By @AmosMateane on 17 April, 2023
KZN based rap sensation Nkosingiphile Dlamini who formally goes by the stage name 'GoldenRaps' has released his EP titled "11.11 : Dreamer's Package" ( Executively produced by DaveBeats and co-produced by Douberman ) that features KURV3N and AstroTraps early this month and we got to sit down for an interview with the talented lyricist. The 17 year old versatile rapper who hails from Umzimkhulu in the Natal province started rapping in 2018 however, he only started releasing music in 2021. It is no secret that he has got a bright music future ahead as he made it to the finals of the PUMA x SPORTSCENE PUT ME ON competition late last year.
In the interview below, GoldenRaps speaks about the choice of the mini EP's title, how he aims to inspire through his music as well as his experience throughout the PUMA x SPORTSCENE PUT ME ON competition among other topics.
What is the inspiration behind the name of the EP, as well the significance of the 11:11 code ?
I decided to title the EP "11.11: Dreamer's Package" because the project that I was supposed to drop is called 'Dreams Don't Die', that pushed me towards calling this mini EP a 'Dreamer's Package' because it is something the Dreamers, which are the people who follow my music could hold onto while I am completing the main EP. I wanted people to draw inspiration from this project and for them to see that they are capable of many different and big things no matter where they are from.
The Code "11:11" is sometimes identified as an angel number, which represents alignment. Some say it represents being aligned and in control of your thoughts that create your reality. For me, this code is significant because I believe that with all the obstacles I face, the universe will always find a way to get my things straight and move me back into full alignment. It also represents the fact that I was aligned with a different side to myself, artistically, that I had never tapped into.
You're coming with a sound of fast tempo rap flows merged with lyricism, on trap beats. Which is something that is unique in the SA Hip Hop industry. How do you play around with that ?
It just happens, I guess. I draw inspiration from different sounds within the hip-hop genre, from fast rap to slow lyrical rap. In this EP I was testing my commercial, or should I say the easily marketable side of myself and we all know that right now trap beats and mind-blowing flows is what is highly demanded by the masses. With that in mind I also wanted to make sure that I stay aligned with my roots of lyrical rap and the only way to do that is to merge the different realms of hip-hop.
In terms of you testing the commercial side, it's working well for you because you doing crazy numbers on SoundCloud, not only with the EP but your whole catalogue. How much volume does this speak of the period between when you started putting out music up to now ?
The growth has been crazy for real. If you compare when I started out to now, the difference is huge. I am now more versatile as an artist, and I believe that my pen game has grown along the way. The skill level definitely has increased. With the numbers, it's also the same things. I have gained myself quite a following for an artist who started dropping [music] in 2021. It's all happening really fast.
It's definitely happening fast but with your calibre of music, it's no surprise. In terms of your musical circle, how did you get the features and the production on the EP ? Did you have to reach out to those individuals or are they people who have always been in close proximity and willing to work with you ?
Thank you. Everyone on that EP is cool with me. Dave is my day one, Douberman is Dave's friend, and it was only natural that our paths would cross. AstroTraps and I have been on a song together before titled "No courtesy remix" so it was easy to get her on that song. KURV3N and I had been talking about making a song together, and the time finally presented itself with this EP. Overall, it was really easy to get these people on the project. Shout out to them by the way.
On the second track 'Alright' featuring KURV3N , you guys undertook a sound that stands out in the EP ? What was the creative process behind the making of the song ?
Well, my aim on the project was to sound different on every song. People have been highly exposed to my conscious or should I say motivational side. I didn't want to leave that side out. I actually made the first version of the song with a totally different concept, and that version did not feature KURV3N. I ended up not liking the hook and the concept altogether. I decided to do it differently, but I was still doing the hook myself, and I didn't like that one too. I then came to the conclusion that the song needed a vocalist, and KURV3N was the first one to come into mind. The rest is history.
The growth is really evident from what you saying, you've picked up a whole lineage of experience in term of making music for sure. Lastly, speaking about experience, you made an epic standout appearance at the finals of the Sportscene Put Me On competition last year, with how you came on and highlighted that you would do different from what everybody else was doing. How did that experience along with the judges' advice, as well as the publicity that you gained from there influence the EP and you as an artist going forward ?
I appreciate it. I learned a lot from the competition. Not only about the [rap] game but also about myself. After the show in Cape Town, Zoocci [ Coke Dope ] told us that we should always create something that makes us happy and also spoke about the power of experimenting as an artist. That is exactly what I did on this project. I created what made me happy and experimented here and there. You can hear this on songs like 'Phakama' and 'Overflow'.
Stream "11.11: A Dreamer's Package" EP by GoldenRaps on SoundCloud by tapping the link below :
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