The Hustle
Vuzu Amp (DStv channel 114)
Tuesday, 7.30pm
The battle for rap supremacy has begun in Vuzu Amp’s new reality show, The Hustle, and rappers AKA, Khuli Chana and Tumi Molekane have been tasked with finding South Africa’s ultimate undiscovered new talent.
The winner will walk away with R250 000, a record and management deal valued at R250 000, a R100 000 music video for their winning song, a six-month public relations contract and the opportunity to perform at this year’s Maftown Heights celebration in November. Now that’s worth playing for.
Through social media, The Hustle found 20 hopefuls to battle it out for the grand prize. As the first episode began, they were blindfolded and taken to a lavish mansion, where they will stay throughout the competition. But they were in for a big surprise when their first challenge was presented right off the bat.
By the end of the first episode, Big Johnson, Cass, Deekay, Erick Rush, Genious.Illu, JimmyWiz, Mopheme, Nelz, Prince Vassago, Shabzimadallion and Shane Eagle survived.
Things seemed good until a rude awakening by rapper Blayze had the top 12 working out at 3am. If that wasn’t bad enough, they were then challenged to write a jingle for YFM DJ Ankletap. All this in the name of discipline and endurance.
I can’t see the rationale behind jogging and working out at 3am.
What does this have to do with the show? What does writing a jingle have to do with becoming the new game-changer in local rap. Who comes up with these challenges?
By the second episode, the show had already lost its allure. At a full hour, it felt too long and was just reality-show silliness with a side of hip-hop.
Host Sammy Sosa does very little besides being eye candy in this male- dominated arena and AKA is as arrogant as ever. Let’s hope he doesn’t fight with the contestants like he does with rappers Ifani and Cassper Nyovest. This past week, he told a contestant: “I’ve been waiting to nail you” – just because he doesn’t like him.
On a lighter note, the talent on the show looks more promising than other shows like this. Keep an eye out for Erick Rush, JimmyWiz, Mopheme, Big Johnson and Shane Eagle