Latest news with #YoungstaCPT
IOL News
05-08-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
YoungstaCPT pays tribute to grandfather and mentor: ‘I wouldn't have made it without you'
Rapper YoungstaCPT is mourning the loss of his beloved grandfather, mentor and creative partner, Shaakie Roberts. Taking to Instagram, YoungstaCPT (real name Riyadh Roberts) shared a deeply personal and emotional tribute to the man who raised and inspired him, expressing grief, gratitude and reverence for the indelible mark his grandfather left on both his life and their community. Cape Town rapper and cultural storyteller YoungstaCPT is mourning the passing of his beloved grandfather, mentor and collaborator, Shaakie Roberts - a man he often credited as the cornerstone of his life and career. 'We knew this day would come … I was prepared,' he wrote. 'We spoke, and you gave the instructions. Now that the moment has arrived, I could've never been ready for your departure.' Youngsta's tribute spans music, manhood and legacy. For the past decade, the rapper had been documenting and recording conversations with his grandfather, a process that culminated in the creation of a timeless collaborative album that interwove generational wisdom with contemporary storytelling. But even with that foresight, the finality of loss hits hard. 'Your words echo in my head, your voice replays over and over. I don't question anything. We said what we needed to. I gave you the spotlight and we made a timeless album together, but my life will never be the same.' The post, saturated with spiritual and emotional weight, also included a Qur'anic reflection on mortality: 'Every soul shall taste death, and to Allah we shall return.' Shaakie - affectionately known as 'Gammat' in the community - was more than just a grandfather. He was a mentor, an educator and a symbol of authenticity. Through his teachings, YoungstaCPT found his voice, his cultural identity and his purpose. 'I wouldn't have made it this far without you and the knowledge you imparted to me as well as our community. I'm going to miss you a lot. It's a big loss and I'll recover, but as we said: things take time.' 'You're the greatest man I've ever known. You showed me what it means to be a real man. I could go on and on about Shaakie Roberts, but no one really cares - and I think we've both given enough speeches. All that's left to do now is rest.' The post ended with a prayer: 'You fought 'til the end, the fight is over. May Allah accept our duas and grant you Jannatul Firdaus. Ameen. I love you, Grandpa.'
IOL News
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Bravo Le Roux opens up about his struggle with depression and near-exit from the music scene
Bravo Le Roux has opened up about his turbulent journey through depression, a struggle that brought him perilously close to abandoning the music industry altogether. Image: Shoot Your Shot South African hip hop artist Bravo Le Roux, whose real name is Sinesipho Peter, has opened up about his turbulent journey through depression, a struggle that brought him perilously close to abandoning the music industry altogether. Speaking candidly on Okay Swisher's 'Swisher Show' podcast, Le Roux shared how he confronted profound challenges that nearly extinguished his passion for music. Le Roux, a musical star from Khayelitsha, Cape Town, described a crucial moment in his career - the opportunity to open for acclaimed rapper Nasty C's Ivyson Tour in Cape Town. This chance should have filled him with excitement and joy. Instead, he faced a grim reality behind the scenes. 'At the time, I told myself I'm not doing music anymore. Like I'm done with this thing,' Le Roux confessed. His battle was not just with performance anxiety; it stemmed from deep-seated emotional turmoil linked to his health struggles and an overwhelming sense of disappointment about not living up to familial expectations. Just before this opportunity, Le Roux had been recovering from severe health issues, including depression and meningitis, specifically brain TB. Witnessing his peers embrace conventional life paths while navigating the demanding pursuit of a music career left Le Roux feeling despondent due to relentless pressure. 'I believed not listening to my parents was one of the reasons I was depressed,' he revealed. 'I wanted this art thing to work so badly… and I can see at home that it hurts them. So it just messed with me heavily.' In a moment of despair, he started to inform friends of his decision to quit music, feeling as though he had hit a wall with nothing left to give. However, fate took a different turn when he received an unexpected call inviting him to perform at Nasty C's event. The irony was not lost on him: 'I said, 'I'm just gonna do that and I'm out.'' Following the show, emotions surged as he anticipated a further chance to connect with Nasty C during a session at Red Bull Studios. But after faltering attempts to reach out to the organising team, the weight of lost opportunities led to a realisation. 'By the end of the night, I was like, 'Yo, I've burnt all the bridges, and this is the only thing I have - so I might just as well make it work.'' While he has yet to meet Nasty C in person, this chaotic episode became a blessing in disguise, serving as a defining turning point that steered him back on track. Laughing about it now, he said, 'I still haven't met Nasty C yet, but I'm winning, at least.' Le Roux has carved out a niche in the competitive music landscape, collaborating with several local artists, including Phantom Steeze and YoungstaCPT. His partnership with YoungstaCPT on the track 'Yabo?!' has not only enriched his artistic depth but has also fostered mutual respect grounded in their shared dedication to craft.
