As he picks up the phone, Ntokozo 'K.O' Mdluli describes his day as "boring".
He's at a nursery shopping for a few items for his home garden when he speaks to TRUELOVE. K.O tells us that he's at the most important phase of his life and chats to us about career longevity in music, the success that was Sete and his upcoming live show.
He says that this phase of his life is the same reason he is going to the Constitutional Hill – in Braamfontein, Johannesburg – to reflect on his life through a show titled K.O Live at the Hill.
This show comes off the back of his 2022 smash hit amapiano song, Sete, which features Young Stunna and Blxckie.
@truelovemagazine We caught up with amapiano hitmaker Young Stunna. He tells us what it takes to make a hit in this genre. #youngstunna #amapiano #amapianoisalifestyle ? original sound - truelovemagazine
“I felt it in my heart that we were working on something really special and it was best to collaborate with artists who are hip and happening, you know, Young Stunna and Blxckie. Of course, I took them out of their comfort zone and they did amazing on the track. So, it made all the sense and I’m happy that it came out the way that it did.”
The rapper adds that prayer has always been his pillar of strength and that's why he is not surprised by his career success and how well this song did. It was expected, he says.
Speaking about how it felt having produced such a popular song, he admits it is a humbling experience, especially because he’s been in the game for so long.
“For someone like myself who has been in the industry for all these years and seeing this type of reception, even after so many years it’s overwhelming. I wanted to set up an example for other artists to believe in themselves because with time you get better as an artist.
“With time also, you guys as consumers and because we [artists] are victims of familiarity, we end up saying ‘Okay we have seen him for too long and we are more excited to see something new,’ so you almost kind of have back and forth that you dealing with in the game, trying to keep up with who you are. So, the music itself needs to carry you to the highest level and perform at the same level.”
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K.O also credits his workout sessions at the gym with keeping his creative juices flowing.
“Some people might find it really odd but if I feel like there is a writer's block of some sort and I cannot come up with anything great, I just go to the gym and they say because of that dopamine hormone that shoots up your brain and that’s the excitement you get from working out.
“It allows you to tap into other things. So, instead of remaining in that stage of excitement and being happy I channel it into my work and I end up coming up with some of the greatest things when I’m working out. Other things, it’s just being solely me listening to something I like and proud of then an idea come up just right there between the two.”
When asked what it takes to build longevity in the music scene, the former Teargas member says the formula is simple: hard work and not being consumed by fame.
“And prayer too,” he adds, “You need to know who you are, what you are, and what your purpose is and don’t get sidetracked by negative things out there, like being caught up in fame etc. And then end up losing focus, so focus on your mission and continue studying because the music scene always changes in style, new sound, so you need to be able to adapt and learn from the upcoming artists.”
He's also aware that being in the public eye comes with a lot of controversies, he has had his fair share. His messy split with Teargas was particularly hard on fans and his former group members.
Not too long ago, Mr Cashtime had to defend his Sete beat after claims surfaced that it sounded too close to a song by Ghanaian musician, Reefer Tym.
Pt. 2: I hold full Unlimited Rights to the License of the instrumental I bought which is why the artists who also put out their own versions rightfully cannot disputed mine cos we’re all governed by the same or lesser Copyright. Normal practice in today’s music world
— K.O (@MrCashtime) January 17, 2023
Dankie???
On rising above the negativity that comes with fame, the rapper says meditation does the trick for him.
“The mental health aspect of it, it is very challenging but through prayer and meditation and understanding that there’s so much bigger purpose. God gives his toughest battles to his toughest warriors, and you just have to understand it from that perspective.”
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Touching on his show, K.O Live at the Hill, which took place on Saturday, 29 July 2023, he says there’s more that people can expect.
“It is a celebratory moment, especially at the time where I am working on what to explore, who I am and expanding my brand internationally. So, I think it is a beautiful story to tell and it starts with me at the hill."
On what next to expect from him after this show, K.O says he is working on another album, which will be released later in the year.
“Sete made such a great impact and it gave me some life lessons. I saw how it travelled beyond my expectations, so I want to explore more of that sound and try out new things and be more daring in my creativity. Look out for an album that is more different from K.O just because I’ve learnt so much from the success of Sete, and I want to build on that momentum,” he concludes.
