Tumi’s – Music From My Good Eye
Tumi’s pen carves rhythmically lyrical dreamscapes out of brutal realities. Each of his pieces unfold like a musical and spiritual journey through imagery as rich as the poets talent. His creativity speaks with dedication to the sincerity that the young artist lives by- this Poet/slash emcee, philosopher, dreamer, storyteller uses his words to challenge ego and a history of tragedy and the complex identity struggles facing this African man of the Hip-Hop generation in a post-apartheid South Africa. Tumi is the lead vocalist of Tumi and the Volume, arguably South Africa’s most electric performers. In just over a year the group has managed to create a distinct musical accent that includes blends of samba, swing, hip hop, reggae and poetry that speaks to the unique reality of the South African experience and still relates to the world in that universal way that only beauty can. The bands live debut album “At the Bassline’ received three South African Music Award nominations. The band has wowed audiences all over the country, impressed fellow musicians Black Eyed Peas (U.S.A), Blackalicious (U.S.A), Positive Black Souls (Senegal), Relax (the Netherlands) and has been frequent invitees to world-class music festivals. 2006 proved to be a milestone year for Tumi, his band performed at the Montreal jazz festival, he wrote an opera in hip-hop called ‘Le Club’ and to launchd his solo album entitled – ‘Music from my good eye’. The 12 track suite is representative of 8 months of hard work, interactions, recordings and collaborations with producers and musicians from around the globe. Amongst the esteemed guests were international producers Kev Brown and Prowla, local maestro Mizi, KG of Morafe fame, RJ Benjamin, Tebz from Jazzworx, Blk Sonshine and Lebo Mashile. 2007 marks the arrival of Tumi’s first SAMA nomination and a double nomination at that since both his solo project as well the self titled ‘Tumi and the Volume’ album have been nominated in the Best Rap Album category this year. Tumi will also form part of the Hip Hop performance at this years South African Music Awards and with the band has embarked on the first of several European and Francophone tours to France and Reunion Island. His voice is his medium, and his knack and aptitude to string and hold down four minutes plus of adrenaline-fuelled rhymes separate this young man and his crew from the crowd. Jason Curtis His voice is smooth and as a rapper he exhibits unusual rhythmic and thematic versatility. This is a guy who, given the right promotion and marketing, could rise to the forefront of international hip-hop. His skills are world-class. Eric Herman