Mr Vrr Pha Hustles Jozi

Reckzen aka Mr Vrr Pha

Many a rapper in the mainstream are there because they had a dream, was it to be famous and have all the pretty girls? Not from what we have learned, a lot of rappers that we hear on our radios and see on our screens are actually there trying to get some green. Money, to feed our families, some to pay for our college tuitions. Everybody has a reason why they need money. Though is the case, this is yet a Far fetched dream. The music is good yes, the videos too, but the pay is disappointing. This past week we found one local rapper doing very well from a distance to get the "insides". 

On a quest to find our locally produced dope rappers, we found a 28 year old Qoaling born artist, Rorisang Khumalo, popularly known as ’RECKZEN’. Reckzen is currently based in South Africa, where he first moved to study. He nonetheless shifted his focus to music after realising  the star that was in him. He is not only a vibrant person but also a goal-orientated person who believes that without a direction, one has no destination. He revealed that he only does simple and non-complicated music that everyone regardless of age can relate to and enjoy, hence distinguishing himself from many local artists.

The Qoaling based artist told us that with his life, he wants to prove that there is no dream too big for a well-focused mind and a determined heart. He is allegedly penetrating through the SA music industry, recently he released a single titled ‘VRR PHAA’ and shot its video which opened doors for him. The middle aged rapper points out that he submitted the video to MNET in success and is hopeful that we will see the video playing on all Mnet channels, with renowned South African Music Television Channel O included. Currently an independent artist, he continued to mention that some major record labels in South Africa have recently been on his tail trying to score a deal with him. He told us that he and his team are still looking for a better deal for him to sign.

On his team he has the likes of Pearl Modiadie from SA, a Mozambique born beat producer Fort Simons, King Joo an executive producer also from Mozambique and a Nigerian sound engineer DJ Peet. Reckzen has two albums that he shared with us; Fatherless and Who I Be, and he is currently working on his mixtape titled ‘Naked Truth’. The ambitious rapper further disclosed that he’s willing to help any rapper in the L only if they stop beefing and being serious about their music. When sharing his experience in the SA music industry, Reckzen said ‘Penetrating through SA industry is a very tough nut to crack that is why when you made it one sings Mama I made it like Cassper Nyovest.

To get hold of him and his music, like his page on facebook ‘RECKZEN’ or his personal account ‘RORISANG RECKZEN KHUMALO, or you can check him out on YOUTUBE

By Lebohang Sefalane

Nthaby & L-Tore; 3 Nights no Sleep

Who does not enjoy the city at night? Or chilled weekend afternoons? Reading this makes it clear you are not one of such, Maseru based rapper L-Tore and radio personality Nthaby Terah of Mxxl have are having fired weekend outings this very weekend, 7-9th July 2017. 

A three day double birthday celebration is what the duo has set up. It all started at Dona@balos last night where a quite tempting line up had been announced, initially having the likes of Mozuzu, CJo, Lereng, Yung Moses and a gifted handful others as performing artists while the DJ table was expecting to be graced Wickz, Zipper, Dallas T, Essh Africa and many others. But it's not over yet, in fact it is only beginning. Today it goes on at the same venue, early bird gate takings will go out as M40 and the later up to M60. It is an action packed show you don't want to miss if you are around Maseru or within easy reach, imagine Juvenile, DJ Tseko, Selimo Thabane, Selector Tesfah, Khebzah, Nuch, Nirex, KTA Kings, Bootz, Thizozo all under one roof! A definite cluster party, bound to be double heated.

Learning about the celebration we had no other choice but to contact the birthday people. Doing this we were only fortunate to find L-tore and Less fortunate when Nthaby was concerned. Speaking to L-Tore, he revealed to us that this is his first public birthday celebration though he is looking forward to many more to come should this one prove successful. He further disclosed that the thought was actually many years old, "We've actually been talking about it for a few years. So this time around we just went ahead and did it." the rapper said. Out of many attendees expected, L-Tore mentioned the media people, bloggers, magazine people, radio stations and everyone else involved be it directly or indirectly involved with the media.

The final question we asked was about things between this vodacom superstars winner, L-Tore, and Nthaby, this was after we had learned from the streets that it wasn't really a a smooth patch between the two. Easily he said; "Well in any working relationship there will be misunderstanding.  None the less, the show will still continue." What more could one ask for? Be sure to show up at Dona@Balos tonight and have a good time, or you can attend the final chapter of the party at The White House next to Litaleng on Sunday where washing your car will get you a free beer!
Enjoy Responsibly
By; Moddaw Oa Mochini

From Zimbabwe with a Dream | KD Summerz

They say music is an international language, it doesn't really matter where you're from, if music in your language the world will hear you out. In the hood streets of Thabong, about eight kilometres from Maseru City Centre dwells a young and vibrant producer and rapper known to his fans as KD Summerz. He was born Kudakwashe Mukuzunga back in Zimbabwe some time in the early 90s, though not specified when, Summerz moved to Lesotho where he now makes his music from. This past weekend we came uninvited to his hood and shared a few laughs, this is how it went down.

Blogger; Yaw Summerz, I hope you're good my brother, today we're on record.

KD Summerz; Oh yeah? Alright bro, bring it on.

Blogger; Yeah King, do you mind telling my readers who really KD-Summerz is?

KD Summerz; Kd Summerz is an artist and producer from Zimbabwe with a diverse approach to music he mainly focuses on putting an African Element to all his work.

