Hi Tanha, thanks for chatting to Beat! Please tell us about the music you make.
The music I write uses strong imagery, from “tip toeing like a ninja, through the world’s great dictionary of mysteries,” to being “fed by a geisha with tweezers.” However, underlying my word play, and use of catchy multi syllable rhymes, is a brutally honest self reflection. The challenge in what I write is to present these dark truths in a playful way. There’s always hope, light and inspiration in all of my songs.
How did the work you did and your experience in Colombia shape the music you create today?
Without a doubt the kids in Colombia taught me more than anyone ever will. Organising the poetry, dance and painting project Amiguitos Canguritos (small friends, the small kangaroos) in Colombia, with street kids in the local slums opened my eyes up to the suffering and hardships a lot of people are born into. It was quite full on at times because peoples’ vulnerabilities were out there for everyone to see.
It did however highlight the strength of the human spirit, because many times these communities who had literally nothing would still give you a smile and many were very positive. I think witnessing these struggles and hardships face to face in such an intimate way gave me the confidence and strength to face my own demons and work through them in positive ways. This has really shaped my writing style.
Tell us about your concept of ‘worship-hop’: how does it fuel your creativity as an artist?
To me hip-hop and what I write is sacred, and spiritual, like a god or Buddha; a place of pure worship. It’s a place where I feel totally connected and accepted free of judgement. I feel totally in flow, I feel present and very connected to how I am feeling at any given time. Writing is the ultimate gift, as it permits me to express myself at a soul level. Accessing this very intuitive, spiritual level allows me to express things which couldn’t normally manifest in daily life. The depth of these ideas comes out as the most beautiful colours and metaphors in what I write.
What is it that makes your music stand out from the crowd?
I see my art as a gift I want to give the audience, and I try to create a space where they can easily receive it. When I perform I get into flow, and literally forget myself. If I can get the crowd into some type of flow state as well, the experience will be a positive one, and that’s important to me.
TANHA MC will be performing at Horse Bazaar this Saturday November 15 from 8.30pm.
