5 Minutes with Khuli Chana

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO PURSUE A CAREER IN MUSIC AND HIGHLIGHT THE MOTSWAKO MUSICAL GENRE?
I was introduced to hip-hop by my cousin Prof Sobukwe who is a Motswako originator/rap pioneer, when I was nine, and I got hooked watching him rap. My childhood friend/music director Kgaugelo “Kaygizm” Phaswana and I started a rap duo together called Jazzadaz in our teens and later joined forces with my cousin Lerothodi “Towdee Mac” Moagi and Motlapele “Molemi” Morule and created “Ill tribe”. In early 2000 we bumped into HHP at a party in Mafikeng, we had a cypher rapping circle and from that day we toured, did records together, and transitioned into rapping in Setswana. We changed our stage name to “Morafe” and this became the beginning of our professional music careers.

WHAT WAS THE MOTIVATION BEHIND YOUR LATEST SINGLE, ‘BASADI’?
The song is inspired by Cassper Nyovest, and an HHP quotable. The song is Cassper’s first production for another mainstream artist; it’s a special song.

YOU’VE RECENTLY LAUNCHED A BRAND NEW MUSIC DOCUMENTARY SERIES CALLED ‘THE ORIGINATORS’, TELL US MORE?
I got the idea to create The Originators during the COVID-19 lockdown. I realised that it was time for me to pivot and put a spotlight on industry trailblazers, innovators, pioneers, and originators. It is a music doccie series, not genre-specific we’ve had documented acts like Focalistic, Areece, Nadia, Holley Rey, and Busiswa. We’ve just recently signed off the second season and I can’t wait to raise the bar!

HOW DO YOU REMAIN GROUNDED AND CENTRED IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY?
What keeps me grounded is my end goal, which is creating a legacy – fortune over fame.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO PURSUE A MUSIC CAREER?
I would advise them to learn the business, most important to find their purpose in the music, this will help you survive the droughts.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES YOU FACE AS A MUSICIAN?
I’ve been an independent artist since 2009 when I dropped my first album MOTSWAKORIGINATOR, the advantage is you own your works 100% but it comes at a huge cost. Running a label is cash intensive and very challenging.

WHAT HAS BEEN A CAREER HIGHLIGHT FOR YOU?
Becoming the first rapper to scoop the SAMA Best Album Award in 2013, and doing a three-city tour with Kendrick Lamar.

WHAT ARE 4 THINGS PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU?

• I am not as reserved/quiet as I look
• House music gives me more joy than hip-hop
• I love trampolines
• I’ve only had one minimum wage job, and it’s been music ever since

WHO INSPIRES YOU?
I’m inspired by creative entrepreneurs like Oskido, DJ Sbu, Gary Lee, and Shawn Carter

WHAT DO YOU STILL WANT TO ACHIEVE AS A MUSICIAN?
I would still like to achieve an international/global hit, and then I’ll hang up the gloves.

WHAT WERE YOUR 2020 HIGHLIGHTS?
Building a new home with my wife was exciting and terrifying, and getting to spend more time with my family brought me so much joy.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2021?
I’ll be launching the second season of The Originators, a new platform for unsigned artists and mainstream artists called UNRELEASED THURSDAYS and new music.

AS A FAMILY MAN, WHAT DO YOU LOOK FORWARD TO IN THE FESTIVE SEASON?
The festive season is the peak season for us musicians so a lot of our time is spent on the road, but I’m looking forward to our Christmas family lunch…yummy!

WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU HAVE FOR OUR JET CLUB FAMILY FOR THE NEW YEAR?
Stay safe, wear your masks, sanitise, and keep your head up ­­– we shall overcome.