Hip Hop is one of the most popular cultures in South Africa, influencing brands, kids, and the daily lives of many, a movement that inspires masses through the ability to provide room to self-express as well as educate. However, for the longest time in South Africa the genre was largely misunderstood and not celebrated as it was portrayed as "bad" and rebellious. Things have changed for the better, hip hop is now king, and everyone wants a seat at the right hand.
An invitation from the government came out with an agenda to engage with the South African Hip Hop fraternity and its stakeholders, to engage and address the core issues that affect the hip hop industry, as well as to better understand the challenges faced with the end goal of coming up with solutions to the role government can play in assisting the culture, leading it to growth and sustainability. This invitation was issued by the Arts and Culture minister, Minister Nathi Mthethwa, where he was taken through the timeline of hip hop, engaged, and also honoured with a South African Hip Hop Award. In attendance of this meeting which took place this week was SA Hip Hop Awards founder Osmic Menoe, Amu, Mr Selwyn, Omen, Stogie T, Ramesh, and a host of other heads. We are at liberty to share with you the discussions that took place at the gathering through some notes:
The main take out was that there are a lot of opportunities available to the hip hop community if we can represent our objectives through an organised structure.
The Minister gave the hip hop fraternity the directive to create a formal central structure through which to engage the Department as well as other relevant Departments. This sentiment was echoed by colleagues from the National Heritage Council, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Communication, and Department of Arts and Culture, who took part in a panel discussion during the second half of the programme.
The Minister presented the following people with framed certificates for ongoing contribution especially on the day:
- Osmic Menoe
- DJ C-Live
- DJ Dolla
- Mizi Mtshali
Minister Mthethwa's talking points (in short hand) were:
1. Development programmes
- Arts education and history
2. Cultural promotion
- American cultural imperialism
- SA to use cultural cues as the US does to instil national pride and identity
3. Research
- DAC has a research arm we can plug into and contribute to
4. Cultural Economy
- hip hop economy not isolated from cultural economy
5. Special attention to hip hop
- We should come forward as an organised voice
6. Other Departments
- Minister has roped in other departments such as Department of Communication, National Heritage Council and DTI
7. Criminal enterprises run in the industry
- In response so Vusi's comments around payola
8. Tribunal for music industry
- this is to be a permanent structure that will address corruption in the industry
9. Touring ventures
- Funds made available for visiting other countries when they have music industry engagements
10. Debut Fund
- Fund available for the training for new comers
11. Department dealing with Hip Hop formation
- the department will allocate a stakeholder relationship manager who will be our contact once organised
12. Copyright Laws
- can be amended if challenged
Below are some pictures from this prestigious event: 
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