What Makes Malcolm.E different from other Rappers?
I would say what makes me different from other rappers is my sound and what I rap about. Being highly influenced by both Boom bap and Trap, I have learned to combine catchy melodies and hooks with conscious raps.
Few years from now, where will Malcolm.E be?
I see myself being a successful independent international artist. My plan in the next couple of years is to start my own recording studio and record label. There are a lot of talented artists just like me, I am lucky to have some of them as my friends. My goal in music is to tell my story but also make sure that people get to hear other stories that need to be heard and there are a lot of artists out here who are talking.

What is the Motive behind your writings?
The motive behind my writing is to be real as I can be on what I speak about. With Things Change EP I was going through a lot of change as a person and as an artist. Previously my artist name was Joedasky but I felt that name didn't represent me well, then I came up with Malcolm.E.
Having a hard time trying to find my sound it also put a lot of doubt in my dreams to be an artist. In life and in music I learned that there will be a lot of trials and errors but if you apply a million solutions to a problem you are eventually going to come up with the right solutions and that's what I applied to my craft. Countless hours in the studio pushing myself represents me and who I am. I wanted my stage name to be meaningful. Not only to me but my fans.
Malcolm.E, what is the story behind this stage name?
I wanted my stage name to be authentic so this is actually my real first name and the first letter of my surname. I just added the dot in between for my stage name. My full name is Malcolm-Jemal Endris.
5. Lil Wayne, J.Cole and 2Pac... What makes them your major inspirations?
Lil Wayne is where everything started for me. I was just a kid who loved House Music but when I heard a track from one of my classmates back in primary school, I was so intrigued about how Lil Wayne sounded on the song and just the way he flowed. His voice was unique, his style of rapping was unique. I had heard rap songs before that moment but that made me say "I want to be like this guy". I studied his music, downloaded all his mixtapes and albums and I just became a huge fan of him. He just inspired me to start writing, so I would definitely say Lil Wayne is the reason I started rapping. 2 Pac I listened to during my high school years and that just opened my mind on how powerful rap music really is. What he spoke about was so real and that is why people still talk about and praise him to this day. His Music is timeless and it just inspired me to make more music that people can relate to and music that can help them get through tough times like 2 Pac did For Me. J. Cole on the other hand inspired me to be myself and believe in my own message.
What makes a good Rapper according to your opinion?
For me what makes a good rapper is the passion he or she shows for the rap culture and the influence he or she makes on the rap culture. If you look at all the rappers that are considered the greatest of all time in the rap game, they have all individually influenced the culture whether it is by the way people who love hip hop dress and most importantly how he or she changes or brings a new hip hop sound to the rap game. A great example I can give is Lil Wayne, if you look at a lot of artist now they all look like him, have tattoos like him and try to sound like him.
What are the three best highlights from your Music Journey?
Reaching the TOP 10 in the MTN Bushfire Pulse Firefly competition in Swaziland earlier this year which had over 600 artists competing. It was a great learning experience for me.
• Getting my qualification as a Sound Engineer from Cape Audio College in December last year.
• Completing my first music project, Things Change EP, which is also now out on all major commercial digital music platforms.
8. What are your Social media handles where fans can get updates from?

• My Fans can follow me and get my updates on these social media pages
Instagram: @Iammalcolm.e
Facebook: @IAMMALCOLME
Twitter: @Malcolm_E1
Who do you want to send your shout outs to?
I'd like to send my first shout out to my mother who has been nothing but supportive of my musical journey, she is definitely the big reason I work so hard on my craft. All a son wants is to make his mother proud. A huge shout out to Kid Gap, Keozei, DakingDula and Cargo who were the artists featured on my first project, Things Change EP. Also a huge shout out to Trxy who was responsible for most of the beats on this project and did the mixing and mastering of my songs - he did a fantastic Job!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=E2M-8keHauY

