R.T.P Magazine JULY Issue (Africa Edition)

productions@royaltemple.info royaltempleproductions@gmail.com www.RoyalTemple.info

KING LU

Life Asks - Ivi Kanu Okoroafor 'KOKA'

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Featured Aritsts

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Rapture 90s

44

Muhluri Interest Mathebula

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LIFE "ASKS" of different purpose from different people. In a world of many tongues and different mosaics, be it the divine artwork of colors or man made overlapping photographed memories, life's purpose is always life's purpose. She has never changed. They had a popular saying by the league of the enlightened gentlemen (Masons) which says, "As above, so below.

What you are, I was, and what you will be, I already am." As mirror stated as those words are, so is the theoretical explanation of life and what she asks of you.

'WHAT IS YOUR PURPOSE IN LIFE? HOW HAS SHE CAUSED YOU ADDICTION ON SOME KIND OF SADNESS?' I will slim jim this article to the life of an average Nigerian yute (youth as English may have it so).

In a world that is obviously not your speed, every other person has this oxygen in their lungs that you wish you can take from them, give them a 'carbon' copy, or maybe have you a helium filled ambition. Something that can easily fill you up and float you just up there at the rooftop where everyone can see your private 'part'...of LIFE. #Shrugs, I guess we just don't get it.

The Yute stood on the pedestrian way. Some where on Eko bridge in Lagos looking down the Lagos bridge, listening and watching as fine wine is brewed out of hot burning chaos. So ambitious with the burning desire to be better...or to jump off the bridge maybe.

He is sweating ammonium and blood. He is bleeding pains and frustration. He bleeds trust issues.

He bleeds love and hate; mixed.

Feeling stabbed deep in his heart with the same hand he feeds with (wrong decisions). You know what they say about the best time of your life being the time when you are in charge of your own decisions, and you always own it, good or bad. Yet, he gets home almost when the moon is about to kiss the earth. He lays sober, bats his eyes, and baths the pillow.

I mean, who even said good life can just baff up (take a shower), finish, and waltz into a brother's life without banging the doors of his heart out?

When he sleeps at night, he prays for a good dream but the truth is?...

Memories of the hot sun day dreams of luxo life has occupied all the space of peaceful night dreams he would have had.

But, no need to let these two sibs fight, since they both mean well for him.

Last (finally), he shuts his eyes.

Yute (Youth) wakes in the morning, baths the body, clothes his nakedness, and then walks the street of Lagos with a naked soul and unclean spirit. Every day he leaves, he embraces a bad day and hopes for a good day. Yet, prays he makes a difference. He stands just by the corner of the expressway waiting to flash across mighty Vin Diesel of his time. He never waltzes alone. He has his team of unhappiness, bitterness, agony, ruthlessness, and SOME KIND OF SADNESS; all Fast and furious. He is even ready to attack the uniform man who has crowned himself 'Conan the Briberian' of that street who has sworn to make his day bitter because Yute has long dreds.

Almost like the good book Sampson and an iphone. He is not taking no for an answer and he is not giving a yes for one. "Brother man wak, Bredda man gaz chop" (who works, must eat).

And the other yute? Oh yes! That one has himself a tuxedo, sitting at the back seat of a company car flipping books, magazines, handouts, company fliers, and for God's sake he is screaming at the driver for almost knocking down Vin Diesel and his Team. "Mumu, Ode, Idiot!" at the top of his voice. Ha! Thinking the man at the back seat is a boss, he gets to Obalende market. The car stops and he flips the boot; Oh God! In his vintage tux he lifts two cartons of Anti Malaria drugs. Wait.. wait...hold on...He is a sales rep? #Shrugs. "Everybody na Oga for n office". (Everyone is his or her own Boss where ever he or she belongs).

Believe me, he looks like he is waltzing into these pharmaceutical shops in another man's body.

Driver don pack for Aunty Bidemi's Buka (restaurant)...on a Banga soup and starch level. He is gisting every body how bitter his boss is. Says, "Am I the reason for your predicament?" Funny, see driver, see Oga (Boss) weh dey siddon for back seat with A/C on and a higher salary. Mmmmh the charcoal calling the dirty utensil black.

He tells other customers how much he wants to become an artist. He plays one of his tracks and some ears bleed. Some start begging for air space. Sounds like the song suffocates the ear drum. "Who made the beat?"

