Drew XL; Real name Andrew Tebogo Magombo. Born and raised in the City of Stars, Polokwane in the township of Seshego. Rapper/MC, songwriter and photographer.
Who or what got you into Hip hop?
The freedom of expression you find in hip-hop is what drew me to the genre and the culture of hip hop. First as a listener and eventually an enthusiast and ultimately a rapper. I do not have a single reason or artist I can attribute my passion for hip-hop to however I have been inspired by many From the likes of Nas, Ms Laurin Hill, HHP, Common, Khuli Chana etc
What is the good and the bad thing about Hip hop around your hood?
The Polokwane music scene is more interested in dance music than content based music. It is really difficult to get people interested in your music without adding something more rhythmic they could listen to alongside the lyrics. The one huge positive is that there is a great number of people who enjoy hip-hop and enjoy it even more when you write/Rap in their language.
What is this one song that made a lot of people to know or love Drew XL?
It’s actually a tie between two songs, “CGE” and “Nothing Comes Easy”. Most people discovered me through ‘CGE’ and when they listen to my catalogue most people reach out to me to tell me how much they relate to ‘Nothing Comes Easy’.
What have you Achieved through Hip hop in your Journey?
The love from the people in my city is really the biggest trophy I’ve won. But the write up from HYPE magazine for my EP, ‘What Can I Say?’ really helped out with exposure.
How is the response from your family and friends towards your music journey?
My friends have always been supportive of my endeavours but my family was uncomfortable with the idea. Now with my latest release; “Paid in Full” they’ve really been supportive. My nieces know my lyrics.
What do you write about on most of your songs and why?
I write about normal everyday life, struggles and wins. I love to keep my lyrics as personal as possible, telling my story on records. I write about this because my listeners find it most relatable and I get to vent, free therapy.
Drew XL… what’s the story behind this stage name?
Drew comes from my first name Andrew and the XL is just a play on my size. I felt there are too many ‘Big so and so’s’ and ‘Lil so and so’s’ so I just put my actual clothing size on my name. Kinda making it easy for people to send me clothes lol.
Who is your Celebrity Crush and Why?
FILAH LAH LAH any time, anywhere and anyhow.
Shout Outs
Huge Shoutout to my nieces: Bontle and Dikgaogelo. Shoutout Gabila 1 of 1, Pablo 300, TheBoyIsDivine, Izxk015, MalcomZee and the biggest s/o goes out to my favourite lady rapper Ms Kulie, Generational talent.
After commanding attention with her 2024 EP “Dyi Baddie”, Elim’s finest Rap force Ms Kulie returns with a bold new single, “Big Problem,” featuring Seshego’s hottest Rapper, Drew XL.
Dropped on the 20th of June, 2025; Big Problem is more than just a song — it’s a northern anthem.
Packed with charisma and sharp bars, the track proudly reps Limpopo as the province “on top of the map” and proves that the North is a serious force in South African hip-hop.
The single is built on a hard-hitting beat crafted by Jay Beats, and it carries the same sonic energy fans loved on Ms Kulie’s Arguing Point.
The track was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Malcom Zee, with engineering by Joyler Teezey.
“Big Problem” is a North Anthem that flexes Rap skill that is out of this world. Just like Limpopo is on top of the South Africa map, we are at the top of the map and a really BIG PROBLEM in the game” says Ms Kulie.
With anticipation building across the province and beyond, “Big Problem” is poised to shake the game and spotlight Limpopo’s rising stars.
“Working with Drew XL was an amazing experience, on this song I had a different feature before I sent the beat to that guy, then sent this song to Drew to find out what he thinks is missing, because I also felt like something was missing on the song. So he told me to give him a bit with the beat and he’ll get back to me, of which I did, I had that beat since 2018/19. I knew I liked Drew XL’s style because when we worked on the song Skhwama we had an amazing time and the energy was just there and I knew I wanted a song with him where we could both show our best skills. A few days went by and Drew sent back the beat with vocals least and the first thing that made me think this is the song was the whistle that he added on the beat for me was what a finally found the piece that was missing. Little did I know the hook would be as explosive describing the north and describing the north the way that I know it as on top of the game like we are on top of the map and at the home of talent and magnificence. Working with Drew XL on this project was something I can see was meant to be as well as the team that worked on the song including Malcolm Zee, Joyler Teezay and one of the greatest Beatmaker’s and the same Beatmaker) that produced arguing point Jay Beats were meant to be on this song. Drew XL is a special breed” ~ Ms Kulie
The plan was to shoot a Music Video much earlier before we had dropped this song but work happened on both ends and more project happened happened on both, so we couldn’t make that happen. It is still something that is very much in the books it might not be the official music video as yet but something that the fans were like and something that is a big problem.
