Xolani Ngobeni, better known as X-O Mabullet is a home grown Hip Hop artist with a dream of a better tomorrow.
Xolani is a man of many talents, not only does he rap, he is also a lyricist, arranger and fine artist.
Born and raised in eMalahleni he moved to Mafikeng where he continued to chase his goals of stepping into the charts, what makes his sound unique is that he raps in Zulu, no easy feat mind you.
Xolani Ngobeni.
“My love for music has always been there and started at an early age, to date I have had the pleasure of working with various artists including Wright Ngubeni, Dome, Tuklaps, Ngwanaka, Notshi, Efkay, Sipho, Hugo, Mducomics, and Molly Superman to name but a few. In short I am doing something innovative with my music,” he said.
Being one of the few artists rapping in Zulu amongst his peers Xolani continued to press on improving his talent and has featured on a number of radio stations including eMalahleni FM ,Motsweding and Mafikeng FM.
He has performed at a number of events and has been involved in organizing successful music events and art movements. Currently he is working with Mducomics on a music project entitled ‘After Sgela Project’.
Xolani ‘X-O Mabullet’ Ngobeni.
“The EP features tracks like Mama Mina (love jam), The Queen, and Stakish,” he said.
In addition to music production Xolani has started a platform titled 1st Verse whereby artists record a 60 second rap song. “We shoot a video or animate the video and post it on the 1st Verse web site www.1stverse.co.za and Facebook page ‘1st verse’ this helps artists to feature their talent via a profile on the site and the actual website will be launched come January 2017,” he said.
His dreams don’t just stop there as he hopes to one day establish a rehab centre within eMalahleni which encourages kids to turn to art for inspiration, keeping them off the streets.
“I look up to couple of people and want to thank them for driving me to the point where I am in life, firstly thanks to my parents and grandparents, secondly thanks MduComics,” said Xolani.
Daily and community issues are the main influence of Xolani’s music and lyrics – his music is about the real backbones of life and not the extravagant lifestyle mostly associated with rap nowadays, in fact his lyrics are free of vulgar language and don’t promote that lifestyle at all.
Follow Xolani on Facebook ‘X-O Mabullet’, with Twitter handle @XO_Mabullet or if you would like to get in touch with him mail him via xo.mabullet@gmail.com.