Savage Sossa, whose real name is Thamsanqa Nogaga, was born in Springs east of Johannesburg in a township called Kwa Thema. He was raised by his mother and grandmother in a home full of siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles. “It was fun growing up in that house”, recalls Savage Sossa.
He went to Zamani Primary School, then later went to Brakpan High School where he completed his matric.
Savage Sossa is an exciting musician whose mixture of writing and performance has earned him a place in the music business. This dynamic individual has incredible artistic abilities that vary from penning a song to video production.
The idea to do music started in the early 90’s where Savage Sossa was in a school choir and sang tenor.
“After that I started seeing myself as a future music mogul who will later dominate the music industry globally”, reminisces Savage Sossa.
“I have nothing but this talent that God gave me”.
Savage recalls: “In high school I grew a passion to write lyrics and got good at it, with the intentions of becoming a song writer. This skill quickly developed which led to recording my first song called
“The Dope Sh!t”, and also making a killing on stage earned me the name Savage, and because of the desire to make a lot of profit, I later earned the last name Sossa, who is a wealthy character in the movie Scarface”.
“In high school being an artist started occupying my mind” says Savage, who in his spare time prints T-shirts, applies tattoos, draws and does a bit of TV acting. He embraces a vast array of styles including reggae, dance-hall, house, kwaito, RnB, afro-pop, gospel, and maskandi
Savage’s style of music varies from urban rap, hip hop, reggae, rock and roll, mbaqanga and popular music. He embraces a vast array of styles including reggae, dance-hall, house, kwaito, RnB, afro-pop, gospel and maskandi. Under his music influences he counts 2Pac, Michael Jackson, Bongo Riot, Sean Puffy Combs, Cassper Nyovest, Osmic Menoe, Bob Marley, Jay Z and many more.
.
Savage Sossa draws his inspiration from township life. “It gives me the drive to write music,” says Savage, “If my access to the township got taken away somehow, my drive to write would die” he says of Kwa Thema which has delivered stars like Theo from Boom Shaka, Matilda Hlobane of the Mahotela Queens and Joe Nina and the Nina Brothers.
[Discovering Rap Music]
Savage Sossa started rapping in 1997 when he saw a neighbour’s kid who played around with words. “Seeing that fascinated me”, recalls Savage as he smiles. The way words that sounded similar were delivered in a rhythmic style, and also said in a way that makes sense, was of great interest to the young Savage.
“I saw more of this fascinating art at school during break-time. This is where I got more into it and discovered a hidden talent”, says Savage. “One guy would do a beat-box (mimicking a beat with your mouth), then the rest of us would take turns rapping to the crowd surrounding us. We were gods”.
[Artists worked with]
o Omen
o Hoodlum
o Gang of Instrumentals
o Bongo Riot
o Sifiso Mbebe
o Bantu Soul
o KBM Music
o BattleKat
o Narco
[First Big Break]
“My first big break was when we toured the country with Gang of Instrumentals in 2009. We hit cities like Durban, Bloemfontein, Johannesburg, Mpumalanga etc. and we were on TV every Thursday as the tour was
televised”. “We did a lot of radio interviews to let the people know about the brands that were on tour. I can’t forget those moments as they helped shape the person I am at the moment”, remembers Savage Sossa.
In 2011 Savage Sossa and Bongo Riot toured the three major cities JHB, DBN and CPT. This was to grow the brand even more as it rewarded Savage with more fans to look out for his music.
[Accolades]
o Yfm Rap Activity Jam MC of the month award
o Hype Mag Music CD
[The Debut Solo Album]
We Grinding – Modus Operandi is a generous debut offering from an explosive creative individual, overflowing with great ideas, well-executed production and stellar performances. The album is structured in a way that it caters for hip hop lovers and music lovers in general.
The beats are thumping and they take you through different emotions as Savage Sossa gels nicely on them with the different concepts and messages.
Though each song is different you can’t help but notice the sense of using what you have to make the most of life. Savage has always been known for his killer flows on wax and his ability to write beautiful music, from dope punchlines to catchy choruses. The one thing that you cannot miss is that the album has substance and a mature feel to it. The basic message in the album is that one needs to work to get the things we all desire. And that to acquire those things one must have a mode of operation.
With summer approaching, be sure to hear it on the airwaves spinning on high rotation and playing full-blast at gatherings. As Savage said throughout the years developing the act, “This thing will pick up from the ground with a lift-off that defies gravity, Savage Sossa won’t be silenced”.
 

