Everybody sees things through different lenses - exposure plays a big role in Hip-Hop for Smanga OG.

Introducing this hip-hop segment, which will feature 4 young Hip-Hop artists, is Smanga 'OG' Mtshali.

At first I had my reservations about speaking to rappers, considering the controversies that surround them. I wanted try and understand certain elements, such as the vulgarity of the genre in particular cases, which is not always welcomed by society and feminists at large .

Mtshali gave a little insight to this phenomenon.Smanga was born in Durban and moved to Johannesburg around the age of 14.He explained that his siblings initiated his interest in hip-hop and exposed him to artists such as Lil Wayne before he began writing his own lyrics around 2006-07. OG says that when it comes to his lyrics he's blunt and writes what's on his mind. The rapper has been working on his current mixtape for at least two or three years.

The concept of 'real' and the 'realist' is not new to the culture and is used quite often in Smanga's lyrics.On this concept he commented that he's not trying to impress the world , he's simply being himself. Furthermore,the rapper says that the hype gets to everyone, thus it is important that one maintain a clear mind and remain focused.

On fame and fortune,Smanga says that music as a career helps in the sense that one could get paid for being a musician, what's more, he'd still make music even if he was not getting paid for it and find something else to put bread on the table.

I was not only interested in finding out why he swears in his music, but understanding the specific use of the terms "N***a and B***h". The rapper responded that this is a culture he grew up with, it's what he was exposed to in the townships. Furthermore, he says that he is aware that many people do not identify with it , however, in as much as many people endorse different views, if you've only been exposed to one way of seeing something, you accept that that's how things are.

Mtshali emphasised that your sound is influenced by what you're exposed to- "every artist has a favourite artist who they're influenced by and this shines through in your own music", he says. Responding to whether American artists set the tone for our own local artists, OG replied that American artists set the standard for the longest time .That however, is rapidly changing because South Africa is growing in the genre and integrating into the industry. In relation to his own music and the role and influence of an American artist such as Lil Wayne, Mtshali said that it's not easy to change to change the impact on sound if your first encounter with the genre you're in came from America.

To keep the conversation going, please share your thoughts and views on the topics above. Also take a listen to Smanga OG

and if you're feeling his sound, vote for him in the upcoming poll for this segment

Love and Light.

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