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We are a Hip Hop Group that falls under the acronym of BVK, which stands for BRASSE VANNIE KAAP, officially based in Cape Town. The group consists of seven members, that can function individually. BVK has been around since 1996 with multiple achievements behind their names.
BIOGRAPHIES OF INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS
DJ E20 / ENVOR
Comes out of Mitchells Plain, a place on the Cape Flats. Started out as a DJ in 1993. One of his highlights in his career was being assistant DJ for DJ Ready “D" [POC] in Belgium and Germany.
MR. FAT / ASHLEY
Born and bred in Bonteheuwel on the Cape Flats in the 1970’s. MC’ing or should a person say rapping became an occupation in his life in 1986. Mr. FAT belonged to a rap group called Jam B, for a period of 4 years, before embarking on a solo career, which includes many highlights etc. Performances as support for Papa Wemba, Positive Black Soul, participation in the rapping for Democracy National Tour, K.K.N.K., etc.
SHORTEE BLITZ / FAIEK, CHEEZ / GRANT, BABY L / LINDEN
B.BOYS / BREAKERS / DANCERS.
Above mentioned belonged to AZANIAN B.BOYS and the Pumpkins [breakdance groups]. Highlights in their careers were when they went to Switzerland and Norway with P.O.C., Synergy 1998, ICE Festival in Johannesburg.
BOETA D. READY D / AHKIL
Ready D was born in District Six, and now resides in Mitchell’s Plain. He’s been a productive member of the Hip Hop culture since 1983, where he began as a breakdancer in a group called THE BALLASTIC ROCKERS. He has twice been the South African DJ Champion in the years 1989 & 1990. In 1995 he was a judge in the U.K. Vestax World DJ Championship. In 1996 he won the DJ OF THE DECADE CHAMPIONSHIP and also appeared in many international music magazines, when not the main subject he’s reviewing DJ equipment and giving DJ advice. For Ready D, highlight performances include, The Presidential Inauguration of President Nelson Mandela and Quincy Jones Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. He along side POC, appeared in the movie “On Dangerous Ground" which starred Ice Cube and Liz Hurley
Brasse Vannie Kaap - BVK - reviewed by Shamiel X.
Another Getto Rough release, BVK, is a Capetonian hiphop crew that has produced an album that has certainly set precedents for local hiphop. The self-entitled BVK album is a first release for the crew which include three of Cape Town's most notorious and committed hiphop activists.
Instrumentation:
turntables, vocals, sample / programmed
Genre:
hip hop, rap
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Rodger Heunis, more seriously respected as Hammer (pronounced hum,mer), brings a well versed mix of local slang, and a stand out burst of lyrical skill and flow.
Enver, DJ E20, whose is named after the notorious Nissan E20 mini bus taxi, is the silent assassin responsible for the cuts and scratches on all but six tunes. His presence on the album is much like the personality elusive, yet strong.
Finally, there is, Ashley Titus, whose street name MR FAT, implies an immediate likeness to the late B.I.G. Just one listen to his lyrical contribution however, will soon dispose of any comparison. MR Fat, in fact provides the character that drives home the album as a thoughtful, yet tongue-in-cheek look at life on the Cape Flats.
BVK is a quintessential kaleidoscope of characters, that portray with conviction, a mix of issues and peculiarities that is very Cape Flats. It takes an absorbing look at local trends and issues, and utilizes an effective mix of street slang and powerful Hip Hop breaks to bring home their message. The fact the entire album has been recorded in local Cape creol, is a first, and a very refreshing departure from the watered-down attempts at impersonating the U.S. MCs.
According to the crew, the album is perfectly positioned to challenge the ever present 2PAC "gangster" mentality that exists in the Cape Flats, and apparently, locals have taken to the idea of, Local HipHop - Local Slang. Of course if you don't speak the speak, the raw linguistic content may well be hard to swallow, but for the mother city's average getto dweller, this album in many ways provides a much needed injection of pride and confidence. And hopefully more like these will soon arrive.
Mr Fats passed away on the 28th November 2007.
Recommended tracks
1. FNTB
2. Jy smaak my
3. Afkoel
4. Binne jou mind
5. Tronk storie
6. Kaap van Storms
The album also features guest appearances by, Devious, D'Lo, Garth, and Remixes by Shaheen, and HBomb.
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