I like the song, l love the album. Thank you Mr Ganyani for house groove 8 is on fire, can you please release what a feeling video awesome track big up."
**
8. Gcobisile Matafeni
"Big up to Dj Ganyani, this is a banger"
-snip-
I think that "banger" is originally a British English slang term that means something that is very good. That word has the same or similar meaning as the AAVE term "the bomb".
****
2014
9. Yonela Mzondi
"dopest track ever big up 2 Ganyani"
**
10. Andile Themba
"Graet Song South African artists doing well. Big Up #MzansiMusic"
****
2015
11. Thabiso Ngwane
"wow......i cant believe that this song has reach 2.1 million view.....big-up to SA house fans"
-snip-
As of the date and time this pancocojams post was published (September 10, 2016, 9:42 AM) this video had 3,632,454 total views and 1,427 comments.
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This pancocojams post provides a definition for and information about the Jamaican Patois term "big up",
This post also presents selected YouTube discussion thread comments that include the term "Big up." .
The content of this post is presented for linguistic, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publisher of this video on YouTube. Thanks also to DJ Ganyani and Fiesta Black for their musical creativity.
****
This post is part of ongoing pancocojams series on linguistics. I'm particularly interested in African American Vernacular English, Jamaican Patois, African Creole languages, and the combinations of those languages/dialects with traditional African languages in YouTube music, and/or in YouTube discussion threads.
The content of this post is presented for linguistic, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publisher of this video on YouTube. Thanks also to DJ Ganyani and Fiesta Black for their musical creativity.
****
This post is part of ongoing pancocojams series on linguistics. I'm particularly interested in African American Vernacular English, Jamaican Patois, African Creole languages, and the combinations of those languages/dialects with traditional African languages in YouTube music, and/or in YouTube discussion threads.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/09/examples-of-term-big-up-in-youtube.html for a pancocojams post that documents the use of "Big up" in seven other YouTube discussion threads of contemporary African music videos.
Click the tabs below to find other pancocojams posts in this series.
****
JAMAICAN PATOIS DEFINITION OF "BIG UP"
From http://jamaicanpatwah.com/b/top-15-jamaican-patois-words-you-should-know#.V9MRmpgrLcs
Top 15 Jamaican Patois words you should know, Posted on July 28, 2014
"Big up
English Translation:
Give respect / Give props
Definition
To give respect, encouragement or to acknowledge someone
Example Sentences
(Patois) Mi hav fi big up John fi everything him duh fi wi
(English) I have to give John respect for everything that he did for us"
****
EXCERPT FROM ARTICLE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE TERM "BIG UPS" [Added 9/9/2016]
From http://grammarist.com/usage/big-ups/ http://grammarist.com/usage/big-ups/
"Big-ups (sometimes unhyphenated, sometimes singular) is an idiom that entered American English and, less conspicuously, British English around 1990. It has several meanings, but in the U.S. and Britain, where it started in hip-hop culture, it’s mainly used to acknowledge someone or to express respect or approval. It usually works as a noun. For instance, a performer on stage might send big-ups to a friend in the audience, or we might give big-ups to Grandma for her amazing green-bean casserole. In the acknowledgement sense, a big-up is similar to a shout-out. When it expresses praise, a big-up is similar to kudos and props.
Big up also appears as a verb phrase meaning (1) to give big-ups, (2) to make bigger (figuratively or literally), or (3) to pay homage to.
These 21st-century uses of big-ups descend from older senses primarily from English-speaking parts of the Caribbean, where the phrase has several meanings, including (1) a strong or important person,1 and (2) to promote or to elevate the importance of (someone). Outside the Caribbean, the phrase first gained traction in New York City and London, where Caribbean immigrants had an influence on the development of hip-hop culture through the 70s and 80s, and it gradually spread through the 90s and 00s. Though big-ups still appears occasionally, some might find it a little dated, and it tends to give way to shout-out and other synonyms.
