Craig, also known as Dr. Nsuku Craig Masonto, is a South African musician who also happens to be a successful dentist. Having always had a keen interest in musical composition, Craig gradually honed his songwriting skills whilst studying in Dental School. Having dealt with mental health issues such as depression, Craig made the decision to channel his emotion through the medium of music; adding an authenticity to his sound that comes from his honest creative channeling. Inspired by the likes of Frank Ocean, James Blake, Matthew And The Atlas, James Vincent McMorrow, Travis Scott and Pusha T, Craig has formed his own unique sound that is a true reflection of his compositional talent.
When did You start singing and what grabbed your attention that you started writing your own music?
I started singing at church... lol, I think it was 2010, trying to get a girl's attention, didn't work anyway...
Music... man, I don't know, we've been rapping for so long, I started singing in 2010 but making my own music... I've been rapping from the time 50 Cent dropped "Get Rich or Die trying", trying to be a famous rapper but you know... I was just 13 by the time
What is the good and the bad thing about the music industry in South Africa according to your experiences?
The Good: A lot of people are open to listening to local musicians, there was a time where if a song was not from the states, they wouldn't listen to it, especially if it is not like house or kwaito, and the other genres... but south Africa is just really welcoming... almost to anything they like, they are not putting any boundaries around their artists, so that's great.
The Bad:
I don't know, just feels like it's difficult to break through a certain ceiling but I think once you get over that, the sky is the limit... but that's probably how it is throughout the world as well
If there was one thing that you would wish to change in the music industry, what would it be and why?
Umm... It's almost like, if you have no connections, nobody will really listen to you, or if you don't have followers, it's almost like, people have to love you first for you to get other fans, but that's just probably how the world works, it's like when you see a hot hun on Instagram and she just has like 20 followers, you like huh... suspicions, then you see a lot of followers, then you like huh, you must be a big deal... I don't know, but people just follow what others are already following, it's hard for people to follow you from scratch even if they vibe with your shit
You dropped your EP "Craig" during Lockdown, what challenges have you experienced on that period?
None at all, I was recording in my room, I had a lot of time because I was off work, almost no challenges, it was a smooth breeze.. aah but there was no alcohol... so it was hard sometimes lol... writing sober, but we did it
How is the response from family and friends towards your music Journey?
Man everyone has been really supportive, like every other day, even when I'm not marketing anymore, there's just someone Sharing, someone be like "hey bra I'm listening to your shit", or "hey I'm at a party and I just decided to play this music"..
they comment, they share and keep streaming, I mean.. there's a lot of support there
You used your government name *Craig* as your stage name... what inspired you not to come up with a nick name like other artists do?
I don't know, I always felt like it's weird to give yourself your own nickname. If someone gave me a nickname while growing up, I would probably have went with that but nobody ever did, it was only just Nsuku or Craig... I've never had a nickname, and what would I have called myself? "Big bad wolf"? Lol... I don't know, I just always felt weird about naming myself. I did try that but I never actually liked the idea of giving myself a name, just always felt so tacky, so I just went on with it
Most of your songs are about the experiences that you went through, if it was not that, would there be Craig the artist?
Huh... ? Naaah man... lol, well maybe... cos I love music but it wouldn't be the same, cos all my experiences have led to this exact moment, you know... it might not be a life I love or enjoy, but it's honest... so everything, good and bad, mostly bad.. but everything has led to this and I can't do nothing else but to appreciate it
How do you balance your profession as a dentist and your music craft?
Ah... there's almost no balance.. lol. I'm both, when I'm work I'm singing, when I'm singing I think about work and when I'm singing I still think about work (dentistry) it's like...
I didn't need to come with a balance, I just all merged it to one big mess called Craig, like whatever else I have an interest in, I don't know how to put my life into different segments, I just shuffle it, roll with it and have fun
Few years to come, where will Craig be?
Hopefully not dead?! lol...
But let me try and prophesy, three years to come, would have established my own dental practice, mainly Aesthetics cos I love art, i feel like I wanna improve in the art of dentistry of all kinds but mostly just Aesthetics and cosmetics, just making things beautiful and my music as well, I don't know how big I will be in the music industry or how influential I will be but I know that I will remain honest to my craft and try to just keep making beautiful work, eventually growing more and more honest through it until it is just natural, I just want to be naturally brilliant in whatever I will be doing in a few years in content with a continuous goals
During your childhood, what funny character were you known for? ?
Ha ha ha... Superman... I had a superman costume, I cried for it at Edgar's (polokwane) I remember, I think I even got lost there, I forced my parents to get me a superman costume and I would rock that bitch everyday after school until it was worn out, it was funny, I was a chubby baby, I'm still a chubby man, and I was just like a big belly, big booty superman
Who do you want to send your Shout Outs to?
