Uriël Nathan Theunis aka Tha Real U is a multi-talented individual from St Helena Bay in the Western Cape, who now has a growing influence in the Cape Town scene. Nathan continuously spreads his charismatic aura to those around him. Before anything else, Nathan, is a man of God. He always inspires those around him with words of wisdom or most of the times with an inspirational verse from the Bible.
Nathan is a Christian rapper who goes by the alias of “Tha Real U“. He also runs his own Conscious Hip-Hop record label called Shaloma Muzik Recordings. Shaloma Muzik Recordings is home to artists and producers such as Go-T, Lil Stewy, Khanyi Mjodo, The Essence, Jay King SA and @StevinhioWanda. Shaloma Muzik Recordings focuses on creating conscious, revolutionary music through the power of its lyrical messages and upbeat sound. All the artists at Shaloma Muzik Records are dressed by Music Generation Apparel which is a local apparel brand that infuses influences of musical genius to create an appealing and fashion forward aesthetic.
Among other things, Nathan is an all-round creative guru, a digital-graphic designer, a DJ, creative writer, aspiring music producer and a publicist. His repertoire includes being an executive at Korporate Kulture: Entertainment, Establishment & Publicity and being a writer and founder of Simply Real South Africa to name a few. We had a chat with Nathan to find out what he’s been up to and what the future holds for him.
1. Hi man, how you been doing?
Sup bro, I’m blessed. Always been blessed and I’m grateful for that.
- For those who don’t know, who is Nathan?
Bro, I’m kinda alotta things. Firstly, I’m the owner of Shaloma Muzik Recordings, where I’m also an artist called Tha Real U. I’m a brand and music enthusiast, so I’m linked to different up-and-coming brands; I’m also a content manager and music promoter so I manage a music community mobile site called SWGCTY [pronounced: Swag City] along with my personal blog, Real You Society.
- What inspires you to work so hard and to do what you do?
Firstly, my beliefs. I want to be fruitful with the skills and abilities the Lord has given me. At the end of the day, I want the Lord to be glorified with all efforts and I trust that the ultimate reward thereof will lie in heaven. I really want to see dreams come to life, and I’m not trying to be selfish about it either, if one of us gets noticed, we all get noticed.
- Shaloma Muzik Recordings recently signed The Essence, how did that come about?
It all started with our latest jam “Break Free”. I simply went out to my producer, Stewy‘s crib to chill and get to see what we can work with. He told me another dude was coming through to record so we can all hop on the track together. Long story short, seven months later we all find ourselves record label artists at Shaloma Muzik. He really brought his game on that track so how could we not?! *chuckles*
- Speaking of signing new artists, for artists who are looking to be signed… What do they have to do to be signed to Shaloma Muzik?
Well adding an additional artist to our roster is a big step. All the artist we’ve added so far proved worthy of a label status. We simply recognise people with a passion for music and an ambitious character to develop their own. Other than that, we seek artists with values, a sense of understanding with what they wish to do with their voice as a mouthpiece to the public – as we understand what role/impact music has or can potentially produce in our society. If anyone thinks they have what it takes to be part of the family, they should email us using the contact forum on our website.
- You guys recently started an initiative called Korporate Kulture. Can you tell us more about it and what your role is?
Man, Korporate Kulture is a team of masterminds, that’s what I’ll say. I’m impressed with the fact that I’m able to sit down with dudes with a like-minded agenda and push to make dreams come alive. We’re really a hard working collective of various brand owners. I believe my role there is being the Media Liaison and Assistant Marketing Director. I sort of just found myself helping with brand management, promotion and design.
- SWGCTY is releasing a compilation mixtape, can you tell us what SWGCTY is and what the concept behind this mixtape is?
SWGCTY is a mobile website that was established as a tool to connect local underground artists with their audience, making music easily accessible and shedding exposure on newer artist. It first started in 2012 as Swag City Promoz and since then there has been about over 3,000 downloads on the site from just West Coast Hip-Hop artist. We decided to celebrate our sound and introduce a new vision for the website, with this mixtape “We Are The Underground” – make sure you download it end of August 2015.
- You’re still a student, how do balance everything you do and still have time for your studies?
That’s a good question. I’m constantly on the go. Sometimes things really become hectic and I find myself slacking but I just remain prayerful and place my trust in God, that He will help me manage my time when it matters most. God has actually watched over my walk tremendously – I’ve won academic awards because of His grace and favour, my dedication to exalting His name and making my family proud. Keep chasing after your dreams and place your faith in God to align them with purpose. Get friends to help you out, the Lord will lead you to the right people – if it was meant to work, it will work. I trust in Him and He works things out for my good, that’s how I balance things.
- What are your plans for the future?
To remain visionary and become an even greater influence. I plan to see my label drop its first major project, the Shaloma Future mixtape. After that, I would really love to take to the stage and become connected with my audience more. I want to make a difference in the world with my efforts, so seeing Korporate Kulture grow and host its first event is also in the plans and that in itself will really be a dream come true.
- What is your opinion on the SA Christian hip hop scene?
Whow! I think it needs work. We out here in a county that has struggled to define its own Hip-Hop genre – now we’re fortunate to say we’ve got guys like AKA being nominated for BET Awards. I think Christian Rappers in this country are somewhat sleeping on chasing big dreams. Whist I understand many are solely involved in this as a form of ministry, we mustn’t forget the business side to things. We need to see more of a united industry developing, right now it has dudes all over tryna make things happen here and there, somewhat more influential in certain places, but I wonder when we’ll have one another’s full on support on making the SA’s Christian Hip-Hop scene an actual industry rather than just a theory.
- Thank you for you time man and all the best to you and the team
Thanks bro, appreciate it a lot. Blessings to everything you do. “Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you.” Psalm 37:5
Tha Real U‘s latest single Break Free, alongside label-mates Lil Stewy & The Essesnce is currently on high rotations on local and international radio stations. A music video for the song will be released soon.
Listen / Download :
Social Media:
- Follow Nathan (Tha Real U): @REaLMiXwELL
- Like “Tha Real U” on Facebook
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