Blogger; and when did you start doing Music?

KD Summerz; I started doing music at a very early age. My family is musical so I've had a musical background from as long as I remember. I was already doing TV shows and performing by the age of 7 so I've been in the game for more than 15 years.

Blogger; Nice, and growing up until today, who could say are your musical influences?

KD Summerz; Well my music influences include Jay Z, J. Cole, Lol Wayne, Wizkid, Fela Kuti, Asa, Da Truth, Lira, Michael Jackson,  the list is long

Blogger; Do you have a formal music education?

KD Summerz; Yes I studied songwriting and production with the Beclee School of music. I was a member of Chipawo a performance arts initiative back in Zim, I have attained a certificate of performance arts with the British council and I keep furthering my studies in the field.

Blogger; I see, that makes you a music guru mos, tell me though, what would you say is the difference between you and the next rapper i could meet in the streets of Maseru?

KD Summerz; The difference between me and the next rapper is that I'm diverse and my lyrics are well crafted to fit the target audience. In terms of the sound it's more articulate and different. I'm a voice of the youth you can say.

Blogger; Many a time I have seen performers flop on stage and ruin a beautifully begun performance, what's your secret, how do you handle a mistake on stage

KD Summerz; Mistakes during a performance happen all the time, to the best of us, but all I do in such a situation is to not show it keep going and make it part of the act.

Blogger; Do you think male and female rappers generally get the same opportunities and equal pay?

KD Summerz; Male and female rappers these days get the same opportunities these days although it  has been a male dominated game. But now it's 50/50 the more work you put in the more you get paid and get people to listen to you I mean look at Nikki Minaj, Steflondon, Iggy Azelia to name a few they are making it out there.

Blogger; Which is a good thing i think, but what is the potential income for this career?

KD Summerz; This career has so much to offer, potential income varies with your target audience it's a business. And just like any business it can range from 0 to millions of dollars.

Blogger; looking at African urban music as a whole, and then back to Lesotho, what say you; Is there growth in this field? How do things generally look for new musicians entering the field.

KD Summerz; The field is growing definitely African artists are going global considering now we getting a fair amount of airplay and attention as the urban culture compared to ten years ago.

Blogger; With my years in music I've learned every musicians believes in something, what do you consider your greatest asset as a musician?

KD Summerz; My greatest asset is my mind. That's where my ideas come from, the bars, the rhythms the music... everything.

Blpgger; Could you say you could make it in industries as huge as that of South Africa or Nigeria.

KD Summerz; Yes I will make it in those industries I've been working on my craft to sound as international as possible (giggles), so now I'm tapping into the market with the right strategy for marketing and the sound. I will make it

Blogger; Awesome, given the chance would you work with anyone from South Africa or Nigeria? If yes who in particular?

KD Summerz; I have been working with emerging artists from Nigeria namely Day One, Jiggaman, Mc Femm but on a more brad tip I would love to work with Wizkid, Ten no and Davido. From SA I want the big shots AKA, Casper Nyovest, Nasty C, Dj Maphorisa & Kwesta.

Blogger; What's your take on beef in general?

KD Summerz; I think beef is getting old people should focus more on getting paid than beef (giggles)

Blogger; Don't you think beef could create gang wars such as those of the famous blanket gangs ?

KD Summerz; Yes! Definitely beef can start gang wars we've seen that from time people kill each other and all that buy hey I'm not e beef guy I see it as unnecessary really.

Blogger; Who do you have beef with, and which other local artist would you like to work with in the future?

KD Summerz; No beef on my side fam but locally I wanna work with the best uNeja, Moddaw...

Blogger; Myself?

KD Summerz; ...yes you, (giggles) and Katz, I'm still meeting up with artist from here.

Blogger;What can you say about our music as local artistes, are we there yet, if not, what's missing? 

KD Summerz; Locally we are not yet but almost there. We need to expand and reach other places like SA, the sound quality also needs to improve and meet international standards there's a lot of talent here.

Blogger; Whats the worst that's ever happened to you on stage?

KD Summerz; Haha the worst was getting dissed with a hectic punchline in a rap battle in Cyprus if I ddnt win that battle i wasnt gona get over it (giggles).

Blogger; Whats the craziest stunt you ever did on stage?

KD Summerz; The craziest stunt haha well when I was much younger I would spin of the stage to the crowd not sure I i can still pull that one out haha.

Blogger; What can we expect the next time you release music?

KD Summerz; My next release this month will be my debut album Summerz Eve Its sounding good so far with a lot of collabos with artists from different parts of Africa. 

Blogger;Gig updates?

KD Summerz; Yes I will have a couple shows starting in August to be announced on my Facebook page Kd Summerz, Instagram @kdsummerz twitter @kdsummerz and I'm very excited that I will also do shows outside in Zim, SA, Cyprus and Nigeria and other places in the world hopefully.

Blogger; One word for yourself as an artiste?

KD Summerz; One word is to keep it moving... Music is a difficult industry sometime especially when starting out but never give up and let the music play!

Blogger; Nice, well thank you for your time bro, all the best in your music life and other adventures;

KD Summerz; Thanks Mochini

I have known Summerz for almost half a year now, a humble brother that is, he characterises himself as an afrocentric artist and finds more pleasure in songs with a definitive African Sound, Summerz Eve is surely an album to watch for in the market this coming festive season. To tune to h latest music go to his Soundcloud