Examples:
Music has become the vehicle to dis or big-up the latest fashion trend. [Vibe (1994)]
Big ups to Sean “Puffy” Combs who, despite being one of the most successful producers today, retains enough humility to reach back and pull up another black talent. [Billboard (1995)]....
-snip-
That article didn't provide any information about when "big up"/"big ups" was first used in the Africa continent. However, the earliest date that I found for the use of "big up" was July 13, 2010, in the title of and several comments from a nairaland.com [Nigerian] discussion post congratulating South Africa for their success in hosting the World Cup. http://www.nairaland.com/477417/drop-congratulatory-message-south-africa/1
I'm not sure when "big up"/"big-ups" was first used in the nation of South Africa. However, there are a number of examples of their uses in South Africa- for instance, "big ups" is used in the ranking scale for Holiday Inns https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g312586-d1139671-r225060228-Holiday_Inn_Express_Sandton_Woodmead-Sandton_Greater_Johannesburg_Gauteng.html “big ups!” 5 of 5 stars Review of Holiday Inn Express Sandton-Woodmead".
To cite another example, Big Ups is the title of a South African anthology series of popular short stories for juveniles. The first Big Ups was published in April 2013 and a Big Ups #4 edition was published in 2016.
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO - DJ Ganyani ft FB - Xigubu (Official Music Video)
GanyaniEntertainment, Published on Apr 26, 2013
-snip-
Click http://www.last.fm/music/Ganyani/+http://www.last.fm/music/Ganyani/+wiki information about Ganyani Tshabalala. That page briefly mentions the Ganyani's work with "popular Fiesta Black".
**
Here's a comment that summarizes the record "Xigubu" (link given below)
Lwandlekazi Mda, 2014
@ Tjai She had a bottle of jameson in her hands, she didn't have any plans then a BBM came through announcing that DJ Ganyani and friends will be playing. The she continues to say that the beat will hit you hard meaning that she's having a good time wherever dj Ganyani was playing.
-snip-
Here's a link to a question about the similarities and differences between "BBM" and phone texting: http://forums.crackberry.com/native-blackberry-os-apps-f152/so-whats-difference-between-bbm-texting-122117/
Here's one comment from that page:
johna1234, 12-24-08, 03:23 PM "bbm is blackberry messenger, opnly [only] those with bb's can use it...free text service basically."...
**
Here are two comments of a number of comments that explain the meaning of the word "Xigubu":
“Jarboo” Makhoba, 2014
..."The language is called tsonga, one of the ethnic languages spoken in the Northern parts of South Africa (Limpopo province). The lady sings about "xigubu" - traditional drum, which somehow "xibha nkofu" - 'goes hard' - rather sounds nice."
**
Rodney Ngwenya, 2015
"+nicolas nemarimila Sorry man Nico but you got the translation all wrong. Xigubu is a drum, yes. But "xiba ngopfu" doesn't translate to "beat louder" the best translation I can think of is that "the beat of the drum is every enjoyable""
-snip-
"Every" is probably a typo of "very".
****
SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THE OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO DISCUSSION THREAD FOR DJ GANYANI FT FB - XIGUBU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npWF7kvyWc4
The comments below represent a large portion of the comments in that discussion thread to date [September 10. 2016] that include the phrases "Big Up" or "Big Ups". However, this compilation doesn't purport to be all of the comments in that discussion thread to date that include those terms.
Notice that a number of these comments include African American Vernacular English (AAVE) terms such as "dope" & "track" and/or some other Jamaican Patois terms such as "tune" and "massive".
The fact that these comments are in a YouTube discussion thread for a video from the nation of South Africa does not mean that all the commenters are from that nation. Some of the commenters mention their nationality in their comments.
These comments are presented in chronological order with the oldest comments given first except for replies. However, these comments may not be in consecutive order.
I've assigned numbers for referencing purposes only.
2013
1. Mehluleli Sibanda
"Bigup to Dj Ganyani 2013 is your year Brother"
**
2. mukharactor muk
"purely and truly south african track.big up 2u tatani ganyani"
**
3. MrChicco
"I salute his talent and hard work. Yoh, I the video. Big Up Ganyani!!! I personally like your album, job well done!"
