About Prophets of the City
Genre
Hip-Hop/Rap
With their energetic performances, unique blend of African and hip-hop influences, and politically charged lyrics, Prophets of Da City have emerged as one of South Africa's top rap and hip-hop ensembles. Their sound has been described by http://www.westnet.com as "a devastating mix of old-skool meets new school rhythms and enough tongue-twisting rhymes to keep your head in a spin."
Prophets of Da City reflect the collaborative efforts of South African rap veterans Ready D, Shaheen, and Ramone. A native of Cape Town's impoverished District Six, Ready D was forced to move at the age of ten, along with thousands of African-American families, to the crime-ridden region of Cape Flats. A talent for breakdancing kept him from a life of crime and drugs. At the age of 15, Ready D became a member of athletic breakdancing troupe the Ballistic Rockers. A trip to Liverpool, England, where he met many of the city's top DJs, inspired him to purchase a set of turntables upon his return to South Africa. Ready D has subsequently won the South African National DJ Championship three times.
Cape Town-born rapper and producer Shaheen is the son of jazz musician Issy Ariefdien. Although his childhood home was in Cape Flats, he traveled extensively with his father. Inspired by the rapping of the Sugarhill Gang, he began performing at the South African music club The Base. He continued to balance his involvement in music with political activism as a member of his school's students representative council.
The only member of Prophets of Da City not born in Cape Town, Ishmael hails from the former Eastern Transvaal city of Rustenberg. He grew up living with his grandmother as his father toiled in the coal mines of northern South Africa. Dropping out of school, he worked as a gas station attendant before building his reputation as a singer, rapper, and raga vocalist in the night clubs of Johannesburg. "Discovered" by freestyle dancer Ramone in 1992, he was invited to join Prophets of Da City during a 60-date anti-drug tour of schools.
Ramone had a very difficult life before hooking up with Prophets of Da City. Running away from home at the age of 11, he was saved from a life of crime thanks to his skills as a dancer. A frequent winner of local dance competitions, he won the national freestyle championship two times. In the mid-'80s, Ramone was invited by Ready D to join the Ballistic Rockers.
The youngest member of Prophets of Da City, Mark dropped out of school to work as a street cleaner. Before joining Prophets of Da City, Mark performed with breakdancers the Dream Team. ~ Craig Harris
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