Recording artist and producer VenomRaps’ pen game is the definition of lethal. The rapper dropped an EP titled Home For The Holidays in March of this year. This came just a few months after he released a collaborative EP titled Off The Raps with fellow artist Ofentse, in August of 2020. VenomRaps shows off his undisputable lyricism all throughout the 2 track EP, with the backing of melodic beats -bringing the masterpiece together.
808 PLUG caught up with VenomRaps to talk all things Home For The Holidays and get to know more about his artistry.
For our readers who are just getting to know you, who is VenomRaps?
VenomRaps is Mnqobi Zolani Malevu, a Hip-Hop artist from Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal.
What is the story behind your stage name?
The story behind VenomRaps is actually quite a corny one if I can call it that. I basically chose the concept of venom because of how it’s always most effective after it reaches the heart. I wanted to do the same thing with my music, end up in people’s hearts and hopefully have an effect on them.
What inspired your EP, Home For The Holidays?
Home For The Holidays is my offering to my hometown. I wanted to make something that will say “Hey, I’m from here and this is me” hence the first track’s title, 12PM in Newcastle. I was back home and I was making a lot of music but I needed something that will truly represent me, while also representing where I’m from.
The title of your project Home For The Holidays suggests that you have a special connection with where you’re from. Would you say that where you’re from has played a role in your artistry?
Of course. I draw inspiration from everything and everyone around me. Being home during the time I was making this project was an experience on its own, I moved at my own pace, said whatever I wanted to say and I was completely myself the entire time. For me, that’s what making music should feel like. As an artist, you’re constantly going through stuff in your head and being able to do what you love in a comfortable space really takes some of the pressures away.
When and how did your journey with music start?
I started writing my own lyrics when I was about 11 years old, I kept on writing but I really didn’t take is seriously up until I finished high school back in 2016. That is when I decided to pursue music as a career. I’ve never looked back since.
Who are your biggest music influences?
I would say I’m highly influenced by J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Isaiah Rashad and many more. But to be completely honest, musically, I am mostly influenced by my peers. Those guys have plugged me to so much music and information that I wouldn’t be the artist that I am today without them.
What are your all-time favourite Hip-Hop albums?
In no particular order I would say 2014 Forrest Hills Drive by J. Cole, To Pimp A Butterfly and Good Kid m.a.A.d City by Kendrick Lamar, as well as 3001:A Laced Odyssey by Flatbush Zombies.
Which artists would you like to work with in the future?
I’d really like to work with a lot of artists. Locally, I believe that Joda Kgosi and I would make some fire tunes. A-Reece and Nasty C would be ideal too but there are many more, the list is endless. JID would probably be a tick off my bucket list.
What is your favourite song by yourself and why?
My favourite song by myself is The Exir from my mixtape Potent Soul 2. I was very open on that song, it’s probably my most honest song. I wrote that song while I was in Durban, feeling all kinds of anxious and my only escape was music. I wanted to write a very introspective song and I did exactly that. There was a previous version of that song that I leaked before but then realised that I would be wasting a really good song. I’m glad I reworked it and it came out the way that it did.
What’s next for VenomRaps?
It’s only up from here, I don’t want to get into specifics but I have a lot of visual content on the way. You guys will be seeing and hearing a lot from me soon.
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