South African Hip Hop star, Nkululeko ‘Flabba’ Habedi (38) will be remembered today at Baseline in Newtown, Johannesburg. The memorial service will take place today, 11 March 2015 between 12 and 2pm. The public is welcome to attend the service.

The Rise

Flabba was a member of the multi-award winning Hip Hop group, Skwatta Kamp. Lebogang ‘Shugasmacks’ Mothibe, Sechaba ‘Infa’ Kgalala, Sello ‘Nemza’ Mofokeng, Nkosana ‘Bozza’ Nkosi, Musa ‘Nish’ Molefe and Siyabonga ‘Slikour’ Metane along with Flabba made up the group. The group dominated the music industry during nearly a decade ago with hits such as ‘Umoya’ and ‘The clap song’.  Their albums ‘Mkhukhu Funkshen’ and ‘Washumkhukhu’ individually reached gold status (sold an excess of 25 000 units). The group has been recognised for the township dimension that they brought into the South African Hip Hop industry.

Flabba went on to pursue a solo music career. His debut album, Nkuli versus Flabba earned him a SAMA award for best rap album in 2007. He recently released three music singles and begun performing with Hip Hop artists such as Senzo ‘Kwesta’ Vilakazi and Thabure ‘JR’ Bogopa. It has been said that the artist’s career was growing again. His popular verse on Kwesta’s Do Like I do is one that fans have quoted on social media as their favourite offerings from the artist.

The Fall

Flabba was stabbed to death by his girlfriend, Sindiwe Manqele (26) after an alleged “lover’s quarrel”. He died on Monday morning, 09 March 2015 at his home in Alexandra Township, Johannesburg and Manqele was arrested. She appeared in the Alexandra Magistrates Court yesterday. Circumstances surrounding the incident of the artists remain unclear as the police continue their investigation. It was reported that Manqele walked into her dock limping due to injuries that she had sustained during the alleged fight with the Hip Hop star. She had bruises on her left leg, stitches on her left wrist and a stab wound to her stomach. Luyanda Habedi, cousin to the star claimed that Manqele tried to take her own life after realising that Flabba had died. “She broke a bottle and she tried slitting her wrist.” He reported. Police have dismissed Luyanda’s claim. The police spokesperson, Katlego Mogale simply told eNCA yesterday morning that “She (Manqele) did not try to kill herself. Her case has been postponed to the 16^th of March 2015 where she is expected to apply for bail.

Social media has been flooded with tributes for the star with the hastag, #RIPFlabba. Minister Nathi Mthethwa said that he was “deeply saddened” to learn of the violent death of the Hip Hop star. He was last seen by most people performing on SABC 1’s music show, Live Amp on Friday night and at the ACCESS JOZI concert on Saturday. He is survived by his mother and two children.