"Ah one guy for my area, goons mi (my friend), e no dey charge much (he is affordable)...don't worry Marshele soonest (will go mainstream soon), una go chop Banga soup off me". Free of charge.

I wont lie to you. He reminded me of Broda Shaggy, but who am I to say this? Oh really? Song is dope ni?

Guuuuy you bad gonnnn (you are dope). Very soon you go dey headies, lyricist of the year" " Ah how you know? Awon te mi Jackson".

Everyone is happy. Who says a hungry man is not an angry Man? Vin Diesel in his packaged anger (bar no gree drop and uncle uniform man has collected his tax for owning an iphone). Well...welcome to Nigeria. Walks by Aunty Bidemi's shop, pressing his phone, and smiles at every impulse. "Omo Igbo (Igbo boy)! You no go learn lessin?

(Have you not learned your lessons already?) no be you I wan Jam for road just na na? (Was it not you I almost ran over now?) "Eheeee!!!, Vin Diesel escalates as he jumps the gutter towards the driver, "God don punish you today! Fiam!!" He pockets his iphone and pulls his shirt. Before driver would stand to address his statement, Vin Diesel already launched a punch. More like his intension is to knack the boy, band his face inside, and maybe switch his back head to his front.

Since to him, the driver wasn't seeing the road well. So maybe he doesn't need his head intact.

Aunty Bidemi is screaming "Nobody's blood should enter my food! Das my own oo." She is pushing them outside her shop. The Mallam, who is selling sweet sugar cane, jejely (gently) pushed his wheelbarrow swiftly to the other side of the road. "Separate them na!

Separate them!" "Oh na me come Lagos to separate fight?" "Ah mat ti Blow ni...ah, "Ah ah ejo oo "Ah kilo happen?" Kilo n shele? How e dey be you na?? You wan kill am...

Abobi puts his hand in Vin Diesel's pocket and moves his iphone and wallet. Abobi no come Lagos to count eko Bridge. Nobody come Lagos to count Eko Bridge. Matter of fact, na Bus carry most people come not you.

Abobi has to give (Tofunmi) his girl friend money for Abortion.

She is a slay Mama. Not like she has no worries, but as a youth, she has to also represent both on social media. She has to trend. She knows all the hash tags and she keeps up with the kardashians. She wants to be a rich lady, but it don't look like she knows how to. She has her daily dose of sadness that she is addicted to. Of all the rich boys in Lagos it's Abobi that will impregnate her. She loves him anyways, but his life is bitterness. Keeping his child is like trying to ferment water.

Everyday Tofunmi wakes up, she wishes she never was born into the poor family she emerged from. She sees pictures of Lola on Instagram and she wishes she has her kind of life...or need I say "kind of sadness".

Maybe if she had Lola's kind of life she would love to go to school and be a doctor so she can talk ladies out of Abortion.

Lola in her pictures, you would say she has a residential visa for outside space...say uhmmm...maybe Moon?

Just somewhere cool and expensive. She never looks like someone who would wake up every morning angry or want anything.

Don't she look like she has all she needs? Like she doesn't even poo or as much as fart? How can she fart? With a tummy girdle tied round her stomach 24/7, in 365 days on Insta?...Are you with me?

How could you have tried judging a book by it's cover? Have you not seen Lola crying over a pair of shoes worth 1000USD that the dad refused to get for her because she turned down a marriage proposal that would have been a good business to the father? Since she doesn't have a job of her own, hold on now...but she is a 'media girl and a brand influencer'. #Shrugs I guess thats the Job.

"Nice car sir", his boss replied."Keep working, if you work twice harder than you do now, I will be able to buy the 2019 model of this C Class by next month."

Just when it's 5 P.M. to 6 P.M., Vin Diesel is on the Bridge, yet again, busy day. Must be Monday. No shirt on, no iphone, no wallet, and he has been begging for fare since 12 P.M. You know Lagos fights lasts for a minimum of 1 hour...okay let's not exaggerate too much, maybe 30 minutes with all the crowds. Damn somebody Lied!

