Interview

Sit down with InnerCore

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January 18, 2024
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In the new age of the modern world digitization has taken away a tool that most rappers used as the greatest weapon to sharpen their craft, a Book of Rhymes. However, this was not the same case for InnerCore who decided to pay homage respect to the Art of RAP with his latest offering. Pyramid Mag caught up with the rapper following his success of over 10 000 streams for this project.

Pyramid Mag: It’s been a long minute since the release of D.I.R.T.Y, why did you take the long break?

InnerCore: I was going through a learning phase, and I was also building for the artists who reached out and opened doors on other platforms like Radio and Podcast. Basically, I was learning and building.

Pyramid Mag: What is the motivation behind the current release, and what are you hoping to achieve?

InnerCore: My motivation is the absence of the real meaning of music, especially the lyrical importance of RAP/Hip-Hop Music.

Pyramid Mag: What are your thoughts on the current state of #VaalHipHop?

InnerCore: In all honesty I think we are showing positivity in growth of music, however, we gotta work on the business side that involves marketing and networking.

InnerCore is featured on VAAL State Of Mind by Sharpeville Creations, alongside Darklisted, Lone Judas, Maths Dipalo and Tha Lord Okest. Track produced by Raw Beats.

Pylramid Mag: You had a Hip-Hop Radio Show on Sedibeng FM, The Core Hip-Hop Show, did that shape or had any influence on your Music, and how to go about releasing it?

InnerCore: That had a major influence yes, and through it all I was learning everyday meeting different artists having to hear their music and experience. I feel the selection of music or sound came from that influence. I heard different people and sounds and had to ask myself how I sound different.

Pyramid Mag: Do you think there’s a place for Hip-Hop music on commercial, local, and online radio stations?

InnerCore: Hip-Hop is Culture. Hip-Hop is art, fashion, skating, music, graffiti, break dancing, it’s impossible for it not to have its a lifestyle.

Pyramid Mag: What’s the story behind the title *Book of Rhymes*, and two releases?

InnerCore: The Book of Rhymes is actually a Series segmented into Chapters. The 1st Chapter of the Series is called Street Poetry.

This Chapter marks the origin of RAP, which is an acronym for Rhythm And Poetry, and this is where I illustrate the ART of RAP, setting a tone for the next chapters to come. I am basically taking street cyphers to the booth.

So, the 1st chapter is about preserving the Culture. To us who come from the Vaal Triangle, known as the Capital City of Hip-Hop and Boombap, Hip-Hop is not just music but part of our culture.

I take it back to the days of Streetbeat and SALSA. J-sec had Le Club, Soweto had Slaghuis, but Vaal had Streetbeat, and later SALSA.

Street Poetry is an illustration of WHO AM I, and WHERE I COME FROM. How I got my identity as a Rapper. What influenced my rhyming and how I write. I am telling a story of how my BOOK OF RHYMES began.

The 2nd Chapter is titled 420, named after the April 20 cannabis culture celebration which is the day that has become the rallying cry of those who seek to legalize weed.

These are hood stories I am creatively narrating through Hip-Hop music. Wait to see what happens next as the story unfolds in the coming chapters.

Pyramid Mag: Who did you work with?

InnerCore: I worked with SamOnBeats, Naked eYe, Xhosanostra, X-Rate, Tlhao Ntabanyane, Msolomba, and Dxn Swf.

From the artwork designs I am working with Sifu to creatively design all the graphics for the Series.

From a PR & Marketing point of view, as well as Branding and packaging of the series, and distribution, I am working with Vincent Kheswa from EasternVille Music. He is also the co-Executive Producer who gave the Series a direction that is has taken.

Pyramid Mag: What does it mean for your Music to be affiliated with EasternVille Music?

InnerCore: Earlier on I spoke about learning and building, the affiliation brought the business aspect of the music onto the table, administration, as well as guidance on how to move my Brand as InnerCore without changing the person I am.

For a hardcore BoomBap project to reach over 10 000 streams on Digital Platforms on this day and era is a result of this affiliation.

Two Chapters of the Book of Rhymes Series are available on all Digital Stores.

https://ditto.fm/book-of-rhymes-street-poetry

https://artists.landr.com/064837288611

Interview

Sit down with Dukii Gone Green

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November 2, 2023
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Pyramid Magazine had a sit down with Dukii Gone Green, a rapper from Sharpeville in the Vaal Triangle who’s been keeping the streets buzzing with his unique flow and amazing music talent.

Pyramid Mag: You’ve been in the game for a minute, however, it’s only now that you’ve released your debut project. What led to this decision?

Dukii Gone Green: Well I’ve been meaning to drop a solid project since 2021 after I did a song with Real Deal Genaro (Mamello E Tswala Katleho) but I had my doubts about the songs as I kept working on new music until the deadline kept passing me for the passed 2 years, until my girl and my friends told me how not serious I am… It got so real I cried my lungs out thinking it’s really chaai for me and I’ve run out of inspiration…

But as I mentioned above that my girl and friends kept pushing me… One day my friend whose name is Joy, one of the people who anticipate my music, came to me and told me he spent almost the whole day watching TV and he was so angry that he came straight to me from his house just to tell me that if such songs can play on TV while mine are what the world deserves to hear, then I’m also capable of doing such and being played on TV, it’s all in the palm of my hands… Honestly after hearing that from him, I must say that was a wake up call “hore watseba keng Dukii, ska bapala poi, spana, you’re capable.”