**
4. thobile mcobothi
"nice track, big up"
**
5. Mbusiswa Nyuswa
"I swear, I thought this was a Ganyani ft Busiswa track. Nice video and track, big upz"
-snip-
Busiwa (Bucie) is another contemporary South African female singer.
**
6. Chwayita Oniwe
"<3 6="" along="" and="" baby="" br="" bro="" dj="" fifi="" ganyani="" he="" is="" move="" my="" of="" oh="" shika="" sings="" song="" stunning="" thinking="" up="" when="" who=""> -snip-
Fifi = singer Fiesta Black
**
7. survs21
"I like the song, l love the album. Thank you Mr Ganyani for house groove 8 is on fire, can you please release what a feeling video awesome track big up."
**
8. Gcobisile Matafeni
"Big up to Dj Ganyani, this is a banger"
-snip-
I think that "banger" is originally a British English slang term that means something that is very good. That word has the same or similar meaning as the AAVE term "the bomb".
****
2014
9. Yonela Mzondi
"dopest track ever big up 2 Ganyani"
**
10. Andile Themba
"Graet Song South African artists doing well. Big Up #MzansiMusic"
****
2015
11. Thabiso Ngwane
"wow......i cant believe that this song has reach 2.1 million view.....big-up to SA house fans"
-snip-
As of the date and time this pancocojams post was published (September 10, 2016, 9:42 AM) this video had 3,632,454 total views and 1,427 comments.
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Friday, January 8, 2016
B-Boying & The Breakdance Project Uganda (Information & Videos)
Edited by Azizi Powell
This post provides general information about b-boying (breakdancing) and provides information and comments about Breakdance Project Uganda. Five Breakdance Project Uganda videos are also showcased in this post.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Abramz and all those involved in Breakdance Project Uganda. Thanks also to all those who are featured in this post, thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these examples on YouTube.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT B-BOYING (BREAKDANCING)
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B-boying
"B-boying or breaking, also called breakdancing, is a style of street dance that originated primarily among African American and Puerto Rican youth, many former members of the Black Spades, the Young Spades, and the Baby Spades, during the mid 1970s.[1] The dance spread worldwide due to popularity in the media, especially in regions such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, Germany, France, Russia, and South Korea. While diverse in the amount of variation available in the dance, b-boying consists of four kinds of movement: toprock, downrock, power moves, and freezes. B-boying is typically danced to hip-hop, funk music, and especially breakbeats, although modern trends allow for much wider varieties of music along certain ranges of tempo and beat patterns.
A practitioner of this dance is called a b-boy, b-girl, or breaker. Although the term "breakdance" is frequently used to refer to the dance in popular culture and in the mainstream entertainment industry, "b-boying" and "breaking" are the original terms. These terms are preferred by the majority of the pioneers and most notable practitioners.[2][3]"...
****
INFORMATION ABOUT BREAKDANCE PROJECT UGANDA AND THE BOUNCING CATS DOCUMENTARY
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bouncing_Cats
"Bouncing Cats is a 2010 documentary film written and directed by Australian director and photographer Nabil Elderkin. The film follows the efforts of Abraham "Abramz" Tekya and Breakdance Project Uganda (BPU) to use dance to empower youth in war-torn Uganda. The film is a testimony of Crazy Legs of Rock Steady Crew and his experiences in the BPU program. The film features narration by Common and additional interviews with Mos Def, will.i.am and K'Naan. Also appearing in the film is Okot Jolly Grace, whose guidance enabled the filmmakers to see and understand the plight of children in northern Uganda. [1]
Synopsis
Bouncing Cats is the story of one man's attempt to create a better life for the children of Uganda using the unlikely tool of hip-hop with a focus on b-boy culture and breakdance. Abraham "Abramz" Tekya, a Ugandan b-boy and an AIDS orphan creates a free workshop teaching youth b-boy culture to 300 disenfranchised kids living in precarious conditions in Kampala in 2006, and in Gulu in North Uganda. …
Crazy Legs receives an invitation from Abramz to teach b-boy classes in Uganda. He accepts to join the program and is inspired by the passion for hip-hop by the kids enrolled in it. Bouncing Cats follows Abramz, Crazy Legs, and Breakdance Project Uganda on a journey to use hip-hop culture for positive social change.
