I've come a long way, says young rapper Que Rap

LAWRENCE SERETSE
Correspondent | Friday May 25, 2012 00:00

Que Rap attended Kindergerten and primary school in Entumbane's Mthombowesizwe Primary School. He did his secondary at Sobukhazi Secondary from 1995 to 1998. He then attended Hilltop College for his A level in 1999 and dropped out in 2000 due to lack of funding. After the death of his father Peter Nyeleti, who was Zambian by origin passed away in 1998.  Que and his mother Tafanana Mazhani traced his mother's roots back to Botswana and relocated to the Village of Tati Siding.

Que had already started rapping while living in Zimbabwe where he had helped form the group Hamadrayds that collected accolades around the streets of Bulawayo performing in then clubs called Paparazzi, Hustlers, Alcatrez and Sun City. After relocating to Botswana in 2001 Que Rap, Kapawid and the late Patshimo Roberta Ikgopoleng formed the R&B, Hip-Hop and Dance Hall group called Elite, which went ahead and dropped its debut hit called The Lite in 2003. 

Que Rap has since then performed and toured with most of Botswana artists while performing some of his unreleased material from different production houses. To mention but a few the mould of V.S Oicheke aka Cufflinks and the PSI campaign. Que Rap has also been in the team that was selected by Tony Tabona of True Jam records to appear on a studio mixtape.

Some performed shows include Ghetto artist's Dzalobana shows, which are annual. Now Que Rap with his record label S.O.E.F {School Of Educated Fools} in collaboration with Nu-Turn Records - a label owned by Kapawid aka David Makwinja, are releasing a collection of Que Rap songs selected over the years.  The album has productions ranging from Slimcash Beatz of See Smoke Productions, Hamadrayds former band member Valentino C-dot in Ireland, Kapawid of Nu-Turn Records, Chase of Bon-Fela Records and Keith of Crystal Sound Studios in Cape Town.  This album is dropping after so many anticipated albums from New Phenomenon in 2008 and HOPE in 2010.  This time around the album is called Ghetto Grillz and it's dropping on Que Rap's birthday.

MMEGI: Okay, June 25! The album is finally here, tell me about it? Que Rap: Ghetto Grillz is the name of the album produced by ghetto producers inspired by ghetto music and talking mostly about ghetto life, the struggle to maintain cashflow, swag lyrical flow, the dig for respect in rap music, the love of doing rap and the will to survive from doing what we are doing.

The executive producers of the album are Que Rap and Kapawid.

It features S.O.E.F rap crew member Error aka Dee Rich.  It also features former rap crew member Valentino C-dot in Ireland Dundalk of Dundalkfm on the song called Hold On, others featured include Keith of Crystal Sound Studios in Cape Town, and Slimcash Beatz on the song HOPE.  Ghetto Grillz is dropping on June 25 on my 29th birthday.

MMEGI: When are the videos coming out, and any singles yet?Que Rap: The first two singles are already streaming online, Feel My Presence and BLASH.  Videos of the two singles are still being scripted by some local directors and will hopefully see them soon.

MMEGI: What was the best part about recording the album? Que Rap: The album has been anticipated for years and fans have been impatiently wondering if it will ever come out.

I have been working on this album with great determination and the vim to surprise.  People have been following me through social networks to get the privilege to sample my singles online.

MMEGI: You are a Francistown kid, how did growing up in Francistown play a part in your rapping career?Que Rap: Ever since 2001 Francistown has been my place of zen, love and life.  I have practical hustled in this ghetto for a decade trying to get funds to finance my recordings and my basic needs.  Francistown has toughened me.

I tell you if I had to quit before I get paid then it would be if I die.  In this album I have dedicated my hustle in the ghetto through songs like Francistown and I'm From the Ghetto both produced by Slimcash Beatz and Kapawid.

MMEGI: What obstacles have you had to face in the industry as a new artist?Que Rap: My dropouts had always been streets and festival orientated I have never enjoyed much of our radio airplay.  But I would say I too hadn't hit hard on these radio executives to give them the must-play-Que Rap feel.  So I would say I'm more challenged by that and hopefully these DJs will give me more spin this time around.

MMEGI: What are your thoughts on the current state of Hip-Hop?Que Rap: Hip-Hop is so grown. MCs are made everyday.  Back in the day we used to rap a few lines to earn fans now you would need more than 16 bars cleverly scripted to differentiate you from the rest. Now see most groups have been formed on social networks like Facebook's All Hail Hip-Hop.  So you can tell the growth of Hip-hop is amazing.  We are able to interact globally.  For example, my album features a Dundalk MC whom I didn't even get to share the booth with.  We did a song with him while he was still in Ireland and I was here.

MMEGI: Who are some of the artists you would like to work with in future?Que Rap: Mostly, I respect conscious rappers like Azhani Konkrete and would love to drop a jam with him, the likes of Nomadic and Internationally I dig Common. I have also Bronx connections of which I am working and recording a song with.  If all goes well you will hear that one.

MMEGI: Off the top of your head, what are the top three essential Hip-Hop albums you think every Hip-Hop head should have locally?Que Rap: Train of Thoughts by Talib Kwali and DJ Hi-Tek Let's Get Free by Dead Prez 2001 by Dr Dre.

MMEGI: What's next for you, besides the album release?

Que Rap: Well, I am a businessman.  So I want to expand my company Regalia Investments that deals in Business Solutions and also sells merchandise by Que Rap brand.

MMEGI: Any last word for your fans?Que Rap: The time is Que Rap o'clock and it's gonna be a Hot Winter Ghetto Grillz is on it's way out.