Chrissiesmeer boys with a different kind of rap

Dope Town Fam is a hip-hop group making waves in entertainment circles in the Gert Sibande district.

The duo, consisting of Natureboy (Ntokozo Ngwenya) and Swagga (Siyabonga Khumalo), are challenging the status quo by doing motivational rap music.

Started in 2015 in Chrissiesmeer, the group formed after two factions competing against each other decided to come together and form one big group of five.

They called themselves Dope Town Fam, a slang name derived from them being the best in the small town.

With popularity came pressure, as members left the group to pursue other interests, which left Natureboy and Swagga as the only official members.

The duo released a hit song called “Siyajabula”, meaning “We are happy” in Zulu, which is being played and is on rosters of local and provincial radio stations. Last year the song was recognised in the Ermelo Winter Spree competition, as it has a particular dance move which has seen it trend on social media and eventually blossoming into being the “Siyajabula Dance Challenge”.

The duo has its fair share of accolades, having been crowned Chrissiesmeer Arts and Culture champions last year and winning the hip-hop category in the recently held Msukaligwa Arts and Culture Forum auditions.

They will compete for the grand prize in the finale on 10 October.

The pressures of the music industry take their toll on these young men, but their ultimate goal is being recognised and selling their music on a grand scale.

“It is not easy pursuing a music career, especially in a small town like Chrissiesmeer. We had to move to Ermelo to get more opportunities and even that is not ideal, because it also is a small town,” says Natureboy.

Even though they are financially disadvantaged, they fund themselves when travelling to gigs, perform voluntarily at events and book studios so they can harness their craft.

Firm believers in their faith, their music reflects their positive outlook on life with the lyrics focusing more on life and its challenges than the “good life” most rappers nowadays produce.

Advocates against drug and substance abuse, the duo hopes to give back to the community by building recreational centres for the young, disadvantaged, elderly and disabled.

The group will embark on several projects this year, including finally making a music video for their hit song “Siyajabula”.

In September they will host a motivational session that will include performances by local talent and motivational talks, teaching the youth about the importance of education and dangers of substance abuse.

They are grateful to all who helped, especially Raff Ivundraz from Kasie Development who is behind the production of their music.

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