Pyramid Mag: What inspired the project title and what can people expect from it?

Dukii Gone Green: Well honestly speaking, nothing outside me inspired my project… it’s because I’m not the type to listen to anything before I record because I feel like I’d re-do what I just heard, instead I listen to the beats and go through my WhatsApp chats or just have a conversation about literally anything until I hear something cool or knowledgeable about a certain conversation… My girl will tell you, she even realized that whenever I ask a lot of questions especially when I’m out of context she knows that I’m up to something… musically though… As for the project which is my first of many coming soon you can expect a little bit of my aggression from the tone and a bit of my emotions from the lines I spit.

Pyramid Mag: Can you tell us who you worked with on this project? I.e., Production, engineering, features, etc.

Dukii Gone Green: On this project I literally worked with quite a few people whom I really look up to not because of what they did for me but for the participation of the tape as well…namely Syra who produced the beat for “A lot” where I featured JustSam and the song “Mmh”, Lxcko who produced “Interlude” and Jolly who engineered and produced my favourite song where I featured my Girl’s cousin who has the same name as my Girl actually Lebo, I call it “HYKMW“… and well 60% of the project was engineered by Justsam and that’s what I also appreciate from him as not only did he help me make my project sound crisp and quality but I did get a verse of the decade as he promised me.

Pyramid Mag: You’re part of the crew called LTD FAM, can you tell us more the crew, and is there any music coming in the near future?

Dukii Gone Green: Well at this point I don’t have anything new I can tell you about the crew, but we are still family and we will always be family because whether I make it first or Hamilton makes it before JayPrince or whatever… People should just know that I am who I am today because of those 2 people and never should they doubt that I will always love and appreciate them. In terms of music we have so much unreleased songs we are planning on dropping… but of course we need to fabricate a solid plan for them as we don’t want them trending on WhatsApp statuses only, they literally deserve to be heard… But to cut it short we are coming and very hard for that matter.

Pyramid Mag: What’s your view on the current state of #VaalHipHop?

Dukii Gone Green: Right now all I’m gonna say is they should watch out for the kids that have been left out, from Terry Trill kay, Definition Da Don, Hemustbefabulouse, T’bu Twiz, S.W.O.T and Dynasty to name but a few… I feel like everyone is doing what they think is good for them but as the game as a whole I must say I’m proud of my hometown creatives as everyone now is literally coming to own what they deserve but mostly they should also lookout for my brother JustSam, watch the space.

Pyramid Mag: What would you say is the reason that made you find a voice in Hip-Hop as a culture, and how are you using that voice?

Dukii Gone Green: Well I won’t sit here and lie to you and say it’s always been a dream as kid that I’d be a rapper and all that as because I started as an athlete to playing soccer until I got an injury that compromised my future to being a professional in that field…. But as a kid, I was a very active kid who wasn’t afraid of trying something and I never believed in failure hence you see me doing so good, but I’d also like to give a shout out to magrootman a kasi who believe and motivate me to go even harder… because of them I’m striving for more.

Pyramid Mag: When you write music, do you write based on the beat, or do you start with lyrics and then choose the right beat?

Dukii Gone Green: Well, I’d say a bit of both because I write every chance I get, but I prefer listening to the beat and coming up with something from scratch before recording to the beat… as because before writing for the beat it needs to invite me… like seriously if the beat is not inviting I promise you I won’t reach my full potential but instead I’d write just to have something to record.

Pyramid Mag: How would you define the type of Artist/Rapper that you are?

Dukii Gone Green: I’d leave that question to the people who actually listen and understand me and my music because if I were to answer that I will answer that based on “how I feel about myself” and honestly I feel like I’d be wrong because when I started this music thing I started because I wanted to be something relatable to the kids, because as black people we have quite a few things in common and I felt I’d take that place and be the voice for the black kids who grew in this democratic era where we have too much freedom, and I feel like I’m the perfect example to motivate them to go extra harder as because I was one with causing trouble in high school, fights, drugs and so forth to being a role model and now I put half of that in my music to motivate the kids “hore bafwetho being a loser to the society because of certain dumb decisions doesn’t define your future.”

Pyramid Mag: What do you hope to achieve with your music? Where do you want your music to lead you?

Dukii Gone Green: Not only do I hope my music reaches the masses of the world but I strongly believe I will move from one place to the next where I will reap success through this music, because as I grew I learned that everything really does exist ONLY if you believe in it.

Pyramid Mag: What impact do you want your work and music to have on your audience/followers, as well as the industry at large?

Dukii Gone Green: I honestly I can’t wait being in music debates on who is the greatest, as because I will now hear the other side of what people really think of my music and that will help me improve where they feel like I lack, as that will also help fix a few things because honestly I won’t lie I still feel like I haven’t found myself as yet.. As much as people feel like they really love my music I still feel like I’m short with something and their opinions on it gives me the strength to fix and replace a few notes and the angle of delivery on it.

South Side to Lefatshe is available on Digital Stores

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/dukiigonegreen/south-side-to-lefatshe-2

Interview

Sit down with Vusi Tshabalala of Sharpeville Creations

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November 2, 2023
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Pyramid Magazine had a sit down with Vusi Tshabalala who is the founder and owner of Sharpeville Creations, and a well respected OG in the game of Hip-Hop who continues to be actively involved and contributes immensely behind the scenes with shows such as The Jump Off.

Pyramid Mag: The first important appropriate question to ask is, “What does Hip Hop mean to you?”

