HHP. Photo by Sabelo Mkhabela.
The 12 Best HHP Songs
Remembering South African hip-hop legend Hip Hop Pantsula through his hits.
South African hip-hop legend, HHP died this afternoon. Details around his death are still developing, as it's not yet known where he died and what the cause was.
Jabba, as the MC called himself, did a lot for South African hip-hop. From being one of the very first rappers to successfully fuse hip-hop and kwaito, to paving the way for many motswako rappers such as Cassper Nyovest, Tuks Senganga, Khuli Chana, Fifi Cooper, and many others.
Motskwako is a sub-genre of hip-hop from Mafikeng in South Africa's North West province. The sub-genre is one of the most successful hip-hop movements in the country.
<p>
Jabba has collaborated with the likes of
<strong>Nas</strong>, <strong>Talib Kweli</strong>, <strong>Naeto C</strong>,<strong> Nazizi</strong>, <strong>Tumi Molekane</strong>, <strong>ProVerb</strong>, <strong>Teargas</strong>,<strong> Solo</strong>, <strong>Priddy Ugly</strong> and a whole lot more.
</p><p>
The MC has had multiple endorsement deals, released gold and platinum-selling albums, hosted his own TV Show, and even had his own deodorant, among other groundbreaking milestones.
</p><p>
Jabba returned from a short hiatus with a new EP, aptly titled
<em><a href="http://www.okayafrica.com/jabba-x-fgtbb-ep/" target="_blank">Feels Good to Be Back</a></em>, which had just come out two weeks ago.
</p><p>
Below, we look at some of the MC's most memorable hits from the early 2000s till present day.
</p><h2>"Tswaka"</h2><p>
One of Jabba's earlier hits when he was slowly becoming a superstar, "Tswaka," is classic Jabba. The song blends a catchy hook, humorous lines and an instrumental that sounds both like kwaito and hip-hop.
</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-youtube">
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="b7573bb712d5bd93f0a40b33f2ab8f7e"><iframe type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/s0Dabi-22Yk?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span>
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">Hip Hop Pantsula Tswaka</small>
<small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="add photo credit...">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0Dabi-22Yk" target="_blank">www.youtube.com</a>
</small>
</p><h2>"Wamo Tseba Mtho" ft. Thasman and Cassper Nyovest<br>
</h2><p>
The very first time
<strong>Cassper Nyovest </strong>was introduced to the SA mainstream hip-hop scene was through this song. A subliminal diss that was once rumoured to be directed to fellow motswakolista <strong>Tuks Senganga.</strong> "Wamo Tseba Mtho" was another welcome addition to the man's extensive catalog of hits.
</p><p><div class="dfp_atf-slot" data-not-loaded="true"></div><script type="text/javascript">
checkdfpScripts();
</script></p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-youtube">
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="371b9d05f4b4972affc9aeae1230fdde"><iframe type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nPJ2_EZWPUk?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span>
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">HHP ft Casper and Thasman Wamo Tseba Mtho Official Music Video</small>
<small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="add photo credit...">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPJ2_EZWPUk" target="_blank">www.youtube.com</a>
</small>
</p><h2>"Bosso"<br>
</h2><p>
One of Jabba's biggest hits, "Bosso," started an online trend. Fans came up with their own quirky and funny definitions of bosso (a boss), like the MC did on the song.
</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-youtube">
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="7826522478b39db993ecd84f9915d745"><iframe type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/czd8IAlJNuU?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span>
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">HHP "Bosso"</small>
<small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="add photo credit...">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czd8IAlJNuU" target="_blank">www.youtube.com</a>
</small>
</p><h2>"Harambe" ft. Max-Hoba<br>
</h2><p>
"Harambe" was proof that Jabba wasn't a one-dimensional artist. He proved he could make hits while still talking about serious issues. "Harambe" came from an honest place, with Jabba not claiming to be one of the most socially-conscious MCs there ever was.
