The Rise of a Rhyme Weaver GieWu Mentis Killuminati In the dimly lit basement of my childhood home, where the walls whispered secrets and the air hummed with anticipation, I discovered my calling. It was the late ’90s, and my friends would gather there, huddled around my mother’s old stereo, spinning vinyl records and swapping tales of urban legends. But it was the music that held me captive—the raw, unfiltered beats that reverberated through my bones.Rap was our sanctuary, our escape from the mundane. My sister’s collection of cassette tapes became my sacred texts, and I’d listen for hours, absorbing the rhythm, the defiance, the pain. 2Pac’s words echoed in my mind, and Polish artists like Peja, TeDe, and Liroy painted vivid pictures of struggle and survival. Their verses were lifelines, pulling me from the abyss of my teenage angst.One fateful day, fueled by a heady mix of curiosity and adrenaline, I stepped up to the mic. The room blurred, and suddenly, I was on stage—an unknown poet with borrowed courage. I spat rhymes like fire, my voice trembling yet unyielding. The beat throbbed, and I danced on the precipice of euphoria. That moment birthed my destiny.Recording on an ancient MP4 player, I looped stolen radio beats, my lyrics a patchwork quilt of dreams and defiance. Collaborations followed—late-night sessions with fellow misfits, crafting verses that bared our souls. We were alchemists, turning pain into poetry, adversity into anthems.Soon, the stage beckoned. The spotlight bathed me, and I gripped the mic, heart pounding. Sweat dripped down my temples as I poured my truth into the hungry crowd. Interviews, concerts, and strangers who knew my lyrics better than their own names—it was a whirlwind. I rose from the bottom, clawing my way up, fueled by the same hunger that had driven me to that basement mic.But the culture shifted. Authenticity waned, replaced by dollar signs and hollow fame. Rap lost its raw edge, its heartbeat. I mourned the days when it was more than a commodity, when it was rebellion set to rhythm. So, I became a keeper of flames, a torchbearer for the old ways.My veins pulsed with the essence of hip-hop—the graffiti-sprayed walls, the breakdancers defying gravity, the DJ’s nimble fingers coaxing magic from vinyl. I mixed styles, but my roots remained unyielding. I wasn’t chasing trends; I was chasing truth. My rules were etched in rhyme, and I refused to compromise.Money? It trailed behind purpose. I reveled in creating, in stitching words together like a tailor weaving a bespoke suit. When life’s weight threatened to crush me, rap was my elixir. It pulled me from darkness, stitched my wounds, and whispered, “You’re not alone.”Appreciation—the applause, the nod from a fellow lyricist—was my currency. I wasn’t stagnant; I swam upstream, seeking growth. I met poets, dreamers, and those who bared their souls on beats. Together, we wove a tapestry of resilience, each verse a thread binding us to life’s chaotic rhythm.And so, I stand here—a rhyme weaver, a guardian of authenticity. Rap isn’t just music; it’s my pulse, my breath. I’ll keep it alive, even as the world morphs around me. Because when the spotlight fades, and the crowd disperses, I’ll still be here—spitting truth, chasing dreams, and finding meaning in every syllable.This dream we call life—it’s my canvas, and rap is my brushstroke. And as long as my heart beats, the rhythm will carry me forward.
Siyanda Ngqayimbana A.K.A. Da blaq Bull: From the Streets of Makhaza to Global Hip Hop Recognition
Siyanda Ngqayimbana, also known as Da blaq Bull, is an emerging hip-hop sensation whose journey from the vibrant streets of Makhaza to the global music stage is capturing hearts and turning heads. Born and raised in the heart of 37sec Ghost Town, Siyanda’s narrative is a testament to the power of passion, dedication, and the pursuit of one’s dreams.
Siyanda’s love affair with rap began in 2014 while growing up in Site B, Khayelitsha. At the time, he was not yet recording his tracks, instead opting to express his lyrical prowess through freestyle videos captured on his phone. It wasn’t until he moved back to Makhaza in 2017 that Siyanda’s latent passion for music found fertile ground. In an environment where his friends weren’t particularly attuned to the hip-hop genre, Siyanda’s determination to create music was unyielding. He remained focused on his studies until the call of the craft could no longer be ignored.
A turning point came in Grade 10 when Siyanda’s ardor for writing and rapping was rekindled. A chance Facebook post seeking a studio in Makhaza led him to an encounter with fellow recording artist Nasy C Alta. This meeting marked the inception of Siyanda’s professional music journey. Under Nasy C Alta’s guidance, Siyanda recorded his first track, “Bombay,” produced by SO Deno which rapidly gained viral traction within his community. The track’s success not only established Siyanda as a force to be reckoned with but also ignited a fervor for musical expression that couldn’t be contained.
Siyanda’s trajectory skyrocketed when he collaborated with fellow Cape Town artists Mossi l Bay and Cynth Kid on “Ithongo Lemambs,” a collaboration that etched his name into the very fabric of Cape Town’s hip-hop scene. His international footprint expanded further with the release of “War Ready,” a collaboration with American artist Mizzy Hendrix . This transcontinental collaboration was a testament to Siyanda’s cross-cultural appeal, capturing the attention of listeners across digital platforms.
However, the journey was not without its obstacles. As the studio where he had been recording closed its doors, Siyanda’s musical momentum came to a temporary halt. But in 2023, a stroke of luck revitalized his journey. With the support of a neighbor who happened to be a recording artist armed with a laptop, Siyanda produced his latest track, “Testimony.” A song initially written in 2022, “Testimony” encapsulates Siyanda’s resilience and his unrelenting spirit to keep creating despite the odds.
Mark your calendars for September 20th as Siyanda Da Bull drops “Testimony” across all digital platforms. The release promises to be a testament not only to his growth as an artist but also to his dedication to his craft.
Siyanda Da Bull also has thrilling collaborations on the horizon. With a forthcoming track featuring the talented American artist Moonraq, alongside Mizzy Hedrix, Siyanda’s influence is poised to transcend borders. Furthermore, a collaboration with Rap God and kill Kris’s , another exceptional American artist, is also in the works, promising a musical experience that bridges continents.
Siyanda Da Bull Ngqayimbana’s journey is an ode to the resilience and passion of Africa’s rising hip-hop stars. His relentless drive and unwavering belief in his artistry continue to shape his path to greatness. As Siyanda continues to amplify his presence on the global music stage, he remains an inspiration to aspiring artists across the world.