PsyKick (my brother, my producer, my friend) he's been there through it all man like... yeah
Shout out to Phil, Shout Out to my baby sister, I love her to the moon and back
Shout Out to all my classmates from varsity, they've been amazing... uh you know... always helped me out whenever I sang at school, they just classmates but you know like... mates from varsity, they really did support me still, even at the medical university to just keep pushing and singing and...
Me... I'd like to thank me and Shout out to me, cos... shit lol.. yeah
And you know... all the love to Thusi, still Love you babe ❤️
Below is the Podcast of the whole article
Follow Craig On
Facebook – Craig
Instagram – @craignsuku
Twitter – @CraigNsuku
Still is a Song by Singer and Song writer Craig, dedicated to a Lady that was close to him who unfortunately passed away
"I wrote Still for Lerato. There were hardly any new phrases in the song. In one way or another, Lerato had heard those words straight from my mouth. We had so many ups and downs, we looked like an equalizer booth. She never tried to change me... nor did I try to change who she was. In a way... I was ready to love her in any form she took. Even now, where her flesh and bones are not within my physical reach.. I do love her still. I choose her still.
After her funeral, Craig drove back home with his brother PsyKick for about 5 hours... without a second breath, they setup and recorded for 7 hours straight through the night. The project was done but was only mastered in the morning, "There was alot of crying and a lot of drinking" Explains Craig
This song although very close to Craig's heart, is not different from his other songs,
"I always write about my personal life. I am fully vulnerable through my music, I'll keep releasing singles and EPs until I am ready for a full album... but I don't know when that will be."
Craig says he already has a scheduled release for next month's single...
Looks like there's more great Music the fans can expect from him.
(more…)
Artist: Craig
Title: Still (Lyrics)
I wouldn't lie to you
i never did
Every word you spoke burned into my memory
I was inlove with you
Who wouldn't be
Every breathe you took
Brought life inside of me
You are so beautiful
It's not hard thusi
Looking into your eyes
For all my eternity
You have your doubts
You had your moments
Moving impatiently
It hurts I know
It hurts me more
It hurts me more
The light inside of you
Gave sight to me
Soothing my hardened heart
To something you need
If you needed time
To have your space
I'd break myself
So you could move freely
You are my world
Do not forsake me
The perfect balance
In my galaxy
We had our fun
We made our moments
Moving passionately
It hurts to know
You needed more
You needed more
I'm reaching, pleading
You're here with me still
This heart is bleeding
I'll hold you still
I'm reaching, pleading
You're here with me still
This heart is bleeding
I'll hold you still
Girl we had some secrets
Between me and you
And you had a life
That I never knew
You had your god
And you had the ocean
And you had Joshua
Words never spoken
And you had your mother
She still misses you
I know I wasn't perfect
And that's the honest truth
And just as history taught us
We would push it through
We always pushed it through
Where's my time capsule
And my 7 wishes
You need to hear my say it!!
That I'm missing you
But I love you still
Weren't perfect
But I want you still
Had blemishes
But i love you still
Flawed
But I want you still
I want you
I love you still
Follow Craig On:
Facebook - Craig
Instagram - @craignsuku
Twitter - @CraigNsuku
Still is a Song by Singer and Song writer Craig, dedicated to a Lady that was close to him who unfortunately passed away
"I wrote Still for Lerato. There were hardly any new phrases in the song. In one way or another, Lerato had heard those words straight from my mouth. We had so many ups and downs, we looked like an equalizer booth. She never tried to change me... nor did I try to change who she was. In a way... I was ready to love her in any form she took. Even now, where her flesh and bones are not within my physical reach.. I do love her still. I choose her still.
After her funeral, Craig drove back home with his brother PsyKick for about 5 hours... without a second breath, they setup and recorded for 7 hours straight through the night. The project was done but was only mastered in the morning, "There was alot of crying and a lot of drinking" Explains Craig
This song although very close to Craig's heart, is not different from his other songs,
"I always write about my personal life. I am fully vulnerable through my music, I'll keep releasing singles and EPs until I am ready for a full album... but I don't know when that will be."
Craig says he already has a scheduled release for next month's single...
Looks like there's more great Music the fans can expect from him.
.
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Kay Faith delivers the first taste of her forthcoming album, Antithesis, with powerful single “Proudly Capetonian”with YoungstaCPT and E-JayCPT.
“Proudly Capetonian” tells the story of Cape Town the Mother-City: built around one of the 7 Wonders of the World, Table Mountain, and truly one of the world’s most diverse cultural hubs. It is the city where Brenda Fassie was born. The city Madiba was locked up in and freed from. The birthplace of South African Hip Hop.
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Acknowledging a city still fighting to fix the wrongs of the past, “Proudly Capetonian” focuses on the city’s past and present struggles while honourably reminding us that there has been so much that has been achieved, and that those achievements should be celebrated.