Vusi Tshabalala: To me Hip Hop is a way of life and not just music (RAP), which most people frequently confuse as what the culture is in it’s entirety as opposed to being just 1 of the 5 Elements.

Pyramid Mag: You’ve been one of the key influences in South African Hip-Hop for the longest time, some even consider you an OG. Can you tell us about your first or earliest encounters with #VaalHipHop?

Vusi Tshabalala: I don’t know about all that, but my earliest encounters with #VHH has to be hearing Kaydo & Optical get major spins on very “prominent” provincial and national radio stations like YFM and Metro FM in particular with music that contains heavy social content that most indigenous people in the country can relate to as it served as a reflection to what most in the hood we’re accustomed to on a daily basis.

Pyramid Mag: What are your views on the current state of #VaalHipHop?

Vusi Tshabalala: I think it’s definitely heading in the right direction sonically, but as much as I hardly entertaining this topic I feel like there are still unnecessary squabbles between creatives in the region which is gonna keep shit stagnant when we’re supposed to have our own industry already if it weren’t for such setbacks.

Pyramid Mag: This year we are celebrating the 4th Annual installment of “The Jump Off”. What motivated you to start the event, and what’s the purpose behind it?

Vusi Tshabalala: The establishment of Sharpeville Creations PTY LTD is what eventually motivated the inception of THE JUMP OFF as it came about as a celebration of the company being operational for a year hence it’s an annual event. The purpose is to showcase the dopeness that’s hardly ever on commercial platforms.

Pyramid Mag: What can the people expect from the event this year?

Vusi Tshabalala: A whole lot of skill showcased from the 1st act to the last with a combination of the Old & New School.

Pyramid Mag: What role does clothing play in the Hip-Hop culture?

Vusi Tshabalala: Clothing is an extended expression of an individual’s character which is precisely what the whole culture is all about.

Pyramid Mag: Can you tell us about the impact that Sharpeville Creations has made in the Hip-Hop culture, and Sharpeville as a whole?

Vusi Tshabalala: We’ve partnered with a few Hip Hop acts as Brand Ambassadors and drop arguably the sickest annual event in the region. As far as Sharpeville is concerned we’re well on our way to establishing what local residents can claim as their own since Deep Rooted.

Pyramid Mag: Where and how people order clothing items for Sharpeville Creations? And how’s the pricing?

Vusi Tshabalala: We don’t have a physical store as yet, but our merch can be obtained by following our social media handles on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (X) under Sharpeville Creations and by also adding/following the Sharpeville Rep account on Facebook.

All these handles are very active and promote all items you can find under our umbrella. The pricing ranges from R200 – R650 but most items that we sell also come in kiddies’ ranges which are much cheaper than the above-mentioned prices.

Pyramid Mag: How has Hip-Hop shaped your views on religion and world views?

Vusi Tshabalala: It taught me to be a Critical Thinker and to never take things at face-value but to always look for hidden agendas (they’re always lurking in the background) especially when it comes to religion and politrics as I like to call it.

Pyramid Mag: What legacy do you want to leave on earth? How do you want to be remembered?

Vusi Tshabalala: I wanna leave a legacy that gives my children a financial head-start in this capitalistic and materialistic world, personally I wanna be remembered a non-sheeple and very realistic individual who didn’t take shit from lames.

Interview

Sit down with Masedi

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October 19, 2023
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Pyramid Magazine had a sit down with Masedi to catch up on his latest release titled SEDILAKA, and get to understand where his mind is currently at.

Pyramid Mag: You’ve just recently released your latest album titled SEDILAKA. The album was 1st released in physical copies before moving on Digital Stores. What inspired this move and how have people received the album?

Masedi: My target was to sell over 500 hardcopies copies before releasing it on digital platforms. This is because I wanted to test the market if they can really buy into USB flash drives and to my surprise I couldn’t reach my target in a month after release which was my end goal. I always enjoy the sales department than the musical side of the business. Most times I like to set unrealistic targets for myself and see how far I can sell and move a product through music. 

Pyramid Mag: You’ve managed to keep your name relevant and consistent for a number of years now, what keeps you going despite many challenges artists face in this industry, especially Hip-Hop?

Masedi: Idk only God knows where this consistence and relevance comes from. I think it’s because the music that I create is something that they’ve been wanting to hear for ages. To be honest I don’t have a plan or a formula that keeps me going, it’s only God who’s been my driving force. Most of the things are new to me especially for somebody like me who has very little know about hip-hop. 

Pyramid Mag: Earlier you mentioned that you’re going back to school, something that most people never find the courage to do. What inspired the move and how have you managed to balance music and school?

Masedi: I’ve always wanted to study MBA (Masters in Business Administration) so I had to apply for a BBA course (Bachelors Business Administration) and obtain that degree first before I study what I really want. Like I said I’ve always had a keen interest in sales, brand creation and moving a product. That has been my area of interest. So, some of the things I study I apply them with the use of my music, and I apply some principles that I’ve studied to independently push my music. Studying and reading really helps me push my music. It has helped with seeing the industry with a different eye, assessing the market and marketing your envelope. There’s a lot of work behind the scenes that requires sufficient knowledge.

Pyramid Mag: A lot of young kids look up to you for many reasons, what advice would you give to the up and coming artist who wants to reach your level of success?

Masedi: They should stay in school and treat this music craft as a hobby. Lockdown really taught us a lesson that you need more than one stream of income to survive. They must create business opportunities for themselves and empower others in the community. They must never be tired or lazy to study. They should never see the negative side of education. They should submit the livelihood to God. They should never forget to have fun.

