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HHP nominated for top US award

going places: Hip Hop Pantsula is in the running for a BET award. Pic. Kevin Sutherland. 08/11/2007. © S Hip Hop Pantsula (HHP) at Taboo in Sandton Johannesburg, 08/11/2007. Pic. Kevin Sutherland. 08/11/2007
going places: Hip Hop Pantsula is in the running for a BET award. Pic. Kevin Sutherland. 08/11/2007. © S Hip Hop Pantsula (HHP) at Taboo in Sandton Johannesburg, 08/11/2007. Pic. Kevin Sutherland. 08/11/2007

JABULANI Tsambo, better known a Jabba or Hip Hop Pantsula, has been nominated for a Black Entertainment Television (BET) award in the United States.

The announcement, made in New York City on Tuesday, confirms that the local muso has attracted the attention of the US market.

"I heard about my BET nomination whilst eating sushi with a friend. I nearly choked. I thought it could be a rumour, so we Googled it.

"It is so unbelievable to be nominated amongst so many high-profile international artists. It's almost as if Africa is being recognised as a new hip-hop originator," he said last night.

HHP is hoping that the Department of Arts and Culture will help him raise R80000 he requires to attend the awards in Los Angeles on June 27.

Nominated in the Best International Act category, HHP is up against the likes of Ghana's Kojo Antwi; MI from Nigeria; K'Naan from Somalia; and Chipmunk, Dizzee Rascal, Estelle, Corinne Bailey Rae and Sade from the UK.

HHP has been cementing relations with his American counterparts through various music projects. Last year, he collaborated with rapper Naz for the song Keledimo, which features on his album Dumela.

In January, HHP was part of a cultural exchange programme to the US. He has also just completed a music video collaboration with PJ Powers for the World Cup.

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