i was so so so so inspired on friday night on human rights day, all the fresh hiphop heads the peformances i saw and the atmosphere was so incredible.. i totally dig Zakwe now, hs fresh and dope n real.. back to the city is dope for putting btc together...
check out dis interview...

An Interview With SAMA Nominee : Zakwe

March 13, 2012 by MaBlerh  

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There is a new kid on the block and he is taking the local hip hop scene by storm. His name is Ntokozo Zakwe and he goes by the name, Zakwe. I first heard him on Metro FM and I was thoroughly impressed. I even tweeted that he is the best local MC I have heard on our shores. I am not the only one who is impressed by this young man, I recall at the Metro FM awards last year in November when he took the stage, HHP turned around with an amazed look on his face and asked me, “who is this guy!? He is dope!”. We have all heard SA hip hop artists rapping in vernac but there is something about Zakwe’s delivery that sets him apart. I had the opportunity to interview this 5 time SAMA nominee at this year’s up coming awards:

MaBlerh: Okay let’s begin, the trending question on twitter is, who is Zakwe? Who is he?
Zakwe: Zakwe is Ntokozo Zakwe, a rapper born and bred in Kwa Mashu, co owns a company called Sphethu Entertainment that produces T – shirts with the brand name i-Tsotsi By Nature and is now signed to Native Rhythms Records.
M: How does a guy from KwaMashu end being signed by a big label such as Native Rhythms?
Z: It was through a feature I did with Zuluboy for his 3rd album ‘IGODA’. Zuluboy came to Durban to record a song that featured 5 Durban cats, I laced my 8bars on the song and then 2 days later Zuluboy requested for another song for us to do. Went to Joburg for the recording of a song titled ‘Zobe Zisho’ which also featured a reggae artist, ‘Black Dillinger’ and so after recording my 16 bars on the track, Mr. Sipho Sithole, the owner of Native Rhythms was impressed and requested for me to join the family.
M: I have tweeted that you are the best MC I have heard in this country. Who has influenced your style of rap?
Z: Thanks a lot man. For me, it’s not about someone, but more of what influences my music. I would definitely say it’s the environment I’m in, the music I listen to and the books I read.
M: What music do you listen to and what books do you read?
Z: I listen to a lot of old school kwaito and hip hop, local hip hop to be precise. I recently started to read books and I’m enjoying it, right now I’m reading ‘Indaba My Children’ by Credo Mutwa and simultaneously watching his 7 hour documentary whenever I am free, I think the guy is a genius and he’s very interesting.
M: Due to my photographic memory, I do remember you from high school and you were one of those quiet kids that faded into the background. How are you coping with the spotlight being on you?
Z: Eish, ’til today I can’t fight the shyness I have man, unless if I’m on stage because I get on another phase I can’t even explain.
M: That must be a problem as you are now doing TV interviews and I’m sure women are throwing themselves at you.
Z: Lol like Bucie said ‘get over it’ so I guess in due time I will…
M: Lol. By the way, you are the only rapper that I know that rocks Carvellas. What’s up with that?
Z: Lol I believe I do rap music and that’s enough for me to be hip hop. I always rocked carvellas, now that I joined hip hop I shouldn’t? Hip hop is me, not the clothes I wear.
M: Hahahahahaha! So are you getting any special treatment at home and in your hood since you are now Zakwe, the hip hop star?
Z: Lol not at home, I’m also surprised lol… In the hood, yes, a lot.
M: Lol. You gotta love parents. I’m glad that they are remaining parents and not turning into groupies as that is where it all goes wrong. In terms of education, what’s happening on that forefront?
Z: Right now, I want to work on being a bass guitarist, I will finish my IT Diploma next year, it’s a must.
M: Perfect. Dude, we are all proud of you. I was having a chat with DJ Feel about how you have raised the bar for all Brettonwood High alumni in the entertainment industry and that we have to pull up our socks. Good luck for the SAMA’s. Take those awards back to Durban with you.
Z: Thanks my boss, appreciate it a lot…
Ends.
Facebook fan page: Zakwe
Twitter: @ZakweSA
Interview by @Mablerh