Twenty-six-year-old Eliya, who goes by the stage name Blacka II, moved to Primrose in 2013, making a living as a clothing merchant.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy parents died when I was very young and my sister took on the parental role,\u201d said Blacka II.<\/p>
\u201cI did not understand why my peers seemed to get all they ever desired, all the trendy clothes and sneakers.<\/p>\n
\u201cInstead of dwelling on my misfortune I soon started pulling myself out of misery, preaching the importance of hard work to myself, in order to build a better future.\u201d<\/p>\n
One afternoon, Blacka II was introduced to Rick Ross, a hip-hop artist from the USA and the boy was hooked.<\/p>\n
ALSO READ:\u00a0Rap group from rural hometown makes moves in the city<\/a><\/h4>\nHis partner, Masilo, also known as Shiz, had a different introduction to music.<\/p>\n
Growing up in a music-loving family allowed Shiz to identify with many genres from a young age.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy father loved disco music, it constantly thumped through our speakers, but he was a man of many interests,\u201d said Shiz.<\/p>\n
\u201cSinging became my hobby, it was largely supported in my household.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter losing both my parents, music became my refuge, and I discovered hip-hop which led me to transition from being a singer to a rapper.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2019\/03\/11GCNENTERTAINMEN_28949-520x390.jpg\")
Blacka II (Eliya Leshabane) and Shiz (Masilo Maake) are set to take the local rap scene by storm.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWhen moving around in the city alone became uninspiring for Blacka II, Shiz made his way to Gauteng in 2014 to join his pal, and they soon formed a rap duo, called Helping Hands Gang (HH Gang).<\/p>\n
The hip-hop lovers turned artists drew inspiration from classic rap beats fused with 808\u2019s and lyricism inspired by Plies and Rick Ross with a look reminiscent of the Migos, HH Gang put in the groundwork and released their first single in October 2018.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur single, called Hustle, depicts our lives,\u201d said Blacka II.<\/p>\n
\u201cTwo young boys from the village, all odds against us but we still hustle.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe hustle not only because we have bills to pay but because in this economy one needs multiple streams of income and I think that\u2019s why many people relate to the song.\u201d<\/p>\n
ALSO READ:\u00a0New R&B boy band tackles emotions and masculinity<\/a><\/h4>\nHH Gang worked with producer Bra Zakes and Mo Fire Records on their track and anticipate a long relationship with the stable.<\/p>\n
Next month the duo plans to drop an EP (extended play), which is currently untitled.<\/p>\n
The lead single on the EP is Live or Die, also scheduled to drop in April.<\/p>\n
\u201cTrap is a big sub-culture in hip-hop and though it looks fresh, we are still rooted in the original rap sound.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur lyrics will always be about way more than just girls and money, we need children back at home and around the country to work hard on their dreams despite what their circumstances are, that will always be our message.\u201d<\/p>\n
The rappers seem to be about more than just rap music, they\u2019ll soon be launching a recycling company, ensuring those multiple streams of income mentioned in their songs are secured.<\/p>\n
Hav<\/strong>e a story?<\/strong><\/p>\nContact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za\u00a0<\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nRemember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n
Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nTwitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nInstagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nYouTube<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nOr add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\nCatch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
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When moving around in the city alone became uninspiring for Blacka II, Shiz made his way to Gauteng in 2014 to join his pal, and they soon formed a rap duo, called Helping Hands Gang (HH Gang).<\/p>\n
The hip-hop lovers turned artists drew inspiration from classic rap beats fused with 808\u2019s and lyricism inspired by Plies and Rick Ross with a look reminiscent of the Migos, HH Gang put in the groundwork and released their first single in October 2018.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur single, called Hustle, depicts our lives,\u201d said Blacka II.<\/p>\n
\u201cTwo young boys from the village, all odds against us but we still hustle.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe hustle not only because we have bills to pay but because in this economy one needs multiple streams of income and I think that\u2019s why many people relate to the song.\u201d<\/p>\n
ALSO READ:\u00a0New R&B boy band tackles emotions and masculinity<\/a><\/h4>\nHH Gang worked with producer Bra Zakes and Mo Fire Records on their track and anticipate a long relationship with the stable.<\/p>\n
Next month the duo plans to drop an EP (extended play), which is currently untitled.<\/p>\n
The lead single on the EP is Live or Die, also scheduled to drop in April.<\/p>\n
\u201cTrap is a big sub-culture in hip-hop and though it looks fresh, we are still rooted in the original rap sound.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur lyrics will always be about way more than just girls and money, we need children back at home and around the country to work hard on their dreams despite what their circumstances are, that will always be our message.\u201d<\/p>\n
The rappers seem to be about more than just rap music, they\u2019ll soon be launching a recycling company, ensuring those multiple streams of income mentioned in their songs are secured.<\/p>\n
Hav<\/strong>e a story?<\/strong><\/p>\nContact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za\u00a0<\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nRemember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n
Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nTwitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nInstagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nYouTube<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nOr add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\nCatch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
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Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za\u00a0<\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n