Selema Writes

I am writing this piece with excitement because I haven't written an article or a blog for a while and I'm writing this now having a platform called Hip Hop Nation TV, It has given me the opportunity to do what I love and that is expressing myself through the Hip Hop culture.

I also feel very privileged to write about one of the greatest emcees I've been following from killing freestyles battles on YFm,winning mixtape king of the year on Shizniz, performing on Back To The City festival,Scrambles for money and becoming the World Champion at the End Of The Weak

Alright Ladies and Gentlemen let the drums roll I introduce to you Selema Writes!!!!

It is a blessing that for these past few years from seeing this brother having the stage name Sledge Lee making tracks with the OG's Mizchif and Snazzy D transitioning to Dice Mak seeing him mature in his artistry and still become an emcee who is consistent in what he does, I truly must admit that I am inspired as an artist too.

I felt it was time to show love, respect and support to those who contribute to this movement whilst they are still alive. In his transitioning from Dice Mak to Selema Writes He created three projects in 2020: Peace Be Upon You, Mama Is Still A Freedom Fighter ,There Were Mermaids At The Stream and in 2021 He released Bomaye with Mind Frame.

He explains that the artwork on Peace Be Upon You was inspired by a black saint named Martin de Porres, who performed miracles of levitation, instantaneous cures and ability to communicate with animals.

The Ep has a tone of maturity laid back which is easy to listen to as I was driving around my neighbourhood. A perfect EP to bump into on a weekend too, I love how He is also versatile in his EP with the different beats given to him. The storyline goes well and perfectly tuned, tracklist is in perfect order no peak moments the last two tracks compliment each other "Sunsetting" and " As I lay you down" concept was well planned.

29th of June 2020 he released Mama Is Still A Freedom Fighter Ep , the artwork was inspired by the black godess Oshun who is typically associated with water,purity, fertility, love and sensuality and considered one of the most powerful orisha's.

Selema says the title speaks to honour and integrity which he learned from His parents and that His parents' hearts still burn for true liberation and they still weep for the suffering of our people, this was easier for me to relate to as my Grandfather was exiled and almost assasinated by the apartheid government. The first three tracks discusses serious political issues in South Africa, with scars that remain permanent on us as black people in South Africa.

On the 30th of September 2020 He released " There Were Mermaids At The Stream" LP which took three years for him to create, I'd say one of my favourite tracks were Glory and Honour which pays homage respect to Marcus Garvey one of the greatest black leaders that inspired the black nation, Marcus Garvey during his speech states " Man in the true knowledge of himself is a superb and supreme creature" finally young black people will go back to learning Black History through Hip Hop again making knowledge cool or like KRS usually spoke of Edutainment. The " Love Jones" track with Phumza was a fine calm black love kind of music which reminds us of how great we are as the original man and original woman of this planet and "Rap Monet" comes as a sensual and seductive track the overall production album is great.

The latest album which he released this year with Mind Frame "Bomaye LP" producer from New York the Mecca of Hip Hop puts South African Hip Hop on another level globally. I love how he impersonates himself as Muhammad Ali on the song "Bomaye" truly Selema has the kind of will Ali had just by witnessing him drop three projects in one year shows passion and hardwork that many might not have.

The "Blood Diamond" track also caught my attention reminds us of how imperialism affected us considering that the Diamond in South Africa is still owned by the Rothschild through the Oppenheimer Dynasty and De Beers this is relevant as many people are demanding for the land and the resources under it

It also reminds me of what Selema said " Just because something is black owned doesn't mean it's in the interest of black people"

" Food, Clothing and Shelter" addresses issues such as ubuntu and the high rate of poverty it encourages us to go back to our roots as Africans honestly I think it is an honour that we have an artist that is brave enough to speak on political issues that many wouldn't dare to I Rolihlahla feel proud that I shall share this piece of article with the next generation.

With all the achievements Selema has he still remains the young humble man we all know who grew up in Xavier Reef Estate this makes me feel proud to say I'm not the only Emcee from Jhb South, 2091 respect!!!!