Exclusive: eMTee Reflects On His Breakthrough Year

We caught up with eMTee to discuss his breakthrough year of 2015 that saw him pip everyone else in the industry for the coveted SAHH Song Of The Year. Cava.

Published

7 years ago

January 17, 2016

QUENCH

2015 club playlists were not complete without Roll Up or the ReUp to the smash hit blazing through their speakers. The author responsible for the craze, Mthembeni ‘eMTee’ Ndevu signaled his breakthrough in the industry with a bang despite having been working in the shadow for years. The hustler that is know as eMTee strikes a different person to that on stage, conceding that he does not go out much, choosing to focus on his work and horn his craft. We caught up with the rapper to discuss anything and everything under the sun, finally getting some explanations for all the headlines he’s been making. Check it out!

QuenchSA: Who is eMtee and what does he stand for?

eMTee: eMTee is a young artist and producer… just trying to use what he has to inspire others.

QuenchSA: When did the interest in pursuing music as a career begin?

eMTee: It was when I came back from Matatiele, where my parents are originally from, that I was exposed to a lot of pop culture. I would stay up late watching the music channel and at like grade one I took it a step further, entered talent shows, the older I grew I perfected my craft and the rest is history.

QuenchSA: You had the most popular hip hop song in 2015. How did the Roll Up Remix come about?

eMTee: WizKid and AKA like most people liked the song and they reached out to me. WizKid spoke to my road manager and he was in South Africa for two days and we did the song. The same with AKA, he called my manager and sent his verse. A lot of rappers wanted to jump on the remix but I couldn’t say no to those two.

QuenchSA: Roll Up was huge! Are you nervous about your follow up single?

eMTee: I’m starting to be comfortable because I take pride in my work. I’m no longer at a point where I’m nervous unless it’s performing to a live crowd. I also have a good team, which understands that its all about timing. So before I release the next single I’ll sit down with my team.

QuenchSA: People have already started pitting you against Nasty C as the country’s latest hip hop rivalry. What’s your take on this matter?

eMTee: Nasty C and I are very tight, when he is in Jo’burg we make sure we link up. If it had to come to that I think we both matured enough to know that its work. We support each other which is something people don’t know. He featured on my album, and its going to be the third single and we still going to make more music together.

QuenchSA: Twitter hasn’t been kind to you of late. Why do you think your tweets have gotten so much attention?

eMTee: On Twitter there’s a lot of people who are… rude and try to convince other people to think alike, create communities and start hating on eMTee. I express myself. Not everyone is going to be on my side. I also understand that the more Twitter is unkind to me, the more followers I get, the more I trend and the more calls I get from journalists. Anybody who calls me out on Twitter is not a fan, therefore I will always respond in a manner consistent with the approach of that person. I don’t think there’s an artist who is as open as I am.

QuenchSA: Having worked with the most established acts in Africa on your first album and winning the SAHH Song of the Year, what still needs to happen for eMTee to say ‘I’ve made it’?

eMTee: For me it has to be getting a call from an American event organizer wanting to book me for a show, performing alongside international acts. Before I can say I’ve made it, I need financially stability, (to) look after my family, be in a position where I can help the next person and I feel like its going to happen, I just hope its not too much for me to handle.

QuenchSA: Your name has been linked to many beefs in the industry. Why do you think Heavy K called you out like that?

eMTee: He’s a house-head. I don’t think he listens to hip hop that much. He probably didn’t know much about me and probably thought I was going up against someone. Which is totally normal, everyone is entitled to their opinion. We ended up talking and I suggested he listen to my album and he did. I’m sure his views have changed. I think hip hop wouldn’t be hip hop without controversy, something people could talk about.

QuenchSA: What has changed since your break through into the industry?

eMTee: A lot has changed. My peers have changed, people that were my friends don’t like me anyone, they think I’ve changed. People have a lot of ideas about me. From me not having shoes to having 16 pairs and giving some away, I’m stronger and better, I’m more confident. In terms of my music I’ve learnt to take my time, make it a solid product.