Driver has definitely given his Oga (boss) a rough day, and driver's face? Looks like Mainland road to me. Maybe somewhere around Alakija road to Festac town.You would say it needs ironing or maybe someone should please tell Julius Berger to pick his call. Someone needs facial construction. Oga Boss has paid unforeseen fines for parking wrongly; even Lawma? "What is wrong with this driver? You can't eat ordinary kpekere (plantain chips) and keep the water proof in your pocket and throw it away later?" Mmtchwww same oga that is saying keep it some where also said, "Bia stop littering my Car oo". Which car? He said, "My car." Was it what he said? Really?

Just don't meet up with quarter target and you will see everything Musa sees at the gate.

Abobi had ran to Tofunmi with joy and relief. "Hustler" and both gone for the abortion. Hustler can't afford another baby mama. Few minutes Abobi came out alone weeping. #Shrugs. I wonder what happened?

Tofunmi never left with him. I heard she was carried. Heard she barely moved. I also heard they will be burying her immediately, news fly, less busy catch them quickly, and now you know who I am in this Lagos.

Aunty Bidemi? What a sad day just like every day of her life. She didn't even make up to 600 naira. "Who carry winch (badluck)come market today?" With six mouths to feed at home; her father, mother, and other siblings. A young yute like Aunty Bidemi seeing herself through school and being the bread winner...when will God butter this bread?

Vin Diesel still standing on Eko Bridge. He is frustrated, depressed, all his contacts gone, and maga weh for pay next week!! Even his picker number, wait...hold on e get transaction weh e suppose run this night (he has a transaction to complete with someone tonight). No wonder uniform man never allowed him to go without dropping something.This Country sef.

He is wondering how he can make this bar (money). Skill is not paying, "my mates are...", that's what he always says, but Tupac never sounded like Michael Jackson. I hope you find a light in that. He said he hates white collar jobs. He rather presses than be a slave to a tuxedo guy just like the Oga boss in the back seat. He calls it Hustle, but might be getting it all wrong or maybe we both are.

He believes in street ways. He wants to hustle money. He wants money that will make noise. He wants to own a Benz. Normal people scare him. He knows he wants to be different. He is different and skillful. He knows but won't tell himself that. Were you going to say he wants fast money or he is just living his life the best way he can? If you know the economy. His friend said the other day to his boss, "Nice car sir." His boss replied, "Keep working, if you work twice harder than you do now, I will be able to buy the 2019 model of this C Class."

He gisted Vin Diesel. His life never remained the same. I will leave you the jury of that, since only God judges. Vin Diesel is going to make that jump. He is full of rage, angry with his life, looks like he has no purpose in life, or maybe anything he touches dies. He has tried keeping head above water but right now? After today? His head is under water. He is not breathing at all.

Apparently someone Lied. He has had it up here. "Even if it's tiny light Toyota, boys go manage", he says.

Tears drop from his left cheek. That comes with a bad."Why is God being unfair to me?" He is probably high. He looks it. Maybe on pills? Or normal Mary Jane. The only girl in his life that never left him down. She picks him up and she places him above hate, above pains, but soaked in undeniable depression and desperation. She is his Therapy to life's addiction on some kind of sadness. Some other people will say why not pray. Some will add why not fast and pray? Some will say nothing good comes easily, always exercise, and keep a good faith. What is your therapy?

(Inhales) Mmm...(exhales) Did you exhale too? Because you know your addiction too right?

Because you know you have one?

Because you can't deal with it? Or maybe because you already did.

You want it so bad...so so so bad...you are so...intimidated by it.

You can't sleep a night without praying for it; without wondering why it's just you who doesn't have it (him it or her).

Believe me, if it has not yet started burning in you like an addiction, you have never started wanting it with all your heart. "The Heart wants what it wants." It gets crazy for it. Yearns for it.

The act of want is driven by a long term hunger for it, and need the long term absence of it. Think about it.

So if the heart wants what it wants, it hungers for it because it needs it.

Funny how twisted that popular statement sounds now.

Vin Diesel would rather literally try breathing under this Eko Lagoon than having himself waking up to a broke sad day again. You know it's senseless if he is tooth and nail broke (MC Hammer broke). "If its' not making money, it's not making sense." That is the source of Yute's life addiction. It brings a saddened heart.

They say, "Money can't buy you happiness, but it buys happy things."

Takes you to happy places. It buys things you would rather cry in happily than sit in a roof leaking tacky room crying your eye balls out about one particular sad day. That is the addiction.