The Roniics Is a hip hop duo made of rapper
Kroniic and Ironiic both based in Pretoria mamelodi east and are both of same age.
In 2017 The Roniics formed a Crew a Crew Called 012Gobliins.
The Crew was an art inspired group of teenagers striving for success, On The 1st of April they recorded their hit single 15shots in polokwane

The song took the internet by storm and caught Nveigh's attention to retweet the song.
On the 3rd of April 2017 they released yet another Hit single called Hungry Moves
https://soundcloud.com/
user-570644670/hungry-kroniic-n-ironiic
in 2018 They Received their first deal to a label Trap Gang Associations which paved them a way to be recognized by a label in Johannesburg Called Studio Scene Entertainment.
In 2019 The 10th of May The Signed to the label and Won a music Video Competition.
On The 25th of May 2019 they Recorded The Video and On the 14th of June the video was released on YouTube
https://youtu.be/kqoetN7OF4I.
Follow our pages On:
Facebook - @The Roniics
Twitter - @TheRoniics
Instagram - @theroniics

South African rapper Soyama Penelope Mbeshu, well known as “Kingsox” was born in Cape Town in a small township called Mbekweni. He was born on 28 January 1998. He grew up with his Mother, Father, Sister and two Brothers. He went to New Orleans Secondary School in Paarl. He is currently studying Marketing at the University of South Africa.
Music Career
Kingsox is a hip hop/ rap artist and a producer, he’s always shown interest in rap music ever since he was a little boy. at the age of 13 Kingsox was already spitting some bars and he was producing the songs for himself as well, since he was exposed to recording equipment which was used buy his older brother “Smasheats”who is a retired rapper, kingsox spent most of his high school years practising how to produced music and how to rap. He started with his crew called Youngnova where he recorded and produced many songs that were never released. Kingsox joined another group called Yn-Frontliners in 2015 where he was a producer as well, they released three songs: “Turn up Juice, Too much Sauce and FWT”
But as you know in life, things don’t always go the way we want them to, sometimes you land in a place you never thought you would, in 2018 kingsox became a solo artist and started his journey while making a name for himself, in May 2018 Kingsox released his first single called “My life”
https://soundcloud.com/user-88421459/kingsox-my-lif3
Followed by “Lights”
https://soundcloud.com/user-88421459/lights
In October 2018 he sold his third single “Blunt breakfast”
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/blunt-breakfast-single/1438009169
which is available on 150+ online stores.
He is currently working on a new mixtape called “Bring it back to the Crib” which he says is a short documentary about his future plans, it is going to be released on 31 July 2019 and consists of 8 songs.
Achievements
Kingsox performed at various gigs and local events in cape town. kingsox was invited for radio interviews in several radio stations. he has been mentioned in 3 cape town magazines. Kingsox hosted two local hip hop/rap shows in Mbekweni, the first one was in October and the other one in December 2018. Kingsox entered the #Capetowndecypher challenge in January, he is currently a member of #unsignedcapetown, an air for independent artists. Kingsox entered the #liftasyourisechallenge by Nasty C and put his 16 bars on the song Alabama. Kingsox has been invited to Cape Town TV for an interview on 24 may 2019.
Message from kingsox
Kingsox believes that music is life, and it is his source of inspiration. A person doesn’t just rise up at once, you can fall down and rise up again because life has no recipe, no one is perfect and everyone is allowed to make mistakes. Kingsox wants to perfect his musical talent in order to better express his passion, struggles he faces as an upcoming artist. His goal is to leave a mark on the music industry and collaborate with other established artists in the industry
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kingsoxtherapper/
Twitter https://twitter.com/kingsox_sa
Ig https://www.instagram.com/king_sox_music/
WhatsApp
Kingsox :0846498834
Manager: 0627273932

Who is that one Rapper that you look at and be like... "I want to be like that guy"?
Specifically, I get inspiration from different sounds especially from Kanye West, J.Cole & a little bit of Kendrick Lamar here and there.
 