Pyramid Mag: You have lost a number of close people in this Music journey such as Thato and Nas. How did you deal with the loss and how did it impact your work?

Masedi: It’s sad on how both they lost their lives on the road. I still have trauma when I have to get inside a car and I have to travel to an event because we drink a lot to be honest with you. Which are the risks we take that come with the benefits of our scope of work. We work at scary hours sometimes and it’s by God’s grace that we make it home alive. We pray every time before we travel to any show and after. We ask for protection. It’s scary to lose someone that you had a vision with and to lose someone who had your best interests at heart.

Their passings really slowed down the momentum of the passion we had when we started this musical journey, and to be honest there are days where we feel like quitting and let everything go when you think about the passing of the people who carried your Vision. The adrenaline and drive that I had when I started this music journey at the beginning is not the same anymore, it has decreased a lot. I literally watched these boys grow and make so much money at a young age. They were close to reaching their dreams. They died at the finish line. I don’t think I can stand the pain of losing another brother anymore. The experience is very painful because it affects everyone around me too. The confidence to create lacks so hard when the army is mourning. 

Pyramid Mag: Would you consider doing a collaboration project with Real Deal Genaro? In fact, how come it hasn’t happened as yet?

Masedi: Actually I don’t want to spoil the surprise there’s something in the oven. We’ve been planning this thing since 2017. I think we were both too busy building our brands until we see stability and now is the perfect time to grow together again like we started.

Pyramid Mag: What are some of your greatest highlights/achievements in the Music Industry?

Masedi: Seeing the people around me grow rapidly. It’s safe to say I built youngsters who managed to be breadwinners at home through their craft. I’ve seen it with my own eyes and I still see it today. This is what’s keeping me going and this is the achievement I can say for me I take pride in. We managed to great gaps in the industry that we never thought they existed and they paying good dividends. The boys are eating well and the young ones have picked it up too.

Pyramid Mag: What’s your view on the current status of #VaalHipHop?

Masedi: There is change, I like the fact that more rappers are starting to rap in Italian / Stadiana. I see our sound is getting it’s own identity. The listeners are starting to relate with more rappers because they rap about things that happen in the Vaal.

Pyramid Mag: When all is said and done, how do you want to be remembered? 

Masedi: The person who revolutionised the sound of Milan.

SEDILAKA by Masedi is available on all Digital Stores

Interview

Sit down with Vusi Twala

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October 19, 2023
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Pyramid Magazine has a sit down with Vusi Twala who is half of the two proud owners of CLOTHING BEYOND ORDINARY, a clothing brand from the Vaal Triangle aimed at touching the society with excellent quality clothing and accessories. 

Pyramid Mag: When was your clothing apparel established, and what was the inspiration behind it? 

Vusi Twala: Believe it or not, it was established in 2004 by me and my 2 beasties whilst doing grade 8 dreaming of one day becoming a powerhouse of a brand. We were inspired by our schoolmates, a specific time when we were given a standing ovation on our style and choice of dress code on private clothes day “civies”

Pyramid Mag: Who are the key partners behind the brand?

Vusi Twala: It is myself (Vusi Twala) and Bennet Mafenuka

Pyramid Mag: What is the vision behind the brand, and what goals have been achieved so far? 

Vusi Twala: THE BIGGEST GOAL WE HAVE ACHEIVED SO FAR IS STARTING. We have struggled to even get to the printing stage for all these years due to our private lives, our careers and general interests. We have tried to start this for years with no success due to all the aforementioned. Our vision is QUALITY! QUALITY! QUALITY!  We intend to STAND ABOVE ORDINARY CLOTHING BRANDS by really taking notes of their MISTAKES. We need to be in the closets for the longest, be in the backs of our clients the longest, and also bearing in mind be stylish while doing this. 

Pyramid Mag: What makes your brand different from anything that is out there?

Vusi Twala: The approach to the industry.  We want the client to feel the thread, adore the packaging and brag about us. We’re proud of the brand but so is any other brand owner. QUALITY aspect aside, the name of the brand says it all and the 1st two designs are just the umbrella of a lot more storytelling line drops that will be ringing the right bells.

Pyramid Mag: What is it that people gain when they buy your brand?

Vusi Twala: It’s just the beginning with just under literally 20 followers across all the social platforms. We have noticed that we are being seen by a lot more viewers just not subscribers and buyers. We were only supported by our immediate circle of influence, however, in a recent study we were enlightened that that’s how it all starts… but anyway we have ran completions for free merchandise and are currently on a verge of starting a partnership with Lesedi la Bokamoso Wellness Center in Sharpeville with just the little that we have. We can only imagine the influence we can bring to the community once the ball starts rolling. 

Pyramid Mag: Where can people buy and how can they place orders?

Vusi Twala: Our merch is readily available on YAGA, which is the fastest growing marketplace for loved fashion in South Africa and Estonia. YAGA launched a pilot in Tallinn, Estonia and expanded to South Africa in early 2020 where YAGA shortly became the number one choice for South Africans for selling their fashion pieces online. Here is a link to our YAGA store

https://www.yaga.co.za/clothing-beyond-ordinary

We also have a WhatsApp Business line 0782163924 for orders and obviously a simple DM ON ALL OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS

FACEBOOK: Clothing Beyond Ordinary

TikTok: cbo_90

Instagram : clothing_beyond90

Pyramid Mag: What is your strategy to counter the current economic outlook where there’s less money to spend in people’s pockets?

