Emile YX?: The Noise of South Africa

Emile YX? teaches the arm wave to a group of people at the 2014 Trinity College International Hip Hop Festival

Introduction

The King of South African Hip-Hop and member of the South African Hip Hop Hall of Fame – Emile YX? – was born in Grass Park, Cape Town. Emile is a pioneer of South African Hip-Hop for music, the community, and education. Creating a legacy in just more than his hometown, he has attended the annual Trinity International Hip Hop Festival four times. Emile YX? developed unique talents to separate himself from the rest exploding his career, acting as a teacher, B-boy, philanthropist, and writer.

First Steps

Emile’s first taste of music was in 1982 when he started breaking for Pop Glide Crew under the name “B-boy Warlock”. He joined up with a couple of old school breakers and formed a crew, later to become the legendary Black Noise. Black Noise recorded and released thirteen albums such as Pumpin’ Loose da Juice (1992) and Rebirth of Mind & Hip Hop Culture (1992). Black Noise was able to address some of the most complex social, cultural, and political issues in South African society, later leading to its winning a lifetime achievement award.

Emile YX? and Black noise demonstrate what it means to be a B-boy

South African Influence

Emile also created the first South African Hip Hop magazine called Black Noise News. The first magazine was “Da Juice” in 1993. Since then, he has authored twenty-four books such as “What is Hip-Hop”, “B-boying Grade 1 Manual”, and “Reconnect the String”. Emile took his talents to the theater, creating 5 plays, including His award-winning play “Afrikaaps”. Emile takes this play so dearly because of the relation to his hometown (Cape Town) which went through a series of difficult struggles with a white supremacist. Emile spoke of Afrikaaps stating “it not only is about the Black History of the language that was created in Cape town and co-opted by the Afrikaner community as a key part of their white supremacist, but the origins of the language also expose the mixed heritage of the community that created it”. 

Afrikaaps experience

Emile YX? at Trinity International Hip Hop Festival

Emile has attended the Trinity International Hip Hop Festival to furthermore connect with the community and hopes to inspire, teach, and influence others. Emile has been in attendance for many years. In 2011, Emile led a panel on the “Healing Power of Hip-Hop” to demonstrate Hip Hop’s influence in a community. In 2014, Emile led a lecture on “Hip Hop Activism pre- and post- Apartheid and later performed with his Black Noise group. In 2018, Emile led a political panel discussion on “Free Speech, Censorship and Protest” to get across a theme for the power of music and creating a movement. Later in 2021, Emile led a panel about “Neva Again: Hip Hop Art, Activism and Education in Post-Apartheid South” examining education and teaching the community.    

Emile YX? and Black Noise perform at the 2014 Trinity College International Hip Hop Festival

 As of late 2022, he has recently released his new Album Billion Hair, which includes 10 songs featuring Black Noise. Emile’s unique talents have influenced communities all around the world, especially growing his hometown into a Hip-Hop kingdom. We cannot wait to see what The God Father of Hip Hop in South Africa will continue to do as a pioneer in the Hip Hop community.


Billion Hair playlist on Youtube

Learn More Emile XY?

To experience more Emile YX? you can find his music on all platforms, including his youtube channel where Emile has documentaries, talks about in-depth material, interviews, etc.

Emile YX? breakin’ down