Story By Rashid Mhlanga
Sipho Nqobile Nqindi is a budding artiste in the local hip-pop scene known as Young C. He was raised by his stern grandparents who taught him to speak Shona, English and Ndebele fluently from a tender age, instilling discipline, respect and encouraged his creative abilities. “I think discipline goes a long way in influencing the music I make. My music incorporates both English and Ndebele which I believe will help me reach a wider audience as it can attract a wider audience and a lot more people in Matebeleland can relate more to music in their local tongue as well”, he said.
Young C was drawn to hip-hop by the likes of 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, Notorious B.I.G, Kwesta, and Renzo LAX whose raw style and relentless attitude towards the hip-hop culture captivated him. In 2017, he began writing his rhymes whilst he was still in high school and only got record his first feature verse in 2019 on an amapiano project. “Michael Jackson was never afraid to experiment with his sound which is something I incorporate into my musical style. For me someone like Snoop Dogg and Bob Marley influence how I approach the sound, real and authentic. I am a big fan of Gunna`s taste in guitar and more melodic pockets of music and i also look at someone like Kwesta has interpreted street into his music sound as well”, he said.
“I would describe my unique sound as a blend of hip-hop and other genres of music such as amapiano, Afro-beat, dancehall and trap music, shaped by African experiences, culture and expression making it a relevant part of a growing African market of music. What sets me apart from other kasi hip-hop artists is my desire to keep learning and improving and I never pass up on a good opportunity to be inspired because our musical pallets differ and we all find inspiration in different spaces”, he said.
The 24-year-old addresses peer pressure, self-awareness and esteem, and showcasing Bulawayo`s talents to the rest of the world. Currently, he is working on a five track Extended Play (EP) with fellow colleague, Tony Chimsz. “It`s an Afro-beat inspired project which clearly identifies our musical style and versatility of sound. It has producers such as JP beats, Enigma and LAXPLUGBEATS and, is set for release towards the end February”, he said.
“Having the right people around you is essential, for one needs support when starting out. As an independent artist, I invest what I have currently which is my time and that is my currency right now. I take time to perfect, improve in preparation for opportunities”, he said. Young C is an avid Manchester City player who is nursing emotional wounds due to the team`s unfavourable performance in this current season.
Besides making music, Young C is a final year student at varsity, studying towards a Social Work degree program. He is one of the few balanced and organized individuals, not because of his academic pursuits but his character. In a space where many have fallen by the way side as a result of the company they keep and, drug and substance abuse. Hip-hop is a very influential and thought provoking tool that sheds light on real day to day issues in a manner that is attractive and captivating. The onus is on creatives to realize that they not only inspire and influence, but educate and support the society to promote social change and empowerment by working together.
