Today marks three years since South African hip hop musician Nkululeko Habedi professionally known as Flabba was stabbed to death by his lover.
Flabba was part of the seven piece rap group Skwatta Kamp, a name derived from Squatter Camp, due to South Africa’s Shanty Towns. Members of the group included Infa, Nish, Shugasmakx, Flabba, Nemza, Slikour and Bozza.
His group-mates at Skwatta Kamp paid him a tribute by releasing a new song titled “There You Go.” The song summarizes the character and personality of the late Flabba.
Nkululeko was fatally stabbed by his girlfriend Sindisiwe Manqele, who was later sentenced to 12 years in jail.
Skwatta Kamp member Nkosana “Bozza” Nkosi said the group had to wait for everything to quieten down before they could respond with a song. He said the song was a conversation between them and Flabba.
“We’re just speaking about what he meant to us. Each of us have different conversations with him. He was like a brother to us even before music came into the picture,” said Nkosi.
The pioneers of SA hip-hop have released an album after taking a long break. The group has also announced that their long-time female associate, Refiloe “Relo” Makhubo, was joining them as a full-time member.
Meanwhile, Nkululeko Habedi’s family is struggling to pick up the pieces since the tragic death that shocked fans and made headlines.
Flabba’s younger brother Tshepang said the family had accepted that his death would be a pain they would have to live with.
“We are still mourning his death. My mother is still hurting, more so because Flabba was her first-born child. I too am still mourning, I still cry when I hear his music …”
Habedi said the family would mark the anniversary of his death by visiting his grave like they have been doing in the past years.