Lunch with HHP

I sat patiently at the Melrose Arch Hotel pool area sipping on an ice cold strawberry virgin daiquiri. I didn’t want to be anywhere else. The sun was shining and the private gazebos around the pool area were the perfect location for my lunch with HHP, single dad, internationally-known rapper and TV host Jabulani Tsambo.

Born in Mafikeng aka Maftown in 1980, Jabu knew from the age of 11 that he wanted to be an entertainer after playing baby bear in Goldilocks and the Three Bears in a school play. At 12 he started rapping and writing music.

In 1995, at his school’s Valentine’s Day dance, Jabu found himself without a date in an awful chocolate linen suit (as he says). Feeling uncomfortable, he jumped on stage and started rapping to Coolio’s Gangster’s Paradise beat. That’s where it all started: HHP the Setswana rapper was born.

Now, at 30 years old and having already clocked  13 years in the 'game', Hip Hop Pantsula (HHP) has seen the world and grown a loyal fanbase of both young and old.

FL: You look trimmer and bouncier, tell us your secret?

I’m a Virgin again - and they said it was impossible... But fat guys can be Virgin Active members too. I’m shaping up and working out very hard to look good and feel better. I’m working on an exciting six month long walk to Kenya from South Africa next year to raise awareness and raise funds for the troubles facing Africa. It’s going to require full physical fitness and commitment, so I’m training hard and I can see the difference, which makes me happier I guess.

FL: Which local and international artists you loved working with?

On stage the best artist would have to be Jamie Cullum, we worked together at the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz concert on the Jazz version of Snoop Dogg and Pharrell's Frontin original. In studio it was Goapele, a South African artist based in New York. She was amazing.

Locally, Tumi of The Volume is an artist who is in a whole other solar system. To have him come into my galaxy and make music with me, contribute to the writing and play an interactive role was very humbling. 

FL: You're working on the 2^nd season of The Respect Show on SABC1. There were rumours in the news last year that you stole the concept of the show. What was that about?

A certain gentleman, Paul Tesley, said that I stole his concept, and I didn’t even entertain because firstly, the Respect show was presented directly to the SABC 1 by the Status Team who sponsors the show and my fragrance, not by me.

They approached me and asked me to host the show, which I agreed to do on the condition that I could make changes to their format. The only thing that I was guilty of was knowing Paul because he had asked that I do a show on SABC2 that was similar to People of the South. SABC2 wasn’t buying so that idea was dropped and that’s where our relationship ended.    

FL: What keeps you so humble? Does the reality hit as an artist that the fame and money comes as easy as it goes, because many start off as very down to earth and once the fame kicks in they forget their roots?

Well, what is humility and what makes me more humble than the average man? This is how I see it... When I first entered the game there wasn’t a template and platform of fame served on a platter like some artists experience today. I was booed a few times off many stages for a good three years and fellow artists would laugh in my face and tell me that I wouldn’t make it.

I put in a lot of work and I was persistent. It taught me to see my music as work, a job, and in order to be good at your job you have to start from the bottom and prove the critics wrong whilst getting to the top. If you've put hard work into anything, you will always reap the rewards.

FL: What advice would you give up and coming artists, especially advice on what they need to sustain them throughout their careers?

Be honest in all you do, because nothing is worse than being caught out by media or fans and you wake up to find your name as a cover story. They need to respect people who have been in the music industry - these people have lived through the hurdles and have all the knowledge. Use the elders as spring boards and learn from them. Your fans (I call them fancestors) are as important, treat them as people and make time for them.

FL: Do you have an entourage?

(Laughs) Not anymore. I started with a big entourage at the beginning of my career. I guess it’s because we were all young and crazy then, starting off and feeling untouchable. But after a few years in the business they have all slowly faded away. My son is my new entourage.

FL: You won Strictly Come Dancing in 2007 on SABC2. The show humanised you to a lot of viewers and your fans. What kept you going? People thought you would fail because of your size.

I’m all about proving people wrong! I joined the show because I thought it could be comic relief at that point in my life. I would get to wear tights, costumes and have a great time whilst learning to dance. I was sure I would be eliminated in the first two shows, but my partner Hayley was so supportive from the start. She never doubted my ability to dance because of my size. She had seen me perform at various events and promised that with enough determination we could get to the top.

The support from my fans was incredible. They made sure that we moved up every week. It didn’t mean the judges were impressed though, they were looking for technical elements and arm raises etc. It showed me how powerful our fans are - and we won!

FL:  Tell me about a performance you gave that you’ll never forget.

I performed in Germany at midnight, and the sun was out so brightly, it felt like midday. It was a summer festival and the sun only set at 1am there. I’ll always remember the sight, it was a show stopper and I just thanked God for all the opportunities he has given me.

FL: Do you steal anything from the hotels you’ve stayed in around the world?

Notepads and pens that they keep on the side tables. I take them at every single hotel I visit to write some of my raps on and to remember the place. I have so many with so many tracks that were written whilst on the road. It sort of reminds of my state of mind in that place at that time.

FL: The silly season is around the corner - what is your favourite holiday destination?

Ooooh, I would have to say Mozambique. Not Maputo though, you need to go to Nyambana. The sands are white as snow and the waters are sky-blue. It's paradise and I’m planning to get back there soon with some friends.

It was great to catch up with HHP (I prefer the name Jabba). Thanks to our host Melrose Arch Hotel for the great hospitality.

Next week we chat to JR of 'Make the circle bigger' fame about what he’s been up and hopefully he’ll tell us about that R2 million Vodacom deal...

Cheers,

Sunshine