PHFAT are South Africa’s biggest independent rap group and are teeing up to hit Australia with a self-funded tour in May, playing clubs and venues to promote their new single ‘Lights Out’ featuring JungFreud.
In the two years that PHFAT has been a full time rap act they have played at just about every established alternative music festival in South Africa and scored opening slots for international pioneers such as Public Enemy and Post Hardcore/Rock forerunners like The Used.
The group plan on making Australia a regular touring destination, with their first local tour kicking off on May 11, to celebrate the duo put together a 5 step guide to South African hip hop.
Introduction To The Genre
“South African Rap music is honestly my favourite rap in the whole world because it got me into rap music in general. South Africa is a bit of a cultural mashup even before take into account the international media influences, and while a lot of local rap is just a watered down copy of what you hear in the USA (accents included).
There is a fairly generous handful of local Hip Hop that is just so damn genuine and that I find so relatable it shows me how hip hop can relate to me. I can’t explain it. I hated hip hop until I heard a bunch of SA hip hop then it all made sense. South African Hip Hop showed me that Rap music isn’t just acting rich and being a dick to women.”
South African Hip Hop Artist Everyone Should Know
“Die Antwoord (If you haven’t heard of them it’s because you haven’t been on the internet). They are fucking incredible!”
South African Hip Hop Album Everyone Should Listen To
“Our favourites are Sibot – In With The Old
The Constructus Corporation – The Ziggurat
Christian Tiger School – The Third Floor (I’m not sure if this qualifies as hip hop because it’s mostly instrumental but it’s rad – apparently their track “Carlton Banks” was on triple J for a while and no one told them…
PHFAT – Happiness Machines (Gotta mention our own stuff…)
Also check out albums by Spoek Mathambo, Tumi And the Volume, Ben Sharpa, Jack Parow.”
South African Hip Hop Song Everyone Should Hear
“Obviously our latest single… ‘Lights Out'”
Best Live South African Hip Hop Act
“Die Antwoord know how to keep a party fucking explosive Tumi and the Volume live is quite a fucken’ experience. Sibot live is something else… not quite hip hop but watch it!”
Favourite Upcoming South African Hip Hop Act
“Not hip hop at all… but this is the last thing I watched from SA that I enjoyed. Videos here are always so low budget and these dudes did so well with so little…”
PHFAT Lights Out Australian Tour
Saturday May 10th – Laundry Bar, Melbourne, VIC (FREE ENTRY)
Wednesday May 14th – Happy Club @ Small Ballroom, Newcastle, NSW (FREE ENTRY)
Thursday May 15th – Tattersalls Hotel, Penrith, NSW (FREE ENTRY)
Friday May 16th – MUM @ World Bar, Sydney, NSW (FREE ENTRY)
Saturday May 17th – HostageX, Wollongong, NSW (FREE ENTRY)
Friday May 23rd – Bowler Bar, Brisbane, QLD (FREE ENTRY)
Saturday May 24th – The Pier, Port Macquarie, NSW (FREE ENTRY)
Sunday May 25th – The Pier, Port Macquarie, NSW (FREE ENTRY)
Thursday May 29th – The Basement, Canberra, ACT
Friday May 30th – One Mic @ The Roller Den, Erskineville, NSW
Saturday May 31st – Beresford Hotel, Sydney (FREE ENTRY)
