Sjava going sonic in SA with his special brand of hip hop

KWAZULU-NATAL native Jabulani Hadebe aka Sjava (pictured) is ready to set to take over the South African music scene. As part of the Ambitiouz Entertainment stable, the singer/rapper is branching out to take his music to the next level.

Having recently won the coveted Rising Star award at the inaugural DSTV Viewers’ Choice Awards, it looks as if he is well on his way to becoming a big player in the South African music scene.

Sjava started out his career as an actor, starring in local shows such as Generations, Zone 14, 7de Laan, Soul City and Gugu no Andile.

Sjava states that he was always an artist and he’s always been busy with his music career on the side.

The reason for his shift to music is because “it got to a point where I was neglecting my music and decided to go back to it”.

Speaking of the difference between acting and singing or rapping, Sjava says that with his music he is able to reach out to more people.

“Acting is a role that you play but with music; you directly communicate with people,” he says.

This is also the reason why he prefers creating his own music, compared to acting.

With his music, he is able to pass on his message the way he wants to and it’s not necessarily something that is written just for his audience.

Elaborating on his preference for music, the Ekseni singer states that it’s “more personal” compared to playing a role.

South Africa, as a whole, has also seen a big shift on the preferred popular genre front, with Hip Hop acts such as AKA and Cassper Nyovest becoming A-list celebrities.

Recently, locals stars such as Nasty C made an appearance on Sway in the Morning in New York and Nyovest appeared on The Breakfast Club.

Both of these shows are frontrunners with regards to urban radio in America.

Sjava believes that the reason for the recent popularity of hip hop is due to the fact that the music genre is now localised instead of being overtly American.

The incorporation of vernacular language and the inclusion of uniquely South African culture has changed SA hip hop sonically.

Furthermore, by making it more localised, the music itself becomes more relatable and the audience is able to have a better connection with the music.

“A lot of people use to come to me and say they never used to listen to hip hop, but since you came to the scene, I have actually started listening to it.”

Sjava describes his music as African Trap Music (ATM), but it’s also a mixture of kwaito, maskandi and all the original sounds we as South Africans have produced.

It also possesses traditional hip hop elements.

Furthermore, artists such as 21 Savage, Future and the Migos have ushered in a new sound into hip hop, commonly known as mumble rap.

Sjava though thinks that they are not mumbling and have “dope” stuff that they’re spitting in their verses.

He adds that most of the people who can’t understand them aren’t listening properly.

“I can hear what they are saying, 21 (Savage), right now, is in my top five (rappers).”

On the local front, the “uThando” rapper would like to work with Hugh Masekela, Black Coffee, The Parlotones and opera singer Pretty Yende.

At the end of the day, Sjava says that he does not make music to be relevant but to inspire and help his fans through his music.

The singer/rapper adds that the direct messages he receives on his social media are from fans who have listened to his music through both tough times and happy times.

This indicates that his music is resonating with his audience and this is what keeps him going creatively.