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Shorty Skilz the Black Magician...

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Deep in the dark dungeons of rap there are certain MC's that dwell... Master craftsmen of words... Mc's who's names cause a tremble in the souls of other lesser MC's. Ladies and gentlemen please meet Shorty Skilz.

 

Shorty Skilz first appeared on the album "The Muthaload" in '96, etched in the tablets of JHB HipHop as the first compilation to represent the sound of the city. Along side Township Frequency and at only 14, he dropped one of the projects most noticeable features on the  'Village Anthem'.

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He continued performing around Joburg and Soweto, sometimes more acoustically with only guitar as backing. Dropping science on crowds from Le CLub to SoulFire Sessions, at one of these sessions he met Kanif and the two formed a musical bond.

Around 2004 they started the infamous HipHop group "WitchCrAft". They toured extensively around SA, often with future label mates; the late great Robo the Technician, and Abnormal Detail, a HipHop theater crew consisting of Gin I Grimes, Hymphatic Thabs and DJ Raiko. They often fused theatrical elements to their show, which consisted of a a dense lyrical style over low slung Bass, heavy HipHop breaks and sonic textures which had a more mystical undertone.

Behind the scenes Shorty Skilz, Kanif and BMP member Sothemba also set up the indie label Iapetus Records.

 

The first release under the label was Hymphatic Thabs' critically acclaimed "Age of Horus" album, in 2007.

The album featuring Kanif on production and became an almost instant classic.

The same year they dropped Robos debut album, as well as Bravestarr and Gin I Grimes' debut projects, becoming one of the most respected HipHop labels in SA, as well as gaining a solid international fan base, notably in Europe and the US.

Since then they have expanded the label, dropping albums by Zetina Mosia (The Roundabout), Fifi the Raiblaster (BlackMatter) as well as a few upcoming artists such as Rndu (Scrolls of Knowing) and Zapsign Deebo (Kill the Clone). Their most notable artist as a label has been Yugen Blakrok, who has toured Europe extensivly. opening for acts such as MC Lyte, Pete Rock and CL Smooth and GZA, from the legendary Wu-Tang. She also featured on the BlackPanther soundtrack on the song Opps, alongside Kendrick Lamar and Vince Staples.

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As a solo Artist Shorty Skilz has elevated his craft to a more ethereal plain. With tones of MC's such as Buckshot or Brother J, one feels the years of practice inherent in the style. Deep lyrical explorations of ideas and concepts.. Part street science, part Jean-Paul Sartre, there are under currents of authors and writers from William Burroughs to Credo Mutwa. Laid over generous doses of Iapetus' afro - science fiction in the beats and soundscapes.

Having just finished recording his next project, expect new music very soon.

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"make an angry cobra dance"