Online Reporter
Mthabisi Tshuma [email protected]
SOUTH Africa-based award-winning Zimbabwean rapper Mlue Jay is widening his international footprint after engaging with American rap heavyweight and actor T.I. during a creative industry fireside chat in Johannesburg.
The virtual engagement marked another milestone in Mlue Jay’s efforts to build bridges between African creatives and the global entertainment industry, following the inaugural YeahWeLink Music Festival and Industry Workshop 2026, which he hosted in Johannesburg on August 1.
Mlue Jay credited music industry veteran Rashid Kay for creating the opportunity, which saw him participate in a conversation with T.I. organised by Veromo Enterprises.
“The link-up actually started at my YeahWeLink Festival and Music Industry Workshop, which I hosted on 1 August in Johannesburg. I brought together people from different areas of the entertainment industry, including artists, managers, Hip-Hop veterans and actors such as Chik Aljoy and Chrispen Nyathi. Rashid Kay was also one of the panellists.
“After the workshop, Rashid connected me with Veromo Enterprises, who were hosting a Fireside Chat with T.I. He made sure I had an opportunity to be part of that conversation, and I was grateful to represent Zimbabwe during the engagement, as you could see from the Zimbabwean flag next to my name,” said Mlue Jay.
The rapper said the experience had strengthened his belief in the potential of his career while giving him an opportunity to learn directly from an established international artiste.
“Honestly, I feel incredibly grateful and inspired. Being in a space where I could listen to one of the greats and ask questions directly was a very special experience for me. T.I. shared a lot of valuable knowledge about the industry, and being able to hear that directly from someone who has achieved so much was powerful.
“It also reminded me that I’m on the right path. It made me realise that with discipline, consistency and the right mindset, I can take my career much further. Experiences like this motivate me to keep pushing and to think bigger,” he said.
The discussion centred on ways African creatives can establish meaningful connections and opportunities within Atlanta’s influential entertainment ecosystem and the wider American industry.
“The main focus of the conversation was on how African creatives can find opportunities to penetrate and build meaningful relationships within the Atlanta and broader American entertainment ecosystem.
“We discussed opportunities for collaboration, networking and possible inclusion in future events and programmes connected to the entertainment industry. There were also representatives from different African countries, so it was a great opportunity to have an African perspective in the room. For me, it was particularly meaningful to be there representing Zimbabwe and contributing to that conversation,” said Mlue Jay.
Beyond the exposure, Mlue Jay said the engagement challenged him to rethink how independent artistes approach career growth, particularly the tendency to focus solely on securing collaborations with established names.
“The biggest benefit for me is the knowledge I gained. Sometimes as an independent artiste, you can find yourself thinking that the only way to grow is by chasing bigger artists for collaborations or trying to get their attention. This conversation shifted my perspective.
“I learnt to think more about what I bring to the table and how I can create value for other creatives, rather than only thinking about what I can get from them. That is a lesson I can apply directly to my own career and to YeahWeLit Entertainment.
“I also want to take what I learnt and share it with other creatives through our YeahWeLink workshops. For me, growth is not only about moving forward as an individual artist; it is also about creating opportunities and sharing knowledge with the creative community around me,” he said.
For Mlue Jay, the engagement represents more than a meeting with an international star, but a step towards building sustainable networks and creating pathways for Zimbabwean and African creatives to access wider markets.
Follow on X: @mthabisi_mthire