But what is the purpose?

We are each other's life's purpose.

Sadness comes with accrued selfishness. Try making a neighbor happy. It's a disease. It gets to you.

You become happy instantly. You give money, it comes back to you.

Simple natural laws. Sow a seed, you reap (not preaching about pastors right now or what the good book said. I am just telling you facts as it is.) Also don't forget to prepare for money because it will come to you. So you have to prepare what you want to do with it in order to keep it. If you are trying to hold it, it will slip away. Wealth is life's ultimate price for giving. Say also a remedy to youth's addiction, but don't say a healing to it. It just cures you...It could come back. Healing is divine and whether you like to hear this part or not? DIVINITY is the purpose.

At all times in momento mori.

Here, we won't say choose one because even one man can have them both. It's yours, so why not?

Have a life purpose and still cure your addiction. You can be who you want and need to be. Most times you don't give two unspeakable F's about that one who only tells you what they think you need but doesn't even know what you want from what you need or what you already have.

Life's Addiction to some kind of sadness is the failure to satisfy the ultimate desire of the 'wanted and the needed'. That in most cases starts with the money factor, and then we can say lack of genuine love. Most people refer to as good or bad energy. For a youth, no two ways about it. Deep down you know it is what it is, but today you may be glad to know that success is all you need. Success in all ramifications. good health, successful relationship with your neighbor, successful in your lifestyle, successful in love, in growth, free spirit, and free from hate. Affect life positively the best way you can with the culture "Momento Mori" planted deep down your heart. Water your soul, cultivate in you a clean spirit, one that can easily attract wealth, and summon riches. Sadness only blocks money. It's spiritual and you have to know this. ***OUT SIDE THE BOX TALK*** Money is like a virtuous woman. It don't go where you don't know what to do with it. Someone learned this and he is sharing with you. Free yourself from mental slavery. Free from hate, regrets, free from sadness, and addictions.Be successful as much as you can be.

Don't ever forget to be YOU.

LIFE 'ASKS' you to be YOU. At all times in momento mori, The question is Who are you? ***LETS STEP BACK TO THE BOX AGAIN,THANK YOU*** Money, they say, is the root of all evil, but we say it's a means to live good. So let's make some money every now and then. We rather be a desert rose with the hope of a difference and strength to hold through every sad day of our lives.

Knowing if you make the jump on Eko bridge and down the Lagoon, you won't be there to know how it feels like to die or what the world will be like without you. Not like you will ever know what it feels like to die...believe me. The Dead ones don't know what it feels like because once you are dead, the feeling is dead too. Don't ask me if I have died before. Maybe you will know what if it feels like dying, but not what it feels like to be dead. Same way you felt, how it feels like working to be successful but never will know what it feels like to be successful because you chickened out before Christmas.

Embrace the PURPOSE To heal your LIFE. Don't give up until you also CURE your life's addiction on some kind of SADNESS. Make money and give love to receive love. Give yourself some love too and stay away from grudge because it's like shooting a motion picture on 100FPs (frames per second). It slows your life's motion down.

(LIFE 'ASKS' IN MY LAGOS CITY)

Tr3yvon is a young, rising artist who fell in love with music at a very young age and found himself connected with hip hop music more than any other genres. In 2005, he decided to pursue rap because he could express himself better through rhythm and poetry. I believe that with music you can find guidance, healing, expression, and storytelling in one piece.

First and foremost, my dad was an artist. Sadly, he passed before the world could hear him. I fell in love with music through him. It was like a right of passage. Where he left off, is where I am trying to pick up. The only difference is that I chose a different genre that I felt like was more adhering to my personality. That’s how I got into music, or better yet, that’s how music got into me.

My vision is for my music to be heard across the masses. I feel like my music is very meaningful. So it only makes sense that the world should hear it. So it, world, can be healed by it. Hopefully, those who relate to it can be healed by my words of passion.

I won the 16 bars challenge of P.I.F.F Magazine.

Moreover, I got interviewed at Ikwekwezi FM which is one of the biggest radio stations in South Africa. One of my songs got radio airplay at the very same radio station.

I feel like that was a milestone for my career.

I’ll be running the music scene in all the major continents.

In fact, I’ll be one of the big guns ahead of the tables in two industries; the music and fashion industry. I’d probably have a bunch of stores set up across Africa. I believe my Brand is big enough to influence the entire free world.

