Bloemfontein based rapper GXE is nothing short of a musical all-rounder. The recording artist and producer recently dropped a fiery single titled Danko! which features rapper A-Shaun.
The release comes after the drop of his tuneful single 1+1 produced by Kidplug, which was released on the 3rd of June this year.
808 PLUG caught up with GXE to talk all things Danko! and get to know more about his artistry.
For our readers who are just getting to know you, who is GXE?
Vuyolethwu Gxe popularly known as GXE is a South African rapper and producer born in Bloemfontein, but raised in Tembisa. I am inspired by the environment that I grew up in. My music can be defined as a raw, authentic and ghetto gospel for every township.
What’s the story behind your stage name, GXE?
It’s funny cause I used to call myself King Tortoise. The name was inspired by my childhood friends who used to call me Slow. They still do actually. As I grew older and started taking music seriously, King Tortoise started sounding lame to me. I didn’t wanna be known as a tortoise. After struggling to come up with a cool rap name, I ended up using my surname GXE as my stage name instead.
What can you tell us about your new single, Danko! ?
When I moved to Bloemfontein, I had to reinvent myself. I had to adapt to change. I also had to look back on every project I dropped, including the sound I had developed – and say thank you, but I need something new. I struggled to make music for months because I felt uninspired until my manager knocked some sense into my head. I had so many excuses for not making music. While working on my single 1+1 which dropped before Danko, I met A-Shaun at a homie’s studio. We spoke, one thing led to the next and fastforward, we have one of the hottest singles in the 015.
What inspired the single?
Lately, I’ve been appreciative for everything that I have. I’ve been giving thanks for life, blessings, as well as the strength to wake every morning and stay on my grind. So it felt right to name the song Danko!
How and when did your journey with music start?
My love for music started in school. I was that kid who would write lyrics instead of classwork. I used to skip school just to go hang around the studio and watch big homies make music. During my matric year in 2016, I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life after school because all I knew was music. So I entered a TV rap show. Out of 200 entries, I made it to top 40 which boosted my confidence. I held my first show (which was successful) during that same year. After finishing school, everything just started building up. From writing, producing, making beats, hosting my own gigs and engineering my own tracks. I’ve always been open to learning new things and I still am. I always want to improve my sound and myself as an artist.
Who are your biggest music influences?
I grew up listening to Pro-Kid, Proverb and F-eezy. Those were my favourite rappers then, way before you could Google lyrics. I would write down their lyrics in my music book. My dad used to listen to a lot of Thandiswa Mazwai, Camagwini, Zahara and Simphiwe Dana. The authenticity in their music influenced me. When I grew older, I started loving the American rapper – Future. He is my favourite rapper till date. I love Kendrick Lamar too, I think he is the greatest artist of all-time. AKA, Emtee, Saudi, K.O, Riky Rick, Kabza De Small and Okmalumkoolkat are also some of my biggest music influences.
What are some of your all-time favourite Hip-Hop albums?
Locally, Pro-Kid’s Snakes & Ladders, K.O’s Skhanda Republic, AKA’s Touch My Blood and Emtee’s Manado. Internationally, Future’s DS2, Kendrick Lamar’s Good Kid m.a.A.D City and Kanye West’s Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.
What is your favourite song by yourself?
I love every single song that I’ve ever made but if I had to choose one, I would choose 1+1. It’s THAT song for me. Danko! slaps so hard, I’m tempted to choose it but 1+1 speaks to me. It’s the song I play every morning. It inspires me to be productive throughout the day.
Which artists would you like to work with in the future?
I really love the Amapiano wave. I would really love to work with the King, Kabza De Small. Stino LeTweeny are representing Bloemfontein so well, I love their sound and everything about them so I would like to work with them as well. I would also love to work with K.O, Riky Rick, AKA, Emtee and Blxckie – who is killing it in the game right now. I would be lying if I didn’t mention that I would also like to work with Cassper Nyovest.
What’s next for GXE?
I’m currently working on a project. I’m recording as many songs as I can in order to have more options to choose from for the project. I haven’t decided on the release date because I don’t want to pressure myself. But, it’s definitely coming. Me and my team have so many ideas that I can’t get into right now, but we’re pushing through this pandemic and lockdown. People should definitely expect more from me.