Three times lucky for rapper Zakwe

HATTING on the telephone he comes across as humble and reserved, but behind the microphone he’s uninhibited, with a commanding voice and boasting a rapper’s prowess.

His real name is Ntokozo Zakwe but in the music industry he is known simply as Zakwe.

This talented wordsmith emerged in late 2011 when he released his self-titled album, containing the hit single,

CThe collection has earned three nominations in the 12th Metro FM Music Awards, to be held at Durban’s International Convention Centre tomorrow night.

Zakwe is nominated for the best hip hop album, best male album and best newcomer awards.

This isn’t the only proof of his recognition. He was also nominated for a fewSouth African Music Awards (Samas) last year. A further stamp of his wide appeal was his opening act for Kanye West’s onenight-only performance in Joburg.

In addition, Zakwe won the award for South African lyricist of the year last year.

“I’m grateful to everyone for showing me love and buying the album. We’re quite close to hitting gold,” he says.

“I am excited about my Metro FM nominations because it shows that hard work, patience and being persistent pays off.”

Zakwe’s musical journey began in 2005 when he started rapping while in matric. He quit music in 2006 when he went to university.

He got back in the game in 2008 when he dropped his first mixtape,

and in 2009, he released his second,

During that year, Zulu rap sensation Zuluboy was working on his third album, and Zakwe’s manager at the time suggested a collaboration between the two. That’s how Sipho Sithole of Native Rhythms discovered and signed up his next Zulu rap gem.

But the real journey for Zakwe began in his township, KwaMashu.

“I was born and bred in help where we can.”

This background informs a great part of Zakwe’s musical content, which places a lot of emphasis on black consciousness.

“I always write about black people, the difficulties we face from

(the township), the stereotypes that people have about where we reside, and also the improvements that I see,” he says.

“These are things I can’t ignore.”

He describes the Durban hip hop scene as one that thrives underground without much publicity or radio airplay. And this has influenced his vision, which is to inspire with his words rather than aim for fame.

This is also why he is passionate about working from Durban and not relocating to Joburg.

“I believe if you throw a stone in a dam, you will see the ripples spread all over. I don’t need to live in Joburg to get myself heard by the whole nation,” he says.

Zakwe shares his Metro FM Music Awards nomination glory with other Durban artists.

They include Toya Delazy, who has been nominated for best female album, best produced album, best newcomer and best styled artist.

Moneoa, who grew up in Durban, is nominated for best African pop album (for

and best newcomer, while winner Khaya Mthethwa is also a nominee for best newcomer.

Another favourite, Lloyd Cele, is a contender for best R&B album (for both L’vovo Derango (for and DJ Tira (for are nominated for song of the year; and Derango is nominated for best kwaito album for

Then there’s Mbuso Khoza, a contender for best contemporary jazz album this year. More about him on page 4.