QuenchSA: What can we expect from eMTee in 2016?

eMTee: I’m probably going to do twice as much as I was doing last year. I remember when on Twitter one person asked me what was my resolution and I said one of my new year resolutions was making my haters angrier than what they already are which means I’m going to achieve more. The more I achieve the angrier they get.

Photo Cred: Images Supplied

Uncategorized

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever to land on Disney+ in February

Welcome to Wakanda!

Published

3 months ago

January 12, 2023

QUENCH

Fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe are in for a treat. Disney+ has announced that 1 February marks the arrival of Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” The blockbuster will be joining 16 other on the streaming platform.

ABOUT THE MOVIE

Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), Shuri (Letitia Wright), M’Baku (Winston Duke), Okoye (Danai Gurira) and the Dora Milaje (including Florence Kasumba) fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death.

As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) and Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda. Introducing Tenoch Huerta Mejía as Namor, ruler of a hidden undersea nation, the film also stars Dominique Thorne, Michaela Coel, Mabel Cadena and Alex Livinalli.

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” directed by Ryan Coogler and produced by Kevin Feige and Nate Moore, is now playing in theaters.

Music

The Shocking Fallout of Black Motion

Tensions have reportedly escalated.

Published

3 months ago

January 12, 2023

QUENCH

They are one of South Africa’s most revered music duos.

Their discography packs both blockbuster club bangers and lush delights for lovers of House with a transcendental African sonic flair. And the explosive fallout of Black Motion, which has been splashed across the internet long before reaching the courts, has shocked many.

Loved for their electrifying live performances and awe-inspiring chemistry, Mörda and Smol have always seemed like musical soulmates. But that relationship seems to have reached a bitter end.

In 2022, rumours of their reported split triggered a frenzy on the internet. Following the uproar, the group’s members Bongani Mohosana, who now goes as Mörda, and Smol (real name Roy Thabo Mabogwane), jointly calmed fears that they had fallen out.

It had been said the break would be temporary, as Mörda moved to focus on the release of his solo studio album.

Far from it, it now seems. The parties have escalated things to court.

According to reports, Black Motions have confirmed that they had pressed charges against Mörda for alleged housebreaking and theft.

A court order by the High Court in Gauteng posted on social media has ordered Morda to “restore possession of a recording studio apparatus” to the group by 13 January, at 5pm.

Black Motion shared snaps of the alleged damage caused by Morda – a broken door and stolen equipment.

Tick – Tock

“Always enter like a kitten and leave like a lion. But NEVER enter like a lion and leave like a kitten. Always be humble." #TheRestIsHistory #RemainHumble pic.twitter.com/4R4yI0RGS0
— Black Motion (@black_motion) January 11, 2023

It looks like we won’t be getting a new Black Motion album with Mörda anytime soon.

Reality Shows

Inside the Big Brother Titans Premiere!

South Africa and Nigeria unite under Biggie’s roof.

Published

3 months ago

January 11, 2023

QUENCH

Sunday, 15 February 2023, marks the roaring arrival of BBTitans.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW.

The highly anticipated social experiment brings under Biggie’s roof housemates from both South Africa and Nigeria. And for 72 days, we will be splashed with the finest in South African and Nigerian swag, banter, romance and all the trappings of a fun-filled, dramatic and – we’d hope – an entertaining show.

A first of its kind, the social experiment assembles the most colourful personalities from the two nations to outwit, outplay and outsmart each other in a bid to get their hands on a massive bag, life-changing bag!

In addition to a number of lofty prizes that will likely be on the line throughout the season, the winner of the show will also be walking away, a whopping grand prize of US $100 000 (over R1,7 million) is up for grabs for the one who trounces his Housemates to charm audiences across the continent.

That’s not all; the amount of social capital, celebrity and opportunities for lucrative brand deals after the show, all form part of the career-launching lift-off that comes with being on the popular franchise.

Both Big Brother Mzansi host Lawrence Maleka and Big Brother Naija’s Ebuka Obi-Uchendu will co-host this debut season.

Fans of Big Brother Mzansi and Big Brother Naija in the diaspora are not left out as Showmax will stream the show in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and about 50 other countries.