Vusi Twala: Truth be told. People need clothes on their backs. That is a common need, and 70 percent of the youth is obsessed with brand and are clearly not in the “I CARE ” state of awareness. They just want what they want. So we just cater to their desires while expressing positivity and sending a unique message through our clothing brand. That an individual is beyond ordinarily.  So to answer the question there is no strategy to counter attack the economy yet. Maybe once we have established ourselves and our power. 

Pyramid Mag: With the festive season coming up, what is in store for the brand that people can look up to?

Vusi Twala: Collaborations with our beloved Vaal artists and a few giveaways. We have noticed that brands love the influencer wearing their brands approach. We are not ordinary so we would rather give our merch to the public since they are the customer we serve them. 

Pyramid Mag: What are your views on the current state of #VaalHipHop? 

Vusi Twala: Touchy subject.  Major personal views that aren’t popular with the today scene. In a nut shell I AM NOT NEW SCHOOL AND I REALLY CAN SUPPORT IT UP TO SO FAR. I’m just not into what it’s become… I mean literally cats are bending over backwards to please the popular demand. Do what you gotta do I’m just not into commercial Rap. 

Interview

Sit down with Real Deal Genaro

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July 28, 2023
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Pyramid Magazine had a sit down with Real Deal Genaro, a prominent rapper born and raised in Sebokeng, Vaal Triangle, whose style of rap bends English and Sotho to create this unique and incredible “lingo” that’s becoming a trademark in his hometown.

Pyramid Mag: How did you manage to keep yourself relevant in the game without dropping a full length project?

Real Deal Genaro: I think it has a lot to do with impact & influence. I feel like I’ve always had a consistent run on how I influence people. It can be on how I dress , how I talk , my tattoo’s etc. I feel like my relationship with my fans has always been different.

Pyramid Mag: Are there any plans for a full length project in the near future, or new Music?

Real Deal Genaro: There’s definitely new music coming up. A new single in a couple of weeks before we get ready for the summer and just features on the side.

Pyramid Mag: What’s your view on the current status of #VaalHipHop?

Real Deal Genaro: It’s really quiet. There’s nothing exciting since the Sebokeng Downs freestyle, hahaha nah for real though. Vaal Hip Hop is in a stagnant state, there’s nothing to talk about man and I wouldn’t say there’s lack of support, I mean if there was we wouldn’t be sitting on 20K views, 15K views going up. I just think there hasn’t been anything great in a minute. Oh but there is something you should look out for, ‘X’ by Lobo myself and Earle Fari and ‘Vivienne Westwood’ by Earle Fari and Lobo, now that’s heat we didn’t know we needed.

Real Deal Genaro – SEBOKENG DOWNS (SECOND CHAPTER OF A REAL LIFE SEQUEL)

Pyramid Mag: Last year you lost a very close friend, Thabang Nas Koena, a great creative and a photographer of note whose legacy cannot be forgotten and left a huge gap in the industry. How have you been dealing with the loss and how did it impact your work?

Real Deal Genaro: I honestly didn’t know how to deal with that, I mean Nas was like a brother to me, he’s one person I could say completely understood what I’m trying to do. So losing him was like losing an organ 😪 it really pierced my heart.

Pyramid Mag: Every Music Video you’ve been dropping seems to escalate into a new level of creativity. What’s the inspiration and the driving force behind your work?

Well, I’ve always believed that “You’re only as good as your last work” and I’m lucky I got to be around people that actually understand that about me. I’m always finding ways to improve myself and the quality and authenticity of my visuals.

Real Deal Genaro – Ra Lwana Nah ft Masedi, Kxng Colo & Flokey (Official Music Video)

Pyramid Mag: Would you consider doing a collaboration project with Masedi? In fact, how come it hasn’t happened yet?

Real Deal Genaro: Masedi is one of my favourite artists. We’ve had that chat before, a Real Deal Genaro x Masedi project would slap. I would love to do an album with him. He’s definitely one of the greatest.

Pyramid Mag: What impact do you want your work and music to have on your audience/followers, as well as the industry at large?

Real Deal Genaro: I want to save lives with my music and what I do. I want to give people hope, I want people to know that life gives you a 2nd chance, 3rd chance, 4th, 5th etc. as long as you don’t give up on yourself. I had someone come up to me and said “Maana I appreciate you so much, if it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t have held on this long, ‘Mamelo etswala Katleho’ has restored my will to live.” as soon as I heard that, I understood my purpose. The same kinda impact just on a larger scale.

Real Deal Genaro feat. Dukii – MAMELLO ETSWALA KATLEHO
Interview

Recuperating with KxngBlu

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July 21, 2023
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Pyramid Magazine had a sit down with Tshediso Mofokeng, popularly known as KxngBlu, who is a Vaal based Sound Engineer, Music Video Director, Producer and Rapper. He is the Founder of Raw Music Group (R.M.G). KxngBlu has been a pivotal factor in Vaal Hip Hop for more than 10 years and has worked with the Best in Vaal and the country at large.

Pyramid Mag: More To Me is a very personal body of work, what is the story behind the Music, and the message you’re driving to the audience?

KxngBlu: More To Me is an album created out of necessity. My producer SubBeatz and I worked on it for 2 years because I felt like artists had such a deep misconception of who I am. I wanted to use the music to correct whatever incorrect perceptions there were or are of me. I am a son, a father, a brother, and a friend. I am more than just a rapper/ cinematographer, and I needed that message to reach anyone who was going to listen to this album.