In terms of the title, Bouncing Cats "is the sound made by the kids in Uganda when they have no access to a boombox,” according to the film's director, Nabil Elderkin, “Using 'bouncing cats, baboons and cats' in repetition, they create their own beat.” [3]
Breakdance Project Uganda
Breakdance Project Uganda started in February 2006 by Abramz out of his belief that hip hop can be used as a tool to engage and empower disadvantaged youth. Its mission is to involve young people in hip hop culture in order to build leadership skills and promote social responsibility for positive change. From the initial three students who turned up at the first session, the Project has grown through word of mouth, regular showcase performances, and exposure on the World Wide Web to become a thriving organization with over 1,000 members nationally in Uganda and many more supporters around the world....
"Proceeds from the film benefit Breakdance Project Uganda".
-snip-
A clip of the Bouncing Cat documentary is given below as Example #5. The full Bouncing Cats documentary can be found on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L99OIJk6zoc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L99OIJk6zoc. Hopefully, having the documentary on YouTube helps advertise it so that people can still purchase it.
****
SHOWCASE EXAMPLES
These videos are presented in chronological order based on their publishing date on YouTube with the oldest dated video given first.
Example #1: kids teaching kids how to breakdance, Uganda (BPU)
Abramz, Uploaded on Nov 9, 2007
Breakdance project Uganda (BPU) is grooming teachers right from the tender age.
In Breakdance project Uganda, everyone is a teacher and everyone is a student.
You learn something free of charge, you teach somebody else free of charge.
All the members of this project are directly involved in expanding and sustaining it since everyone plays a role of passing on skills to others.
You don't have to know a lot to teach, you can share the little you have with those who don't have it.
BREAKDANCE PROJECT UGANDA
'breakdance for positive social change'
-snip-
Selected comments from this video's discussion thread:
imagedance, 2009
"Man this is dope. My Dad is from Uganda and I was born in Kenya. Dance professionally and this is what I had in mind for Africa. Glad to see someone has started something BIG for the Mother/home-land. Much love and respect and I shall be there soon!"
-snip-
"Dope" is an African American Vernacular English word that means "very good".
**
Danwlsns, 2010
"This should be Sharing centre in Kampala Uganda. This place groomed me from 1987-1996. I am very grateful to Father Fleskens (deceased) who set up the place for the less priviledged young people of Nsambya, Kibuli, Katwe etc. I now live and work in the Netherlands.
-snip-
The word "should" may be a typo for "could".
****
Example #2: Breakdance Project Uganda kids at 2009 Brave Festival, Poland. Pt 1
Abramz, Uploaded on Jul 19, 2009
Breakdance Project Uganda kids performing at Brave Festival at Rynek in Wroclaw, Poland in july 2009.
BREAKDANCE PROJECT UGANDA
-snip-
Selected comments from this video's discussion thread:
43470anbetsi, 2009
"Thanks to Salesians the children could come to Poland."
**
CRYKIT , 2010
"LOVE IT! I teach breaking at after school programs in San Francisco and I must say it is such an amazing opportunity to showcase in another country!!!! I respect and appreciate the work you have done for your community!!! ONE LOVE!
-Crykit..aka Bgirl Crix"
**
liluprawk, 2010
"very dope i love that my people from the motherland is doing hiphop MIKEYICE
ZULU NATION united states..1 LOVE
**
sltruong3, 2010
"Thanks to the SIFF for showing 'Imani', the Uganda film that exposed me to this project. It's awesome!"