Just like on my EP Dyi Baddie we did try to get graphic designers but I just felt like I wasn’t getting what I needed so I decided to design the artwork myself from a shoot, Drew XL had separately and a beautiful picture my content super power friend, Enold Mthobeni took and I made that. The whole black and white and intergalactic look was inspired by the fact that this song are simply out of this world that’s how I heard that song in my ears, it was a big problem I think even with the right budget you would probably get some space ships flying in Limpopo or something like that😂ain’t playing. Then when it comes to the language let’s be honest, I just really looks cool so I decided to just go with it that’s big problem in Chinese. So yeah the language purely because it’s cool😂
Golden Shovel, real name Stephen Mdwebi Msibi; is an Emcee / Rapper / Hip hop Artist born in the Free State – and moved to the Vaal in the early 80s.
I started rapping around the same time and joined a group called Optical Illusion comprising of The High Priest, BattleKat, Geno and Logic in 2000.
Currently, I work in corporate, and I have a company called Alpha Titan Music, through which I emcee corporate events, produce music, model, act and do voiceover work.
Who or what got you into Hip hop and Poetry?
My first influence was a movie called New Jack City which became a gateway to my love for Gangster Rap and Movies like Menace to Society, Boyz n the hood and Juice. It all looked and sounded cool to me at the time. I listened to rappers like MC Eight, Face Mob, Scarface and NWA.
What’s the first song that made a lot of people Love or Know Golden Shovel More?
It’s a song called “Pure Service” from Optical Illusion’s album” The Offering” which came out in 2005. The day the song was recorded, I went to the studio with a bunch of verses I had written. We started recording and from all those verses, came a song which featured as solo track on the group album. The song ultimately became a street anthem in underground hip hop scene.
What is the Difference Between SA hip hop back in the day’s vs the new wave?
I think the key difference lies in approach, style and platforms rather than quality or passion. Back in the day, SA Hip Hop was more rooted in storytelling, lyrical depth, and raw expression. Artis focused heavily on bars, street cyphers, conscious messages and building credibility in the underground spaces. It was about authenticity in creativity and style, research and information sharing, healthy competition through friendly battles (sparing) which helped in sharpening one’s freestyle skills and writing abilities The new wave brings a more genre-blending, experimental energy. Its sonically diverse, mixing hip hop with amapiano, trap, afrobeats and more. Today artists are more digitally driven and global in their thinking as well, using technology to drive exposure. It’s not that one is better than the other – It’s just an evolution. The culture is still alive; it just expresses itself in new ways. Both eras contribute to what makes SA Hip Hop special.
Back in the days, Crews used to be Stronger, Nowadays Artists Prefer going Solo, how did you guys manage to survive as Optical Illusion?
A five-member music group comes with obvious challenges i.e. diverging views, ideas, scheduling conflicts etc. however our winning formula was to focus on creating quality music, open lines of communication and accommodating each other’s needs as far as possible. One of our group members, High Priest, relocated to London (God bless his soul) around 2003, leaving four members of the group. For the most part, we managed to keep it together and keep working on our music. However, as we all eventually moved in different directions professionally, our priorities changed. It became difficult to attend events, interviews and recording sessions etc as a collective which eventually led to our breakup. Working solo is easier but there is magic in working as a collective. I can attest to this.
How was the Experience being on The Tswyza Show?
It was an honour and privilege to be hosted by Tswyza. The man has built an incredible platform for Hip Hop artists that has garnered a lot of respect and reach. Tswyza is a remarkably creative performer, which meant I had to bring my A-game. The experience was nerve-wreaking but exhilarating, helped by the fact he is a very humble human being, which put me at ease. Overall, it was a great experience to be on a platform showered by top-notch artists.
Golden Shovel… What’s the Story Behind This Stage name?
It’s a bit of a complicated story but the meaning is simple – gems are found underground, and Shovels do the digging. Put some gold on it and you get a golden, majestic and a functional name - a tool. It speaks to my creative approach to music as an artist in that I dig deep to find lyrical gems.
