Rapper and songwriter Siyabonga Nene, also known as Big Zulu recently sat down in an interview with David Mashabela on the King David Studio podcast.
The “Imali Eningi” hit-maker revealed that growing up in a rural and small village in the Drakensberg mountains, Bergville, music has always been a big and important part of his life because of his childhood, the music played a bigger role than that of entertainment, but more of a way of life.
He revealed that he discovered his love and passion for music and rapping while in school in Johannesburg. He was then able to attend hip-hop sessions in the Vaal, where he adopted his unique style and flow. That is where the foundation for the career of the artist we know and love today was laid. “Even now, when we’re sitting together with other men, I’m always the first person to break out and start singing,” said Big Zulu
Furthermore, the rapper revealed that when he used to work at the taxi rank as a driver, he would also make time to attend rap battles and competitions. Fortunately for him, attending the Back to the City competition hosted by Redbull in 2013 would prove to be the lucky break that he desperately needed.
” I was the first person to win the competition and the first to be crowned the street rap king, which had a R10 000 cash prize,” says the rapper. It was after winning this competition that the artist gained more recognition, and eventually, his career would take off. He also revealed that he would still travel with his Siyaya taxi to attend the competitions and shows, even as an established artist just to remind himself of his humble beginnings.
Watch: Big Zulu interview with David Mashabela
Also see: Big Zulu ready to take celebrity soccer tournament nationally
