Hip Hop Pantsula
Jabulani Tsambo[1] (14 September 1980 – 24 October 2018), better known by his stage name Hip Hop Pantsula, later shortened to HHP,[2][3] was a South African Motswako[4] rapper (Motswakolista) who performed in several languages, mostly in Setswana.[1] he was prominent in bringing S.A hiphop and motswako rap to the mainstream world.
Hip Hop Pantsula | |
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Hip Hop Pantsula in 2012 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Jabulani Tsambo |
Born | Mafikeng, North West | 14 September 1980
Origin | North West, South Africa |
Died | 24 October 2018 38) Johannesburg, South Africa | (aged
Genres | Motswako |
Occupation(s) | Rapper |
Instruments | Vocals |
Years active | 1997–2018 |
Labels | Lekoko Entertainment |
Associated acts | Khuli Chana Cassper Nyovest, Nuru, Omar Hunter El, KayGizm, Asheru |
Career
Tsambo completed his high schooling at St. Alban's College in Pretoria. He was initially part of a group called Verbal Assassins, working with producer Tebogo Rameetse. After the release of their 1997 debut album, Party, the group split up. Pantsula had his next album, Introduction, produced by singer and producer Isaac Mthethwa, and recorded in different South African languages such as Setswana, isiZulu and Sesotho.
Pantsula used the term "Maf-town" as a reference to his hometown of Mafikeng. In 2004 he released O Mang, an album that saw him reuniting with Rameetse as the producer of a track entitled "On My Own". He was honored in September 2007 in the inaugural Mafikeng Golden Stars Awards.[1]
Pantsula released Acceptance Speech in December 2007 with its first single, "Music & Lights". In December 2009, Pantsula released his seventh studio album Dumela. That same year, he collaborated with South African rapper Proverb on a song entitled "Breadwinners", again featuring Tebogo Rameetse on production. He co-chaired a record label, Lekoko Entertainment.
Death
Tsambo was discovered dead in his Johannesburg home on 24 October 2018. The tabloid Celeb Gossip South Africa reported that he had committed suicide in what was his fourth attempt following three in 2015.[5] Tsambo revealed in a 2016 interview that he had been battling depression due to his faltering career.[5]
Discography
- Studio albums
- Party (1997)
- Introduction (2000)
- Maf Town (2001)
- O Mang? (2003)
- O Mang Reloaded(2004)
- YBA 2 NW (2005)
- Acceptance Speech (2007)
- Dumela (2009)
- Motswafrika (2011)
- Motswako High School (2014)
- Drum (2018)
- Guest appearances
Title | Year | Other artist(s) | Album |
---|---|---|---|
"Shake'a Letheka" | 2014 |
|
Tsholofelo |
Awards
- MTV Africa Music Awards 2009 - Best Video ("Mpitse")[1]
- SATMA Lifetime achievement Award 2017 Maftown Mmabana awards- best hip hop award-2015
References
- "Hip Hop Pantsula (HHP)-Bio". Hip Hop African. 10 March 2015. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
- UPDATE: Cause of HHP's death suspected to be suicide, Citizen.co.za
- "Hip Hop Pantsula's Biography". Last.fm. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
- "Hip hop raps on Jazz Fest's door". Iol.co.za. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
- Muza Mpofu (25 October 2018). "Jabulani 'HHP' Tsambo a.k.a Hip Hop Pantsula finally kills himself in 4th suicide attempt". Celeb Gossip South Africa. Retrieved 25 October 2018.