“I promised my mother I would do this for us and get us out of this life and live a better one.”
These are the words of a young rapper hoping to make it out of Hangberg and show the world his talent.
Adolf Ndlovu, who goes by the stage name Xmix Sheenah, grew up in the fishing village, idolising Emtee, YoungstaCPT, Nasty C and other rappers.
“They inspired me and showed me that it doesn’t matter where I am from, I can make it,” says the 19-year-old Silikamva High School pupil.
From recording music on a cheap cellphone, he got involved with the Harvest Youth Project – an arts training programme with a special focus on youth from the Hangberg and Harbour areas – with help from his mentor, MMA fighter Peter Parker.
“Adolf is one of the creatives I’ve taken under my wing because he is so enthusiastic about creating and being an artist; he is also a national kung fu champion who is always eager to learn and improve,” says Mr Parker.
He believes Adolf has a bright future ahead of him.
“I always encourage him that anything is possible. If only you set your mind to it, you can achieve anything, and everything that you have learnt is just for you to pass it on to the next generation so that your legacy will continue.”
The young rapper performed at Salamanda Park in Hangberg on Heritage Day, and he has also made a name for himself at the BK5 Club in Imizamo Yethu. He is looking forward, he says, to upcoming performances at a Gear Junkies event to be hosted by Intle Art, a non-profit organisation in Salt River, next month.
“I grew up without a father and I live with my mother,” he says. “Even though it was tough, she always managed to put food on the table.”
He plans to release his first album, Aint Too Late, soon and hopes to make his mother proud.