Hip hop has a lot of rappers in Mzansi,  what makes you different from other Mzansi Rappers?
Not to disrespect anyone but I would say the unpredictability of my sound says it all, for example (lights-dancehall) to a song like blunt breakfast which is a complete different perspective of the total idea of kingsox and take a look at the recent single I just dropped, I bring you a little taste of my rapping side which more of it going to be in my upcoming mixtape called bringitbacktothecrib dropping in July 2019.
 
Who is your intimidation around your block with making hits?
I don't get intimidated, I get inspired .and learn.
 
What is the Good and The Worst thing about Hip hop according to Your Experiences? 
It can change you for the good or the worst, depending on your approach .sometimes what we are shown on tv and our social media platforms are the "good times" the mainstream artist "benefits" and that misperception is the "death of many upcoming artist careers" I’ve seen it happen too many times.
 
What is the motive behind your writings? 
The priceless moments I went through in life good or bad. And hopefully I can touch and maybe change a life or two out there.
 
What can the fans expect from your coming Documentary? 
"Great music" especially from my mixtape titled bring it back to the crib that is dropping in July 2019, I am proud to say one of the songs in the mixtape I am featured by a great hip hop and rap artist called lusive who is from Bronx, united states. Lastly expect the unexpected.
 
KINGSOX... What's the story behind this stage name? 
The name started as just plain Sox. But throughout the different stages of my music journey I’ve been getting crowned like "yow this kid is good “so the day I decided to finally register my music (samro) they told me the system might reject the application because of the name ,it already exist in their data base used by a different artist so I thought I cannot change my name, where do I begin thinking of a new name and it all made sense I should just crown myself and put king in front of Sox
 
How is the Response from family and friends towards your music Journey? 
Obviously at first it had its ups and downs whereby my parents said music is not a career especially rap music they say it is influenced by drugs and all other bad things, they say they did not understand the language. But today I have my whole family’s full support and my mother is my biggest fan and now almost everyone sees the dream or should I say vision. My friends have always been there for me since day one.
 
Few years from now,  where will kingsox be?
The vision is to expand the music all across the globe. My goal is to own a record label so that I can give a chance to many struggling young upcoming artists like me who work so hard but finds it so hard to get exposure or support. I want to see myself collaborating with a-list artists from all over the world. But from now until that happens, I am going to put an extra effort to make sure the brand is growing, and hopefully I will be a permanent resident in the mainstream industry.
 
Who do you want to send your Shout Outs to ? 
First of all I want to thank God for giving me the talent and also for keeping on creating opportunities for me. A very big shout out to the co-founder of kingsox music that is also my manager (miss tee) and last but not least I want to say thank you to all my fans for supporting me.
which was released in July 2018 with a music video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1llcvy5yuu

Gami Swaga, GAMI (Get.A.Musical.Instrument) real name Hlayisani Malungana.. born on 13 October 1984, Zava Village, Dzumeri, Giyani, Limpopo, South Africa. An 2x Award winning Dj, Producer, songwriter, Marketing manager, Doggywear Clothing, music video director, art director & recently scored a gig at Munghana Lonene's Saturday morning show which starts at 00h00 midnight called Mbita Ya Vunanga.
Gami Swaga went to Katekati primary school, Northern Academy (Plk) & Ndhambi high school, furthured studies on sound engineering at Birnam Business College.
Success story includes 2 awards for a song called Babalaas featuring a Mozambiqan artist callex Xipanere for Munghana Lonene 'Best Xitsonga House song, recently won it on the same category for a song called Tamati Soso featuring the talented 15 yer old sensation called Xisomisani who has since taken the industry by suprise, also produced for the award winning Live Band 'African Stars'. Accompanied by 19 other Nominations including FAME AWARDS Song of the year category with the song 'Light after dark' collaboration with Rabs Vhafuwi which got international playwriting & recognition. My first album is called 'Le Nkompon 1 & its available on itunes',  Other collaborations include Nigerian Superstar 'Eternal' on song NTOFONTOFO, recent single is a Smash hit called 'Tamati Soso' featuring a 15 Year Old hip hop talented Tsonga female called Xisomisani, it just won Best Xitsonga House song 2019 at Munghana Lonene awards, as it was on 3 nominations including best collab & most popular song of the year

