Crosby Bolani has risen to the challenge of displaying his versatility. A man known as ‘The Well Versatile Crosby’ to many of his allies from way back when he started, widely respected by his peers for the discipline he shows to his craft and a sought after MC in the industry, Siyasanga Crosby Bolani has come full circle, he laid the necessary groundwork and created a unique lane for himself.
At the age of 15 he founded Def Boys, a Hip Hop crew that is still regarded as one of the pioneers of Hip Hop on the East Coast of Southern Africa. He then founded the illustrious Chronic Clan in Cape Town, a Reggae Dancehall crew that went on to win the South African Broadcast Corporation’s national talent search and that was followed by their first tour to Europe, while leaving indelible footprints on the Cape Town Reggae Scene. As a solo artist he toured relentlessy internationally and collaborated with internationally acclaimed artists and played alongside some of the biggest names in the Hip Hop and Reggae arena, including Rita Marley, Capleton, Sizzla, Gentleman, Talib Kweli and Snoop Dogg. The world versatile Crosby went on to work with renowned DJ and legendary Japanese producer DJ Krush, appearing on his album, “The Butterfly Effect” and in 2020 he joined DJ Krush in Japan on the Sound System Showcase tour. His debut Reggae Album – A Better Place – was recorded in Munich with the Next Generation Band. When home, he performs and tours regularly with Cape Town’s celebrated reggae band, Azania Band
At the beginning of the year 2022, Croby promised to drop a song every month. In the month of June, he dropped a Hip Hop track – No Contest – a combination track with Illy Amin the Elite MC . Crosby produced this ill track which is the single from their joint collaboration for an upcoming Ragga and Hip Hop E.P. The entire EP will be produced by Crosby. Illy and Crosby met back in 2013 at a Red Bull Academy with the likes of YoungstaCPT, Cassper Nyovest, Black Coffee, Nonku Phiri and the late bra Hugh Masekela. The idea of the academy was to put artists from different genres together so they can learn from each other’s experiences as artists. The two MC’s had a very strong bond. Illy is very well known as a battle MC and he won the Scrambles For Money battle competition which landed him in Canada. He is also a part of Jozi based crew called Revivolution Clique.
Production Skillz
In a creative frenzy in his home studio in Gugulethu, Crosby was just chopping up a sample. Unknowingly to him, Illy was also in his own creative space and process and was writing some lyrics. He asked Crosby to play the beat. In no time Illy had written 2 verses. Cros recorded the verses and added the hook and and the result of that creative spur was No Contest. Spurred on by this creative force at play and seizing the moment, Cros then sent Illy 4 more beats and they felt the need of putting out an E.P. a Ragga Hip Hop EP. A video for the single is planned for when Illy goes to Cape Town to complete the rest of the project.
No Contest is available on streaming and Download on Crosby’s Band Camp account.