When five of five favourite things are communication- or people-based, it’s clear what motivates and inspires this Durban-born hip hop, rap and trap artist.
He’s come a long way since he started making music in Grade 9, although he was writing songs far earlier.
While KZN has produced many successful South African new age hip hop rappers, it’s a tough place to catch a break. Talent often has to take second place to the sheer hard work it takes to get out there and be seen and heard.
Shizze pushed and grew his network of contacts (there’s that people/communication connection again). After gaining exposure and a following on the open mike circuit, he held his first live performance when he was in Grade 10 and it was a pretty smooth and steady rise from then on.
In addition to kick-starting his career at school, it was also the source of his rap name – chosen by his art teacher, pretty much out of the blue, after hearing him rap. “It was kinda cool and so I called me Shizze,” he laughs.
Not much phases this confident artist but he admits to shaking with nerves before performing for 30,000 people at Cassper Nyovest’s #FillUp concert at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in 2018. (Wouldn’t you?)
The following year was full of gigs – and then came The Pandemic And Lockdown. As is his way, Shizze took the opportunity to hone his skills, expand his craft and reach out to fans – and gain new ones – online.
Reach out right back through Weekend Turn Up’s exclusive interview.