****
Example #3: Breakdance Project Uganda
.
jonsmithman, Uploaded on Nov 4, 2009
Breakdance Project Uganda is an organization teaching the kids of Uganda how to, well, breakdance. It's friggin' awesome. We were lucky enough to sit in on one of their sessions.
matteoT100, 2010
"dope bboys in africa, bboys everywhere"
**
Kristabelle1, 2010
"Heeeeeeeeey I remember this spot!! I danced right here with you guys, a wonderful experience, again so uplifting Abramz, all the best to you and all the crews you dance with :)"
**
bboymcKick, 2011
"great energy and flow! Keep it breakin' :-)"
**
Jean-Gustave Nsabiyera, 2011
"Respect for Ugandan bboy and all african Bboys. Keep breakin'
JazzyTem, 2014
"Its like bronx hip hop in early 80th.Hip hop as it is. Big props from Russia.Keep ROCKING"
-snip-
"Props", an African American English clip of the word "proper", means to give someone his or her proper respect, acknowledgement, praise. "Big props" means a lot of props. Read the comment below and the explanation for "Big up".
**
Realtalk MyBrother, 2015
"Big Up My African Brothers..... EXCELLENT"
-snip-
"Big Up" is a Jamaican colloquial expression of respect, acknowledgement, praise, and/or encouragement.
****
Example #4: ROCK STEADY CREW IN UGANDA, AFRICA
Abramz, Uploaded on Feb 7, 2010
The legendary Rock Steady Crew (Crazy Legs, Ynot and Servin Irvin) at Breakdance Project Uganda (BPU) Community show in Kisenyi slum, Kampala, Uganda in march 2008 when they came to visit BPU and to teach in some of the communities where they have activities running.
BPU is an organization which uses Breaking and other elements of Hiphop to promote positive social change and social responsibility among young people.
Breakdance Project Uganda
"Breaking (breakdance) for positive social change"
breakdanceuganda@yahoo.com
****
Example #5: Bouncing Cats - Break Dance Project Uganda
Infinit3 Records, Uploaded on Jan 24, 2011
tobiasstelter, 2011
"Can hip-hop show the way towards liberty of a nation? In Uganda it can: The “Breakdance Project Uganda” is becoming movement for youngsters, who suffered from war and tyranny for years. Music gives them power and autonomy. Our author visited the kids – find his story in our new Red Bull lifestyle mag “Red Bulletin”. Take a glance online on our website. Or grab it at the kiosk if you go for it."
**
tschecker002, 2011
"So great film...want to look it - Can anyone tell me whats the music at 0:30 and 1:40 ?"
**
Reply
tschecker002, 2011
"@ALL Guys: the song at 1:40-end is K'naan - Take A Minute.
Know anybody the other one at 0:30 ?"
**
AndieWorldFlava, 2011
in reply to tschecker002
"@tschecker002 It's Road To Zion by Damian Marley & Nas"
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This post provides general information about b-boying (breakdancing) and provides information and comments about Breakdance Project Uganda. Five Breakdance Project Uganda videos are also showcased in this post.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Abramz and all those involved in Breakdance Project Uganda. Thanks also to all those who are featured in this post, thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these examples on YouTube.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT B-BOYING (BREAKDANCING)
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B-boying
"B-boying or breaking, also called breakdancing, is a style of street dance that originated primarily among African American and Puerto Rican youth, many former members of the Black Spades, the Young Spades, and the Baby Spades, during the mid 1970s.[1] The dance spread worldwide due to popularity in the media, especially in regions such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, Germany, France, Russia, and South Korea. While diverse in the amount of variation available in the dance, b-boying consists of four kinds of movement: toprock, downrock, power moves, and freezes. B-boying is typically danced to hip-hop, funk music, and especially breakbeats, although modern trends allow for much wider varieties of music along certain ranges of tempo and beat patterns.
A practitioner of this dance is called a b-boy, b-girl, or breaker. Although the term "breakdance" is frequently used to refer to the dance in popular culture and in the mainstream entertainment industry, "b-boying" and "breaking" are the original terms. These terms are preferred by the majority of the pioneers and most notable practitioners.[2][3]"...
