Tumi Molekane

Poet and rapper Tumi Molekane talks about his surging career and performs for us.

He was born in Tanzania in the late 70’s while his parents lived there in Exile from South Africa and in 1992 he returned and took residence in Soweto.  Best-known as the lead vocalist of hip-hop ensemble, Tumi and the Volume, and with an internationally successful solo career, he released his latest effort “Return of the King” earlier this year. Joining us on the couch is Tumi Molekane.

Admired by his fans for his poetic lyrics, Molekane believes that being born in a political household has influenced his art: ''The ideas you grow up with carry into everything you do. The music is formed with a sense of my value system and my purpose - you can hear that in it."
Formerly lead vocalist of Tumi and the Volume that was disbanded in 2012, Molekane remains a vital force as a solo artist.
His skill as a lyricist provides critical insights into the inheritance of violence from post-apartheid South Africa.

His self-awarded title, "King", gives an indication of his confidence. He says he approaches his own music with the assumption that it's important and that the public will value it for enjoyment at their parties, to relieve their problems and to offer reflection. Return of the King is a hip-hop album influenced by afro beats that mixes Kenyan music with Congolese beats.

Contact:

Twitter: @TumiMolekane
Facebook: Tumi
Instagram: @tfromthev