My song titled "Real" is very personal to me because I feel like I let my feelings spill so people can know where I come from. It was a very dark place for me. When I made the song, I was going through a series of emotions. My mind was a bit suicidal, and I really didn’t think there was light at the end of the tunnel. Mainly, I talk about my upbringing on how I left home at an early age to try to find a better living. Not to say we were poor or anything, but I felt like I could go out there and just take what’s mine.

"I would say it isn’t easy, but don’t give up. if you believe in your dreams, just go for it.You will find a lot of people where you can’t tell which one is real or fake."

"Your judgements have to help you in choosing the right crowd. I say this because some people will say your music isn’t good enough or that you're not a good rapper or artist."

"We all know not everyone will like your music.

Always believe in yourself and invest in your career."

ROYAL TEMPLE PRODUCTIONS | 18

MAYNE CROSS NIGERIAN-AFRO DANCEHALL ARTISTE

"I AM NOT THE KIND OF PERSON THAT TALKS MUCH, BUT WHEN I TALK, PEOPLE THINK I'M JOKING."

''DANGEROUSLY'' THE NEW SKOOL KING OF AFROBEAT. Mayne Cross, a Nigerian-Afro, dancehall artiste and a Lagos born Edo boy, professionally began his musical career in 2016. He sat to share some insights into his craft and his journey in the musical world. Ever since the release of his latest single titled, "Dangerous", he has been on the lips of the Nigerian youth and lovers of his sound due to the catchy beat and beautiful melody. He clearly talks about the daily frustration of a Nigerian youth on the police brutality going on in the country thanks to producer SamUltra beats alongside his colleagues, Ozedikus and Eframesound; the executive producers. The new single boasted 2.4k on Audiomack in just six hours of it's release making it the artiste's most streamed project on the platform. It went on to garner over 12k streams across all streaming platforms in just two days after it's release with 10k plays coming from Audiomack alone. The record featured over 100+ playlists on same platform.

I chose to do music because singing is the only way to express myself. I am not the kind of person that talks much, but when I talk, people think I'm joking. So I think music is the only way because of the jovial personality I posses. Music is the only way I can express myself truthfully and sincerely so that people can take it serious.

Looking back now, who did you look up to while growing up that made you do music? Your idol?

I call my genre Afro-Dancehall because I try to fuse the afro genre with dancehall music. You know with the society we are in now, people don't really appreciate dancehall music which is the reggae dancehall. So I try to affiliate it with the afro sound because I'm a Nigerian and I'm African. Afro is our root and I do it so well. So I tend to fix that into the afro genre. So my genre is Afro-Dancehall.

Nigerian families hardly buy into this career path you chose, how were you able to convince them?

Yeah, a lot. Baba Fela...going by my career path right now; Bruna boy.

Definitely. I like his story, I like his growth, and I really like the way he made it out; Wizkid also and a lot more. Almost all of the people above me right now.

"I lost my dad when I was twelve years old...my mum has been my backbone; yeah."

Well, I lost my dad when I was twelve years old. Ever since, I've been in the street hustling. The only way that took me out of the street was music. I had to sing my way out of the street. I'm still in the street, and I'm still trying to push myself out of the street with my song and sound. My mum has been my backbone; yeah.

Royal Temple Productions | 20

Kopano Norman Magongwa is a 28 year old artist from South Africa, East Rand Duduza. He is a passionate, outgoing, hadrworking, and dedicated artist who takes his craft very serious.

I started singing professionally in a choir called Duduza Serenade and moved to join Musical Pride Entertainment to start my solo music career. I have a great EP of 9 tracks out now on all online stores titled, "Royalty-Nkabi-yo-m'Sotho".

My goal/vision is to grow as a brand worldwide, get an opportunity to travel, showcase my music to the world, and work with other artists from other countries.

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP 3 ACCOMPLISHMENTS SO FAR? 1 - Getting my music out there for everyone to access.

2 - Sharing the stage with Sjava; BET award-winning artist.

3 - Shooting my first music video.