You do so many things at your best... how would you describe Gami Swaga in one word?
Workforce
How do you balance all these activities? 
I'm very specific with time, time is precious to me so I make sure that I utilize every second that God gives me constructively.
Who or what got You into Media or Entertainment? 
My father loved music so much, he had a live band, so as an 8 Year old, I was always there during their rehersals, that built a good foundation for Music in me.
What is the Good and The Worst thing about Media and Entertainment according to Your Experiences? 
Well, the good is that you can be famous and get all the opportunities overnight, the bad part is: you  can loose all that in a second if you are not disciplined.
How did you discover or find Xisomisani? 
She was passing by my street with her friends to school, rapping loud to a Song which I had done with Tsonga Rap king 'Mthimbani' & Ms Kuli called TsongaSauce, I saw a lot of energy & potential in her.
Gami Swaga... What's the story behind this stage name? 
G.A.M.I = Get - A- Musical - Instrument... I wanted a name that had a significance in my craft, a name which would never expire.

You have Achieved a lot through Music and Entertainment,  Congratulations on that... How was the feeling on your first achievement and is the feeling different from now that you are achieving more? 
Thank you very much, the 1st feeling of winning XMA15 was amazing, I never imagined, it felt great and i was humbled, I still get the same adrenaline when I achieve something new. Nothing changed
Few years from now,  where will Gami Swaga be?
Ive got aspirations of owning my own farm, in the midst of that, I will be traveling the world perfoming, with my team at Gami Music Production of course, and an ambassador of something  (hopefully with a couple of endorsements)
Your Latest hit Tamatisoso featuring Xisomisani,  What's the Motive behind this track and how is the experience working with such talent? 
The song was an instant hit, it was very well received by the Masses, Working with Xisomisani was/is amazing, she's too talented to ignore.
What are wise words that keeps you going as an artist? 
Have patience of a lion, your day will come.
Shout Outs 
To my family & friends, our supporters, the whole Gami Music Production Team, Xipanere, Timotone, Legend Alpha, Nizerise, Funky Richy, Also the amazing team which worked very hard on our latest Music Video (TamatiSoso) A images, our director Enelani Mabunda, make up Khanyisa Malungani & our Stylist Kate Lukz of TsongaSause Collection
Get in touch with Gami Swaga here:
Facebook: DJ Gami Swaga
Instagram: @gamiswaga
Twitter: @gami_swaga

