2Raw Entertainment: The Next Big Thing??

Cover of "The Revival" Album

So what exactly DO we know about 2Raw Entertainment? My guess would be: absolutely nothing. And thats the case with most of our Hip-Hop heads out there but then again if you all knew, I wouldn't have this Blog.

Here's some info:

Independent record label founded by producer Matthew 'SyPhon' Ghadami in 2005. Founded and based in Zambia, it houses a unique group of talented artists and brought about a new, raw and uncut version of Zambian Hip-Hop that has been embraced not only by fans in the country but worldwide as well.
Currently on the roster of emcees are Toxiq, Young O, Tony II Toz and John Pain, all of whom have released well-received projects and are making their way up on to the top of Zambian Hip-Hop.

Jay-B SAYS:

I recently came across their "The Revival" Album (Yes I'm shocked too but they actually do have an Album) just over a month ago and gave it a short listen, must say the production is young and as the groups name suggests, extremely raw! As far as a proper review goes I promise to do that in a separate post.

These guys have deep running roots! I'm fairly acquainted with two members of the team, Toxiq and the other Young O. I met the first in my freshman year of College at the National Institute of Public Administration over four years ago and listened to him Freestyle for what seemed to be hours! This guy is pure talent and it's surprising how he hasn't risen to the top of the list, when it comes to Zambian Rap.

TOXIQ

A little Info on our talented lyricist:

Born in Luanshya, on July 27th, 1986.
Gained his passion for hip-hop at a tender age, listening to his older brother rhyme.
While at secondary school his passion materialized and he would continuously record tapes for his friends to listen to.
2005 Hooked up with Matthew "SyPhon" Ghadami, the founder of 2Raw.
Proceeded to record his first album titled Forbidden Scriptures.

Sling Beats

2006 Got a deal with Sling Beats in, making him the only English hip-hop artist on the label.
Recorded his second album titled Half Man, Half Amazin' which featured Zambian artists such as Ozzy and Kanji. Apart from that he also featured on several albums on artists from the same label such as Tommy D, Mampi, Tasila Mwale and Crystal Sean, among others.
 All projects with Sling Beats remained unreleased because of an accident that lead to the loss of much of the recording data.

2009 Signed to Uneek Muzeek Zambia working alongside artists such as Ruff Kid and Slap Dee. Recently featured on the Cashroll mixtape which had almost all of Zambias finest MC's.

So Good Ent

2Raw reunited in July 2011 and was involved heavily in three projects, most notably his official third album The Otha Syd.

He is currently under the management of So Good Entertainment and also came close to formalizing a deal with Sony Music for digital distribution.

Seems to me So Good is stealing away all the fine Talent! (Yes Cactus Agony they are probably coming for you too) lol


This maybe a stretch but as far as Commercial Rap goes, I don't see 2Raw making much of an Impact on the Hip-Hop scene. Yes Toxiq has commercially featured in a (very sub-standard) video with Ruff Kid but thats as far as it goes. The video features below thanks to ZedBeats official for your viewing [dis?]pleasure. Frankly speaking the video would be pathetic without the Copperbelt born Toxiq adding a bit of Swagger to it. (Seriously Ruff whats with the lil Wayne addiction? And the completely out of place White women??...)

TOTAL MISS!!!

But for you die hard Hip-Hop heads out there? 2Raw keeps it realler than a Stomp to the nuts! And I mean boondocks, thugnificent style. These guys will tell it to you like it is with no regards to who you father might be or if you're a tall Nerdy looking rapper that blogs in his free time... lol. So are they the next big thing? Doubt it, Zone Fams sitting tight in that spot. (Cri$i$ do something!!!) But they do possess the quality to become majorly recognised and potentially, change the downward spiral that Raw rap is now facing. I salute you and all the best 2Raw!

Peace..

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Here's a lil more info on 2raw:

2Raw Entertainment Presents: The Revival - August 2011; Toxiq - Tha Otha Syd: August 2011; Young O - Hard Work and Sacrifice: August 2011.

You can find em on facebook: 2Raw Entertainment

Or visit them on Reverbnation: http://www.reverbnation.com/2rawentertainmentzambia

New Talent: lil Nick AKA Pacman

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DOWNLOAD THE MIXTAPE HERE

Artist Summary

Genres: Hip Hop / Rap

Label: So Good Entertainment

Management: Wika Kawina

Artist Bio

Nicholas Mabika hailing from JesmondIne Lusaka is a white Zambian rapper who has been through much criticism in his life on becoming the 1st successful white rapper in zambia but has said he is planning on only big things to put zed hip hop on the map. His words " LSK has some of the sickest rappers ive heard in my life and its about time they got there music out there because they deserve it". The young rapper was first discovered by the man himself C.R.I.$.I.$ after featuring in his music video for play on at the age of 13. But a couple years later he found himself working with the artists in So Good Entertainment after being discovered at The Cypher during his "legendary battle with the So' Good Artist K.R.Y.T.I.C. lil Nick is currently in a college in Loughborough studying Music Technology with his aspiration to open his own professional studio.


In 2011 lil Nick aka PaCman started a group on what used to be a gang in his neighbourhood called "GoonZ 'R' Us". This consisted of rappers inside and outside his neighbourhood which were: himself lil Nick, Gus 'F' GuDDa, Kuzco and lil Chits. In the group they search for the young rapping talent around Zambia and breed them to become better and better. Around May in the year 2011 lil Nick started to get alot of requests to work with artists, labels and interviews with newspapers and local TV shows, which gave lil Nick the publicity he needed to start becoming a well known upcoming artist.

On The 19th of November 2011 lil Nick released his "PACMAN" mixtape which was instantly a hit coming out with great number of downloads on lil Nicks first mixtape his 1st day ended up being 45 downloads in one day, the Pacman came out being over 1,100 in the first couple of hours from its release.

Mbototo's new Video: Umugete feat. 2wo 1ne

Fresh! Nothing more I can say about this video but I think that about describes it! The simplicity of the set just goes to show the limitlessness of this guys creativity. I would go further as to say the execution of the song was on point and very entertaining. Somehow So Good managed to find a creative balance between the Mainstream english Rap and the ever entertaining Zambezi style of the Ama Blax star.

Mboto worked with fellow Zambezi music artist Nasty D and I have little knowledge of what became of their partnership. Needless to say, he is doing very well for himself with or without the rest of his (Former?) crew. The song seems strongly influenced by his Persona with just a touch of New School from the 2wo 1ne boys.

The Set appears to be a Radio Station studio which I would guess is Radio Phoenix, due to So Good's continued relationship with Urban Central's Deejay Scratch. I can also comfirm Scratch has worked on Videos for rising star Scarlet and Rap Entertainer Krytic, leading me to the conclusion this was also one of his ingeneous works.

Overall, this is a giant leap in the search for the identity of Zambian Music which has been ever so elusive! Great stuff.

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Welcome to Rap.Net

Hi!
The years about to end and it has been quite the busy one in the world of Rap an Zambian music in general. Biggest leaps seen so far have come from So Good Ent  and the ever impressive Zone Fam. Most other groups have been off the radar for a while but the push and pull in the Zambian Rap and Entertainment Industry is at it's peak. Updates will come your way, through this blog, very often and be sure to check on whats Hot and whats Happening.

Peace for now!

Point Blank Period.