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The collaboration between Kay Faith, YoungstaCPT and E-JayCPT was an organic one which was always going to happen; the three creatives have known each other for many years.
Hard-hitting production via the hands of Kay Faith and evocative story-telling from the gifted tongue of
YoungstaCPT is a perfect combination, while the passionate pre-chorus performed by E-Jay serves as a reminder of what all three artists so strongly represent. Kay Faith produced this track inspired by the UK Drill style of Hip Hop.
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I’ve been a huge fan of UK tap for a while now. Even before this recent Pop Smoke & UK Drill blow-up
happened, I was producing Drill influenced beats as I’m a fan of the syncopated rhythm of the music. I had this beat for a while actually, and decided to pick it back up and touch up some of the sounds. I had the instrumental all touched up and completed and I kept hearing E-Jay’s voice in my mind on this track. So I dug into some old recordings I had of sessions where I recorded E-Jay back in 2014-2015. I found the vocal of him saying “I rep Kaapstad and I rep Western Cape.” It had the right tempo to it so I cut it onto the instrumental and it fit perfectly. At that moment, I realised that this was going to be my track about my city and the place I represent. It only made sense for me to reach out to Youngsta to be the second voice on this track next to Ejay, given the past we share together in Capetown. Literally a day after I sent Young the beat, he replied saying he was done writing. We quickly agreed the track’s name would be “Proudly Capetonian”.
Stay tuned for more info regarding Kay Faith’s album “Antithesis” dropping early 2021…
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“I had to kick the record off with a track that represents where I’m from. Roots are important. After “Proudly Capetonian” things just get weirder, crazier and more dope. I want people to get hyped for the album when they hear this track!”
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Follow Kay Faith, YoungstaCPT and E-JayCPT On:
Facebook- KAY FAITH , YoungstaCPT , E-JayCPT
Instagram- @kay_faith_sa , @youngstacpt , @ejaycpt
Twitter- @Kay_Faith_SA , @YounstaCPT , @EjayCPT
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Karien Barnard, also known as Kay Faith, is a South African born and Cape Town-based audio engineer and producer. Kay has excelled in the South African music scene, having worked with some of South Africa’s fnest producers and artsts. Authentcity has been the drive behind Kay Faith’s work. The Cape Town-based engineer, producer, and budding vocalist began her career behind the boards during sessions for the likes of Yasiin Bey, Mick Jenkins, Omari Hardwick, Nasty C, YoungstaCPT, Da Les, and many others.
Lokshin is a new age kwaito song celebrating township lifestyle with the aim of motivating and inspiring the youth to reach for the stars regardless of their disadvantaged backgrounds.
Tsakane based versatile producer/artist; OGK4Lyf collaborated with KB The Suspect (5th Annual Mzansi Kwaito & House Music Award 2020 Nominee for Best Kwaito Artist) after rewriting and struggling to come up with the second verse, and finally reached out to fellow neighbourhood artist, KB The Suspect who’s superb contribution took the track to another level with his husky vocals that resembles Mandoza, the late legendary kwaito artist.
Artist: OGK4Lyf
Track: Lokshin feat. KB The Suspect
Genre: New Age Kwaito / Rap
Duration: 3:23
Composer: Themba Kenneth "OGK4Lyf" Mathabela
Lyricists: Themba Kenneth Mathabela, Methuseli Mathew Mncube aka KB The Suspect
ISRC: ZAT8J2000920
Distributor: Amuse
Label: Independent (OGK4Lyf)
Follow OGK4LYF and KB The Suspect On:
Facebook: KB The Suspect
OGK4Lyf Website: https://ogk4lyfmuzik.wordpress.com/
OGK4Lyf BandCamp: https://ogk4lyf.bandcamp.com/
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Bulelani Ndabeni popularly known as Lastborn MaJuice is an upcoming Rapper from Lwandle, Strand in the Western Cape. I am an artist that creates music from authentic, real life experiences and stories.
As a youth growing up in the hood I got myself mixed up with the wrong crowd, ending up doing drugs and committing crime, your typical kasi youth story. Ever since then I have changed my life by focusing on my first love, my passion which is music. Being able to tell my story and inspire the youth in my community through music has been therapeutic and has made a positive impact in my life. I have also been working with the youth, guiding them through my craft. I am currently hosting Live Sessions on Mondays where different artists can showcase their talent, this has become a platform for the youth in Strand, Nomzamo to create a name for themselves.
This is a 6 track EP that was released on the 4th September welcoming Spring and a time for change. The name Behind The Juice comes from the change in my stage name, which went from Lastborn The Performer to Lastborn MaJuice. The change in name comes from a time when I had completely cut out alcohol, while trying to find myself and also focus on my craft... that is when my creativity was unlocked and I started writing again, leading to the compiling of the EP.
