Music
He isn’t just a rapper, but also a hustler and an entrepreneur. He believes that a genuine rapper should understand the harsh reality of the music industry.
The Tshivenda vernacular rapper, Phuluso Tshivhase, prominently known by his stage name, C-Jay, has parted ways with the region’s popular hip-hop crew, TooFab. It has been months since his departure from this crew.
But his departure was just a business decision. The TooFab crew manager, Israel Mureri, confirmed his departure. “He decided on his own that he wanted to be an independent artist. We still work together; he still records with us and we perform with him. It is just that he wanted to be on his own,” said Mureri.
This award-winning artist won the 2013 Tshivenda Music Award (Tshima) in the hip-hop category. He reckons that, as a singer, one should allow oneself to grow and be an independent artist to survive the business.
As for music, C-Jay is not expected to release an album this year as he feels that his debut album did not reach the entire market he was hoping for. “Even though I am not planning to release an album this year, I will continue to collaborate with other local artists and release various mix tapes,” he says.
Most artists in the region have struggled to make a living from music and C-Jay is no exception. “I shouldn’t only rely on music to survive. I have to make other plans to generate money, embrace the hustling attitude and make a living,” he adds.
According to him, a business person should grasp any opportunity that comes his way. “The Tshivenda hip-hop fraternity is overcrowded with good and bad artists and one has to stand out to survive this game. I will continue selling my album and getting it to the people” he says.
C-Jay can be followed on twitter and his twitter handle is @carterjaythedon, and his music, specifically his mix tapes, can be downloaded on: www.cjaythedon.co.za
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