A vehement storyteller who has flown the Gqeberha flag high through music, Bloemendal rapper Early B’s latest music video is testament to the pride he takes in his hometown.
The hip hop star’s latest video, Forever or Never, featuring Andrea “Anny” Fortuin, was filmed in Gqeberha, showcasing some of the city’s popular features and businesses.
A story of love between two people who have known each other since childhood, Forever or Never is a song that tells everyone’s story in some way, Early B said.
“Everyone was in love before, is in love right now, or will be at some time,” he said.
In the video, released on Friday, viewers can see some familiar spots in the city including the Baakens pedestrian bridge, Jack’s Bagels and White Rose Mini Market in Lorraine.
Produced by Universal Music SA, the video is filmed by BLC Entertainment, a filmmaking company run by Gqeberha filmmaker Benito Carelsen, who also features as one of the characters in the story.
The story also features a local ice-cream truck and a hydraulic truck and cars by MZ’s Custom Garage.
The rapper travelled from Cape Town, where he has been living for the past six months, to shoot the video in Gqeberha.
“I am proudly PE [Gqeberha] all the way and I always want to have something that represents my city.
“This time around I really wanted to give my people a sense of familiarity, whether they’re from the northern areas or the western suburbs.
“I also love to showcase the small businesses in the city so the world can see what is being done.
“For instance, Zane who sponsored the cars in the video created the first pickup truck with hydraulics in SA and it’s worth showcasing what is being done in Gqeberha,” he said.
In less than a year, the self-confessed petrol head will be tagging his fans along into his other passion — cars — in an informative reality series set to air on KykNET.
In the series, yet to be named, Early B will make a car from scratch while talking music, cars and more with various personalities in the entertainment industry.
“Growing up, I used to watch shows like Top Gear with my dad and the cars I would see on the TV weren’t cars that I could easily walk out of my door and see.
“With this show, I thought about the young boy watching TV today and I will be building a car that he could easily spot driving up the road.”
The star said he intended to make the show as relatable as possible to the ordinary viewer, as he does with his music.
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