User:RadebeThapelo29

Thapelo Radebe, also known as Raphie, is a 26-year-old rapper from the small town of Kestell in the eastern Free State. Influenced by the hip-hop and house genres, as well as local rappers like Ab-Crazy, Raphie’s sound is a unique fusion with an emotive, soulful and conscious approach to it. He was significantly influenced by music early on in life, and began channelling his energy into the craft in 2010, largely in an effort to stay out of trouble as an impressionable 16-year-old. Thapelo has always shown versatility in his music, with him incorporating the English, as well as Sesotho languages in his rapping. Over the years, Raphie has had several other names he uses on stage, the constant change symbolising his growth as an artist and a human being. This experience has allowed him the ability to be truly authentic and relatable, as needed in music in order to connect with listeners. Radebe describes his song writing process as structured, but not restrictive in its nature. A beat starts off the process, with a concept forming while it’s playing, and finally, emotionally driven lyrics finish everything off. Music has played a big part in the young artist’s life, and in his own words, he reportedly started really living after getting behind the mic for the first time. Recently released EP “Thatohatsi” gives listeners a unique insight into the rapper’s life and mind-set while also giving a funky and fun vibe to all that are touched by the sound. Hit singles better half