North artist aims to create a drug-free community

He said his aim was to change the negative perception of society through music, so he uses his music to spread positive words and change people’s lives.

Tshegofatso Ramushi

April 11, 2020

Phillip Mohlabeng known as P.Jones, an artist from Soshanguve.

A young artist from Soshanguve, Phillip Mohlabeng, known as P.Jones, is using his voice to motivate and uplift the youth.

He said his aim was to change the negative perception of society through music, so he uses his music to spread positive words and change people’s lives.

He said he was on a journey that he dreamed of from a young age and his hard work and determination have opened a lot of doors for him.

Mohlabeng said that his hip hop career was motivated by the likes of 2Pac and Tyler Perry.

“From a young age, I used to imitate these artists without understanding what they were saying, but as I grew older, a lot of their songs started making sense,” he said.

“The artists motivated me when I saw them giving back to the community and preaching the truth.”

After he realised that hip hop was considered bad motivation for the youth he decided to use the opportunity to change society’s negative perception of it.

Phillip Mohlabeng known as P.Jones, an artist from Soshanguve.

“I used music to spread positivity and change lives. I wanted to put Christ in my music, the truth, faith, and hope so that people believe in me and become inspired through what I sing,” said Mohlabeng.

He was currently signed under NJ Holdings, an independent entertainment company he started with his partner Nhlanhla Radebe.

“My musical career has already given me an opportunity to work with the likes of Priddy Ugly and Saudi on some of my singles,” he said.

“Entrepreneurs like me can’t depend on one thing. We try to find other things which will bring an income.”

Mohlabeng said he was not only a rapper, but also started an organisation named the “Drug-Free Movement” with Nhlanhla Radebe and Thabo Nkosi.

“The aim of the organisation is to help young drug addicts. My team has moved around the East Rand and Soshanguve running programmes that prevent drug abuse and give back to the community,” he said.

“The inception of the initiative was inspired by the need to get the youth up on their feet and not to let drugs get in the way of their dreams.”

He said he managed to merge his duties with shooting music videos around Pretoria and all the way to the East Rand which were based on highlighting the issue of drug abuse.

“The business means a lot to me, because I’m in love with the industry and I can create jobs through it and employ more of our youth so that they can stay away from drugs,” he said.