Xolani Mbhele, commonly known by his stage name Mc Exe, is a hip-hop artist from Umzinto who believes that music is the key to connect people to one another.
The young artist began his musical journey at the age of 20, and in just six years he is humbled by all he has already achieved.
He has performed live multiple times throughout Durban and in other places such as KwaMashu, Ndengezi and Umlazi.
In June this year, Mc Exe and artists from 2Degrees Music, a recording studio based in Umzinto which works with local artists, launched an album in Malangeni which was received well.
He also joined forces with Umzinto Squad and hosted talent shows in Sanathan informal settlement, Umzinto.
“When I’m not working on my music, I’m playing soccer, writing music or simply bringing people together for a good course,” he said. “I enjoy helping other artists in music and entertaining people in general.”
Mc Exe initially did not know how to pursue a career in music.
“My friends heard me rapping other people’s rhymes and told me I was good and should write my own and that helped me realise that I wanted to pursue this,” he said.
“People go through trying times and I saw a gap in the music industry for me to speak about these difficult situations in my music and have had people tell me listening to what I produce has helped them.”
One of the artists Mc Exe looks up to is Big Zulu, because he is believed to be an artist who also pushes important messages through his hip-hop music and produces (in Mc Exe’s words) ‘amazing music’.
Even though Mc Exe and his fellow local artists face a few challenges on a regular basis such as spending a lot of money on recording good quality tracks, marketing themselves and of course convincing people to give them gigs, they still persevere.
Mc Exe encourages young artists in local communities to believe in themselves and not to be discouraged by negativity.
“Don’t do it for fame and glory, always make sure you’re promoting good and remember passion is the key.”
In 10 years’ time, Mc Exe sees himself in the professional music industry working with his rolemodel Big Zulu.
“With the right help I really see myself up there.”
Mc Exe’s music from his latest album can be found on Soundcloud and although there was no love song, fans have requested one multiple times so, on September 25, Mc Exe’s new single ‘Don’t Go’, featuring Nanacare and Vicar, produced by Vicar will be dropping.
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