Stogie T has been in the hip-hop and rap game for over 20 years now and still counting and whether some of you will agree or not, he is an OG in this rap game and his opinion should somewhat count when it comes down to talking rap and hip hop because he has seen it all.
That being said, Stogie T who received numerous nominations in the upcoming South African Hip Hop Awards for Mixtape of the Year category with his ‘Honey & Pain’ mixtape, the category of Lyricist of the Year, and a song ‘Skebe Dep Dep(Remix) by Dj Capital which features Kwesta, Youngsta CPT, Kid X, Reason and himself also got nominated.
Also read: ICYMI: here are the South African Hip Hop Awards nominees for 2018
Stogie T took to Twitter to express himself about his views and belief about Award shows generally and said that he never believed in them but rather believes that the fans should at least be the ones calling the shots of choosing who is the best of the best because after all, they do it for them and their entertainment.
“I boycotted the SAMAs and in then missed some amazing moments like Khuli and AKA pushing the culture forward by being recognized as the trailblazers they were. And yet by now you couldn’t even pay me to go to those things.” Stogie T said in part of his tell-all reasons why he feels Award shows are overrated
Here is the Stogie T’s full statement about Award shows and his beliefs
So I received a couple of nominations for the South African Hip Hop Awards. I don’t think I have been able to properly articulate why I have always felt weird about award shows. When I started professionally I just thought it’s something you do, like sound check or interviews…
After attending a couple award shows I really didn’t get the sense that it was about celebrating musical and visual creations I started making little rules for myself. Like ‘I am not going unless I perform’ ‘they better pay me to be there’ cuz I felt these were corporate events.
I boycotted the SAMAs and in then missed some amazing moments like Khuli and AKA pushing the culture forward by being recognized as the trailblazers they were. And yet by now you couldn’t even pay me to go to those things.
You see I don’t think AKA or Khuli were recognized for anything. How much did the audience understand about what Khuli did with that album? What was AKA’s achievement? What’s this magic that Kwesta does that merits such praise? If you not having that convo fuck we doing?
Talking about dresses, who shouldn’t have worn what, and who shoulda won that, but I think the worst part is these awards are meaningless. They are seldom decisive, very few people accept the legitimacy of the results, people always argue about nominees and winners.
In a football game the team that scores the most goals wins, in a rap battle the guy with the most reaction wins, in an award show it’s all these bullshit secret ballot nonsense processes that even judges can’t explain. I can accept competing for fans and audience but for awards?
I think these things were meant to shine a light on the genius and artistry in our industry but instead are distracting. I can accept that on twitter and on memes but in an establishment where you are meant to be celebrating artistry. Nah
We seem to have all accepted that no award show is legitimate and can accurately reflect our very diverse biases. I have been rapping for over 20 years and people still won’t accept me judging verses who the fuck is judging best lyricist or album at the SAHHAs?
Or maybe I am just bitter cuz I never win anything? Point is I’d rather you decide than them.