</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-youtube">
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="3495fffdf90acab222d69c76f4033028"><iframe type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xT7zQEdHxOg?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span>
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">HHP - Harambe</small>
<small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="add photo credit...">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xT7zQEdHxOg" target="_blank">www.youtube.com</a>
</small>
</p><h2>"Music and Lights"<br>
</h2><p>
MTV Base ran a competition in 2009 where they asked South African music fans to vote for an artist they would like to see shooting a video with America. The people chose Jabba, and made sure the video for "Music and Lights" was as memorable as the song.
</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-youtube">
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="c508b1821d67ba43bc3f382fa7f7b034"><iframe type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HTxfr8yYdhU?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span>
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">music & lights</small>
<small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="add photo credit...">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTxfr8yYdhU" target="_blank">www.youtube.com</a>
</small>
</p><h2>"Mafikeng"<br>
</h2><p>
One of Jabba's earliest songs from his sophomore album, 2001's
<em> Mafikeng</em>. This was the best way for the MC to introduce himself as the pantsula of hip-hop.
</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-youtube">
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="49b4d58a05a5bafaaab9782aa4749c35"><iframe type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MKCwv5B7wBA?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span>
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">HHP - Mafikeng (Audio) | Hip Hop / Motswako MUSIC or SONGS</small>
<small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="add photo credit...">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKCwv5B7wBA" target="_blank">www.youtube.com</a>
</small>
</p><h2>"Pop Mabhodlela"<br>
</h2><p>
Not one of his biggest hits, "Pop Mabhodlela," was more proof that Jabba could rap over any kind of beat. This song was the first trap attempt from Jabba—and it worked. But for some reason, it just never picked up.
</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-youtube">
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="effea7754a62af93312e7ff1314eb64d"><iframe type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5QmSWoTDMn8?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span>
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">HHP feat Tamarsha Pop Mabhodlela Official Music Video</small>
<small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="add photo credit...">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QmSWoTDMn8" target="_blank">www.youtube.com</a>
</small>
</p><h2>"Jabba"<br>
</h2><p>
Another one for the dance floor, Jabba's style was shifting to sampling oldies and giving them a South African twist. This song is proof that Jabba was indeed the jiggiest this side of the equator.
</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-youtube">
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="4828fb90ddaa2a76d91a1b9f8ea4784d"><iframe type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/njlhEPTY01Y?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span>
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">Hip Hop Pantsula - Jabba</small>
<small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="add photo credit...">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njlhEPTY01Y" target="_blank">www.youtube.com</a>
</small>
</p><h2>"Make Monyeke"<br>
</h2><p>
This song literally feels like summer. "Make Monyeke" blended hip-hop, kwaito and jazz, and is one of those songs that could be enjoyed by both young and old. And how fun was that video?
</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-youtube">
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="cf804544d1896e74fef24541813801ba"><iframe type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SGSor-uB6rQ?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span>
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">Hip Hop Pantsula - Make Monyeke</small>
<small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="add photo credit...">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGSor-uB6rQ" target="_blank">www.youtube.com</a>
</small>
</p><h2>"Lekoko La Lekoko"<br>
</h2><p>
While his 2009 album,
<em>Acceptance Speech</em>, boasted 'musical' songs like "Wayza," "Music and Lights," the artist spared space for the streets. "Lekoko La Lekoko" is one of the most potent posse cuts to come out of South Africa, and features some of the country's greats, the likes of <strong>ProVerb, Mo Molemi, Samba, G.C., Straydawg</strong> among others rapping their lungs out over an aggressive boom-bap instrumental.
</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-youtube">
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="8f762ef0111aa4a5e2aea7950c030689"><iframe type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VtwfaS_0iYg?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span>
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">HHP Leloko La Lekoko</small>
<small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="add photo credit...">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtwfaS_0iYg" target="_blank">www.youtube.com</a>
</small>
</p><h2>"Mpitse"<br>
</h2><p>
"Mpitse" was yet another flip of a classic that Jabba turned into a light-hearted banger for the dancefloor and parties. Again, the humor in the video shows that Jabba was a happy soul.
