Hlasela’s story is one of passion, perseverance, and dedication to his craft. As he continues to make waves in the industry, his journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring musicians across the region.

1. how did you start your music journey. ?

My music journey started in a funny way kanjani! I was a music lover and I was fortunate that kukhona amajita I was close with that were rapping! They called themselves Big5 , they from Strand! So I was often with them eStudio while recording! The other day kukhala beat and they were freestyling lol nam I tried ukwenza lento of freestyling because ivakala ilula! Yeey they were impressed by freestyle yam and then we all had to freestyle kwi mic kengoku! Ndisoyika kanjani but I managed to freestyle and that song actually became big strand sonke ! I had to get a rap name immediately! I never stopped after leya ngoma! My first recording was a freestyle in that song!

2 What was your hometown impact on your music career ?

Nkokheli ndikhulele ezilalini Idutywa! Into yomculo phaya sasingayazi. We grew up playing football! Sizingela inyamakaza! Sithiyela intaka also siloba intlazi!. I started umculo apha eKapa estrand before moving to khayelitsha! So I can say ingcambu zomculo wam zise strand but I don’t belong to any kasi ! Kukufihla njee intloko! I don’t represent any kasi but ikapa lonke jikelele . Brand ka Hlasela is for South Africa yonke to amanye amazwe that plays my music! Eastern Cape Idutywa nabo bothukile that I do Mculo because and’khulanga ndicula.

3. What strategies did you use to blend xhosa culture in your hip hop projects.Cultural elements language and themes in your music?

Ndingu mxhosa okhulele kwi lali! Umculo wam represent me on how I grew up and a lot of people abakhule Kanje ngam relates ! Ndingumntu wamasiko nezithethe! I know where to draw the line because you can talk about ezinye izinto like ubhetsise uthengise isixhose nenkqubo zabo! It needs a good choice of words and content that you can use from your culture to blend it to your sound with uthengisa isixhosa or any other culture! When I write I like want you to picture of what I’m talking! Ndikhule ndibaliselwa amabali nguMakhulu noTamkhulu ! So I think I learned from them write my music that will make you imagine/ see lento ndiyculayo ! That’s my authentic and abantu are always amazed on how I structure my songs! Growing up umamela amabali helps me to write my music! Though my music is real because I talk what you know iyenzeka but you had no way to put it! I like to use balanced beats when I write my music. You listen to my song VACS , it’s available on YouTube! I have songs of that vibe that are not out yet! I’m planning something big for those songs!

4.How did you Address the challenge of xhosa rap being sideline on south African hip hop scene. ?

Well I wouldn’t say Xhosa rap/ trap is sidelined in South African hip-hop scene brother! I mean we have abo Anatti , Yanga , Dee Koala, K.keed abo Lolli Native, we also had Driemanskap, Ifani nabanye! I think thina as Xhosa rappers we all hungry for success, which is good! But we don’t wanna bambisana umntu wenzela yena and which that good too because you owe us nothing! Choice yakhe umntu! But when I look ezinye provinces or languages! If someone get the opportunity, he/she will tag abantu ebezama nabo in and do eza big feature and add one of his people! Meaning two upcoming rappers from that province featured this huge artist. Then omnye wenza the same then 4 rappers from that province are booming in the same year. Now that you have that artist come home wenze show and invite your locals, then your big artist can also spot someone else ekasi. Now 5 of us we in the game. We repeat that strategy of feature another big artist after simzise ekasi and repeat the same! It is what we not doing ke thina! After iminyaka ethile umntu abuye because uyedwa pha! Xa kunzima akanamntu wothetha but if we were 3 there besizokwenza plan. So we lack that as Xhosa artists. Asivalelwanga qha sithi abafuna ubazi leader of xhosa rap/ trap nton nton

5.What impact do you believe your mixtape,albums had on south African hip hop industry ?

In 2023 I released an EP titled UMPHATHI WESTRATO and its my debut project! Which it came exactly as I imagined! I featured 99.99 percent of artists I needed kuyo! Even this year I’m still performing that EP. It has changed my life kakhulu, dropped 3 Music videos from it that all played on National channels like Trace Africa, MTV base and in USA. Huge impact for me in South African hip-hop scene. A guy from ematyotyombeni ekapa and recording umculo etyotyombeni with a friend ezizamelayo nayo! Huge for me and I thank everyone who still st

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Siyanda imbana

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.

Please stream mag music on Audiomack

https://audiomack.com/ngqayimbanasiyanda

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