Pyramid Mag: You’ve been publicly open about your struggles with depression. What is one thing you wish people could understand about this?

KxngBlu: Depression is not an excuse. I am clinically diagnosed with depression and that makes me an incredibly difficult person to deal with on top of how headstrong and assertive I am. The people in my life who have stuck around know my heart and the love it houses. But when something happens and I get triggered, they also know how to back off and give me time to re-align myself without taking it personally. We all went through the learning process together and are better off for it. There are people out there who think just because they dislike me that must mean the rest of the world dislikes me too and for a while my depression led me to believing that but I soon learned there’s a lot more love around me than anything else

Pyramid Mag: What does healing look like to you?

KxngBlu: Healing for me means understanding who I am and how I affect people in my life. I have no issues with admitting when I am wrong, with apologizing, with asking for help, but in the same breath I have no issues with calling people out, with making myself inaccessible if I feel like someone doesn’t deserve me or my time. Healing requires absolute awareness, brutal honesty and unrelenting criticism of oneself. That’s the only path to healing. 

KxngBlu – uMthandazo (feat. Sub Beatz)

Pyramid Mag: Raw Music Group is the one of the longest standing Record Labels in the Vaal. Can you take us through some of your outstanding achievements and work?

KxngBlu: We are one of the only labels in the Vaal that has stood the test of time regardless of how many instances were there where we could’ve folded and that is one of the things I am the proudest of… Outside of that we have worked with some of the biggest names in the music industry and created work that has shaped a lot of artists careers. We chose to remain silent about the impact we have on the industry because working is more important than praise to us. We know that there’s always more to be done. 

Pyramid Mag: You’ve always been surrounded by drama, and that includes a number of issues you’ve had with a number of people. What is the most misunderstood thing about you?

KxngBlu: This is a question I’ve always wanted to address. 99% of the people that have problems with me are people who do not know me and have never spent a second with me. They all “heard” something about me from someone and just decided I am who they were told I am. A lot of people have the perception that I am a mean person, or unkind I guess. I’ve done my best to remedy that perception but I also came to the realization that people will believe whatever is convenient for them and I have no control over that…. ALSO I am not money, not everyone will like me and I’m okay with that.

Pyramid Mag: What is your view about the current state of #VaalHipHop?

KxngBlu: There is OBVIOUSLY a lot of talent but it is so quiet, I don’t know if the music is not translating or the Hip Hop community is not pushing enough but there is a disconnect right with hip hop. There is a serious lack of support, there is a serious lack of collaboration and unnecessary volatility. The talent just needs to be guided, managed and focused towards a common goal and all will work itself out.

Pyramid Mag: You’re an Allrounda Creative, with artistry in Producing, Rapping, Engineering, Film, Music Video Production, just to name but a few. Do you have a preference or favorite amongst your many Creative Talents?

KxngBlu: Visuals… I am such a creative person all round but when I bought my first camera that was the first time I realised how potent my creativity was. I have a keen eye, the only thing I feel I am missing is budget. 

KxngBlu ft Dukii and Mondo Dusk- Ramasedi (Official Music Video)

Pyramid Mag: When are you at your happiest, or which Art gives you the greatest peace of mind?

KxngBlu: Making beats. Because of how emotional I am I usually pour all my emotions into the beats I make. I’ve always felt like I see sound in colour and have also always associated colours with emotion so putting those two together was able to bring me peace somehow…

Pyramid Mag: If you had to pick a song from your catalog that would be a description of a Soundtrack to your life right now, which song would that be, and why?

KxngBlu: Right now it has to be Vuka, because all i think about is success and i genuinely do believe that my success story is coming and it is going to be the greatest one you’ve ever heard. The chorus on that song is sung by my daughter and my nephew and the message portrayed is one of hope, dreams and success.

Vuka charted No. 1 on The Come Up Show with DJ OB Gwala on Thetha FM 100.6 on 14 July 2023.

Pyramid Mag: A King builds a kingdom and leaves a legacy behind, what do you want to be remembered as, what do you want your legacy to be?

KxngBlu: I want my legacy to be one of Love. I want to be remembered for helping as many people as I possibly could. I want to be remembered for building Hip Hop to the best version of itself and I want to be remembered as the very embodiment of Love.

More To Me by KxngBlu is available on all Digital Stores. Stream it on your favourite platform by using the below link:

https://fanlink.to/iyjG
Interview

Catching up with T’Bu Twiz

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July 3, 2023
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Pyramid Magazine had a catch up session with T’Bu Twiz; a rapper who’s born and bred in Sharpeville with a global vision of using Hip-Hop Music as a tool to cross boundaries and reach audiences beyond the Vaal. Below is a summary of how it went down.

Pyramid Mag: Since the release of your first official album titled, Whose Crown Is it Anyway, you’ve been releasing music consistently with some of the singles landing on various music charts. Can you describe how has the journey been for you for 2022 and 2023? 

T’Bu Twiz: The journey has pretty much been the same to a certain degree as compared to before the drop, only that for us as a team we’ve gained experience, new ears and followers, gave me as a brand a good catalog, boosted my confidence. But overall I’ve grown from it, I’m more hungrier than I was in a way. It helped me move passed my own production, I’ve now opened doors wide open for producers to work with me, eventually I’ll have someone who knows how to shape my brand and sound into what I really am.

Pyramid Mag: How would you describe your sound and the type of artist you are?

