Shaheen Ariefdien
Encyclopedia
Born in Cape Town
, son of jazz musician Issy Ariefdien, he grew up in Elsie's River
, on the Cape Flats
, but spent most of his earlier years travelling various parts of South Africa
with his father - a performing musician.
The Sugarhill Gang's "Rappers Delight" had a big influence on him, and he ranks today as one of the most talented rappers or MCs in South Africa
. He gained recognition at The BASE (legendary club which featured Saturday afternoon hip-hop jams), with his supremacy in freestyle battles. He is credited with having set the standards with rap styles, skills and lyrical content in Cape Town
.http://www.discogs.com/artist/Shaheen+Ariefdien?anv=Shaheen
He has always been politically and socially conscious, which stems from his school days when he was a member of the Student's Representative Council and was actively involved in protests at school. He brought an air of political awareness and criticism to his lyrics, and has been understandably harsh on the old Apartheid government.
As an MC, he is almost unsurpassed in South Africa
, while his production skills are dominant on all of POC's releases to date. He has also made his mark on hip-hop history in South Africa
, as he was one of the key members who were responsible for setting up the African Hip Hop Movement
, and still concentrates on development in the hip-hop community.http://www.discogs.com/artist/Shaheen+Ariefdien?anv=Shaheen
Former member of the pioneering South African hip-hop group Prophets of Da City
, he is now involved in a number of youth educational projects using hip-hop as a tool for social justice and has facilitated several youth programs in South Africa
and abroad.
He is currently completing his M.A. in social anthropology at York University
in Toronto
, Canada
, with his research area focusing on hip-hop and education.
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
, son of jazz musician Issy Ariefdien, he grew up in Elsie's River
Elsie's River
Elsie's River is a suburb of Cape Town, South Africa.In 1980 the suburb, at the time restricted to coloured people, became the scene of bloodshed after a demonstration in support of the school boycott became violent. Two 15-year-olds were shot dead by police....
, on the Cape Flats
Cape Flats
The Cape Flats is an expansive, low-lying, flat area situated to the southeast of the central business district of Cape Town. To many people in Cape Town, the area is known simply as 'The Flats'....
, but spent most of his earlier years travelling various parts of South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
with his father - a performing musician.
The Sugarhill Gang's "Rappers Delight" had a big influence on him, and he ranks today as one of the most talented rappers or MCs in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. He gained recognition at The BASE (legendary club which featured Saturday afternoon hip-hop jams), with his supremacy in freestyle battles. He is credited with having set the standards with rap styles, skills and lyrical content in Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
.http://www.discogs.com/artist/Shaheen+Ariefdien?anv=Shaheen
He has always been politically and socially conscious, which stems from his school days when he was a member of the Student's Representative Council and was actively involved in protests at school. He brought an air of political awareness and criticism to his lyrics, and has been understandably harsh on the old Apartheid government.
As an MC, he is almost unsurpassed in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, while his production skills are dominant on all of POC's releases to date. He has also made his mark on hip-hop history in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, as he was one of the key members who were responsible for setting up the African Hip Hop Movement
African hip hop
Hip hop music has been popular in Africa since the early 1980s due to widespread American influence. In 1985 hip hop reached Senegal, a French-speaking country in West Africa. Some of the first Senegalese rappers were M.C. Lida, M.C. Solaar, and Positive Black Soul, who mixed rap with Mbalax, a...
, and still concentrates on development in the hip-hop community.http://www.discogs.com/artist/Shaheen+Ariefdien?anv=Shaheen
Former member of the pioneering South African hip-hop group Prophets of Da City
Prophets of Da City
Prophets of Da City is a hip hop crew from Cape Town, South Africa. They are composed of about eight members, though the exact membership fluctuates frequently; these include Ishmael Morabe , Mark Heuvel , Shaheen Ariefdien, Ramone and DJ Ready D. Their style uses elements of hip hop music,...
, he is now involved in a number of youth educational projects using hip-hop as a tool for social justice and has facilitated several youth programs in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
and abroad.
He is currently completing his M.A. in social anthropology at York University
York University
York University is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's third-largest university, Ontario's second-largest graduate school, and Canada's leading interdisciplinary university....
in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, with his research area focusing on hip-hop and education.