The Tswyza Show might be the best music podcast out there
The Tswyza Show-Tswyza, pictured alongside rapper Priddy Ugly, uses his platform to foreground some of the country's best rappers. Image: Tswyza/ Instagram
Fans of local rap might be familiar with the Tswyza Show. This cleverly crafted podcast sees rappers interviewed in rhyme. A beat is played, and a session of poetic and rhythmical sparring ensues.
Tswyza, whose given name is Kope Makgae, poses wordy questions to his guests, who in turn respond with insightful stanzas of their own. The interviews still reveal just as much, if not more, than a traditional Q&A.
Tswyza – who you might know better as Mrekza from Generations: The Legacy- appears relaxed on his podcast. Reclining on a couch, the mic in front of him is the perfect tool for a conversationist. But to converse on beat while weaving metaphors seamlessly into his questioning is impressive. He approaches his art with the seasoned composure of someone who has been enamoured with rap for years.
'I remember my earlier years when music was always bumped in the crib. My mom used to like blasting American music, and so did my family. We would go to festivals together,' he recollected.
He used to perform at his church when his fascination with the arts intensified.
'I've been making music since I was a kid, but started realising that I was way ahead of my time, and people didn't understand it then. So, I held back.'
The adept wordsmith is of the notion that timing is everything.
'But I've never dropped the pen game but only sharpened the artillery to where it is now, hence I'm releasing a project called The Best Album Ever. It's a culmination of experience, life's work and the pen game.'
He's been preparing for this moment, and the fruits of his labour regarding his podcast might make it more intriguing to take in.
'Now this is the actual evolution. I've always wanted to give a unique offering and distance myself from the competitive nature of what music was or is, because you're judged on everything other than the actual creativity.
'So, I started the Hip Hop News Wrap up (summarising headlines annually) till the rise of podcasting made me think, how can I have a fresh approach to this game using my strengths, which are music, acting, and advertising?'
Tswyza's Bachelor of Arts in media and communications aided him in bringing his vision to fruition.
He has hosted a variety of talented rappers on his show. It would be hard for anyone to choose a favourite, as local rappers have taken to this task with the skill it warrants.
'I wouldn't say I have favourites, and I'll tell you why. This show has made me realise how different all these rappers are; hence, I am critical in selecting my guests so as not to give you a repeated experience of what rap is. This displays a different approach in each episode.
'That's why you can't compare a Zakwe to Pitch Black, a Zulu Mecca to an N'veigh or Berry Jive. I want to keep going, unearthing these distinctive styles within hip hop, and I'm truly humbled by the experience,' he intimated.
Views are always a point of consideration when it comes to podcasting or being a YouTuber. Fortunately, The Tswyza Show is pulling in 18 million impressions.
'We've got millions of views spread out via third-party posts on other people's platforms, and that is just organic because we haven't sponsored our episodes.'
Rappers are notoriously difficult to lock down for engagements of this nature. Tswyza does his best to ensure his output isn't hindered by scheduling.
'The biggest challenge is availability, because these guys are busy and still make time to accommodate me. And putting out these interviews bi-weekly isn't easy, but planning and prayer are my go-to resolve.'
He hoped to find the right pocket of time to hold the short attention span of audiences.
'I'm not a fan of anything that goes on over an hour. This is life, and people want a quick, straight-to-the-point fix, and that's what I'm offering.'
There are plans for a mixtape of all the interviews on The Tswyza Show.
'That's coming soon on DSPs, The Best Album Ever in July and The Tswyza Show Music Festival this September with all the guests performing,' he revealed.
Our conversation winds down with Tswyza sharing some of the aspects of local hip hop that he enjoys and those that irk.'I could always do without anything that lacks substance. Hip hop and rap aim to connect, reflect, relate, and express. This constant chase for hype and clout that doesn't encourage, advance or impact anybody is a waste of ears to me personally,' he lamented.
'I'm a firm believer that n*****s should go with what they feel and never stop putting out content because it might have an impact in immeasurable ways.'
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11.
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