Jozi

Jozi are one of South Africa’s newest and already prominent Hip hop crews. Their name is derived from a shortened version of Johannesburg (aka Jo’burg/Jozi) South Africa, where they all reside. With their musical talents and endeavours they are defiantly representing the city of Jo’burg not only in South Africa but the rest of the world. The individuals of the crew comprise of Bongani Fassie (aka Bongz), Ishmael (aka Ish) and Lesley Mampe (aka Da L.E.S.), who all add various facets to their unique sound, which they have termed Motherland Crunk. Ish holds down the vocals which he has been known to do since the early 1990’s within groups like P.O.C and Skeem. This SAMA award winner has gained extensive experience and exposure locally and abroad, when he toured with the likes of the Fugees and Public Enemy. While the fusion of the current Hip Hop sound is created with the Production skills of producer, Bongz. Not only does this musical prodigy produce but he can also sing and lay down a few verses, Bongz is remarkably versatile in terms of the genres he can operate in as seen by the fact he produced and released a Jazz album titled Makana Square in 2004, by himself. Finally we have Da L.E.S., the U.S. (Houston, Texas) raised Pretty boy and ladies man of the crew, who has began to extend himself into other mediums as seen by the fact he now hosts the youth Hip hop show, Shiz Niz, on E- TV that airs every Wednesday afternoon. Crazy Lu parted ways with the crew in 2008, over musical differences and in order to pursue a solo career.