Lehlohonolo Mabanga, better known by his stage name Chosvn recently dropped a twelve track mixtape titled Sincerely Yours under Seadly Records. The mixtape follows the rapper’s first body of work, Watching From The Sidelines, which was released in February last year.
808 PLUG caught up with Chosvn to discuss all things Sincerely Yours, and to get to know him a bit better.
For those who might not know you yet, who is Chosvn?
Chosvn is a 23 year old rapper from Dipkloef in Soweto. I’m a poet and a dreamer who is in love with the hip hop game and culture. I don’t only plan to play the game, I plan to change it as well. I’m a person who is always on a constant journey of self discovery through music as a form of art.
When, and how did your journey with music start?
My journey with music began at a very young age but I didn’t pay much attention to it, honestly. I am still discovering why I am so invested in music but I’ve always loved it.
What inspires you to write/ make music?
Writing music is a way for me to share/ relay stories of hope to other people and that inspires me. I want other people to know that they’re not alone.
What can you tell us about your latest mixtape Sincerely Yours?
Sincerely Yours is a letter about life, the good and bad times – as well as what we make out of life as individuals. I wrote the songs during a time when I was stuck between a rock and a hard place. I was going through so much self doubt and depression but still had to wear a smile.
What do you hope your fans/ listeners take away form Sincerely Yours?
I want them to be inspired to embrace everything that life has to offer. The love, pain, honesty, hope and self discovery. I also want them to be inspired to live in their truth and be their true authentic selves.
What can you tell us about your record label, Seadly Records?
Seadly and I are family. We ride together, grow together and they help me get my music out there.
Who are your biggest music influences?
I would say because I relate to his story, and because he is a dreamer, Nas. In terms of wisdom, Jay Z. I would also say Kendrick Lamar…off the record.
Which hip hop albums did you grow up listening to?
Snakes & Ladders by Pro Kid, College Dropout by Kanye West and The Warm by J. Cole – just to mention a few.
Which artists would you like to collaborate with someday?
Locally, I’d say Stogie T and internationally, I would love to work with Rapsody.
Off the record, I would like to go bar-for-bar with Kendrick Lamar.
What’s next for Chosvn?
Apart from releasing visuals for Sincerely Yours, I intend to continue my journey to self discovery.
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