Siphiwe Kubeka, known by his stage name "Mickauthentic" but most people call him Mick. I was born and bread in Alexandra at 16th Roosevelt - coming to think of it, I've lived my whole life here without living elsewhere and that is why wherever I walk or talk it's hard to leave it out.
I am a song writer, rapper, music activist, certified webmaster & graphic designer with Wix, Citizen Journalist graduate & Film & Television graduate with Big Fish, Self - made Cinematographer, and Philanthropy Student with Philanthropy University.
I've been writing music since grade 6 at Orchards Primary School. My teacher would go crazy from the beats banging from the table, written poetry on the back of my book flowing - then I'll get chased out of class for noise distractions.
I saw the purpose to use my talent and craft to liberate the people of my township out of poverty. In high school I couldn't really take it to the next level because I had no choice but to be the first child at home to earn a matric certificate and keep up with my studies way more than my craft.
I mean, my mother being the head of the house at that time - playing the role of both parents while she was unemployment but making sure that me & my siblings don't sleep on an empty stomach nor miss a single day at school.
I had to put a smile on my mother's face, that's the only way I felt blessing are going to come infinite.
Where I am today, with all these achievements & certificates I've earned - I haven't done anything yet as long as change is still making at a snail pace with my community, including the rest of the country.
I will continue using my lyrics and music just like the Cape Crusader Youngsta CPT does for Kaapstad as powerful weapon to liberate my people from this system that's make us suffer without gaining anything from it directly.
I can do music like every other rapper and end up sounding the same like a radio frequency with no signal but I just prefer not to leave my people behind suffering all alone without anyone to speak up for them. Showing that I'm serious about it, I released my first Studio EP on the 28 March 2018 entitled "Citizen Journalist" with the assistance of my producers' MonarchAtown, Smiley Da Wiz and international producer from Belgium "Mago" - here is a link to the project:
✓ https://soundcloud.com/mickauthentic/sets/citizen-journalist-by-mickauthentic
I am releasing my 2nd Studio EP entitled "Serve" later in April but yet to release the date and currently working on my 3rd & 4th Studio EPs of which will be released later on this year. I am also working on film projects, music videos and events this year so my schedule tight already.

 

Who or what is Your Main Influence in The Hip Hop industry?
Rapsody, J Cole and Chaz French.

 

Is who you are now reflects to who you wanted to be when you started rapping back in the days?

Yes, I always saw myself enhancing change for my people through my music.

 

What is the Good and The Worst thing about Hip hop in Alex according to Your Experiences?

Hip hop does not have a huge fan base in Alexandra compared to House Music and that is by far the worst thing that has ever happened to it. The best thing is that, only now that young people are beginning to understand hiphop music.

 

Is the Rap Game Growing in Alex or it somehow lost Direction?

It is growing but in a lost direction because most producers and musicians lack a lot of information about how the hip hop music industry works.

 

What is it that Mzansi Hip Hop is lacking and Where is it Excelling?

Most successful hip hop artists and producers are finding it hard to support and guide upcoming artists and producers. Their pride makes them think that philanthropy is a waste of their time, while it would be a great investment.

 

Your next coming EP "Serve": What can Fans expect on it?

Nothing else but uncensored liberational music that will make you keep your faith and will strong enough to stand any negative force that trys to stand in between of you and your opportunities.

 

Your Stage Name Mickauthentic... What's the story behind it?

Mickey has been my nickname for a very long time and I have always kept my attitude & personality authentic towards my peers, without any 'sugar-coating'. In my music, authenticity is the most common element you'll find because I have always been the voice of people through music without the fear of what the government might do to me. Let's just say - I am one of the few brave rappers left in this country because the rest are wearing masks and hiding of expressing we're really facing.

 

What best Experience has Rap made you encounter?

It allowed me to voice out to the people and give them hope, instead of hiding behind a mask just to please the system that's failing us as a country without gaining anything from it directly

 

What are the Wise Words that keep you going as a Rapper?

Giving up is never an option or Opinion and cannot be part of my decision making. Strong faith, mind, heart & soul is my infinite fuel and no one will take it away from me.

 

Is there a difference between Mickauthentic the Rapper and Siphiwe Kubeka in everyday life?

Not at all, because when you look at my pictures from both sides - it's still me.

 

Shout Outs

A special shout out to my son Matsi and my all time best friend/ producer/ manager/ colleague & brother MonarchAtown. You've been the greatest homie.
Here are my links to my work:
✓ https://www.instagram.com/stillantique/
✓ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUNjaqQBDBSXwZPBqW1M-wA
✓ https://amu.se/artist/mickauthentic
✓ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHzD5mmkKQhljyPtqiltNGA/videos?disable_polymer=
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nZ7KNUlS0Z8