The EP is also my way of introducing myself to South Africa as I have already established myself in my area. The EP is really an expression of my versatility as an MC as it takes on a musical journey from club bangers, to trap and then slows down the tempo in the end.
Links:
https://open.spotify.com/album/4Mc2vHLcT1dr3NXvqfqmmB
https://music.apple.com/us/album/behind-the-juice-ep/1530058505?uo=4&app=itunes&at=1001lry3&ct=dashboard
https://www.deezer.com/us/album/170657332
Facebook- @lastbornmajuice
Twitter- @LastInjayegame
Instagram- @lastbornmajuice
Hip Hop artist Zulu Finesse has released his new single titled Egoli on the 11th of September 2020.
The single chronicles his arrival to Johannesburg from KwaZulu Natal. He said ''This song talks about My arrival to the city of Gold. My Financial and Spiritual struggles, but through it all discovering My purpose and now I'm on My journey to fulfilling it.''
Egoli was produced by Myth, G-Shaun & Camo who worked closely with Zulu to help him harness his sound and create this masterpiece.
On one of the verses on the song he says; ''Kumele uqale ufunde ukukhuluma, ukuPersua, Abanye abantu benze into oyifunayo uma uyifuna." Zulu Finesse touches on the importance of working hard and building your dreams.
He explained the overall message of his single by saying ''I hope it teaches people to that you need to learn a skill, master and love it then finally build a business around it.''
Egoli is now available on all online Music streaming platforms.
https://tidal.com/track/154835596
Follow Zulu Finesse On Social Media
Facebook: Zulu Finesse
Intagram: @Zulufinesse
Twitter : @Zulufinesse
Zulu Finesse is a unique and versatile Hip Hop artist who incorporates pure African sound that is set to inspire and have people moving and singing along to his music.
Zulu Finesse has shared the stage with many great South African acts such as K.O, Nomuzlie and Zakwe to mention a few. As a seasoned Hip Hop artist, Finesse has experienced his fair share of struggles in life and in the music business.
Artist - Mic Ripper
Title - The Showdown (Lyrics)
http://smarturl.it/TheShowdownMicRipper
V1.
Aiiyo I bring the showdown.
To any clown as I come around
as soon as I start to break it down like an unsolved puzzle then I ask you do you get the picture?
Peep my scripture,
best selling like William Shakespeare's collection notes.
Murderous titanium quotes like shogun blades I'm cutting you down to pieces,
flushing you down like faeces
masterpieces bloodsucking like leeches,
got some fly features you creatures are fuckin' sweet like peaches.
Punches are like share cropping on dry fields, they don't land.
My mic stands' my alter, emcees are my sacrifice.
We can go toe to toe. Blow by blow just name the price.
Treat rappers like Celine Dion, I make em' think twice.
Before you may try to attempt to go against the M.I.C R.I Double P.E.R.
We are the world like USA for Africa. My pen game's Excalibur, coz every stroke is magic.
Like David Blaine I bring the pain and I'll have you Slaine like the member of the ''Special Teamz''' for tryna act like,
some mutherfuckin' stereotype. Don't believe the hype,
I get stoned before I blaze the pipe. Phoney rappers are caricatures,
I'm the archetype of rap music. I loved it that's why I chose it.
You chose it for gaining popularity status, my apparatus is my mic , that is my choice of weaponry.
Coz as soon as I step onto the stage with it it's blood shed.
Until the scene is red, on the strength, I'm the best at this you lack at this you sound ridiculous I catch wreck with this.
My appetite for destruction starts crumbling.
Then I commence to eat niggaz like Quincy Jones but I keep it straight.
The Showdown is at it's absolute peak. Even on my weakest efforts I still maintain the winning streak.
7days a week I keep sharpening my bars, concentrating. In deep meditation like a Shaolin or a Buddhist monk.
Pick your weapon let's start a tournament. Fuck battle of sexes I perform sexual harassment on any female who wishes to be my contender.
You got your flows all mixed up in a blender. And everybody's rapping nowadays I don't understand, I get a little rough you start to fold, like bank notes.
Try reading Zulu backwards, meaning you lose coz you snooze. I'm snatching rappers dreams call me the dream catcher. But this ain't no movie it's some live actual scenes, blades sharp as Wolverines, let me spill the beans, I'm the news bearer.
And may the truth be told. Mic-Ripper's the best rapper across the whole of Africa. Ain't no question,
I was made to perfection. Document my life when I'm gone, call it a redirection. Document my life when I'm gone, zz zz. Document my life zz z, zz zz.
Hook.
It's the showdown. In full speed I never slowdown with metaphors and similes take heed as I lay it down *3
Outro. 2018 suckas. Peace
http://smarturl.it/TheShowdownMicRipper