Who can you say is the King of SA Hip hop or the Best Rapper in Mzansi and why?
Stogie T, no doubt about it. Stogie is an incredibly intelligent MC, and I have been a fan particularly back in the days of Tumi and the Volume and the Open Mind Sessions at Bassline back when it was in Melville
What can we expect from Golden Shovel next?
I’m writing again, basically putting concepts together. It could be mixtape or album material – it really depends on how the journey unfolds as I have been away from the game for a while and only taking it one verse at a time. I’ve recently started using my Tik Tok account (@mightygoldenshovel) to upload short clips of new music and some clips of old material, reshot for a campaign I call AWE (Ancient Wisdom Episodes) for Golden Shovel and Optical Illusion’s die-hard fans
Follow Golden Shovel On:
Facebook - Golden Shovel Music
Instagram - @themightygoldenshovel
Shout Outs
Firstly, I give thanks to The All in whom we live and move and have our being. Special thanks to my significant other – my life support and my source of inspiration, Ebang (Be) and Smilo (BC) daddy’s kids – I love you. Shout out to Bhekithemba Simelane, Vincent Kheswa, DJ OB, Raw Beats and Landmarque, Mic Bitz, Mic G and Vince Black. Shout out to the Vaal hip hop community and all the heads that supported this “Intelligent Rap Movement” since back in the day.
Calvin Jesster a.k.a J-Killer is Rapper born & raised in Vaal 016. I was born in a family of music enthusiasts, I joined a family choir when I was about 10 years old which built the music passion in me
Who or what got you into Gangsta Rap?
Boombap was ma first love in Rap, the way words were projected it seemed & sounded like magic to me, not knowing my love for it was slowly building up an artist within & then Gangsta rap made it seem simple because rappers like Crooked I, Royce Da 5'9 told stories that were more relatable to how my environment was like
What is the good and the bad thing about Gangsta Rap around your hood?
The good thang about gangsta rap around ma hood is the fact that it brought up a lotta artists, people traded a life of crime to being artists & there has harmony ever since but the bad thang about it is that everybody thinks they can do it without knowing that music especially Gangsta rap is a calling
Which song made a lot of people to know or love Calvin Jesster?
There was a song me & my team released back in 2010 called "I miss u" produced by ma closest friend Beatz Blaze who is still my producer to this day… This song made everyone realize that I was King of what I do & at ma school (back when I was still in school) my fellow school mates pushed me a lot & made me recognize myself as an artist
Calvin Jesster… what’s the story behind this stage name? Is it your real name or nick name?
Calvin Jesster is a nickname given to me by my Producer's sister, she believed I was a King who served his people by entertaining & motivating them to be bigger than themselves so she gave me the name… My real name is Themba Matshata
How is the response from your Family and Friends towards your Music Journey?
They love & support me, if I were to quit, they would kill me 😂😂😂 real talk
What makes a good rapper in your opinion?
What makes a good rapper is the ability to have a contagious confidence because rappers are the most influential people in the world, if u do it right… The world could be a better place
Who would you say is the King of Hip hop in SA and Why?
I'm the King of SA Hip Hop bro 😂 no lie, I proved that to myself a lotta times, but if I didn't exist… I'd say Stogie T is the King
What can we Expect from Calvin Jesster from now?
Expect my album Native Hip Hop produced by ma friend & brother Beatz Blaze it consists of all 11 official languages
Who is your Celebrity Crush and Why?
Nkosazana Daughter 😍❤️ damn, she is all kinds of beautiful…
Shout Outs
Firstly I wanna send a Shout Out to u Rap Hop Mag for recognising me brother 🙏❤️ really, people like u are rare, I wanna send a Shout to every Hip Hop artist for shaping it into what it is today, I wanna send a Shout Out to Miss Thandi Mase for believing in me & ma homie Beatz Blaze also send a Shout Out to ma family, friends & everybody who believes in me… And Oh Shout Out to Beatz Blaze for being ma friend & brother, honestly I don't know where I would be without him
The song was a random sprout of inspiration after seeing a recent issue concerning two xigaza artists in which one accused the other of stealing their song, which talks about a girl called Shayla. At first it was recorded as a joke, but it ended up sounding good.
How long did it take to complete the whole song?
About Two days
If the Shayla saga didn’t pop up, would you have written a song of the same theme anytime at this Period?
Maybe, some of the lyrics on the song are from other completed songs
Are you planning to do a remix on this song?
