"When I begun writing I started with poetry and as time went on I started writing to beats. I am an outspoken person and at the same time I am open to learning all that I possibly can, that will better me in whatever way and by doing so I get to grow with my music also."
Themba started writing music in high school and a few years after he started recording.
"I was never fully into the music scene until 2018 when I released my first project which is an EP titled "Mental Institution" My reason for getting into the industry is so that I can make my contribution to the art scene as an artist."
He recently released his follow up EP titled "Mental Institution Rebirth"
Who do you identify as creative wise(a poet who does music,an artist, rapper?)
I believe that if you write then you are a poet because you are expressing yourself through writing so I am simply a poet,or an urban poet as the name goes nowadays.
What was the process like when writing the MIR EP and how did you decide on the body of work to put out?
The process was both challenging and fun because I was focusing more on writing and how I can infuse poetry into my music so I had to be really precise. I believe that the beats I choose usually set the mood and I'd write based on that,that's how I'd come up with a project.
How would you describe the EP and the overall music do?
The MIR EP is without a doubt a RAP project and as most of us know the word RAP is an acronym for Rhythm And Poetry so that goes without saying.
At this point I can't put a title on the overall music because there is so much experimenting that needs to be done.
Who did you work with and how did the collaborations on the EP come along.?
On the EP I worked with the deceased Neokeyz who's a beat maker and producer. I also worked with BoyPeza who's a rapper and a vocalist.
Getting to work with Neokeyz was not difficult because we'd hang out some times.
With BoyPeza, I was in the studio recording,he was also there also and he liked the song "Poetry" on the EP so much that he was just relentlessly singing to it so I asked him to put that on because I loved it too.
What is the toughest or challenging thing about being an emerging artist?
Personally I would say the hardest thing would be keeping it together and doing your best not to fall apart because there are so many challenges and inconveniences that you come across.
Why have you stopped using your stage name?
The reason I stopped using my AKA is because I wanted to embrace my real name,I saw no need not to use my name plus I was having difficulties introducing myself as 'slee' as most people would not get it right the first time. Also I want to be remembered as me.
You believe poetry is in a decline, becoming unpopular commercial wise?
That's a tad difficult to answer because poetry is still very much alive and kicking,but not commercially however but it is not on a decline.
What would you like to achieve with your music and see it go?
I want people to be inspired by my music. I want to teach through my music and generate money out of it.
On one of your songs,you touched on social issues. Do you think artists still csrry that responsibility of being social commentators through their art?
Definitely yes,though you will not hear many of them on radio or see them on TV much but yes,there are still artists like that.
Plans for the future?
The future plan for MIR is performing it more and hosting a listening party for the project and as for Themba Ledwaba the plan is to grow in anyway possible as an artist and as a human being.
I am for peace,love and fun.
I am Themba Ledwaba
The EP is available for download on this link:
Themba Ledwaba- Mental Institution Rebirth
Download:
https://www.mamsmusic.co.za/themba-ledwaba-mental-institution-rebirth-ep/
@themba_ledwaba
Follow us across all socials @Tan89Media
Themba started writing music in high school and a few years after he started recording.
"I was never fully into the music scene until 2018 when I released my first project which is an EP titled "Mental Institution" My reason for getting into the industry is so that I can make my contribution to the art scene as an artist."
He recently released his follow up EP titled "Mental Institution Rebirth"
I believe that if you write then you are a poet because you are expressing yourself through writing so I am simply a poet,or an urban poet as the name goes nowadays.
What was the process like when writing the MIR EP and how did you decide on the body of work to put out?
The process was both challenging and fun because I was focusing more on writing and how I can infuse poetry into my music so I had to be really precise. I believe that the beats I choose usually set the mood and I'd write based on that,that's how I'd come up with a project.
The MIR EP is without a doubt a RAP project and as most of us know the word RAP is an acronym for Rhythm And Poetry so that goes without saying.
At this point I can't put a title on the overall music because there is so much experimenting that needs to be done.
Who did you work with and how did the collaborations on the EP come along.?
On the EP I worked with the deceased Neokeyz who's a beat maker and producer. I also worked with BoyPeza who's a rapper and a vocalist.
Getting to work with Neokeyz was not difficult because we'd hang out some times.
With BoyPeza, I was in the studio recording,he was also there also and he liked the song "Poetry" on the EP so much that he was just relentlessly singing to it so I asked him to put that on because I loved it too.
What is the toughest or challenging thing about being an emerging artist?
Personally I would say the hardest thing would be keeping it together and doing your best not to fall apart because there are so many challenges and inconveniences that you come across.
Why have you stopped using your stage name?
The reason I stopped using my AKA is because I wanted to embrace my real name,I saw no need not to use my name plus I was having difficulties introducing myself as 'slee' as most people would not get it right the first time. Also I want to be remembered as me.
You believe poetry is in a decline, becoming unpopular commercial wise?
That's a tad difficult to answer because poetry is still very much alive and kicking,but not commercially however but it is not on a decline.
What would you like to achieve with your music and see it go?
I want people to be inspired by my music. I want to teach through my music and generate money out of it.
On one of your songs,you touched on social issues. Do you think artists still csrry that responsibility of being social commentators through their art?
Definitely yes,though you will not hear many of them on radio or see them on TV much but yes,there are still artists like that.
Plans for the future?
The future plan for MIR is performing it more and hosting a listening party for the project and as for Themba Ledwaba the plan is to grow in anyway possible as an artist and as a human being.
I am for peace,love and fun.
I am Themba Ledwaba
The EP is available for download on this link:
Themba Ledwaba- Mental Institution Rebirth
Download:
https://www.mamsmusic.co.za/themba-ledwaba-mental-institution-rebirth-ep/
@themba_ledwaba
Follow us across all socials @Tan89Media
I love the way you express yourself and well done on your EP.
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