Unathi ‘Nate’ Mtolo (25) has managed to, in a short space of time, get his music played on reputable stations such as MTV Base Africa, Metro FM, YFM, and has been featured on many websites and blogs. Nate, is without a doubt the South Coast’s most promising rapper.
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The musician, who is from Oslo Beach completed his schooling at Port Shepstone Secondary in 2010. He now holds a degree in psychology and sociology from the North West University.
The psychology graduate who was raised by a single mother, Nosipho Mtolo, lost his brother, Manono, last October.
“He was involved in a car accident on the the highway passing Ramsgate. He was my biggest fan, he used to play my music all day, everyday,” he said.
He added that his family is very supportive as well. “The highlight for them was seeing me on television for the first time. It was when I dropped my first official music video, for “Mandisa”.
“That was all the convincing my mother needed because she had sent me to varsity to study, but I wasn’t really doing what I studied for.”
Nate dropped his first official video in 2016, since then, he has been working tirelessly; making timeless music. Here are a few things you did not know about the South Coast rapper.
When did you find your passion for music, and how did it come about?
Well I can’t say I found music, I’ve always had a thing for music but to tell you the truth; music found me after graduating in 2014. Because that’s when I actually started recording. I basically got my first recording microphone on my 21st birthday as a present from my mother.
What are you striving to achieve (what are your goals in your career)?
My life is all about music, if I’m not recording, I’m socializing and meeting new people who will somehow contribute or people who will add value to my music career. Sometimes just exploring the business side of the music industry and not just the making of the music itself.
What is your favourite thing to do in Johannesburg and on the South Coast?
In Johannesburg I’m in studio 24 hours, if not, I’m out doing shows and interviews. On the South Coast, since it’s home to me, I use that time to zone out and take a break from all the fast life and big city things. I spend most of my time catching up with friends, family and just enjoying the town in its totality (The culture, beach, people and just doing all the fun stuff that there is to do).
Who is your favourite rapper locally& internationally?
Locally, I could say its AKA (Kiernan Jarryd Forbes) because firstly of the sound and the diversity in his music. Internationally I could say Drake and Meek Mill.
Collaborating with legends like Zola 7 & producing good music, would you say, you have ‘made it’? Why/Why not?
Not really man, I wouldn’t say I have made it, well even though some people would think that. I really loved working with Zola 7 and through that I found a friend, someone who gives me direction and motivation on a weekly basis, and he is someone who really inspires me to be the best version of myself.
Just to think the man just walked into my studio and told me to play him music and the next thing he just jumped in on one of my songs. Months later, we working on projects and stuff together. It‘s truly a blessing from God, because a lot of people look up the guy and so do I. After working with him, I feel like I still have a greater purpose to fulfill.
What are some of the challenges you come across as an artist, who is trying to build a recognisable name for themselves in the world?
Well, the first obstacles in the industry was that I was a new face, nobody really knew me in the industry; nobody knew me at all (laughs), so that led to me loosing a lot of money and resources because I didn’t have the knowledge of the things that I needed to do or where to go.
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The Second obstacle was that after I had created my own sound for instance, Friend Zone, people couldn‘t really categories it, that led to a difficulty in selling the sound or making people believe in this new genre or direction of music that I had taken. Luckily, people ended up loving the song and it broke through the industry as one of the best songs in 2017.
I guess at the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter what challenges I face, the music will always speak for itself.
What are you currently working on? What can people expect from you moving on?
In 2018, I will spend most of my time promoting my latest project the ” Chosen One” ep (expanded play). I am currently planning a national tour, working on a few collaborations with a few big artists. Also planning on doing more shows on the South Coast, the first one will be the ‘Valentines Weekend Shutdown’ on February 16 in Margate at One Eyed Jack.
I also be shooting a couple of my music videos in my hometown and bringing down some of the big guys that I’ve worked with so they can see where I come from. I feel like that will also help inspire and motivate more aspiring musicians and everyone else who’s chasing their dreams, that will also show them that anything is possible. Anything can be achieved if you believe and put your mind.
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