****
INFORMATION ABOUT BREAKDANCE PROJECT UGANDA AND THE BOUNCING CATS DOCUMENTARY
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bouncing_Cats
"Bouncing Cats is a 2010 documentary film written and directed by Australian director and photographer Nabil Elderkin. The film follows the efforts of Abraham "Abramz" Tekya and Breakdance Project Uganda (BPU) to use dance to empower youth in war-torn Uganda. The film is a testimony of Crazy Legs of Rock Steady Crew and his experiences in the BPU program. The film features narration by Common and additional interviews with Mos Def, will.i.am and K'Naan. Also appearing in the film is Okot Jolly Grace, whose guidance enabled the filmmakers to see and understand the plight of children in northern Uganda. [1]
Synopsis
Bouncing Cats is the story of one man's attempt to create a better life for the children of Uganda using the unlikely tool of hip-hop with a focus on b-boy culture and breakdance. Abraham "Abramz" Tekya, a Ugandan b-boy and an AIDS orphan creates a free workshop teaching youth b-boy culture to 300 disenfranchised kids living in precarious conditions in Kampala in 2006, and in Gulu in North Uganda. …
Crazy Legs receives an invitation from Abramz to teach b-boy classes in Uganda. He accepts to join the program and is inspired by the passion for hip-hop by the kids enrolled in it. Bouncing Cats follows Abramz, Crazy Legs, and Breakdance Project Uganda on a journey to use hip-hop culture for positive social change.
In terms of the title, Bouncing Cats "is the sound made by the kids in Uganda when they have no access to a boombox,” according to the film's director, Nabil Elderkin, “Using 'bouncing cats, baboons and cats' in repetition, they create their own beat.” [3]
Breakdance Project Uganda
Breakdance Project Uganda started in February 2006 by Abramz out of his belief that hip hop can be used as a tool to engage and empower disadvantaged youth. Its mission is to involve young people in hip hop culture in order to build leadership skills and promote social responsibility for positive change. From the initial three students who turned up at the first session, the Project has grown through word of mouth, regular showcase performances, and exposure on the World Wide Web to become a thriving organization with over 1,000 members nationally in Uganda and many more supporters around the world....
"Proceeds from the film benefit Breakdance Project Uganda".
-snip-
A clip of the Bouncing Cat documentary is given below as Example #5. The full Bouncing Cats documentary can be found on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L99OIJk6zoc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L99OIJk6zoc. Hopefully, having the documentary on YouTube helps advertise it so that people can still purchase it.
****
SHOWCASE EXAMPLES
These videos are presented in chronological order based on their publishing date on YouTube with the oldest dated video given first.
Example #1: kids teaching kids how to breakdance, Uganda (BPU)
Abramz, Uploaded on Nov 9, 2007
Breakdance project Uganda (BPU) is grooming teachers right from the tender age.
In Breakdance project Uganda, everyone is a teacher and everyone is a student.
You learn something free of charge, you teach somebody else free of charge.
All the members of this project are directly involved in expanding and sustaining it since everyone plays a role of passing on skills to others.
You don't have to know a lot to teach, you can share the little you have with those who don't have it.
BREAKDANCE PROJECT UGANDA
'breakdance for positive social change'
-snip-
Selected comments from this video's discussion thread:
imagedance, 2009
"Man this is dope. My Dad is from Uganda and I was born in Kenya. Dance professionally and this is what I had in mind for Africa. Glad to see someone has started something BIG for the Mother/home-land. Much love and respect and I shall be there soon!"
-snip-
"Dope" is an African American Vernacular English word that means "very good".
**
Danwlsns, 2010
"This should be Sharing centre in Kampala Uganda. This place groomed me from 1987-1996. I am very grateful to Father Fleskens (deceased) who set up the place for the less priviledged young people of Nsambya, Kibuli, Katwe etc. I now live and work in the Netherlands.
