„Our mission is simple. We are here to change the narrative in music. We want music to feel good again.” – Sbu Blu
Meet @rapture90ss, a music trio consisting of producer Sbu Blu, Rapper K Hippo & Vocalist Cesh. Based in Alexandra, South Africa; this trio has a lot to tell! Rapture 90s makes world music that includes elements from music all around the world and blends into one soulful tone. Check our interview with them below.
Q: What is your original hometown & your current residency place?
A: Alexandra, and we still stay in Alexandra.
Q: Tell us in a short way about your musical background & early influences.
A: Sbusiso Tshabalala “Sbu Blu” Started learning Fruity loops software in 2012 from his bedroom and was mentored by a couple of producers around his community. Sbu Blu released his Compilation album in 2017 which is an album with instrumentals which were meant to be sold to upcoming rappers at a discounted price of R200 per beat. This caught the attention of upcoming rapper K Hippo and requested to use a beat from this compilation for his song called “Tholakele”. The Two would later opt to form a collective in 2018.
K Hippo: Njabulo Mvubu “K Hippo” moved to Johannesburg in the 90s and started rapping when he was 12 years old and says that he was inspired by numerous acts in Hip Hop like Flabba, Pro-Kid and HHP just to mention a Few. K-Hippo released his single called “Know that” in 2017 and he has been performing the song all around Johannesburg but he mentions that he was looking for a new sound outside from the trap sound which was famous from 2012 to 2017. He would then meet future collaborator Sbu Blu who produced his second single “Tholakele”. K Hippo and Sbu Blu decided to form a Collective called Rapture 90s and Sbu Blu suggested Cesh be Added to the Group roster.
Cesh: Celiwe Maboa “Cesh” comes from a musical background; her father was a bassist for a famous reggae band in Alexandra. Cesh started singing from a very young age and even then people stated that she was critically acclaimed and she says she draws inspiration from people like Beyoncé, Brandy and Michael Jackson just to mention a Few. Her background was mostly in gospel music and was trained to sing in church and she was part of an Acapella group consisting of four members. The group is currently (temporarily) defunct but with that she decided to do a couple of house songs for DJs and sing the leading vocals. She recorded an Amapiano song with a known DJ from Alexandra called Tempo De Kreator and the single is currently being promoted. Cesh caught the eye of future band mate Sbu Blu while she was performing at a theatre with her acapella group, after seeing her perform Sbu Blu insisted that she should be part of the Rapture 90s group.
Q: What is your favourite digital service to discover fresh new music?
A: Spotify and Listen to Radio.
Q: What is the very first musical product you acquired or discovered?
A: Stereo Radio handset.
Q: Which of your own projects is exciting you the most at the moment?
A: Sondela, which is our debut Single.
Q: Which are your proudest musical achievements and a genuine milestone in your career?
A: Doing a cover for a magazine printed in the United States of America and sharing a stage with other artists in Alex Music Festival.
Q: What is your dream gig and performance location today?
A: We dream to headline on the Coachella in Indio, California at the Empire Polo Club.
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