T’Bu Twiz: My sound is versatile, I’m one artist who hates being predictable in terms of creativity. I draw a lot of inspiration from the type of sound that speaks sense or shares something relatable to me. Basically lyrical sound, yes as versatile as my sound is, in whatever I jump on the pen has to make sense, as for everything else I pretty much leave to the next artist. But overall, I grew up on that boom bap sound, although my album has the morden hip hop sound.

Pyramid Mag: You have a brand partnership with a clothing label “Balance”, can you tell us more about the partnership and how can people purchase the brand? 

T’Bu Twiz: Balance is amazing, owned by a humble and ambitious young lady named Fikile Khumalo from Lenasia in Gauteng. The partnership was approached through my younger brother (Lehlohonolo Moleli), which was at the time a brand ambassador for Balance Apparel. The lady had asked him to ask if me and JustSam would be keen to help her penetrate the Vaal market as she felt her brand would blend well with us, which was a success because her biggest customers and sales ended being in the Vaal as time went. However it’s purely a partnership where we all show up for each other ofcourse.

Follow Balance Apparel on their Facebook Page on the link below:

https://www.facebook.com/BalanceApparel2020

Pyramid Mag: What’s your view on the current state of #VaalHipHop? 

T’Bu Twiz: The current state of Vaal Hip Hop to me is stagnant because to date there’s still no real representation of Vaal Hip Hop in the mainstream. It’s still dominated by other regions in Gauteng and other provinces, there’s still no teamwork, no meaningful collaborations. Talent is merely enough to win anyone’s heart from the Vaal if you’re an artist from the Vaal. I’m saying this looking at how easy it is for any artist outside the Vaal Triangle to be loved and appreciated by any audience from the Vaal, as long as there’s already noise behind that particular artist.

T’Bu Twiz at the #VaalHipHop Master Class hosted at Afro-Bru in Maboneng Precinct Jhb

Pyramid Mag: As you prepare to release more music in 2023, what lessons are you bringing forth from your album release, Whose Crown Is It Anyway? 

T’Bu Twiz: The only lesson I’ve been moving with since the realease of the album is to make and release music that makes me happy and best sell me as the artist I want to be received as by anyone. Collaborate as much as I can for as long as the collaboration makes sense to my brand, release as much visuals as I can to any project I release, be weary of what’s happening in the streets while I’m at it. Be as much experimental as I possibly can and lastly, release music, never hold onto music, if I have something I feel like people can vibe to, release it and allow the masses to select their own breakthrough project for T’Bu Twiz.

Pyramid Mag: Who are you working with on your upcoming releases, and what brought about that decision?

T’Bu Twiz: Justsam for the obvious reasons, it comes easy looking at our work chemistry and partnership. Already have something worked on with Phil Cash, this collaboration was linked by Vincent Kheswa, for the type of sound I was chasing, Phil made sense to be on that collaboration. I have something with Dukii on the way, Jay Prince as well. Cooking something beautiful with a very talented lady as well named Oh Fabia, still on the works. These are projects that are already confirmed. Apart from them I’m in the talks with a number of artists, which I can’t disclose yet as we have everything confirmed verbally and haven’t jumped in the studio with yet. Besides artists im heavily collaborating with producers such as Swankie Lash, Sub Beatz, Hype and 1000Beatz.

Pyramid Mag: What message would you like to give to your followers? 

T’Bu Twiz: Thank you for your undying and continued support. Grow with me and I promise to one day make you a proud day one.

Follow the below link to catch up with all the latest releases from T’Bu Twiz, as well as all the music he ever released:

https://tunesbytwiz.mystrikingly.com/

Interview

Sit down with L-Ment from MoneyWay Records

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June 30, 2023
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Pyramid Magazine had a young sit down with one of the members of MoneyWay Records, L-Ment, to catch up about his latest release and peep of what is to come in the near future.

Pyramid Mag: To people who’ve never heard of L-Ment, how would you describe yourself as an artist and the music that you do?

L-Ment: I’d like to see myself as “the bad guy”. Reason being I feel like I’m an underdog compared to everyone around me so I won’t be saying controversial things that people want to hear, instead my music speaks on topics that a lot of artists think about but would never say on a record (to “protect” their brand). I speak for the streets, hence I’m “The Voice for the Voiceless”.

Pyramid Mag: About your latest single, Let Me Down, what is the story behind it and why the decision to drop it now as your 1st single in 2023?

L-Ment: Let Me Down is a MoneyWay Records track and is the lead single from the upcoming MoneyWay Album. It’s my first appearance for the year and reason being I didn’t want to drop music until MoneyWay Business is sorted out, you know.

Every move is calculated and there’s a plan in place so “Let Me Down” is the first part of the plan. The single is special to me because I’ve always asked myself how me and Duki would sound on a record that we both were in studio and it was my first time meeting Dynasty so he just blew my mind. Crazy thing is I wrote the verse in 10-15 minutes and when it was time to execute, i got crucial advice from Lefa M who’s a melodic genius so he just made my verse sound 20 times better.

Pyramid Mag: Who else did you work with, and what brought about that decision?

L-Ment: We (MoneyWay Records) have been locking in with Tieten Blaq and Basiq for the past few months so we’ve been exploring a different sound and it’s all thanks to the CEO (Theodre “Don” Mavodze), he had the vision and shared it with us and we started working on it. Honestly everything is all him, he curated everything.

Pyramid Mag: When are you planning to release a project, and what can the audience expect from it?

