Rapper X-Man is taking Pedi rap to greater heights.

The man from Zone 1, Mahwelereng in Mokopane, Limpopo, is at the forefront of Morumokwano - which means "rhyme" in Northern Sotho. The 32-year-old - whose real name is Jeffrey Kgosana - mixes old Pedi idioms with new-age township slang. X-Man believes this combination can bring him commercial success.

To attest to his unique form of rap, Kgosana released a single called Keleketla, which featured former Gumshev member Fistos. Dikeleketla are Pedi folk tales that have been lost to the younger generation over time.

"I know what they are because I'm Pedi," X-Man points out.

"I don't know how to recite them but they are a part of my culture. I use the richness of the Pedi language as an advantage.

"My creativity is normally inspired by my mood and where I am. I've had many ups and downs in life but I try to share my experiences with other people through my lyrics," he says.

Kgosana first came into the spotlight when he featured in a Welcome to the North documentary by Space Monna as part of the duo Manikiro with rapper Kgokgopha Mokhure.

The pair broke up soon after that and each went on to pursue a solo career.

"We had our differences and decided to move on," says X-Man. He then swiftly moves on to the current urban independent music scene in Limpopo.

"Pedi hip-hop artists get booked now. We move around the province and there is a lot of support. Pedi rap has been around for a long time. All that is needed is national exposure," he says.

X-Man is currently a full-time performer but bemoans the "exploitation suffered by independent artists".

"I don't think promoters pay us what we're worth or what they should. Even the treatment they give us is not appropriate. Sometimes I see posters with my name informing people that I would be performing, when in fact I'm totally in the dark.

"Imagine finding out about a show that way but because we are struggling artists we end up attending, just to make a bit of money," he says.

Some of X-Man's songs indulge the lingo and culture of Mahwelereng township.

mashotol@sowetan.co.za