Counting Headz: South Afrika`s Sistaz in Hip Hop profile picture

Counting Headz: South Afrika`s Sistaz in Hip Hop

About Me

Myspace Backgrounds COUNTING HEADZ is

a documentary

a labour of love

a collaborative effort

a hustle

a celebration

HOW IT BEGAN

My life as an intern in South Africa came to an end. I continued to live in Johannesburg, but my job didn't. I moved into Vusi's place as a "temporary" money-saving strategy while I began my job search.

During my increasingly lengthening bout of unemployment, I volunteered to log some of Vusi's hip hop footage that he had been documenting for the last few years.

After about eight hours of watching too many all-male casts of DAYS of hip hop events (mcs=guys, djs=guys, b-boys= guys {ahem!}, graff artists=guys, headz=guys), I had seen enough Sausages in Hip Hop.

My Interests

I'd like to meet:


You've been marked on my visitor map!

WHO YOU CAN MEET

THE COUNTING HEADZ SISTAZ::Chi::Smirk::Sistamatic::Lee Kasumba::Cuba::Godessa::Faith47::Tia Anam::D-Unik::Kato::Crystal Orderson::Nthabi::Supa::Nicky::Sisanda::Endzi::

CHI was introduced to hip hop as a child in Malawi. Her music incorporates reggae, traditional African, and hip hop. She is one of the most respected female mcs in southern Africa and continues her love/hate relationship with hip hop in Johannesburg.


SISTAMATIC started out in hip hop in the days of Le Club with other well-known hip hop artists such as Tumi and D-Unik. A former b-girl, Sistamatic is currently one of the most widely-recognised hip hop djs in Johannesburg.


SMIRK began getting up on her own as a teenager in Switzerland. In her 20s, she moved to Cape Town, where she worked long and hard to make a name for herself. Today, Smirk is a world-renowned graffiti artist known for her innovation.


As a radio dj, hip hop activist, and co-founder of Harambe Africa, LEE KASUMBA pushes for inclusion of real hip hop in commercial radio. She continues to support projects, both local and international, that focus on hip hop as a method to bring about unity and education.


CUBA's love for hip hop began as a child in her home province of Mpumalanga. Now residing in Johannesburg and concentrating on mcing for the last four years, Cuba is known for her direct and witty lyrics.


GODESSA is the only recording and performing female hip hop crew in South Africa. Shameema, with Eloise Jones (EJ von Lyrik), and Bernadette Amansure (Burni) became Godessa in 2000. By using hip hop as a learning tool, Godessa works in their communities both local and global to make social change. Their debut cd, Spillage, has received international critical acclaim.


D-UNIK is a well-respected dj and activist worldwide in underground hip-hop. She has contributed to the development of South African hip-hop since the mid 1990s. Currently she is Director of Unlearn Agency, an event promotion company which focuses on hip hop.


Starting out as a dj, ENDZI now shares her talents as an mc. She has shared the stage with international performers from DJ Ready D to Dead Prez. In 2002, she co-founded the Azaniart Movement 4 Innovation (AMI), a non-profit organisation that uses performing arts to get youth off the streets.


CRYSTAL ORDERSON is a hip hop lover and media and gender activist from Mitchell’s Plain (Cape Town). As a television and radio journalist for South Africa's national broadcaster (the SABC), she has covered post-apartheid South Africa for the past 7 years with a focus on gender and youth from a socio-economic perspective.


KATO began her endeavours into hip hop as a graffiti artist. Currently, she is most well-known for her djing and hip hop activism; Kato helps organise Fire on the Mountain, the largest ongoing hip hop festival in South Africa.


Apart from being an internationally lauded graffiti writer, FAITH47 also focuses on illustration, design, and canvas work. She has exhibited in and painted the streets of Africa, Europe, North America, and Australia and co-directs the graphic design company Mattblack.


THE PROCESS

'Graffiti is so unique because it's as much about the process as it is about the result'

-Smirk

The process of bringing Counting Headz into existence, well, the process and the film are one thing.

Vusi and I are facilitators. We suspected there were stories out there that weren't being heard. We asked women to share and they did. Counting Headz is their stories. It's South Afrikan hip hop told by women.


Bring Counting Headz to your community so you can see interesting and positive stuff happening in Afrika. There is a lot going on that needs some celebration.

For all questions and press inquiries, please contact countingheadz[at]gmail.com.



My Blog

COUNTING HEADZ SCREENS IN TORONTO AT THE GLADTONE NOV.18TH

Yes, Counting Headz is returning to Toronto for one night. It will screen at the Gladstone Hotel November 18th at 8pm. It's gonna turn into a party after the screening, I believe, so stick around for ...
Posted by on Sat, 27 Oct 2007 17:23:00 GMT

LOVELY BRAZILIAN OPINION @ http://invasoresbarbaros.blogspot.com/

If you can understand Portuguese or if you don't mind deciphering those web-generated translations, you'll be able to appreciate this lovely article! http://invasoresbarbaros.blogspot.com/It's such a...
Posted by on Sat, 27 Oct 2007 16:14:00 GMT

COUNTING HEADZ IN CURRENT ISSUE OF URBANOLOGY MAGAZINE

Counting Headz is in the new issue of Urbanology magazine. All you Canadians or hard core American hip hop heads who may know of Urbanology should check it out. And get back to me. I haven't seen it y...
Posted by on Mon, 17 Sep 2007 12:56:00 GMT

COUNTING HEADZ NOMINATED FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE AT ATLANTA HIP HOP FILM FESTIVAL

Just wanted to share this nice acknowledgment from the Atlanta Hip Hop Film Festival. Counting Headz is nominated for Best Documentary Feature. Check out their website for more details on the screenin...
Posted by on Mon, 20 Aug 2007 21:44:00 GMT

COUNTING HEADZ REVIEW ON WWW.SHAMELESSMAG.COM

Hey y'all, Just wanted to report that a review of Counting Headz is up on the blog www.shamelessmag.comEnjoy!
Posted by on Sun, 12 Aug 2007 00:54:00 GMT

PRN- Internet Radio Interview Airing July 5th @ 3pm on Heart & Soul

The second blog entry.... I was wondering if it would ever happen! Today, I had an interview with Kompalya Thunderbird, a radio host based in New York. Apparently the interview will be aired next...
Posted by on Wed, 27 Jun 2007 17:25:00 GMT

It be the first blog entry! With love, from LA...

Hello to whoever may come up on this first entry. Many people have told me we have to start a blog for Counting Headz. So I'm doing it! We're starting the damn blog!I'm in LA right now... here for the...
Posted by on Sat, 09 Jun 2007 00:07:00 GMT