Fresh from a 2019 South African Hip-Hop Award for the remix of his 2017 smash hit, Culture Vulture, Letlhogonolo ‘25K’ Molefe is a name that has reverberated on the local music scene for the most part of 2019 – from the streets to the airwaves, the rapper has solidified his space as a fresh new act in South African hip-hop with a fresh take on musical expression.
The award-winning single was inspired by the lack of originality on the local hip-hop scene at a time where every artist seemed to copy whatever sound was doing well. So 25K said he took that frustration and put it in a song by creating his own sound using the raw township sound that comes naturally to him.
“I don’t know how to explain it. I didn’t think that I was going to win the award because this was the first time I was nominated. To be acknowledged on a stage that big, a stage that covers SA hip-hop as a whole is actually overwhelming. I was at a loss for words when I got the award,” 25K said.
Rapping in his native tongue in 90 per cent of the song, 25K’s Culture Vulture is a benchmark for much-needed authenticity on the local hip-hop scene. Although the song was officially released in 2017, its sentiments echoed for quite some time as the remix heated up the streets and airwaves following AKA and Emtee’s co-signs.
“I’ve always been a fan of AKA and when he called it was a big moment for me and it didn’t have to be about him jumping on the song because I actually didn’t want to remix the song at all. When he called he came from a very sentimental place and Emtee came after AKA was on the song and he was already messing with the song.”
The 24-year-old’s rawness and edge has had Joburg and Pretoria go head to head claiming him as one of its own. Spending his time in both cities, 25K said his move to Joburg forced him to strike a balance between representing his hometown while also bringing a major energy shift in the City of Gold.
“There’s actually a big difference. Most of the culture, hiphop-wise, relies on you spending most of your time in Joburg but I also feel that Pretoria plays a part in the culture in a different way. You kind of come off as this different cat when you’re in Joburg because you don’t move how they move but you’ve got to adapt to the ways. They also want to know what it feels like to come from a hood that has always had your back and you’re still repping that hood and in touch with where you come from, for me it’s quiet humbling.”
This year was undoubtedly 25K’s best year yet as he signed a deal with Universal Music Group South Africa. The deal propelled the young rapper to greater heights and saw him take on the charts and collaborate with some of hip-hop’s biggest names.
“It means a lot to me because that deal was kind of a jumpstart for me. To be honest, I haven’t really dropped music this year. I’ve mostly done features and because I never used to work with other artists as much so this year I was open to working with other artists. As far as the Universal deal goes, my goal with them was to take my song from the streets to mainstream.”
Still gliding on the glory of Culture Vulture, 25K said he has been working on new music that he will only release when the timing is right. However, he said he would treat the masses to a follow-up single as he closes the year on a high.
“We’re coming with a whole different sound. That’s going to be something interesting to drop.”
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