Katlego Motshweneng, better known by his stage name Ellipsis is nothing short of a musical all-rounder. The 23 year old rapper dropped his debut EP, Trench Warfare – where he gives us both lyricism and good vocals, in November of 2020. The nine track EP is a portrayal of his undisputable talent and versatility. Trench Warfare is an infusion of Hip Hop and R&B – with a good balance of both genres. 808 PLUG caught up with Ellipsis to talk all things Trench Warfare, and get to know more about his artistry.
For our readers who are just getting to know you, who is Ellipsis?
So many responses ran through my mind when I thought about this question. Probably because there are so many ways to answer it. But to keep it concise, I’d say Ellipsis is someone who fell in love with music so profoundly, that he had to do more than just listen to it. There was a need for it to flow from me and into the world.
What’s the story behind your stage name, “Ellipsis?”
I never saw the need for a stage name, funny enough. I just went by Katlego, my first name. Some time went by and making music became more and more of a priority to me. One night, my best friend texted me. “Dawg, what’s your rap name?” to which I responded, “I don’t have one. But if I did, it would be Ellipsis.” From then onwards, it was settled. He even nicknamed me Eli as in, (ee-lie), from then onwards. I chose Ellipsis because I was always intrigued by the punctuation mark (that is:…) which by definition, refers to the omission of words so as to imply that there is more to the phrase or story at hand. And so I felt that this is what I want to do. I want to bring words that are often unspoken, into the light. Also, there have always been three cornerstones to my artistry and craft (rap, vocals/singing and poetry) -which would be what the three dots essentially represent. At times I portray all three of these traits on a single song/project. And that’s the story behind my stage name.
What inspired your EP, Trench Warfare?
What’s crazy is that, Trench Warfare started out as a few snippets we intended to put out to excite whoever would take the time to listen; to entice them in a “something big is on the way” kind of approach. Because of this, the ambiance and creative flow surrounding the project was very casual, experimental, without boundaries -a “flex your lyrical muscles on a futuristic beat” type of ambiance. This was the general pool of inspiration we drew from in the beginning. But that changed. A lot of times when I talk to my producer/fellow artist Earl Dwayne, who produced most of it, or when I speak to anyone who’d care to ask, I always refer to the EP as an organism that grew and developed on its own pace and time. I have no idea how many times I thought it was finished and yet was later confronted with an inkling that it needed something else, something more. It so happens that I was also going through some of the hardest times of my life during the creation process (roughly 2018/19). My grandmother had passed which triggered several unfortunate events. Some of which are still bearing repercussions that I’m still dealing with today. And so writing this project became a sort of medicine for the pain that was stemming from all my adversity, all my frustrations and longing to get a foot in the door as far as the industry is concerned, to succeed. That just again, sums up the project.
When and how did your journey with music start?
My journey with music started between the ages of eight to eleven years old. As to how it started? I would listen to whatever it is that my parents would play in the car while I was in the backseat. My mother always roasts me about how I would dramatically stare out of the car window because I was listening that attentively. Then I went from listening to singing along to every single lyric -word for word. I knew the lyrics to music by the likes of Lionel Richie, Luther Vandrous, Celine Dion, R. Kelly (of course way before I was aware of the atrocities this man has committed) and a few others I can’t recall. And then in primary school, I think I was about twelve years old at the time, a friend of mine insisted on dragging me to choir auditions. The conductor asked me to sing the clichè Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. After I was done, she said to me, “You have a nice voice” to which I thought, “I have a what?” I’ve never had those words extended to me before in my life. I was never under the impression that I even possessed what others would call “a nice voice.” And so, choir became a sanctuary I often took refuge in from that moment. Even throughout high school. I met Dwayne around late 2015 and we’ve been cooking ever since.
Who are your biggest music influences?
My biggest influences have to be, Chris Brown, my aunt used to have CDs packed with his music videos and we’d watch those for hours. I’ve always wanted to sing and dance like him. Logic, who showed me a completely new, more advanced, playful and wonder-filled avenue to lyricism. Kendrick Lamar, this man painted pictures in my mind with nothing but words. Big Sean, who always makes me think my way into factions of my mind that I’ve never seen before. Jermaine Cole, using nothing but pen and paper, he taught me to embrace the imperfections that come with being human. Kanye West -a lot of rappers claim to be kings, he’s one of the few that actually embody and is the visual representation of the title. Lil’ Wayne -he’s literally my Punchline 101 lecturer/ professor because he’s so phenomenal when it comes to that and I’ve always wanted to be like him in that regard. And Eminem. Listening to him always made me feel like I can do/overcome anything.
Which artists would you like to work with in the future?
Working with The Big Hash has been an idea I’ve been entertaining for quite a while. Hopefully things align in order to make that happen. I’d love to do something with Kimosabe -another amazing R&B, local talent. Kly as well. R&B hittas aside, doing a record with the likes of Wichi 1080, a local and phenomenal producer, would be out of this world. Getting on a record with Zoocci Coke Dope would be a dream come true for sure. And probably most ambitious dream feature, Anatii.
What are some of your all-time favourite Hip-Hop albums?
Everything Is For Sale by Westside Boogie, Tha Carter IV by Lil’ Wayne, Recovery by Eminem, Under Pressure by Logic, 2014 Forest Hill Drive and Born Sinner by J. Cole, Dark Sky Paradise and I Decided by Big Sean, Refiloe by Cassper Nyovest, Reece Effect by A-Reece, Take Care and Nothing Was The Same by Drake, as well as To Pimp A Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar. Too many to name them all.
What’s your favourite song from the EP?
Power/Rap Asylum has to be my favourite song on the EP. It’s probably strange to pick the intro but like I said, writing this project became very therapeutic and out of all of them, this song expresses what I was going through the most accurately. It captures that persistent, underlying hunger that just won’t leave you alone when you’re on the come up, while speaking on the adversity, anguish and the growing pains of becoming an adult.
What’s next for Ellipsis?
Two mixtapes are what’s in the pipeline. These are what I’m primarily focusing on as far as my next step is concerned. They’ve been in the works for a while. Since before the first lyric for Trench Warfare was written believe it or not. Hoping to drop one of these early next year. As for now, I’m grappling to get some visuals out for Kingdoms -one of the songs on the Trench Warfare EP, and hopefully dropping a few new singles as well.
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