Papa Penny: From cleaner to superstar
AFTER 23 years, veteran musician Eric Kobane aka Papa Penny Penny continues to dominate headlines and cement his place in the hearts of thousands of fans, both young and old.
In an industry that is ever-evolving and is incredibly volatile, Papa Penny has managed to stay relevant and keep up with the times.
The musician’s colourful fashion sense and flamboyant nature has, however, been hogging headlines for years.
Even though Papa Penny tops the Twitter trends list, week after week, with his reality show Papa Penny Ahee, his journey began way before Twitter was even a thing.
How Penny Penny became famous Penny Penny burst onto the music scene in 1994, after he was discovered by a music producer at a studio where he worked as a cleaner.
During an interview with Rolling Stone magazine in 2013 the producer, Joseph Shirimani, said that Penny Penny approached him one day out the blue. “I said, ‘Can you sing?’ He didn’t say yes — he just sang a song for me. And that’s when I heard this unusual voice and those melodies,” Joseph told the magazine.
But it was not just the music that captured the attention of thousands of fans.
Penny Penny’s unique pineapple phondo, and his controversial personal life has also hogged headlines for decades.
The musician, who was born in a small village called Giyani in Limpopo, grew up in a family of 68 children. Penny Penny himself has fathered 18 children over the years.
It was perhaps Penny Penny’s impoverished upbringing that taught him to think of innovative ways to survive.
A younger Penny Penny even worked as a miner and a dancer to put food in his mouth. So when he rose to stardom in the 90s it was a life the village boy had dreamed of for years.
Penny Penny the politician After 17 years of taking the music industry by storm, with hit after hit, Penny Penny turned his attention to politics.
In 2011 the musician became an ANC ward councillor for Giyani and was hands down, a muchloved politician.
Penny Penny “rises” again After being away from the spotlight for a few years, Penny Penny bagged a role as choirmaster on Mzansi Magic’s reality show Clash of the Choirs last year. And even before the millennials could grab their cellphones to tweet, Papa Penny was back with a bang.
Then, in true businessman style, Penny Penny saw the benefits of making a reality show out of his colourful life.
The show is evidently a firm fan favourite and has cemented Penny Penny’s place in the hearts of Mzansi once again.
All hail Papa Penny Penny, you smart man! — www. timeslive.co.za