HemelBesem

HemelBesem is the hardest working South African Afrikaans hip-hop artist. He has self-produced and independently released no fewer than five Afrikaans hip-hop albums, including 'Dink n Bietjie', 'Auto-Bio-Grafie', 'Die Worcester Standard' (2009), 'Evil Is Maklik' (2010) and the most recent 'Uwilisimakliki' (2011). He produces his own radio show slot for Valley FM in the Boland and has sealed a weekly show on SABC National Radio with RSG (Radio Sonder Grense).

He has performed at several musical festivals like Die Suidoosterfees, Jive Muslim Festival, KKNK, Hartklop Festival, Aardklop, Soen In Die Laan Festival, Family Festival Parow, Upington Expo, Oesfees, Cultural Festival Namibia, Kullid Festival, Nekkies Hip Hop Outdoor Festival and several other venues like Zula Bar, Purple Turtle, Die Braak, iBuyambo Centre, Atmospheer, Don Pedros, 9-5, and many other venues for organizations in and around the Northern Cape, Western Cape, Namibia, Southern Cape and Gauteng. He is constantly gigging and performing at Music Festivals and getting booked for events.

The last two years has seen HemelBesem constantly reaching new milestones. In 2010 he was crowned the African Hiphop Indaba Freestyle Champion. In 2011 he was the host of the national afrikaans hiphop talent search competition “HipHopKop” that took place at the Suidoosterfees, KKNK and Aardlop afrikaans music festivals. In 2012 his first single 'Hoe Salla', from his recent 'Uwilisimakliki' album, reached number one on DJ Ready D’s Good Hope FM Hiphop charts in February 2012 and maintains this position since.

HemelBesem has collaborated with several Afrikaans hip-hop and rock artists over the years. The most notable and recent of these is a song with Bittereinder on their new album, as well as Jaco from Bittereinder featuring as a guest artist on his 'Uwilisimakliki' album.

Not only is he an emcee, but prides himself on being an “edutainer” through his appearances and community drives at local schools and being closely involved in the FAS (Feotal Alcohol Syndrome) awareness projects. He is also an ambassador for Kullid – an organization that promotes empowerment and upliftment of the coloured people of South Africa.

HemelBesem is ready to to stamp his foot on Afrikaans hip-hop even harder in 2012. Since February 2012, he has been working closely with Dokte on the way forward. In March 2012, HemelBesem recorded a collaboration afrikaans hiphop album together with Isaac Mutant entitled 'Double Story'. The project was supported by Seth Grey, Jacques G & Dokte who contributed beats; DJ Rozzano, DJ Scratch & DJ Ready D who contributed turntablism; and more contributors who chipped in with artwork, photography and printing. Up until April 2012, HemelBesem has secured/fulfilled no fewer than 20 bookings/appearances, including opening for Pharoahe Monche & Jean Grae at the iBuyambo Centre in Cape Town.