Johannesburg based artist MoPhunk dropped a genre-bending album tilted Afrobots, in June of this year. 808 PLUG caught up with MoPhunk to talk about his album and get to know more about his artistry.
For our readers who are just getting to know you, who is MoPhunk?
Born in Johannesburg and raised in the South Western Township. MoPhunk is, at first a visual artist who has had a knack for visual artistry from his primary school years. He later fell in love with Hip-Hop culture when his father used to drive him to school in the morning while listening to Mostweding FM – which played Motswako back then. That is how his love for Hip-Hop would naturally develop, making him slowly gravitate towards every other aspect of the culture. A visual artist, producer, rapper and a poet.
You dropped an album titled Afrobots earlier this year. What inspired the album and its title?
The album is simply inspired by addressing the elephant in the room, which is how Africans are behaving as though they are being manipulated and programmed to act a certain way – just like robots. Instead of actually dealing with the root cause of injustices committed by our leaders, we find ourselves fighting amongst each other and treating each other horrifically. We find ourselves in positions where black people can’t provide for their families, which automatically increases the crime rate. Hence the term Afrobots – afro people behaving like programmed robots.
The third track on the album is titled A Black Babies Intelligence. How important is black consciousness to you?
Knowing your roots is fundamental because it will help you get a clearer idea of who you are. Also knowing the world you’re living in is just as important. Understanding your feelings and emotions is important in learning how to control them. As well as energy and time – which are the most valuable things every human being has. Belief also awakened me. Some religious people believe in their abilities and practice, which works for them. Some black conscious people preach all that truth but they don’t believe in it, nor do they practice it. Knowing who you are as a black person is empowering. It adds to self-esteem. But, I often think to myself – would there be such a concept as black consciousness or would it just be consciousness if we lived in a world without racism?
Which song from the album resonates with you the most?
I like For My Mother but my favourite has to be A Day In The Life. The song has a nostalgic feel, since I was talking about what happened in the past. The song sounds and feels like it’s being played from a record player, which gives me a reminiscing feeling. I just find myself smiling when I listen to it.
When and how did your journey with music start?
I went to a school where everyone would participate in artistic activities such as the choir and poetry. That is when I got introduced to music and poetry. We would also learn instruments such as the flute, marimba and drums. We would practice playing these instruments and go up against other catholic schools like ours in competitions. When we were in grade four, we won our first poetry prize when we beat every school, despite being the visitors. We never liked choir practice but I remember how much we enjoyed poetry because it had more expressions and feelings. But, when we were introduced to Hip-Hop, everything changed. I never thought I would love something as much as I love Hip-Hop…not even poetry.
Who are your biggest music influences?
Locally, it has to be HHP. His album YBA 2 NW changed my artistry as a Tswana man. My other inspirations are Tumi & The Volume as well Proverb. Internationally, it has to be 50 Cent – he had me dressing like him. But as of late, I find myself listening to less Hip-Hop and listening to Lo-Fi, Trip Hop and similar genres instead.
What are some of your all-time favourite Hip-Hop albums?
YBA 2 NW by HHP, The Manuscript by Proverb, Get Rich Or Die Trying by 50 Cent, The Infamous by Mobb Deep, The Graduation by Kanye West, Pick A Dream by Tumi & The Volume, Fantasy by Kanye West, Madvillainy by Madlib and MF DOOM, Things Fall Apart by The Roots, Enter The 36 Chamber by Wu Tang Clan as well as The Miseducation by Lauryn Hill.
Which artists would you like to work with in the future?
I would love to work with Ginger Trill, Fly Anakin, Flvme and Domo Genesis – just to mention a few.
What’s next for MoPhunk?
Well I haven’t actually told anyone this so it’s exclusive. I am going to release a beat tape early next year. The tape is complete so it’s just a matter of release. I’m also working on a project with a rapper and producer which will be a collaboration that will be released next year as well. So I plan on putting out two projects next year.