Not really, but it would be funny to do a remix and feature the original owner of the xitsonga song that was stolen
Floyd ZA is a Rapper, Singer, Song Writer, Radio Presenter, Photographer and Music Producer at R-M Productions
This is a Creative from Nwaxinyamani Village in Limpopo; South Africa
Who or what got you into hip hop?
Local Rappers got me into Hip hop, Rappers like EmC Style from Mbokota,
Lester Matthews from Chavani, Hancho Dyi Obzo from Chavani as well…
Rural Dreams From Giyani, Socha Bee and Nebo SixFour
Those Rappers made me develop the love for Hip hop. Every time I played their songs neh… Hayi wena, Relax
What is the good and the bad thing about hip hop around your hood?
The Good Thing is; hip hop can take you far if you take it serious, My hood does support if you do Good. The Bad however is we don’t have a huge fan base, other Genres Dominate
Which song made a lot of people to know or love Floyd ZA?
A song called “Mabeki” and “Vo-Malume”
How is the response from your Family and Friends towards your Music Journey?
They love my music and are incredibly supportive. For example, my latest project, I KHALE VAHI HLEKA, was inspired by My Mom and Grandma. I truly appreciate having people who believe in me Like that.
What makes a good rapper in your opinion?
You dont really have to be good at freestyles to be considered a good rapper. If everyone thought that way then people would say Rappers such as Kanye West, are not good Rappers. For me, a good rapper is someone who has good delivery, flow and substance in their lyrics. This varies a lot though, so my advice for you is, just be yourself and try not to care what people think.
Who would you say is the King of Tsonga Rap and Why?
Mthimbani, Jalt Jay and Nebo SixFour. They are way too Good
What can we Expect from Floyd ZA from now?
Single track called “Switaku Dlayisa”, Expect a Hot EP as well… Still Cooking it
Who is your Celebrity Crush and Why?
NER NON
Shout Outs
MY Ni**A Lester Matthews, Anixbayi Production, Ashley Benicia, and Rap Type Mag
AHOYII
Sgk Beats is a Rapper born in Soweto, Pimville ext 4, he relocated to Limpopo; N'waxinyamani at the age of 8 years. He is known for music production and being a vasitile rapper.
Who or what got you into hip hop?
Hip Hop music was introduced to me at an early age of 11 years by my neighbor who was a rapper at the time, Known by a stage name of Tory Blaze (Rito Baloyi). I didn't understand anything about the culture, but I was inspired by how he wears, walk and talk… even the fact that he had songs Out like 'N'waxinyamani can you take me home'. Me and his younger Brother Tiyani Blade we were close friends at a time, so we decided to make music using Ring tones and a Voice recorder. We then later got to know NTW Boy who had a young studio, then we started making music.
What is the good and the bad thing about hip hop around your hood?
I think Hip Hop has been a treasure around the world, we get to express ourselves and communicate in a way without boundaries. Hip Hop is not just music, is a whole factory with many Subsection. Where I’m from we live Hip Hop everyday without even realising but Hip Hop can never die.
Which song made a lot of people love or know SGK Beats?
Sgk Beats is also known as Sgondi King. Sgk is name derived from Sgondi King and it was given to me by Tory Blaze as he saw how serious we were with music. A lot of people and fans still call me Sgondi as they knew me from the days of NKB music, B3 music, Big team music and 2.4 musc.
During those times we were making a lot of records, to a point where beef started raising. B3 music was beefing with Big team music, so I was under B3 music, the other group released a Hit Beef titled 'Holi Holi', that's where people started knowing me around the Hood.
How is the response from your Family and Friends towards your Music Journey?
My family is very much aware of me being a musician, and I believe they do support me on this journey even though sometimes there's uncertainty for the journey.
What makes a good rapper in your opinion?
A good rapper combines strong lyricism, flow, and delivery. They tell compelling stories or convey emotions through clever wordplay, punchlines, and metaphors. Their flow (the rhythm and cadence of their rhymes) needs to be smooth, versatile, and well-timed with the beat. Authenticity, creativity, and the ability to connect with an audience are also key factors.
Who would you say is the King of Tsonga Rap and Why?
I don't think we have a King as Yet, Because as Tsonga rap we still have a lot to do overall. Tsonga Rap is in a narrow range to dispute the King, I think we need a use sample and many factors involved to announce the King.
What can we Expect from Sgk Beats from now?