WHAT IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL SONG YOU'VE MADE AND WHAT IS THE STORY BEHIND IT? The story behind it its simple it talks about death, that death shouldn't be proud, during this Covid outbreak people are loosing loved ones and so the song comforts those who keep loosing loved ones WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 5 YEARS? I see myself as a very very successful artist who helps many artists who struggled when start like me

"MY FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT AFRICA ARE THE CULTURE DIVERSITY WE HAVE, THE UNITY AND LOVE WE SHARE, THE MUSIC WE DO, AND THE BEAUTIFUL PLACES WE HAVE."

I wish people would know that we have great talented artists in Africa. We are a continent of many different cultures, but we all are in sync and we believe and respect our ancestors.

There is a movement we have here in East Rand that we call Imbawula. It creates events for upcoming artists and puts them in the right place to showcase their talents. I wish it could get more exposure because it helps us as artists.

Be unique, stay true, and never give up.

SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook page : K-Music SA09 Instagram :@kmusicsa09

Royal Temple Productions | 22

"I'm Armah William Toe, also known as, CristoeNew from Liberia, West Africa. I was born and raised in a slum community where we hustle every day just to make life. Music is my dream, my life, and my all."

I got into the music industry after I joined the group called "New Face Entertainment" in 2016. After we dropped our first record, tagged Dope Boys, and the latter, we started poppin' on our block. That's how I got into the music industry, but all throughout, I've been freestyling on the street and in high school rap competitions.

My goal is to reach at the highest peak, make lot of money, and make my mama and my day one proud. I see myself topping my industry The most meaningful song I have made is my newest project tagged, "Give Them Koto". The story behind this song is that I was down for few months because some homies were hittin' on me. I had to do this song to let them know that there's no room for bad energy.

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WHAT ARE YOUR TOP 3 ACCOMPLISHMENTS SO FAR? #1 - I got recognized by one of the biggest female, on-air personalities in my country and she has one of the biggest entertainment shows; @Masterqueen. #2 - I did an international record with an uprising artist from South Africa. #3 - My social media fan-base is growing close to 3k followers.

My advice to the upcoming artists is to never give up. Keep grinding and don't create room for bad energy. www.Instagram.com/CristoeNew www.facebook.com/CristoeNew www.Audiomock.com/CristoeNew www.youtube.com/CristoeNew www.wlojii.com/CristoeNew

"I stand for Love and Unity asking everyone to do the same."

I wish that more people would get to know that Africans are loving and caring people.

I love the culture and people

Royal Temple Productions | 24

TURN UP LORDS TurnUpLords is a South African Hip Hop/Rap duo originating from Alexandra, Johannesburg composed of best friends Lebohang Nkgadime, also known as Lebonator, and Thapelo Makobela, also known as Tee-Pee. Formed in 2016, TurnUpLords started as a group but has now become a movement with a goal to unite Alexandra artists as one. The name TurnUpLords was inspired by the feedback the duo got when they graced the crowds/fans with their presence and performance at every show, event, and stage that the duo has been on. TurnUpLords don’t just put on a show, but create an experience. TurnUpLords is made to bring life to a party/event/show...whatever the case may be, the duo took a responsibility to make sure the people always got their money’s worth. They transfer a very positive and good energy to the crowds to hype up with them when they go up on stage during their performance. The duo is best known for their single “Moshito” with the music video being shot locally in the duos home town which can be viewed on their YouTube channel.

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS/VISION FOR YOURSELVES AND/OR YOUR BUSINESS? To get signed by a record label. There is a label called Ambitiouz Entertainment in South Africa well-known for recognizing talent. We would like to one day be like them in terms of being able to recognize talent and put it where it deserves to be. We also see ourselves as some of the greatest artists nationwide in the future.

HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT/BUSINESS INDUSTRY? We started doing research online and learned different ways we could make an income from our music.

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP 3 ACCOMPLISHMENTS SO FAR? 1 - Sharing the stage with Kwesta 2 - Being number one on AlexFM for over a month 3 - Getting our music on digital platforms.

WHAT IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL SONG YOU'VE MADE AND WHAT IS THE STORY BEHIND IT? It's a track titled, "Roots" which talks about not forgetting where you come from when days are great.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE STARTING OUT IN THE ENTERTAINMENT/MUSIC INDUSTRY? It requires a lot of hard work and research.

"Our favorite things about Africa are the sounds and different cultures that have influence in the music we make."

"We wish people knew more of the unrecognized sounds."

