Chris Cape

Like a thin Pavarotti, less opera, more hip hop, funk and rock...without a beard. His conscious uplifting rap lyrics blended with good-time melodies, Earth Wind & Fire-esque onstage theatricality and personal eccentricity ignite audiences on a first impression and reveal more and more on each listen. His songs, largely built on up-tempo hook laden pop, follow that of a classic rock line-up with a core provided by guitar, bass and drums with the reinforcement of female backing vocals and trumpet. His onstage antics coupled with mind blowing virtuosity on the guitar are beyond belief, unprecedented by any Hip-Hop act to date. Writing with the audience in mind, Cape’s goal is always to get the feet moving.
Summer 09’ was huge for Cape. Sharing the stage with Jarvis Cocker, kicking back and discussing direction with The Zutons and debating Sartre with the francophonic Phoenix were but a few highlights from atruly exciting time for this ground breaking artist. Playing at festivals including Secret Garden Party and Beach Break Live has brought a new creative influence fuelled by chance meetings with the likes of Roots Manuva and Dizzee Rascal.
Born and raised in Cape Town, Chris grew up in a socially and politically important time for South Africa which continues to have profound influence on him as a person, performer and songwriter. An eclectic mix of influence bestowed cape from an early age, as he balanced his European Classical Music education and his African Gospel music peers. He identified with Progressive Rock as it held similar values to Classical music. As a result Pink Floyd, Yes, Queen, The Beatles, Dire Straits all played a part in his development, inspiring him to master the guitar. Next came Kanye West…through whom an entirely new outlook on music was gained. A kid who didn’t know what a beat was, learnt to groove. Hip Hop exposed the power of lyricism to someone who up to that point, knew more of harmony and melody than of rhymes and how to MC. From there he started digging the likes of Common, Mos Def, Jurassic 5, Blackstar and Jay-Z. Parallel passions had been established but he was still searching for a way to bring them together. It was clear that creating music was the only future for Cape. Finding London as the creative centre for his new sound, he risked everything in relocation to pursue his distinct fusion of Rock and Hip Hop that is, Chris Cape.
INDUSTRY OPINIONS:
"Sly & the Family funkiness meets the B-52's. Very impressive." Mike McNally (EMI, Nettwerk, Virgin Radio, Observer, NME/Melody Maker)
"Like the Fresh Prince having a fumble with Rick James in a DeLorean" Ross Gautreau ASCAP Director of Membership
“It's very very rare that I'm rendered speechless by a band. Tonight is one of those nights. Brilliant is an understatement.” Jon Garland (Don’t Forget the Chaos Photography)
“The stage looked like the funkiest place in the universe….this is how every 21st century party should sound.” Andy Vale (Surrey Uni Radio, The Stag)
“Once heard never forgotten" Dave Charles (Hardborough fm)
"The best tunes and visual noise you're gonna see around right now!! Check this shit out!!"
Eddie Bryan (Music Critic)
”pounding vibes, pounding beats, to please our hearts, to please the streets”
Dave Pickavance (Zion and the White Boys)
"exciting, charismatic and guaranteed to get you dancing, mixing the old skool with quirky backing vocals, sexy guitar solos and shrill, 'I feel good' trumpet licks. If you love dancing and catchy tunes this is definitely a band to see."
Kirsty Trice (Bean Fiddler Promotions)
”Chris Cape prowls the stage with menacing abandon waiting to grab you from the audience and stuff the microphone down your throat - an energetic go spastic beat that makes you want to dance for fear of death if you dared to stop!”
Josh Retallick (The Fighting Cocks - Promoter)
”The personification of sonic excellence. Cape straddles a fine line between artistic and commercial credence with aplomb. Here at last the MySpace generation seem to have found an artist their immediate musical future can be fascinated by.”
Triston Maguire (Promoter)
”Chris Cape has the energy of a supernova, the rhymes of a casanova...”
Clare Knight (Fan)
“Success” (YouTube Video Upload)