4 minute read
EYELUKEYUNG
from Upcoming Mag 29
by Upcoming Mag
Born Mosebetsi Malatsi in Harrismith Free State, the hip-hop artist is a former member of an eleven member music group called, Urban Craft which was formed in 2011 which lasted no more than three years as the other group members changed careers and some moved as they were high school teenagers with a chance of going to different tertiaries even different locations for work and development aside from music. He then joined a trio band called Havoc in 2014.
This ambitious star has had a privelage to open for Speedsta and Nasty C. He also opened AKA, Kaybee, Tuks and Ok Malumkoolkat in 2017 with the duo he later joined after moving to Vaal Triangle. EyeLukeYung is currently solo and works in collaboration with ISO Media and SixGod Records. He has released two EP’ s and has had a one man show called Roller Coaster which has been a great success and even made an EP for 2021.
INTERVIEW
What inspired your name?
There isn 't really any solid reason behind my name. I actually used to go by a different one when I started rapping, but then it was way too common so I had to find a way to be different. I was in a rap group of about 11 members, if I remember correctly and I was the smallest one in terms of appearance- so I had to come up with something that best fit my situation, which was "EyeLukeYung " standing for “I look young” . I' ve been stuck with it ever since.
In your career as an artist, what challenges have you encountered and what have you learned from those challenges?
You know as you are coming up, you are inspired by a lot of people and a whole bunch of other things happening in the hip-hop culture right? It all started with me wanting to be part of it all. In my early recording stages, I used to think that I would be able to work with just anyone I wanted to work with, only to find out that it wasn 't that easy. So basically the challenge has always been me getting myself on a high level of recognition. And through that the most important thing I' ve learnt was to just always remain patient and never rush what God is preparing for me. After all, good things come to those who wait. .
Who do you look up to for inspiration?
My inspiration evolves with time .Back when I started rapping it was through my sister and her Lil Wayne, 50 Cent, Ludacris and some D12 records that she used to play for me. We would rap along to most of the songs until I realized that it was actually something fun to do, and that' s how I started. As time went I got introduced to a whole lot of other rappers, some of who were SA locals; Golden Shovel, Mothipa, Proverb and Pro Kid just to name a few. And much later I started being versatile. I drew my inspiration from AKA and J. Cole, until this day, these are two of my most favorite artists to listen to for inspiration.
What' s your biggest goal?
Okay firstly I' m not just an artist, but the other aspects of my life I would like to keep private for obvious reasons. But then speaking about music, I just want to get my voice heard to an extent that I do not have to explain who I am in order to be able to work with anybody. If it can all start with me being one of the biggest artists in SA that would automatically pave way for me to branch out and collaborate with other talented musicians until I reach that goal.
Who has made a huge impact in your life and how have they done so?
Life in general it would have to be my eldest sister, Maki Mokoena for always breaking boundaries and exceeding limits. She has always been the person to create possibilities out of impossibilities, and for that I' ve always looked up to her. I am where I am because I' ve always tried to replicate everything that she did. Musically for now it has to be AKA. I used to be a hardcore lyricist just focused on raps until I started to listen to him, then I transcended from being that kind of artist to being a musician. Because of him, now it' s easy for me to play my music to just anybody and they would vibe to it, which is a really good thing because we need our music to be able to touch each and every soul no matter how old or young you are, or no matter how deep or moderate you are.
What is your greatest achievement so far?
A: Man, you know I even have a description on my Instagram profile that goes like, "I' m not yet who I' m meant to become. " Until I feel like I' ve reached that point in life, I will always leave room for that greatest thing that I want to achieve. Right now for me, every day is an achievement as I am working on becoming the best version of myself on a daily basis until I get where I' m actually meant to be.
EyeLukeYung and his music is available on the following socials and digital stores.
