Steero bridges generational gap
STEERO has come a long way since his first single, Black is Beautiful.
The 16-year-old collaborated with Idols SA presenter and hip-hop royalty ProVerb for his latest hit, Beastmode.
“It’s all about bridging the generation gap in the hip-hop industry. I feature ProVerb, a hip-hop head with the older generation.
“I’m new on the scene and a collaboration between the two generations is what we need,” said Steero, whose real name is Langa Masina.
He said there was a disconnect in the industry between the two generations, with the younger guys making a certain type of music the older guys did not understand.
“The music should appeal to everyone and that’s why this collaboration was important.”
Steero started his own record label, Youth Movement, to make sure he owned his work.
“It’s always better to own your masters.
“I’ve had drama with other labels, so I decided that the best thing was to do everything myself.
“I’ve got a good management team with my father and it’s basically family.”
Being home schooled has also allowed him to focus on his music. In the three years since his first release, Steero has developed himself in the music industry using social media platforms.
“I think social media is the tool to help artists blow up. In 2016, it was still fairly new to have a social media presence.
“Now the internet is being used more than any other type of promotion. When I released Beastmode last month, I used the internet to promote it. What I like about social media is that it has a snowball effect. If people are loving it, they share it.”
Steero said Beastmode was his best writing.
“I’m doing my own thing, writing what I want and not based on what people want. I write what I feel and release it. I’m taking the Steero brand to the top and taking everything as it comes.”