An Ep must be Expected from Sgk beats before December and a lot of features and content as a whole.
Who is your celebrity crush and why?
I don't really crush on them but I'll say ' Nomzamo Mbatha' because of the natural beauty.
Shout Outs
Shout Out to Tory Blaze (Rito Baloyi) and a Big shout Out to Rap type Mag for every opportunity.
LazyLazy Culinun is Sabelo who was born and raised in Pimville Soweto, then moved to Alexandra Township where he started taking his music thing serious
Who or what got you into hip hop?
I first had my Hip Hop encounter on YFM when they were playing Zola 7 - Don't cry back in 2010 when I was 10 years old, his rhyming pattern and story telling are what instantly kidnapped my mind and that's how my hip hop life was born
What is the Good and the Bad thing about Hip hop around your hood?
One of the most greatest things about hip hop in Soweto is that people understand what it is which forces an artist to really become authentic in their craft, because if it's fraud they are able to pick it up and you'll only be left to embarrassment alone.
But one bad thing about it are its participants. There's no unity in artist and event organizers don't really put in the effort to organize well
What Made a lot of people know or love Lazy Lazy Culinun?
I'd like to believe that people loved me for the way I'm able to lyrically get my points across. My punchlines abilities and how lethal they are 😅. And also the battle rap space accommodated me very well.
LazyLazy Culinun… What’s the Story behind this Stage name?
The story behind my name is from home. I'd always run away from my chores and when I get shouted they'd always call me Lazy and it never got to hurt me instead I took the name to my raps and it bloomed quite well.
What challenges do you have when you are busy dropping freestyles live or in public?
I won't say I have problems that much when I'm freestyling live or in Public I just believe that I have the ability to command any audience I step my foot into.
Who would you say is the King of Kasi Rap and Why?
It will forever be Prokid. Everyone is still trying catch up to the bar he raised. No one flowed like he did. Punched like he did. Tell a story like he did. Rhyme like he did while entertaining and educating.
What can we Expect from LazyLazy from now?
People can expect me in the commercial space as I have just signed with a particular label that I don't want to mention right now since the work isn't complete and tangible
Who is your Celebrity Crush and why?
Yanda woods 😂😂😂 because iType yam nje
Shout outs
Shout to my son Nkanyezi ❤️
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Se ni Popile - by Dee Michaels ft Ms Kulie, Tim Carter, Khupper, Real Flame, Amunation SA, Koolest Wayde, HloniXBeatz, King Ben and S. B.I.L.L.Y
This song is about making it big !! Okay look I understand we all have doubters, hinkwerhu hina vanhu lava loko vahi langutaku vange "la ange fiki, he or she anga capable of winning" so this song yi vulavula hi ku finally I've made it, so now it's time to show. Kahle kahle the title is " A miku Yini ??? " LOL!
How long did it take to complete the whole project?
Project yi teke exactly 30 days if not 26. Look… I have so many features, worst thing we are from different locations lol... wunwani ule Turf, wunwan ule East London, so it was hard to put everyone together at once. Hi siku I had to focus on one artist... kova kuri obviously a hi recordelang ndhawu yinwe so hiswona swinwan swinga endla kuri swi teka nkarhi wo Tala... another thing; I received about 35 verses from different artists so I' just hope we understand.
You have collaborated with many Rappers on this song which is quite rare in Tsonga Rap… What made you to gather all these artists and how was the experience working with them?
Tsonga rap is a movement on its own... it's deep! The movement I khale yiri kona since back in the day... I believe there's too much hidden talent out there and everyone deserves to be heard... honestly I don't believe in making music with the same people over and over again, there's no growth in that… I'd like to believe it's chemistry... the people that you see on that song were the perfect fit for that song... they delivered as expected.. and the real reason why them? Because HIP HOP!!!!
Are we going to get a music video for this track?
Definitely!!! The video is coming, hambi sweswi hinga located ka ti different places/provinces but ku ta fane ku endleka plani Yaku ku hlanganiwa… I rather take My camera guy to these places haha! It's a beautiful record.
Will there be any remix featuring more rappers?
Funny thing I ku the song is a remix on its own! I mean 10 artists on a song thats crazy work!!!! Reminds me of Dj Khaled when he started out back then, I'm not a Dj though lol.. honestly I'd really like to hear more and more artists on this beat… it's a masterpiece and since everyone deserves to shine I mean why the f**** not bro???
