Kwesta embraces ‘grootman' status as he marks 15 years in SA Hip-Hop
When he started out, he made predominantly party songs about drinking alcohol and having a good time on the tracks Ngud, Mayibabo, and Nomayini to name a few.
But 15 years later; with a wife and two daughters, Senzo 'Kwesta' Vilakazi (36) is all grown up and 'more chilled and in pursuit of happiness and peace' and embracing the grootman status which comes with wisdom.
He has no regrets about his journey and career decisions he made in his early life and mid-20's.
'I was telling stories about how we lived in that time, but I am past that stage now. I won't make that music anymore,' he tells Drum.
'We were making classics, but we made some messed up music, party music. The Kwesta that is here, is not the same guy from back then. Now I can't do that anymore.'
On 9 May, Kwesta revealed his brand new project titled, The Big Bro Theory, which is a tribute to his enduring legacy and influence, and his personal growth and role in shaping the sound of South African hip-hop. With over 15 years in the game, Kwesta proudly embraces he is happy to still be relevant enough to release music and share his wisdom.
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'I've grown, I've led, I've learned,' he told his fans at his listening session held at Azur by Monarch in Sandton Johannesburg. This album is me owning that journey, the highs, the lows, and everything in between. It's the theory of what it means to be a Big Bro, musically and personally.'
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In the project, he features Blxckie, Kid X, Ndabezinhle Mtungwa, Nkosazana Daughter, Thabsie, Blaq Diamond, Amanda Black, and reunites with his long-term friend and producer Makwa.
Kwesta says he has grown and no longer feels pressured to be anything besides happy.
'I just want to be happy and the music I sing about is positive and uplifting,' he tells Drum.
'We had a great run making music, now this sound represents how far I've come. I never imagined I'd be called a grootman or let alone a veteran, but I've earned the position and I receive it gladly and I'm opening the path for the next young Kwesta to come up.'
He has had the most selling album which won him several awards, but he says it has never been about that for him.
'It has never advanced me as a being, spiritually or otherwise. Yes, we made a lot of millions, but I was never rich, we ploughed what we made back into the culture and business as much as we could. Which is how we managed to bring people like Rick Ross to the township, it was not for free.'
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