Touchline Truth Provides Context To His Remarks On Gatekeeping In SA Hip Hop

Touchline Truth Provides Context To His Remarks On Gatekeeping In SA Hip Hop. Gatekeeping within the South African hip-hop scene is often a normal practice, and Touchline Truth has certainly faced challenges in striving to break through within this competitive culture.

In a recent interview on NoChill Vodcast, the s”Abafana Ba Hot” chanter expressed the view that gatekeeping is crucial within the South African hip-hop scene, emphasizing its role in upholding the standards of music consumption within the genre. “Gatekeeping has always been used in a negative light, gatekeeping is important,” Touchline said.

He continued; “radio, if me and you submit a song today together, the best song needs to be played. If your song is bad it shouldn’t get played, that’s gatekeeping. We’ve gatekeep the industry so that the best guys can come in and the guys that are not good have to go and improve to become better.”

Taking to Twitter (X), Touchline provided context to his statement clarifying that the precise term he intended to use was “quality control,” rather than “gatekeeping.” The rapper’s remarks came after up-and-coming artist Luna Florentino corrected him stating that instead of saying gatekeeping he meant to say quality control as he lamented the abuse of power and decision-making in SA Hip Hop.

“The word I was looking for is Quality Control. Don’t agree with people blocking off opportunities, unfortunately that exists but that’s not what I meant. Mina bengithi if you’re gifted and persistent you’ll make it regardless. I believe that, but maybe that’s not entirely true,” Touchline Truth said.