-snip-
The word "should" may be a typo for "could".
****
Example #2: Breakdance Project Uganda kids at 2009 Brave Festival, Poland. Pt 1
Abramz, Uploaded on Jul 19, 2009
Breakdance Project Uganda kids performing at Brave Festival at Rynek in Wroclaw, Poland in july 2009.
BREAKDANCE PROJECT UGANDA
-snip-
Selected comments from this video's discussion thread:
43470anbetsi, 2009
"Thanks to Salesians the children could come to Poland."
**
CRYKIT , 2010
"LOVE IT! I teach breaking at after school programs in San Francisco and I must say it is such an amazing opportunity to showcase in another country!!!! I respect and appreciate the work you have done for your community!!! ONE LOVE!
-Crykit..aka Bgirl Crix"
**
liluprawk, 2010
"very dope i love that my people from the motherland is doing hiphop MIKEYICE
ZULU NATION united states..1 LOVE
**
sltruong3, 2010
"Thanks to the SIFF for showing 'Imani', the Uganda film that exposed me to this project. It's awesome!"
****
Example #3: Breakdance Project Uganda
.
jonsmithman, Uploaded on Nov 4, 2009
Breakdance Project Uganda is an organization teaching the kids of Uganda how to, well, breakdance. It's friggin' awesome. We were lucky enough to sit in on one of their sessions.
matteoT100, 2010
"dope bboys in africa, bboys everywhere"
**
Kristabelle1, 2010
"Heeeeeeeeey I remember this spot!! I danced right here with you guys, a wonderful experience, again so uplifting Abramz, all the best to you and all the crews you dance with :)"
**
bboymcKick, 2011
"great energy and flow! Keep it breakin' :-)"
**
Jean-Gustave Nsabiyera, 2011
"Respect for Ugandan bboy and all african Bboys. Keep breakin'
JazzyTem, 2014
"Its like bronx hip hop in early 80th.Hip hop as it is. Big props from Russia.Keep ROCKING"
-snip-
"Props", an African American English clip of the word "proper", means to give someone his or her proper respect, acknowledgement, praise. "Big props" means a lot of props. Read the comment below and the explanation for "Big up".
**
Realtalk MyBrother, 2015
"Big Up My African Brothers..... EXCELLENT"
-snip-
"Big Up" is a Jamaican colloquial expression of respect, acknowledgement, praise, and/or encouragement.
****
Example #4: ROCK STEADY CREW IN UGANDA, AFRICA
Abramz, Uploaded on Feb 7, 2010
The legendary Rock Steady Crew (Crazy Legs, Ynot and Servin Irvin) at Breakdance Project Uganda (BPU) Community show in Kisenyi slum, Kampala, Uganda in march 2008 when they came to visit BPU and to teach in some of the communities where they have activities running.
BPU is an organization which uses Breaking and other elements of Hiphop to promote positive social change and social responsibility among young people.
Breakdance Project Uganda
"Breaking (breakdance) for positive social change"
breakdanceuganda@yahoo.com
****
Example #5: Bouncing Cats - Break Dance Project Uganda
Infinit3 Records, Uploaded on Jan 24, 2011
tobiasstelter, 2011
"Can hip-hop show the way towards liberty of a nation? In Uganda it can: The “Breakdance Project Uganda” is becoming movement for youngsters, who suffered from war and tyranny for years. Music gives them power and autonomy. Our author visited the kids – find his story in our new Red Bull lifestyle mag “Red Bulletin”. Take a glance online on our website. Or grab it at the kiosk if you go for it."
**
tschecker002, 2011
"So great film...want to look it - Can anyone tell me whats the music at 0:30 and 1:40 ?"
**
Reply
tschecker002, 2011
"@ALL Guys: the song at 1:40-end is K'naan - Take A Minute.
Know anybody the other one at 0:30 ?"
**
AndieWorldFlava, 2011
in reply to tschecker002
"@tschecker002 It's Road To Zion by Damian Marley & Nas"
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
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