BY LESEDI SETLHODI

He is vision driven, multi-talented as he is not just utterly passionate about hip-hop music and music broadly but he also taps into poetry, visual arts and script writing. Born on the 31st May in 1991 as Pappy Makobo in Vryburg (North West) but habitually known by his stage name Papcorn. He is an upcoming hip-hop local artist who is definitely on the rise in the hip-hop industry.

Papcorn says his music is enthused by his background; family, poverty, his town and his failures. He is a second child with three siblings; bred in Vryburg and later on moved to Pretoria during his last years of high school. Papcorn is currently doing his final year in BSc Biochemistry & Microbiology at Northwest University (UniWest).

Taung Daily News is always out and about to help bring to surface talent that flourishes. We managed to have a brief sit down with the real Papcorn himself…

How did you get into hip-hop music?

I believe my family might have played an influential role in my affection towards music in some way. I come from a Christian family where my grandparents were esteemed pastors and their children were highly interactive in the choir. I started rapping back in high school but my confidence was not sufficient enough to earn me popularity. In 2009 I recorded my first ever track called “I spit”   which raised a lot of eyebrows.

Does your family support you and your career choice?

Absolutely!  I remember when I released my mixtape on disc; my mother was the first one in my family to sell my mixtape to our neighbour before I could. *chuckles*

Challenges you face in the industry?

Recognition is still one the hardest challenges I face especially when I am still on my way to the top with all these mainstream rules restricting and discouraging us.

Any albums released?

The Red Tape (mixtape), released in 2014

How is your single doing in the market? Any radio airplay?

I recently released a smashing single and music video titled “Be freestyle” and I must say I love the response. My single other single “Girlz” from my Mixtape The Red Tape is also doing well on NWU FM. It is also featured every Friday on the Urban-Brew show and Mafikeng FM on their hip hop shows. My online streams on Sound-Cloud and YouTube are progressively becoming protuberant, so music lovers ought to check me out there.

How do you juggle your music career and your academics?

I work on my music whenever I get the chance to, mainly during holidays if it is for studio sessions. I am also open to collaborate and willing to interact with other artists from different locations. I juggle my career and my studies according to my monthly planner.

How do you like the limelight?

Is this a trick question? *chuckles* I love the limelight because it has a certain feeling of motivation to it but I do not love it as much as I love composing music. I would sacrifice the limelight for production of music anytime.

What’s on your music playlist currently?

Papcorn: The Red Tape mixtape. Reason, Logic, Lupe fiasco, Jon Connor, Kwesta and Pro Verb.

Any words of encouragement to the South African youth?

We should not underestimate ourselves or emulate the popular culture just so that we can be accepted. We need to be better individuals if we want to make a difference in our lives, communities and the country at large. As the youth we need to believe in ourselves and never fail to try even when we fail when trying.

Future plans?

Currently I am working on pushing my latest singles and in the near future I will be focusing on releasing my second mixtape titled “BRIAN SELLS”. I am looking forward to collaborating with several artists with the same vision. My further interest is to explore my other skills of being a writer.

How do you engage with your fans?

Facebook fan page: Papcorn music

Twitter handle: @darealpapcorn

Youtube channel: Pappy Makobo or Papcorn.

Soundcloud music page:  Papcorn music

-TDN

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