"My favorite things about Africa are nature, her music, her food, and her history. I wish people knew more about her history and her nature."

AMAKARH

Okechukwu Chiamaka Lovette, also known as AMAKARH, is an Afrocentric singer, songwriter, recording, and performing act. She hails from Arochukwu in Abia state.

In a family of five, she was born to Chief and Lolo Eugene Okey Imuoh on the 28th of February. She loves to write, travel, make friends, and believes that one has to live life to the fullest one day at a time. She recently dropped her EP titled, "NOSTALGIC" on all streaming platforms and accompanied that with a show called "INTIMACY" alongside her band ALIAN TRIBE. She has plans to run other projects in the remaining part of the year.

She has worked with several acts in the industry both as a songwriter and as a backing vocalist. She's someone the world should watch out for.

"I started out as a backing vocalist and then I moved on to being a Songwriter. I decided to branch out to my

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP 3 ACCOMPLISHMENTS SO FAR?

My top 3 accomplishments so far are dropping my EP in January, hosting my first show in April, and working with top acts.

own sound in 2019."

My goals are to record and perform on bigger platforms both locally and internationally. Record with some of the world's most amazing acts also and give back to society as much as I can.

I see myself touring the world, giving out good music, embarking on my music consultation journey, picking my grammies, and generally showing the world what an African girl can do.

WHAT IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL SONG YOU'VE MADE AND WHAT IS THE STORY BEHIND IT?

Every song I've made is really meaningful because I'm a storyteller. For the purpose of this question, I'd say my most meaningful song is called "WALE". It's a story of a friend who felt he had it all together because he was good looking but turns out the world doesn't revolve around that.

I would say take it easy, and don't be in a haste. On your journey, understand what works for you, your sound, and make sure you embrace your craft because that's the only way the world will embrace it too.

I stand for the boy and girl children's movement and I believe that music is a tool to pass the right messages across both visually speaking to and that's what my music will do.

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Tee Jordan was born and raised in South Africa. He started his music career as a rapper and discovered his potential and love in being a DJ. 2017 was his productive year where he won a local MTV Base lip sync battle, won first position of DSTV Gen play, audited on SABC one Mic, and got radio plays on different local radio stations. Tee Jordan is now a resident hip-hop DJ at Kgatleng 91.3 and ambassador of Plugg Sneakers. Tee Jordan was also nominated on Golden Art and media awards.

He is now working on new music as a DJ featuring Mc Ely, Broke Boy Rich Man, Cliff@work, and etc. and will be featured on the new show coming on ETV. I got into the industry by my passion and love for music. The advice I would give is to work hard and be focused.

My goal is to become a big artist around the world and inspire the youth and people who do music. I see myself as a big artist around the continent who's going to inspire people by music.

My most meaningful song is titled "TODAY " in which I talk about where we are today by passion, hard working, and love for music.

I stand for the movement of knowledge on music and on how to learn and do music.

" I wish more people knew more about the attractions, African music, and African languages."

"Some of my favorite things about Africa are the unique attractions."

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WORLD MUSIC AND HIGHLIFE RAP COLLECTIVE

CESH. SBU BLU. K HIPPO

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"The group recently dropped their second single titled, "Replay".

This is a follow up from their hit single "Sondela". They are currently working on their full length album which will drop before the end of year 2021."

Rapture 90s is a South African world music and highlife Rap collective formed in 2018 and is composed of main producer/rapper Sbu Blu, lead rapper K Hippo, and lead vocalist Cesh. The Group dropped the first single titled "Sondela" on the 20th of November in 2020 which has been doing exceptionally well on Spotify and YouTube. RAPTURE. What does the word mean? Most people think it’s the second coming of Christ, but it also means extreme pleasure, happiness, or excitement; which is what the brand represents.

When you listen to our sound, you get to experience the whole vibe. The 90s, well, "That’s because we were all born in the 90s’’ says Cesh. Highlife rap is a genre coined by Rapture 90s. "It’s called highlife because the elements that are contained in the beats they use are similar to highlife jazz which was a famous form in the 60s’’ says K Hippo. Highlife jazz mostly contains the saxophone, horns, African drums, and electric guitar strings. These elements can be found in their sound. "It’s also world music because Rapture 90s takes different forms of musical styles from all around the world like bossa nova, rock, punk, jazz, soul, samba, and hip-hop and puts them in a single groove that can be enjoyed by anyone whether race, gender, or ethnicity’’ says Sbu Blu. Rapture 90s has performed in different venues across Johannesburg through night clubs, open mic sessions, lounge performances, regular birthday celebrations, and parties so it’s safe to say that when this trio performs, they bring the fire.

