Ms Kulie is a lover of music!… I believe everything else that happens in my career or life has happened because I loved music first. I am a Rapper, Radio presenter, club MC and content producer. I am from Elim in the Makhado Municipality, born and raised in Elim.
Who or what got you into hip hop and Radio?
I always loved Hip Hop because I came from a family that appreciates music. I grew up to my parents listening to all kinds of genres but the taste that stood out would be the Hip Hop, Kwaito and RnB. My mom listens to Lauryn Hill, Marry J, Wyclef Jean amongst others while my late dad liked Snoop Dog and kwaito music if he is not listening to Dr Thomas Chauke. All of that fused with my love for poetry and my sisters love for Beyoncé and 90’s love songs had me freestyle to her favourite songs which gave birth to the rapper. I had my first studio session in high school at Backyard Records owned by my uncle Ras Tribe who I can say helped settle the hip hop bug in me.
Lindiwe Makhubele aka LinDiva inspired me to be on radio. I used to call in on her Hip Hop show on Capricorn FM back in 2009/10 for rap battles. I was crowed “Queen of the mic” and got be on air on almost a weekly base for the battles. I started making commercial music in 2011 with my then stage name HHDiva which was inspired by the late HHP who I can say was a big brother in music. Making and submitting music on radio made me want to understand the system. I knew so many great musicians not getting airplay, I wanted to know how the system works and what’s needed for the music that is on the streets to reach the ears of millions. Now on my broadcasting portfolio I have Mala FM 101, Univen Radio, Energy FM, Capricorn FM and Munghana Lonene Fm which have all been a pleasure to serve at.
I am happy that after so many years I have realigned my life and I’m making more music!
What is the good and the bad thing about being a Female Rapper according to your experiences?
I believe women as creatives have unique stories that we express the best way we know how, so as a female rapper my stories and my creativity is based on being an African woman from a country that has in faults in how we treat women and at the same time manifesting what I would want to see.
The bad parts sadly have been the bad parts from when I started my music and I am great-full to be seeing less of it now and that is expecting sexual favours for work. There seems to be a notion that women can only pay with sex, yes you can pay money but you must also let uncomfortable sexual comments slide. The unprofessionalism is also crazy towards women in music, from submitting deadlines when you work with people and going as far as people refusing to release you would have worked really hard for.
Bookings… we still have a long way when it comes to this we see less and less women being booked and given the platform and especially women in hip hop and I really wish I understood the cause for this.
What is this one song that made a lot of people to know or love Ms Kulie?
This is tricky coz you’ll have to ask them LOL! But HHDiva was known for Yellow Bone (Personally didn’t like the song) and for Ms Kulie according to royalties and feedback that I usually get 48 (TWRR) produced by Storm and HopeStar. The song getting the most airplay is Take A Look ft Cardo Cardo.
What do you Love Most about your fans when you are performing and when you are presenting?
I love the fact that they love me 😂 sometimes I don’t get it but people seem to love what I do, be it music, be it radio the feedback is always positive and inspires me to be better.
Ms Kulie… how did this stage name come about and why do you call yourself “Dyi Baddie”?
Dyi Baddie is who I see myself as, someone who has worked for what she has and backed up by my mother’s genes making me BAD AS HELL!
Dyi Baddie is the name of my upcoming single produced by Nqabza The Boss (Probably my favourite beat maker to date) and now with you dragging the cat out of the bag, the name of my debut EP which has been many years over overdue. I am excited about it and I will be releasing it in November. I am always recorded and never felt ready enough to release a body of work but I think it’s time for people to not just get singles but get a compilation of the music I have made this year. The EP features some of my favourite rappers and producers and just to name drop I have the likes of Zeph Beats on production so it is beautiful!
What is this one thing you wish to change about Tsonga Rap?
Nothing at all, I swear I wouldn’t change a thing! Everyone is unique and expressing themselves in ways I have never seen. Everyone is killing, from all the XMA19 Best Hip nominees, to the like to Blackmyth, Jay Gang, Rural Dreams, Mazola Killer Meazy, Brace Shirimani, Carvo Cardo, Slumkidd and so many others I could go on forever. Don’t change guys, make the music!
Would you consider yourself as Queen of Tsonga Rap or there’s someone you can say they worth the crown?
I think there are other very talented Tsonga female rappers, we just need better PR. I think we will one day crown the Queen of Tsonga Rap. If I am chosen, I will wear the crown and we all know it will look daim good on me.
Who is your Celebrity Crush and Why?
I had to call my best friend to help me confirm this but it’s actually crazy but I don’t have one😂
It was really DJ Dimplez, RIP to him. However I think Frank Casino is fine as hell, Maglera Doe Boy aura is sexy, LekkerStylist is who I will send to war when it comes to style and Godless Dali Wonga’s smile 😂
But crush yona kuhava. No one I’m stalking at the moment.
Shout Outs
A big shout out to my biggest cheerleader, My Mom! Rhulani Shirinda. My creative assistant and cheerleader Hope Lebese along the sister wives (Best Friends) Khodani, Slindile, Tshiddy, trust me if it wasn’t for these women y’all wouldn’t have heard my music, I would have kept everything unreleased.
A huge shout out to everyone who contributed to Dyi Baddie EP, it’s coming out in November 2024 all the producers and features.
Shout out to everyone who supports my music and finally to Rap type Mag for showing me love ❤️
