There’s a future in Venrap - Pro Heed

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      Music

His rhyming pace is fast and unique and the region’s hip-hop fraternity endorses him for his incredible singing ability.

Ever since his single album was released last year, Pro Heed has been popularly known for his incredible rapping style. His single album featured only five tracks: Vengo, Ha-tshatoda murahu, Niwa ndeme, Vhutungu mbiluni and Vhutshilo.

The album was nominated in the best vernacular hip-hop category of the 2014 South African Traditional Music Awards. But who is this guy? Pro Heed was born Sedzani Stanley Sigebe in the year 1994 in Neani village, close to Masisi, outside Thohoyandou. He started his rapping career when he was 10 years old and in Grade 4 at the Makununde Primary School. “Unfortunately I was the only person in my village rapping in Tshivenda, and I was far from everything,” recalls Pro Heed.  

At Ndaedzo Secondary School, he met with his peer DJ Calie and formed a music production company titled Born Free entertainment music.

During this time, he recorded his first ever popular track, Vhutshilo. In the very same year, 2011, he featured popular Tshivenda artists, including Mizo Phyll and Nicodermic. 

During the following year, while in Grade 12 at Matavhela Secondary, he teamed up with Royal Music Production and featured on several tracks, including Venda Empire, Kondelelani and Masana. “I teamed up with those guys, composed beats and records, and my music was gradually gaining prominence; community radio stations also played some of my tracks,” he said. He has also worked with groups and artists such as TooFab music, Fizzy, C-Jay, and Hype wave entertainment. The track that he recorded with Hype wave entertainment was downloaded more than 100 000 times. The marketing and sales final year student at Boston City Campus and Business College admitted to Limpopo Mirror that most of Tshivenda singers are still facing challenges that hinder their success. 

“It is very difficult when you hail from Venda to find a stable record label that will get you to the national level. But I believe in myself. I want to go out there and do it on my own, regardless of those challenges,” he said.

However, last year Pro Heed joined Tshedza Records, an artist management company licensed under Masana Records, and he now believes there is light at the end of the tunnel, despite challenges.

 “There is future in the Venrap (Tshivenda Hip Hop), and I hope to be an internationally recognised artist in the next two years. The nomination for the Satma awards last year proved that I can be at that international level,” he said.

He is currently recording his debut album, which will compliment his single that was released last year. “My album titled Vhutsila will be released later this month (February) and soon we will be shooting a video,” he added.

Percy Mukwevho, an artist who has been in the industry for some time, also recommended him as the best upcoming artist. “The boy is an exceptional talent, but he must start his movement and depend on himself to survive the industry,” said Mukwevho.

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By: Phathutshedzo Luvhengo