Rapping from his heart
Do you know a Rising Star? Rising Star is a new series looking at upcoming Eastern Cape artists who are making a name for themselves, from performing arts to comedy. These artists use social media as a means of sharing their craft. If you know any rising
ALOVE for poetry and rhymes recently saw Blaqverse release his first mixtape, Voices From The Beast. He has also been nominated for a Best Newcomer Award at this year’s Eastern Cape Music Awards taking place this weekend. The rapper, whose real name is Myolisi Masuku, hopes to bring a message of hope to the youth through his music.
How did you get into music? Was being a musician something you aspired to?
As a child I wanted to be a pilot. I used to listen to and just generally consume music on the radio and even record on cassette tapes.
I never thought of it as something I could do as a career but as time went by I became more passionate about it and starting mimicking my favourite artists.
What makes a good rapper?
I really don’t know, there is no specific remedy or formula you can attain or portray. You just have to go up to a mic and be yourself like nobody’s watching.
In all things, be yourself and connect with others in order to feed and enhance your sound. You have to spend time practising.
What would you say to other aspiring rappers out there?
Rap is poetry, and every poem has a message. With that in mind, you can change the world. Spend more time in the studio, keep on writing, tell a story, touch a soul out there and stay real to yourself.
You recently released a mixtape. Tell us more about that? Any other work you’ve released in the past?
Voices From The Beast pays homage to Buffalo City Metro. In it I deal with a lot of issues and touch on how to overcome life’s challenges.
The mixtape is a sound experience and listening to it is like giving your ears a rollercoaster ride. I have a project I released earlier in the year called 2020 Visions which highlights my goals and some of the things I would like to achieve by the year 2020.
The mixtape Voices From The Beast made me realise that production isn’t as easy as I thought it would be. Truthfully, it is not easy at all. I’m still developing my sound because I am still new in this field and I have more to deliver.
What has the response been since you released the mixtape?
The response in music groups has been awesome, it has allowed me to connect with other musicians and made me new friends. I hope more people get the chance to hear it. I have a feeling they still will as it’s all over the internet.
The response from bloggers has been great and some are even giving me feedback on my work.
What are your future plans for your music?
I want to perform my recently released mixtape on many platforms. I would like to do collaborations with our brothers in Nigeria, Ghana and the rest of Africa.
I’m in talks with some composers from that side to get the ball rolling.
Any national rappers you would love to work with in the future?
Yes, I would love to do a mixtape with Nasty C, do a Jay Z/ Kanye or Drake/ Future tip on the people. I’d also like to work with Emtee.
Any plans of moving to the City of Gold?
I believe BCM has the potential and infrastructure in place to support our own. I would love to be based in East London and go to other cities in terms of work or recreation.
Apart from making music and performing, how do you relax?
Spend time with my friends, read the newspaper, play games on my phone or read a book.
Who/what inspires you?
Lil Wayne and Jay-Z. Life happenings inspire me. Every time we go through hardships or good times there’s always a song to write.
There is always something to do, a dream to chase, just don’t give up hope as where your heart is lies your treasure, insight, happiness and wisdom.
Anything you’d like to share?
I’m nominated for the Best Newcomer Award at the Eastern Cape Music Awards. Please vote for me! SMS: “ECMAS, Best New Comer, Blaqverse” to 33459 and follow me everywhere @blaqverse.