Despite living in Evander (Mpumalanga), music artists Ts and Sxova Nkunzi warn those who live in Johannesburg that life can easily turn into a Gangsters Paradise if you are not careful, as expressed through their single by the same name, which has just been released.
Friends since childhood, as well as sharing the same taste in music, led to Ts (25) and Sxova Nkunzi (26) collaborating, experimenting and working together on several music projects, including writing Gangsters Paradise together.
Ts states that the song, a perfect blend between Rap and Hip Hop – their signature sound, which includes a majority of English as well as some Ekasi Zulu lyrics- was inspired by what the two friends believe living in Johannesburg can do to one, depending on where you live and what you believe to be right or wrong.
Sxova Nkunzi explains further: “Life in Jozi is a completely different experience for people from different cultures who live there in the wide variety of suburbs, including what they are exposed to as a result. In our opinion, it’s always about hustling for some, while at the same time having to watch your steps and be careful to keep your moral compass directed in the direction that will keep you on the straight and narrow, as it’s so incredibly easy to become involved in committing crime unintentionally.”
Ts fondly recalls how the duo’s musical journey started: “We actually had to start recording by using earphones initially. Absolutely nobody took us seriously despite that the two of us believed we were amazing and going to be the next big thing. I remember that Sxova wrote a song called iSoka, and as nobody took to the song we just convinced ourselves that they must just be jealous of us. Later on we realised it was actually something that belonged in the trash can, due to the fact that after we recorded another song, people absolutely loved it. By the time we perfected our craft and released Money Chaser and Prophecy, we had started building up a fan base who demanded more music from us.”
As any artist would, Ts and Sxova Nkunzi believe that they have something unique to offer, stating that they believe their music are likely to appeal most to people who are in love in a romantic way. However, when pressed to compare themselves to another known artist in terms of their sound, they both agree on Mafikizolo.
Ts says that his biggest musical influence has always been Vusi Nova, while Sxova Nkunzi states that for him Cassper Nyovest was the one he admired the most.
The musical partners describe themselves as both being funny, generous, easy to get along with, sympathetic and that one will always find them smiling. In addition Sxova Nkunzi says, “We’re both crazy too, but in a good way! We also both believe that in the end, hard work pays off.”
Currently, these two artists are working hard on their joint album, which they hope will be completed soon in order to be released early in 2020. In addition, they are also producing a couple of music videos, including one for their former hit Prophecy.
In his free time, Ts uses the opportunity to become a better piano player than he currently is by taking lessons, while Sxova Nkunzi in turn enjoys relaxing by playing pool.
Currently, focusing just about all of their energy on making it in the music industry, both gentlemen are single, with a dream to “reach as many people worldwide as possible,” says Ts.
Ts was originally born in Embalenhle (Mpumalanga) before moving to Evander, together with his brother and two sisters, where they were raised by his mother, a fashion designer, and his father, who is a mine worker. Sxova Nkunzi in turn was born in Springs before ending up in Evander where his path would eventually cross with that of Ts’, with his father also being a mine worker and his mom working as a professional nurse.
Before matriculating, Ts dropped out of school in order to go to college where he studied Engineering and Safety Management. Sxova Nkunzi pursued a qualification in IT instead before the two decided together during 2016 to pursue their passion and dream of becoming music royalty and making music their fulltime career in order to work towards this.
So why does Ts have such a strange name as an artist? He explains: “My real name is actually Tshepo, but while I was still at school everyone was too lazy to call me by my full name, and used Ts instead. Since then, that’s just what I’ve always been known as and what I’ve decided to stick with.”
Sxova Nkunzi also reveals that his real name is actually Xolani Mthembu, and as with Ts, he was given his stage name by his peers during childhood, which he obviously still uses to this day.
The heavenly Rap and Hip Hop single, Gangsters Paradise, will be available on all popular digital platforms very soon, where other hit tracks such as Prophecy and Money Chaser can be enjoyed in the mean time. They also just released a music video for Prophesy that can be enjoyed at:
For more information, join the conversation with both Ts and Sxova Nkunzi on social media. For Twitter and Instagram use (@Ts_csa and @Sxova_Nkunzi) and on Facebook search for (FantasyLifeEnt).