Part member of the spazz duo, Thee Level; Sphura EC, has recently released a new track entitled Skinny Ni**a (Lay Low), his first single release since 2012. This follows his smash-hit Ndiyabulela, which was awarded Best Spaza Song at the 2nd Annual Hip Hop Kaslam Spaza Awards on September 14, 2013. Skinny Ni**a narrates the story of his career as a Spaza rapper, from Sphura’s origins in the Eastern Cape to his Cape Town success. It also acts as a build up to Sphura’s currently unnamed follow-up single proposed for release at a later stage this year.
On this song, the Delft-based rapper showcases his growth as an artist, as he continues to marvel his audience, navigating them through a nostalgic journey. The song promises his evident lyrical prowess and best reveals Sphura’s constantly changing flows.
We had a chance to sit down with Sphura and to find out more about his developments as an artist and to hear some of thoughts about his latest release. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/205454981″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]
1. Yo man, what’s up? Its been a minute… How you been?
I’m well thanks fam.
2. Now tell us, what have you been up to since you last released “Ndiyabulela”?
The song has opened some doors for me. From winning that award (Best Spaza Song in 2013), I now have a manager that has helped made me work with some of the legends in the South African music industry such as Thaso aka Thasman (Ghetto ruff/Impact Sounds), Mavusana Odemeesta aka Summer Time, not forgetting DJ Yzee from Kalawa Jazzmee. My next step is starting a label with Moribe Empire from Kimberly.
3. That’s heavy dawg… tell us about the duo Thee Level, what’s happening there?
Thee Level is around, just that at the moment I’m busy with my solo career.
4. The single, “Skinny Ni**”, tell us why you felt the need to do this song?
Hahaha cause I’m skinny, it’s for all my skinny ni**az. I did it for us. We are who we are, sohlala sinje. F**k the muscle man, we’re the definition of sexy
5. Lol I hear ya, what is the song about and what inspired it?
Ok, first of all I’m also on the production of the song and twaz my first time being involved on production until it’s successful. So the inspiration come from there.
6. Would you say this is your come back track?
Lol not really my dawg, but you know this song shocked me the way people responded to it. After I’ve sent it to some few friends of mine, it just went viral on social sites and I was like “how the heck on earth this song is traveling so fast nhe?”
7. What do you hope to achieve with this song?
I’m letting my followers know that I’m still working. In God I trust and some say I’m lucky to have met Tsaps, Tata and Sensei who are my new family. Watch this space.
8. Should we be expecting a full project any time soon?
That I can’t promise, but I’m working on singles that might make an album.
9. We’ll wait then. In terms of gigs and shows, how’s that going so far?
So far, so good… been getting booked across the country eg. Jo burg, Pretoria, Kimberly etc. I’m also going back to Kimberly. That means people out there, not only Western & Eastern Cape. They’re recognizing my work.
On the 30th Jul – 02 Aug I’m at July Baby’s Wknd Bash. Hosted by Stoan Seate (Bongo Muffin/Kalawa Jazzmee) and Friday Hayone @Walters in Johannesburg. There’ll be 30 DJ’s & Artists plus bikers.
10. Woah, that’s heavy hustle dawg. Tell me, What’s your opinion on the local hip-hop scene in Cape Town?
Jha hey, allow me not to answer that one. I will probably offend people with my TRUTH.
11. Lol I hear you, Alright man, thanks for taking the time to chill with us, wishing you all of the best on your future.
My last words before I bounce lol… Sphura is about to blow and I’ve been learning how to be a true artist in the music biz.
Thanks to my new family again Moribe Empire and my manager who’s also my best friend and a big brother. Tsaps, Tata and Sensei, I see you. Thank you.
Well there you heard it from the horses mouth. This cat is about to blow up big time, and that ain’t just speculation. One thing you can’t deny though, Sphura is back to replenish us with his music and he is one hell-of-a-hustler. It doesn’t seem like anyone’s gonna stop him as he continues to succeed.
Tht’s my Homie ryt There