Documenting the pulse of SA hip-hop with Urban Frequency

Urban Frequency with Losh, the brainchild of passionate Hip-Hop enthusiasts Losh and Felo-Fro, was born from the desire to fill a void in South Africa’s gig guide landscape.

The inspiration struck at a hip-hop event hosted by Tuff Jam Entertainment, where the duo realized the demand for more comprehensive event coverage. As they shared event photos on social media, the flood of requests for invitations to future events revealed a gap that needed filling.

Losh, a dedicated hip-hop aficionado, and Felo-Fro, a trained theatre practitioner and director, combined their talents to create a dynamic collaboration. Losh took on the role of host, while Felo-Fro managed behind-the-scenes work, including camera operations. Their friendship and shared vision made this partnership seamless and effective.

Losh and Felo-Fro envision their platform evolving into the go-to source for everything Hip-Hop and urban alternative culture. They aim to spotlight new artists and provide a comprehensive view of the scene.

“The main objective is to document SA hip-hop extensively. We see ourselves evolving to being the go-to people for all things Hip-Hop and urban alternative culture. A platform where you get to find new artists.”

“We often pick up posters online and sometimes get requests from event organisers to promote their events. We base it on the line-up as we are familiar with a lot of local artists. At those events, we just watch as spectators and see if we vibe with the artist performing. No real formula. We’ve gotten gems from open mics,” says the duo.

Among their most memorable experiences was interviewing Siya Shezi, one of Soweto’s biggest artists. Covering battle rap events and collaborating with Sotra Cyphers, a web series they have followed for eight years, were dreams come true. These milestones have reinforced their commitment to documenting hip-hop culture.

“Interviewing the second biggest artist to come out of Soweto, Siya Shezi was such an honour and teenage us couldn’t believe it. We also had the pleasure of covering battle rap events which had been a dream since a young age following the scene.”

Preparation for covering events is mostly about mental readiness. As fans first, their genuine engagement with artists adds a unique authenticity to their interviews. Losh and Felo-Fro’s enthusiasm is evident as they immerse themselves in the crowd, capturing the essence of the culture.

Their collaboration with Sotra Cyphers for an anniversary special was a significant highlight. Founder SPeeKa invited them to cover behind the scenes, allowing them to interview artists they had admired for years. This opportunity marked a momentous occasion for Urban Frequency.

Looking ahead, Urban Frequency has more exciting collaborations in the pipeline, including a live event with SPeeKa and Sotra Cyphers. While details are still under wraps, they assure fans of big things to come in the next few months.

Urban Frequency is also expanding its content to include standup comedy and street fashion. This decision was driven by their lifestyle and the recognition of a coverage gap in these areas. They aim to expose these genres to a broader audience, introducing people to new experiences and fostering connections among creatives.

The duo’s goal is to provide a platform for artists to showcase their talents and find like-minded individuals. They see Urban Frequency as a crucial part of the hip-hop community, documenting historical moments and supporting everyday artists.

Feedback from artists and viewers has been positive, with constructive suggestions on improving presenting skills, camera work, and audio quality. This feedback has fueled their drive and consistency, motivating them to enhance their content continuously.

Despite challenges like equipment limitations and funding constraints, Urban Frequency remains resilient. They rely on self-funding and industry advice to overcome obstacles, maintaining a schedule to attend events at least twice a month.

Success for Urban Frequency is measured by the growing number of subscribers on their YouTube channel and an expanding social media following. Their focus on concept refinement, quality improvement, and consistency has paid off, earning them a loyal audience that relies on them for gig guides and artist discovery.

As for the future, Losh and Felo-Fro aspire to host their own events throughout the year, using their platform to discover and promote new artists. Urban Frequency is poised to continue making significant contributions to the SA Hip-Hop scene, with exciting projects and collaborations on the horizon.

Follow Urban Frequency on social media to stay updated with their latest videos and gig guides.

Upcoming gigs to look out for:

Bars n Rhymes!