A pioneer of isiXhosa hip-hop, Elethu “El Nino” Mpengesi, and Gqeberha’s own Cwenga “Gxarha” Nomnganga, will be among the performers dropping bars at the Urban Exchange event in the city on Sunday.
In an effort to provide another platform for the growth of hip-hop in the Eastern Cape, the event was organised by Motherwell resident Yahkeem Mavulakuvaliwe.
Adding to the line-up are artists Tsviehl, UJO, Gqala, Slim Uzzi and Epic.
The show will take place at The One Room Music and Comedy Club in Central from 1pm until late.
Tickets cost R80 via Webtickets and at Pick n Pay stores, or R100 at the door.
El Nino and Gxarha agreed that through the show they hoped to inspire the youth to chase their dreams.
Having performed on many previous occasions in Gqeberha with iconic hip-hop group Driemanskap, El Nino announced in late 2024 that he had parted ways with the group to pursue a solo career.
He said on Thursday that he was excited to return to the Bay.
Gxarha, meanwhile, grew up in KwaDwesi, moved to Motherwell after matriculating, and then relocated to Kariega before leaving the Bay for Johannesburg.
He said Gqeberha was where he honed his rap skills and this was a homecoming for him.
After performing at the Mandela Bay Arts Festival in February, he said his local supporters had voiced their desire for him to return to the city — but were shocked to learn of his collaboration with El Nino.
The two said their performance was not just about entertaining the audience, but to form strong bonds with hip-hop artists from the metro so they could work together in the future.
“Since we have been in the game for some time, we are about motivating the young, up-and-coming guys,” El Nino said.
“Collaboration is key. We are pushing unity among each other.”
Gxarha said: “We appreciate being invited to perform, because this is going to help us to grow our brotherhood.
“There is a bit of a distance between us and the Eastern Cape.
“We can help each other grow and show each other the tricks of the trade.
“I write music so that we can all build each other up. So when we meet at The One Room, we will be talking in one voice.”
Both rappers have contributed towards the trend of rapping in isiXhosa.
El Nino stressed that the best way to grow isiXhosa hip-hop was through unity, which was what they were working on achieving.
Gxarha said: “We are still at a stage where we need to be united as isiXhosa rappers.
“Opportunities [like this] do not happen often, however there are attempts being made in Cape Town, Johannesburg and in Gqeberha through Urban Exchange.
“It is these developments that will help isiXhosa hip-hop reach the level it is supposed to be at.”
El Nino said they needed support from local radio stations to provide dedicated hip-hop shows.
He wanted to keep what people could expect from the upcoming show a surprise, but promised that it would be a night the audience would never forget.
“I assure you guys that we will give you a dope experience. Don’t expect the El Nino that you know from Driemanskap,” he quipped.
The Herald
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