Popular rapper Khuli’s ‘One Source’ of inspiration is Africa
COLLABORATIONS with other African musicians have strengthened local rapper Khuli Chana’s mission to experiment with sounds and tell stories from the continent.
Chana, whose real name is Khulani Morule, has released his latest album, One Source.
He said it was still a work in progress and a longer album would be released next year.
In One Source, the album’s title track, the rapper offers lines like: “Africa ain’t no jungle.”
The song’s music video was filmed in Accra, Ghana, and features body-painted dancers against a colour-drenched cityscape.
“I’ve travelled to other African countries and met artists. My new music is inspired by that and how we all connected to collaborate.
“The songs f eature award-winning artists from Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria.”
Morule said they also filmed a four-part documentary series “about music, collaboration, art and Africa, and about how it’s our time to take over the globe”.
The documentary will be released at a later date.
“If you listen to the stuff coming out of America, like Drake, who is the biggest pop star, it’s Africa-inspired.” Morule’s last album won three South African Music Awards in 2013.
He said he took some time to make new music because “crazy stuff happened”.
Morule also referred to his legal proceedings against two police officers who allegedly shot him after he failed to stop at a roadblock in Midrand, Gauteng, in 2013: “I had court cases, cops and things to deal with.”
He was reportedly wounded in the hand and back.
The rapper settled with the cops for an undisclosed amount and the charges were dropped.
During the trial proceedings, it was reported Morule was suing the police for R2.7 million.
Beyond the drama, Morule said he wanted to make “timeless music”.
Although he wasn’t in studio making music, he had been booked for live performances across the country, including the Cape Town International Jazz Festival.
“It’s not about making a quick buck. The music has to be timeless and meaningful. It also has to be entertaining.
“No matter where you are, you have to get people dancing and talk to about stuff that is positive and inspiring.
“I love my conscious rapper guys who do their music and art. But I’m also big on guys who know how to entertain while doing that.
“I do consciousness and entertainment. There are many social ills. If I had to make an album on them, it would be a triple disk.”
Morule said his music is “about making people feel good about themselves and blessed” about life. “Let’s celebrate that.” Morule owns all the music he has written and released, and says he is “talent scouting” for artists to sign on to his record label.
“I’m glad I got rejected by record labels because it really put me in a position that taught me how to hustle.
“I own my company. We make our own rules. We break our own rules and run our own race. It’s so fruitful when you get to the top.
“The beauty of owning your music is you get the biggest cheque.
“Owning your music is the best investment. It makes me realise just how record labels milk artists.”
Morule has ear ned his hustle credentials as he has secured work with a number of brands and runs hip-hop events.
He has also featured in a documentary film, Picking up the Pieces, about his “life and career” which will be broadcast in two parts on SABC 1 this month.
“It (the documentary) tells you exactly what happened that night with the police when I got shot.”
Morule has put that behind him and is focused on the new music and ensuring fans experience it.
“I’m more interested in giving my fans an experience. Performing in a club you only get 15 minutes. And there’s so much more that I want to do.
“I want to take my fans into interesting places and on a musical journey in 2017.”