Thomas Hazey (whose real name is Dean), is a South African Hip Hop artist from the East Side of Johannesburg – Boksburg to be exact.
He is a member of the music collective, Frequency Manipulation [FM] – Hazey has been actively making and releasing music online, with fellow FM member and frequent collaborator Daev Martian, from as early on as 2009.
After gaining a little recognition worldwide as a consequence of being featured on Daev Martian’s debut album on the song “88’ alongside ASAP Shembe, the music video for which was premiered locally by Zikhipani Magazine and internationally via Complex Magazine [UK] in late 2017 – Hazey has since been cultivating an audience of his own, to whom he frequently releases singles and short EPs.
Having performed at the first ‘We Are One Music’ Festival [with ASAP Shembe], performed at Mane Attraction’s first event in Africa [Cape Town], being featured on YFM for the SA Hip Hop Live Thursday night cyphers, as well as competing in Back To The City’s PowerPlay 10K challenge 2019 – the name ‘Thomas Hazey’ has been gaining it’s fair share of traction and exposure.
Thomas Hazey prides himself in being an urban artist with something to say – whether it’s on the state of the culture, life, relationships or all things that make up the human experience, there’s always a little something sprinkled in Hazey’s music.
Thomas Hazey has a vast catalogue of music releases, namely:
- Planet Marz LP (with Daev Martain) [2012]
- Rough Sketch EP (with Daev Martian) [2013]
- A Prelude To Something? EP [2018]
- BornFree-ish EP (with SEEZ) [2018]
- PREVIEWS EP (with Daddy Longstem) [2018]
- 4Play EP (with Ty-Dilla) [2018]
- LOST EP [2018]
And a number of singles and featured songs out there.
Currently working on a new project with collaborator and fellow Frequency Manipulation member, Ndugu.Ndugu titled ‘So Help Me GOD’ – the limits to where Hazey can go sonically, have yet to be defined.

