From underground music to radio hits, Xhosa rapper Maxhoseni, real name Bongile Pateni, has come a long way. Having released his first mixtape titled Ikhoboka Lenyaniso in 2008, his latest single Ixesha was released just last week.
How did you get into music? Was it something you dreamt of as a child? What is your earliest memory of performing live?
A:Music is not something I dreamt of as a child; what I loved growing up was soccer. It was the only thing I enjoyed. Growing up in rural (Eastern Cape) we were exposed to a lot of soccer. We all played soccer after school. Within a couple of years of moving to Cape Town in 2001, I began to be interested in music because where I lived music dominated. Almost every guy from my ’hood was involved in music. Talent shows were common and featured different types of music, so I thought ‘let me give it a try’. What pushed me closer were the likes of the late Abongile Kroza and Lungile Ludidi who visited our school and taught us music and drama. I got involved in both music and drama but left drama to focus on music. My earliest memory of performing live was when I performed Honey for the first time. I was still at school when I released it. I remember when I performed it people didn’t believe it was me, as I was known to be shy. At that time it was already playing on radio stations. When I came off the stage everyone applauded and complimented the performance. That alone pushed me to stick to music; seeing people appreciating my performance was overwhelming.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
A:Music from other artists inspires me. I hear a certain song and I just think to myself ‘I should push more’. My inner circle also has an impact; they support me and encourage me and remind me of my talent and that always motivates and inspires me to write more.
What’s the one thing you must have with you or do before you perform?
A:A brand new CD. I make sure that the CD that I am going to use during my performance is brand new to avoid it stuttering while I am on stage. I’m also always sober when performing – I take my work too seriously to be drunk.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A:Owning my own record label, grooming upcoming artists. Since I am a person who loves to work with new talent, I would love to groom and help where I can.
What drives your lyrics? How do you get ideas for your material?
A:I get ideas from the people I am with and also things that I encounter on social media. Also when I visit a new ’hood I check how people live so that when I write, I write what people can relate to. Before I start I ask myself ‘Who will relate to it? Is it the type of song I can perform in front of adults? What impact and change could it have on the listener? Whether it’s a child or adult, they have to grab something positive out of it. Most times I write positive music, encouraging people to not give up regardless of what they are going through, as well as love songs because I grew up in a loving family, where you put love first. Other music that I listen too also influences me.
What kind of music do you listen to?
A:I listen to any type of music including reggae and Maskhandi (Zulu traditional songs) – it must suit the mood I am in. I don’t have a specific type of music that I can say I dedicate my whole day to; as long as I am going to get something out of it; something that will push me to write a new song.
What was the first CD you ever bought?
A:Skwatta Kamp – Mkhukhu Funkshen
What’s your take on the change to playing 90% local music in SA?
A: 90% is a great initiative, thanks to the powers that be. It allows SA artists of all genres airplay and the recognition they fully deserve, which ultimately helps with building proper music business companies from royalties earned. Instead of playing international artists religiously, we need to believe in our own and give them all the necessary support. This will also help in job creation and our country’s GDP (gross domestic product).
Do you think it is possible to do music full time while based in the Eastern Cape?
A:We live in a global village, thanks to the internet. So it’s possible to do anything, anywhere you’re at in the world. I’m from the rural Cofimvaba but nationally recognised.
Any plans of signing up with a record label in future?
A:Honestly there is no artist that doesn’t want to be signed but all we can do is stick to prayer and hope that we get a record label that will be able to build a good working relationship with us and not rip us of our benefits or try to change how we do music. Our dream is to have a company that will build something out of us.
How do you relax?
A:I listen to music and watch cartoons, but mostly I like to be with friends and have talks about how to move from one level to another.
What’s your favourite food?
A: Samp (umngqusho)
Anything else you would like to tell us?
A: People must check out my new single Ixesha featuring DJ Joejo that I released last week. People can follow me on Twitter, @Maxhoseni.
Internet brings world to rural rapper Maxhoseni
How did you get into music? Was it something you dreamt of as a child? What is your earliest memory of performing live?
A:Music is not something I dreamt of as a child; what I loved growing up was soccer. It was the only thing I enjoyed. Growing up in rural (Eastern Cape) we were exposed to a lot of soccer. We all played soccer after school. Within a couple of years of moving to Cape Town in 2001, I began to be interested in music because where I lived music dominated. Almost every guy from my ’hood was involved in music. Talent shows were common and featured different types of music, so I thought ‘let me give it a try’. What pushed me closer were the likes of the late Abongile Kroza and Lungile Ludidi who visited our school and taught us music and drama. I got involved in both music and drama but left drama to focus on music. My earliest memory of performing live was when I performed Honey for the first time. I was still at school when I released it. I remember when I performed it people didn’t believe it was me, as I was known to be shy. At that time it was already playing on radio stations. When I came off the stage everyone applauded and complimented the performance. That alone pushed me to stick to music; seeing people appreciating my performance was overwhelming.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
A:Music from other artists inspires me. I hear a certain song and I just think to myself ‘I should push more’. My inner circle also has an impact; they support me and encourage me and remind me of my talent and that always motivates and inspires me to write more.
What’s the one thing you must have with you or do before you perform?
A:A brand new CD. I make sure that the CD that I am going to use during my performance is brand new to avoid it stuttering while I am on stage. I’m also always sober when performing – I take my work too seriously to be drunk.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A:Owning my own record label, grooming upcoming artists. Since I am a person who loves to work with new talent, I would love to groom and help where I can.
What drives your lyrics? How do you get ideas for your material?
A:I get ideas from the people I am with and also things that I encounter on social media. Also when I visit a new ’hood I check how people live so that when I write, I write what people can relate to. Before I start I ask myself ‘Who will relate to it? Is it the type of song I can perform in front of adults? What impact and change could it have on the listener? Whether it’s a child or adult, they have to grab something positive out of it. Most times I write positive music, encouraging people to not give up regardless of what they are going through, as well as love songs because I grew up in a loving family, where you put love first. Other music that I listen too also influences me.
What kind of music do you listen to?
A:I listen to any type of music including reggae and Maskhandi (Zulu traditional songs) – it must suit the mood I am in. I don’t have a specific type of music that I can say I dedicate my whole day to; as long as I am going to get something out of it; something that will push me to write a new song.
What was the first CD you ever bought?
A:Skwatta Kamp – Mkhukhu Funkshen
What’s your take on the change to playing 90% local music in SA?
A: 90% is a great initiative, thanks to the powers that be. It allows SA artists of all genres airplay and the recognition they fully deserve, which ultimately helps with building proper music business companies from royalties earned. Instead of playing international artists religiously, we need to believe in our own and give them all the necessary support. This will also help in job creation and our country’s GDP (gross domestic product).
Do you think it is possible to do music full time while based in the Eastern Cape?
A:We live in a global village, thanks to the internet. So it’s possible to do anything, anywhere you’re at in the world. I’m from the rural Cofimvaba but nationally recognised.
Any plans of signing up with a record label in future?
A:Honestly there is no artist that doesn’t want to be signed but all we can do is stick to prayer and hope that we get a record label that will be able to build a good working relationship with us and not rip us of our benefits or try to change how we do music. Our dream is to have a company that will build something out of us.
How do you relax?
A:I listen to music and watch cartoons, but mostly I like to be with friends and have talks about how to move from one level to another.
What’s your favourite food?
A: Samp (umngqusho)
Anything else you would like to tell us?
A: People must check out my new single Ixesha featuring DJ Joejo that I released last week. People can follow me on Twitter, @Maxhoseni.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos