Nsikazi’s hip-hop musician spits bars in SiSwati
The artist said he found pleasure producing music in his home language.
Hip-hop artist, musician and producer, Glen Matsane, popularly known as Brailo, is slowly making his mark on the local rap scene with his rap in SiSwati.
His talent and drive were discovered at the age of 11 when he was rapping along to songs by Ntokozo Mdluli, known professionally as K.O. “I fell in love with rap music when I first heard ‘Teargas’ on the radio, and I would rap along to K.O’s verses. When he spits his lines, I would be more inspired and get a burning desire inside me to wish to be like him,” Matsane said.
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He began writing music and producing his own music from that age. As the years went by, he developed the courage to perform his music. “I performed for the first time when I was in Grade Eight. To my surprise, the reception was overwhelming. A few months and a couple of performances later, I won the hearts of most, if not all the learners with whom I attended Hazyview Comprehensive School,” he said.
Growing up in Mahushu Trust near Hazyview in Nsikazi, he managed to get a huge following after recording his first hit single, “One Million”, which gained him more popularity in his community, and many started calling him “Brailo Mr One Million”.
At the age of 15, he performed at big events like Game Invasion, Miss Game and Miss Hazyview. “It is at these events that I got the privilege to share the stage with industry greats like Sjava, Saudi, Kelly Khumalo, Chomee, Prince KayBee, B3nchmarq and Zola 7.”
He could not believe his growth over the years, getting opportunities to be invited on big radio shows on Ligwalagwala FM and RISE FM, and being the first runner-up in the Geleza Mreppa Music Competition in 2017.
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In 2020, Matsani released another song, “Nang’Lomswati”, which became a hit in a week. The well-known South African musician Sphamandla Mhlongo, known as Maraza, gave a stellar reaction to the song and Matsane’s execution of rapping in SiSwati. “It was a life-changing moment, because Maraza brought my faith back when I almost gave up on everything two years ago,” Matsane said.
Fast forward to 2022, the 23-year-old saw himself writing a song titled “One More Time” with Mpumalanga’s very own Tumelo Dibakwane, known as AB Crazy. “Working with AB Crazy has been an amazing experience. Besides the fun, it has unfiltered a lot of things for me within the industry. I learnt a lot from him and he shared his knowledge with me. That opportunity has made me be the better artist I am today.”
His music is available on all music platforms. Follow him on his social media pages for bookings and his latest content.
