Hip-hop trio files flag with unique sound
Lesotho rap is on the rise.
Three young male rappers hailing from across the border have been pushing their own narrative in their mother tongue. Malome Vector, Ntate Stunna and Tieho Mosoeunyane are flying the Lesotho flag high with their native punchlines.
Tieho said he was glad that Lesotho artists were finally able to make a living o¡ their art.
“We’ve always had hip-hop back home but it can’t be an actual industry because of how small our population is.
“I am glad that we getting adopted by the South African industry because it’s the biggest in the southern hemisphere. It’s a great opportunity for not
only rappers but for all creatives in Lesotho to finally live on art, which does pay where we’re from,” said Tieho.
Tieho, from Maseru, was in the country to shoot his music video in Soweto and caught the eye of local producer Guffy Pilane, known to have worked with Karabo Mogane and Malaika.
The 31-year-old rapper became hooked to the vibes of rhythm and rhymes when he was six.
“The first song I recall ever loving was Brenda Fassie’s Arg Shame Lovey, also known as Mido do do.
“Every winter I’d visit my aunt in Botha Bothe [in the Highlands of Lesotho] because unlike Maseru, it snowed there.
She’d play this song for me on her record player. I was intrigued by the beats, the repetition of the chorus.
I was hooked,” he explained.
He penned his first rhymes at 14.
Malome Vector, whose real name is Bokang Moleli , 2 6 , officially signed a recording deal with record label Ambitiouz Entertainment last month, making him the latest artist to be signed to the stable since the departure of Emtee.
Vector has featured with fellow rappers like Ntate Stunna on a song called Ichu.
Ntate Stunna recently went viral on social media when he was acknowledged by Khuli Chana and Nadia Nakai, who said the young lad was “super dope
and creative”.
Lesotho musicians are known for their use of the accordion, which makes their sound distinctive.
Stunna made an appearance at the eight annual South African Hip-Hop Awards in Gold Reef City when he presented the best international brand award won by beverage company Castle Lite. The likes of Cassper Nyovest, Yanga Chief, Shane Eagle and Makwa bagged the shining star awards
By Nokuthula Zwane
zwanen@156.38.205.90
