With a new album under his belt, Psyfo still encounters the same old haters. The actor-turned-rapper told Helen Herimbi about it.
“I think I am the most hated rapper in SA – and I say that boldly.” Psyfo may be laughing, but something tells me he’s dead serious.
“People will say they don’t like the music, but they’ve never even heard it. So I say to them: ‘I’ll even buy you the album, that’s how confident I am you’re going to like the music’. Nine times out of 10, then people say to me: ‘It’s one of the nicest hip hop albums I’ve heard in a while.’”
Born Sipho Ngwenya, Psyfo hasn’t had the smoothest transition from actor to musician. It’s easy for someone like Childish Gambino – who went from writing and acting to rapping – and Mos Def, who started as a child actor, to make a seamless crossover into hip hop music.
But for Psyfo? Not so much.
With his latest album, Music, Love and Fame, though, this former Generations star has managed to bridge that gap. Boasting production by Amunishn, Mizi, Octave Couplet and Psyfo himself, it’s a solid, melodic, head-bobbing offering that plays well into the themes of its title.
He discusses the lows and highs of the limelight, his relationships and his music. At the end of the album, it’s safe to assume Psyfo may have a love/hate relationship with the three.
“To an extent, I do have a love/hate relationship with music, fame and love,” he says.
“Back when I first started making music, for instance, I didn’t quite understand what I was trying to achieve. I had a studio at home so I would just be in there making beats and making beats for other people, too. How I started rapping was I’d just lay down vocals on the beats because I had these ideas. Then I got carried away. It sounded quite nice and I guess that’s how I fell in love with the industry,” he continues.
“Still, there are a lot of people who have not bought the albums, but criticise my music. I hate that side of music because it becomes a frustrating passion of mine. I constantly have to prove myself. Even on Twitter I’ll see people tweet: ‘I love this song, but eish, it’s Psyfo.’ They’re just not going to give me a chance.”
But Psyfo hasn’t let that bring him down. Especially because his collaborations with Amu and HHP have won over many sceptics. On this album, he worked with Teargas and will be shooting a video next week for the infectious track Number One featuring TeePee.
“I’m number one in life – in my life,” he tells me. “I choose to work towards that goal. If anyone doesn’t think they’re number one there is a problem. Everyone is a winner. I compete with myself. That’s the only way to be successful.”
On Number One, Psyfo raps: “Everywhere I go I’m always with my better half.” I ask if he is referring to his longtime girlfriend and former YoTV presenter, Cece Ravele.
He chuckles: “Yes, I was talking about her, but the line has two meanings. It’s also about my other half, my persona. The side that has to sign autographs, smile for pictures. There is a side to me that is shy. That is my better half.”