Chronicle Editor
Bongani Ndlovu, Showbiz Correspondent
IMAGINE having someone you looked up to as a youth and inspired you to be a rapper and years later you get the chance to work with that very person.
This is the story of Thuts Rodney (Thulani Rodney Homela), a Bulawayo-based rapper when he would watch in awe the meteoric rise of South African rapper Ma-E when he was in the group Tear Gas.
An opportunity then knocked on Thuts Rodney’s door this year as he was offered a once off chance to work with Ma-E on a song he aptly named Vulani Iminyango (Open doors). The song was released online and on various radio stations around the country. Vulani Iminyango is a track about the celebration of the opportunities that avail themselves, such as the one with Ma E who drops a verse and sings the chorus.
Growing up in Nketa 9 Thuts Rodney said he was influenced by the pioneers of SA hip hop such as Tear Gas, Skwatta Kamp, Pro-Kid and Proverb.
However, never in his wildest of imaginations did he think that one day he would be in the same studio with a star in Ma-E.
“I grew up listening to Tear Gas and Skwatta Kamp and Zola who pretty much inspired me. Working with Ma-E was a dream come true. I grew up listening to them a lot. So the opportunity to work with him has been blood rushing, I’m truly thankful to the Almighty for that,” said Thuts Rodney.
He said he worked closely with Ma-E whom he met in South Africa through his manager two months ago.
“I met Ma-E, through my manager Phikwe Mkize who penned the deal in February for us to do the track. Ma-E’s a very humble person, he’s not like; ‘I’ve made it so you have to listen to me’. Ma-E looks at what you’ve done and suggests how to change it while also listening to your ideas,” said Thuts Rodney.
“The song was produced by Murphy Cubic and Comfort, mixed by Yung Stan at Face the Music records in South Africa.”
Thuts Rodney said the inspiration behind the song was a longing for doors to open for people for a better life.
“The neighbourhood I grew up in inspires most of my songs. I write about my life, the challenges I encounter, how I feel about them and basically anything around me. The music video will be out sometime after I release the song. It’ll be shot in South Africa and also in Zimbabwe,” said Thuts Rodney.
He is known for remaking Lovemore Majaivana’s hit Umoya Wami. Thuts Rodney gave it an edgy, modern hip hop feel that made it easy on the ear for the urban youth.
Online Reporter