L-Ment: My next project is quite personal to me because it’s my first mixtape so I’m taking my time with it you know. All my favourite artists dropped the best 1st mixtape that I’ve ever heard, so I’d like mine to be perfect as well, so I don’t want to rush it. I don’t want to announce a date but hopefully it’ll drop this year, if not this year then definitely in the first quarter of 2024. There’s a whole lot of music dropping this year thou so MoneyWay fans will have a lot of music to feast on while waiting for the project.

Pyramid Mag: What’s your view on the current state of #VaalHipHop?

L-Ment: VaalHipHop is at a generational shift, where the youth is coming in the scene and introducing these new sounds that people aren’t used to so it makes it difficult for the normal audience to understand us especially if they’re used to your “Traditional Vaal Hip Hop”. This makes it difficult for us as “new guys” to reach every market but I believe we are moving in the right direction and by the next year everyone will be comfortable in their spots. I’m definitely coming for that top position thou, I’m tryna be the best the city has ever seen.

Pyramid Mag: What lessons are you bringing forth from your previous release, INFAMOUS EP?

L-Ment: INFAMOUS for me was about introducing myself as L-Ment, it’s my first official project under MoneyWay Records and was more about making a statement. Each track has it’s own sound (to showcase my different sounds so people don’t put me in a box).

It showed me my capabilities, opened a lot of doors in the industry and it definitely set the bar for me. It taught me that I can break my own ceiling if I focus hard enough so I’m taking that with me on my next journey. I must say thou that the INFAMOUS ERA isn’t finished as I feel like there’s a lot that still needs to be done with the project before i can move on to the next project.

“Let Me Down” by MoneyWay Records, L-Ment ft. Dynasty & Dukii Gone Green (Produced by Tieten Blaq & Basiq) is now available on all Digital Stores

https://distrokid.com/.../let-me-down-feat-l-ment-boipelo...

INFAMOUS EP by L-Ment is also available on all Digital Stores. Stream it on your favorite platform by using the below link:

Interview

Melleng earns a #SAMA28 Nomination

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June 14, 2022
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Vaal based singer Melleng has been nominated for BEST R&B/SOUL ALBUM at the South African Music Awards for the year 2022. #SAMA28

Melleng #SAMA28 Nomination for BEST R&B/SOUL ALBUM

The South African Music Awards is a premier music showcase hosted by RiSA. This annual event honours the country’s finest music talent over two days in key categories, as they battle for the South African industry’s highest honour – a statuette at the South African Music Awards.

PYRAMID Magazine caught up with the nominated Melleng, and had a sit down about the Lady behind the Music.

Melleng

Firstly congratulations on your SAMA nomination for Best R&B/Soul Album. Your Album is titled The Arrival, can you tell us about the journey of completing this beautiful piece of art.

I had just left a toxic relationship on the 18th of June 2020 and I went straight to the studio. Meeting Kwaito Captain for the first time we worked on a song together and it was a hit. We then decided to make it a full on project. Nobody knew what I was going through, it was my secret. I was broken, broke and all I had was a dream that me and my toxic partner never fulfilled, however, I still wanted it. We recorded for four weeks because I had so much to write about, and sometimes I didn’t have money to buy food at the studio or let alone transport myself there. It was a learning curve for me though and a healing phase of some sort, because for the first time I was doing something for myself.

Who did you work with on this Album?

I worked with my amazing producer Kwaito Captain, and to show how limited resources were, we only had one feature with Slim Swurve.

Morena “Rustic Ras” Maile did the engineering of the album. I hooked up a photoshoot with Neo “Black God” Nkoko, and then designed the Album Cover myself.

The album is published under Sheer Publishing.

The Arrival [not final artwork]

Are you currently signed under a Label or are independent?

I wanted to get signed like any musician. I was first approached by Ghetto Ruff/Muthaland Entertainment, and I stayed there for a month or so but my intuition was against getting signed at the time. However, when I started recording The Arrival, I got so addicted to making my creative decisions I decided to go independent.

How do people get hold of the album, and where can they buy it?

The album is currently distributed digitally by CD baby. It can be accessed by following the below link:

tabymelleng.hearnow.com

To those who are dying to know, can tell them who is Melleng? Where do you come from?

Melleng is a writer, singer, actor and presenter from the Vaal. She’s been in the industry for over 10 years, hosting shows like Craz-e and hashtag7. Acting on almost all local soapies in featured roles. She’s passionate about music and now a SAMA nominee

The SAMA nomination stamps a statement that you’re bringing something worthy of note to the table and the Music Industry, what makes you outstanding from the rest that you should win this Music Award?

More than anything it proves that I am a hybrid of note. Lol, I had to interchange between being an artist to a producer for my music video, to a PR specialist to get it out there and to be a creative director on most of my photoshoots. I literally had to be jack of all trades due to the limitation of resources. I hope that’s a different case now, because my, an album is work.

To Promoters who want to book you for live performances at their events, how do they get hold you?

They can forward an email to melleng16@gmail.com or slide into my DMs on social I shall help. Twitter and Instagram – @mellengza or Facebook – Itumeleng Mashiloane

https://www.facebook.com/MellengSA/

https://twitter.com/Mellengza?t=MtUlRSJXH9GFS20CqpNIgA&s=09

To people who want to follow you and your music, what are your Social Handles?

Twitter, Insta & tiktok- @mellengza

LinkedIn – Melleng Mash

Facebook – Itumeleng Mashiloane