</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-youtube">
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="34b3998fe4fb293b9be70b7784ee550e"><iframe type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CdXD1Pi3GnE?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span>
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">HHP - Mpitse</small>
<small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="add photo credit...">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdXD1Pi3GnE" target="_blank">www.youtube.com</a>
</small>
</p><h2>"Tlhabane to Maftown"<br>
</h2><p>
"Tlhabane to Maftown" was an oxymoron—it sounded both sophisticated and jiggy. The MC has always had a way of interpreting beats and rapping over them like the beats were made around his vocals.
</p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-youtube">
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="c941f071872ec69e6a6dfb01a2a5f7a3"><iframe type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5TfpVfVkwVU?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span>
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">HHP - Tlhabane/Maftown.mov</small>
<small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="add photo credit...">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TfpVfVkwVU" target="_blank">www.youtube.com</a>
</small>
</p><h2>Some of Jabba's most memorable guest appearances:</h2><p><br></p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-youtube">
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="a79d6e476ff4837051550190b30ea38e"><iframe type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XM_Ew6zsnDY?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span>
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">Show Dem (Make The Circle Bigger) : JR featuring HHP</small>
<small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="add photo credit...">
<a href="https://youtu.be/XM_Ew6zsnDY" target="_blank">youtu.be</a>
</small>
</p><p><br></p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-youtube">
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="e722de9ebff4d37ff883cf58a7b01d44"><iframe type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Z5sIhvXqe5A?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span>
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">M.anifest & HHP - Jigah (Music Video)</small>
<small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="add photo credit...">
<a href="https://youtu.be/Z5sIhvXqe5A" target="_blank">youtu.be</a>
</small>
</p><p><br></p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-youtube">
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="3809b93c3acb7fb41ed0184bae6e1669"><iframe type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/C6yakkBRjeU?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span>
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">Goodfellaz - Teargas Ft. Pro-kid & HHP</small>
<small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="add photo credit...">
<a href="https://youtu.be/C6yakkBRjeU" target="_blank">youtu.be</a>
</small>
</p><p><br></p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-youtube">
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="96e0491aa040eedfb505002a71d31e17"><iframe type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mL6JiThAlHs?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span>
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">Reason - Endurance ft. HHP, Nova</small>
<small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="add photo credit...">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mL6JiThAlHs" target="_blank">www.youtube.com</a>
</small>
</p><p><br></p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-youtube">
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="a55ed072d6913d489e4e95823cb58fd9"><iframe type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3J7OwLCjL3M?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span>
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">Solo and The BETR Gang - Death Or This (feat. Ginger Trill, HHP & K.T) [Official Audio]</small>
<small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="add photo credit...">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3J7OwLCjL3M" target="_blank">www.youtube.com</a>
</small>
</p><p><br></p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-youtube">
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="1533695b7735d94e3ebafdc64893b157"><iframe type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TDFoVP7GmY8?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span>
<small class="image-media media-caption" placeholder="Add Photo Caption...">Hip Hop Pantsula - On My Own (remix)</small>
<small class="image-media media-photo-credit" placeholder="add photo credit...">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDFoVP7GmY8" target="_blank">www.youtube.com</a>
</small>
</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p class="shortcode-media shortcode-media-soundcloud">
<iframe src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https://soundcloud.com/user-569073566/ghetto-tragedy-mzambiya-feat-tumzagp-gangsta" width="100%" height="480" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="dbe891e8e5fc2fc9e5461e160b63642f"></iframe>
</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><div class="rm-embed embed-media"><iframe allow="autoplay" frameborder="no" height="300" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/257643385&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true" width="100%"></iframe></div>
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