TANZANIAN HIP-HOP From: Words & Deeds column by Kwaku, in Billboard, October 27, 2001 TANZANIAN HIP-HOP: Support from dedicated TV shows, the launch of new radio stations, and the increasing use of Swahili and other local languages have helped make Tanzanian rap very popular domestically. One act that has been making noise is the three-man crew X Plastaz, whose members are G'San, Ruffnell, and Ziggy-Lah. A popular act within the eastern and southern African regions, the trio mixes traditional Masai culture and socio-conscious Swahili lyrics with American hip-hop styles. The Netherlands-based Africanhiphop.com/Madunia Music released X Plastaz's CD single 'Haleluya/Shika Lako' to East African radio stations and select European media in early September. The act's debut album, Masai Hip-Hop, drops this coming January. One of the album's tracks will be featured on an Africanhiphop.com compilation CD project for a spring 2002 international release. 'Haleluya' is about 'the misfortunes in Tanzania', Ziggy-Lah says, referring to several high-profile deaths that occurred there, including the drowning of passengers on the vessel MV Bukoba and last year's demise of Tanzania's first president, Julius Nyerere. 'We talk about things that happen in everyday life, good and bad things like war and disease. We also talk about human rights. We rap about those matters to educate others to come to the rescue of the destitute. Another topic we've addressed is AIDS.' Citing other local groups like Kwanza Unit, Deplowmatz, Mr. 2, and GWM, Ziggy-Lah says, 'There's amazing lyrical talent (here). They're on the same level as foreign MCs.' X plastaz and other local rappers have joined rappers from South Africa, Kenya, and the Netherlands on the recording of a promo-only CD single called 'Overflow.' The recording is the offshoot of a recent AIDS awareness conference staged by the Netherlands Institure for Southern Africa.