Who or what got you into Hip hop?
uMalum wam’ - My youngest uncle that is. He was the only person in my family who was really into hip hop and the culture like that. I remember a time where we, the kids of the family, were forbidden from even going into his room – but curiosity always got the better of us. My first recollection of Hip Hop in my life, was hearing him play “Pacific Heights” by Pep Love, a song that till this day still echoes in my memory as if I first heard it yesterday
How would you describe or explain hip hop in a different way from other common perspectives?
To me – Hip Hop is the language of our generation. It has become the culture that unifies us, people, from different walks of life & the world round, because at its core Hip Hop has always been about self-expression, self-improvement, Community and owning your truth. Hip Hop, especially the music, has always been so raw and founded itself upon unfiltered storytelling. And it is through these stories that we as a people began to identify with one another, banding together around the life experiences & struggles we all shared. Hip Hop exposed to us both the bad and the good of our society like no genre before it – Hip Hop was the first time we saw Black people from the bottom become successful in the mainstream and made it was actually cool. It represented and still represents that anything is possible – rags to riches was the fulfilment of every rap story and for many, Hip Hop became a source of hope & the art-form that truly expressed the nature of our realities and the possibilities of more. I love Hip Hop man!
What advancements have you experienced through hip hop so far?
Hip Hop has allowed for me to share with the world my part of the story. It’s taken me to places I had yet to be, particularly when I had the opportunity to perform in Cape Town in October 2018. Hip Hop has introduced me to a lot of the people that I now consider friends.
I have had the pleasure of performing at platforms such as We Are One Music Festival [2018, with ASAP Shembe] and doing interviews on platforms that I would have never had the opportunity to, had I not rapped – such as YFM, Cliff Central, CAPS Radio, Wits Vuvuzela, Unorthodox Reviews, MxRadio and even this platform right here just to name a few.
It was through Hip Hop that I was able to perform at this year’s Back to The City PowerPlay 10K challenge. Hip Hop has, and continues to do a lot for me – I’m actually excited to see what more it has in store for me if I stay the course.
How would you imagine life without hip hop?
It is hard to even imagine that. Hip Hop has been a part of my life for the longest time and it basically dominates popular culture right now.
But I do imagine that a life without Hip Hop would be very dull, uninspiring and far less daring. For many of us, Hip Hop was the cape that helped propel us towards fearlessly chasing all that which we ever dreamed possible – and more.
If you were not into Hip hop, what or where would you be?
I am a nerd at heart truthfully. I love reading, and I believe that had I not been into Hip Hop, I would still be getting my truth out there in the form of writing books or publishing blogposts [depending on whatever seemed most relevant at the time].
I love solving problems too and applying my mind, so I could definitely see myself working within an organisation (more than likely my own – I’m stubborn like that) helping service the needs of my community or business in whatever capacity most necessary.
What is the Motive behind your Writings... especially your latest work?
Most of my music when carefully analysed, has a lot to do with self-improvement and my relationship with myself, the world around me – and GOD.
I want my music to capture the essence of the human experience and to be the gateway to larger conversations about the things that most desperately tug at our hearts as people.
I hope my music helps people, in whatever way that is relevant to them at whatever place they may find themselves in life at that particular moment when they hear it.
I make my music out of service (for the most part), for both myself and the world at large – I hope I truly get heard.
Thomas Hazey, what's the story behind this stage name?
Nothing too deep honestly. At the time, when I came up with the name – I was listening to rappers with names like ‘’Earl Sweatshirt’’, ‘’Mick Jenkins’’, ‘’Mac Miller’’, ‘’Khuli Chana’’ etc – so I decided that I wouldn’t call myself something cliché like ‘’Young …’’ or ‘’Lil …” so I came up with Thomas Hazardous, which eventually just became Thomas Hazey soon after.
You have been a part of many activities... How did you manage to get there?
For the most part, the music has been able to speak on my behalf and open certain doors for me. Actively putting myself out there, through the use of social media and just sharing my music with the right people who happened to possibly know someone who could lend a helping hand has also helped a lot. The greatest decision I ever made for myself, was to unashamedly be my biggest promoter – and fortunately for me, so far, it’s been working in my favour.
Find your truth and live in it, honestly.
What is that one thing that upcoming rappers do that stops their music from breaking through?
I am still trying to breakthrough myself, if I am being honest. I do, however, believe that owning your truth is the key to that. A lot of upcoming artists try to make the music that they believe people expect & want from them and as a consequence of that, they make music that is strikingly similar to what’s out there already [Whether sonically or content wise] and their story goes unheard of as a result.
Packaging and positioning is also an essential part of this industry. Talent alone is not enough, work on how you want to be seen by those you want to be seen by.
What can the Fans Expect from Thomas Hazey from now?
Definitely a lot more music, and a deeper dive into what it is exactly that I came to do and achieve with this music thing. I have some shows in my bag too, so people should definitely make the effort to come out and show me some love when I do go out and perform.
I am also working on a performance art piece with a dear friend, Oratile Papi Konopi – titled ‘’Bua Le Ene’’ , it’s a project that seeks to interrogate the relationship between men & women and the potentially violent nature of those connections, in an artistically creative way. People should definitely keep an eye out for that, that’s happening real soon.
But more than anything, those who support me should be in anticipation of my next project – ‘’So Help Me GOD’’ an album I am working on in collaboration with my brother Ndugu.Ndugu. I cannot wait till I can share that with the world.
Who do you want to send your Shout Outs to?
Firstly, Frequency Manipulation – my team.
Secondly, The homies and my friends who inspire me – ASAP Shembe, Seez, Eezy & the Ezy Entertainment team, Danger Power Ranger, Ty-Dilla, Swish 8-8, Sir Abster, Fireman R5, xSipping, Naxxion, Basso Relievo, The Us, We Are One Music, Under Pressure Sundays, Mane Attraction, Arcade Music and many more
Thirdly and definitely not least – My momma, everybody reading this article right now and anyone who has ever downloaded, streamed and shared my music. I love you all, truly.
Last but definitely not least – my favourite face, the one who’s cuter in person & doesn’t dare to touch her phone during the weekend, cutey (she knows herself, lol)
Link to my music : www.fanlink.to/ThomasHazey
TWITTER : @ThomasHazey
INSTAGRAM : @ThomasHazey
FACEBOOK : Thomas Hazey
WEBSITE:
www.fanlink.to/ThomasHazey