A rapper desperate for a breakthrough wants to put his past troubles behind him.
Tshepo "Tee Mok" Mokoena from Welkom, in Free State, has all the makings of a good rapper: skill on the microphone and battle scars from street brawls which have solidified his street cred. While most rappers would revel in the notoriety that comes with the senseless "beef", Mokoena wants nothing to do with that life.
"I have been in situations where people, perhaps driven by jealousy, attacked me for no particular reason. I have the scars to show for it," says Mokoena.
Though he now lives in the suburb of Seemeu Park, the father of a 10-year-old boy has not forgotten near-fatal injuries at the hands of thugs in his home township of Thabong.
"I have been through a lot in the past few years. I was hacked with an axe on my head in 2011 and the following year in 2012, I was stabbed in the head again.
"I am fortunate not to have lost my life in those attacks."
The qualified paramedic has also lost a tooth.
"It has been rough. I am glad I came out of it alive. That only made me stronger."
Before these attacks, the death of his mother Maletsatsi in 2010 sent him off the rails.
"I hung out with the wrong crowd. That resulted in all my troubles."
He has four albums under his belt so far: Hell is Home, Home Sweet Home, Mantswe A Ka and Greener Pastures.
Mokoena says he would like to work with Joburg-based Kalawa Jazzmee Records in the future.
"They know and respect the art."
If that doesn't work out, Mokoena says he is willing to continue going at it alone.
"I have released four albums on my own so far and, with the latest one, I have even shot four videos. All I need is someone who has faith in me to assist me and I will be well on my way to the top," he says.
selebim@sowetan.co.za
Tee Mok's a hip-hop cat with nine lives
A rapper desperate for a breakthrough wants to put his past troubles behind him.
Tshepo "Tee Mok" Mokoena from Welkom, in Free State, has all the makings of a good rapper: skill on the microphone and battle scars from street brawls which have solidified his street cred. While most rappers would revel in the notoriety that comes with the senseless "beef", Mokoena wants nothing to do with that life.
"I have been in situations where people, perhaps driven by jealousy, attacked me for no particular reason. I have the scars to show for it," says Mokoena.
Though he now lives in the suburb of Seemeu Park, the father of a 10-year-old boy has not forgotten near-fatal injuries at the hands of thugs in his home township of Thabong.
"I have been through a lot in the past few years. I was hacked with an axe on my head in 2011 and the following year in 2012, I was stabbed in the head again.
"I am fortunate not to have lost my life in those attacks."
The qualified paramedic has also lost a tooth.
"It has been rough. I am glad I came out of it alive. That only made me stronger."
Before these attacks, the death of his mother Maletsatsi in 2010 sent him off the rails.
"I hung out with the wrong crowd. That resulted in all my troubles."
He has four albums under his belt so far: Hell is Home, Home Sweet Home, Mantswe A Ka and Greener Pastures.
Mokoena says he would like to work with Joburg-based Kalawa Jazzmee Records in the future.
"They know and respect the art."
If that doesn't work out, Mokoena says he is willing to continue going at it alone.
"I have released four albums on my own so far and, with the latest one, I have even shot four videos. All I need is someone who has faith in me to assist me and I will be well on my way to the top," he says.
selebim@sowetan.co.za
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