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The love of music was the beginning of everything which lead to us putting more effort in putting out our debut single "Sondela". We are going to be the best selling international group and also venture into business.

One of our favorite things about Africa is that the people are amazing and welcoming. This allows anyone to express themselves how ever without conforming to standards. We have beautiful and naturally formed landscapes with a diverse cultural experience. Africa is not what has been perceived on television for years now, but Africa has world class cites like Johannesburg and, the biggest square mile in Africa, Sandton City; which resembles New York City. Across all the 56 countries in our continent, there is a diverse range of cultures found; not just one.

One of our most meaningful songs is "REPLAY". This is a song that talks about replaying all of our special moments with our loved ones and those who are no longer with us. This is a song which will be dropping on the 22nd of June 2021.

Our top 3 accomplishments so far are connecting with the world through our music, establishing a loyal fan base throughout the 6 Months of dropping "Sondela", and getting to work with Royal Temple Productions; which they have been a blessing to us.

In 5 years, we see ourselves owning a successful record company which will assist other upcoming artists in the record business.

The advice that we give to artists who are just starting out in the music industry is that great things take time. All you have to do is be patient and believe in yourself.

Work hard and don’t do DRUGS. We also believe in the BLACK LIVES MATTER (BLM) movement and we are against all racial injustice across the world. This is also included in one of the songs on the upcoming album. We're against GBV which is Gender Based Violence. One of the most common acts of violence in our country.

"Our vision is for our music to touch as many people as possible worldwide. We always aim to positively impact lives through our music."

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MUHLURI INTEREST MATHEBULA Muhluri Interest Mathebula is a young lady who resides in South Africa. She was born in a province called Limpopo, and with time, she relocated to the Gauteng province to head for a better future. She has recently published her first novel, titled, "Expressions from Experiences" where she portrays a fictional story that helps the reader to understand that every individual is, but a product of their past, and even so, it is completely up to them to heal from past hurts and gain more knowledge to be able to lead better lives.

"My goal is to reach out to a broader platform of readers and get them engaged in my writings as we build a strong network. The vision I have is to end up passing the skill of writing to the youth and encouraging many more aspiring authors."

I got into the writing industry by passion. I have always seen myself as someone who finds it easier to write things down rather than verbally articulating them.

The most meaningful writing piece I've written was the quote where I mentioned in my novel, "The wells from which you quench your thirst will determine the health of your skin." I was motivating individuals to drink knowledge from good wells so they may sound intelligent when they speak and also know how to better handle circumstances in this life.

I see myself as one of the most influential women in 5 years time. Having written more books than now, and having established businesses that can help grow the youth. My biggest dream is to run and own an orphanage.

I would advise to hang on in there because it is not so much of an easy road. It requires all the time, patience, endurance, and aspiration when inspiration runs out.

They should always stick to the bigger picture when they turn weary. It will give them the power to rise again.

My top 3 greatest accomplishments so far are firstly, having published a novel at the Jo'burg Theatre in Johannesburg City, Gauteng province in March this year. Secondly, I have been interviewed on local radio stations and also got a chance to be featured on Daily Sun newspaper. Thirdly, having received Varsity acceptance with UNISA to study towards a BeD after 6 years of trying to get an acceptance in Varsity.

I stand for the cause of illiteracy. I am a writer because my wish is to assist in the elimination of the huge numbers of illiteracy in our country. I would like to impact them by organizing writing and reading competitions where youngsters can grab the skill at an early age and rise with it.

"My favorite thing about Africa is the sense of African heritage. We are a rainbow nation filled with people of diverse backgrounds. Our African history is also very fascinating. The long walk to freedom that our political leaders (such as our first black president, Nelson Mandela) have since strived for us to live peacefully as a nation. I wish more people knew that Africa is a home for many.

It is also a great place where tourists come from all over the world to have a look at our heritage sites such as the Cradle of Mankind in the North West province. Africa also has wonderful mountains such as the Table Mountain in Cape Town."

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