Over the years, we've heard rappers change their names from Puff Daddy to P. Diddy, Tity Boi to 2 Chainz, Baby to Birdman and even Riky Rick to King Kotini. Whether or not fans like the name changes, sometimes artists feel the need to switch things up - like Tumi Molekane, who now goes by Stogie T.
During an interview on The Come Up Show, the rapper revealed why he decided to change his stage name to Stogie T, saying that apart from his ability to do whatever he wants because he is a "free artist," the name speaks to his growth in the hip-hop industry.
"I think it just correlates with my growth and being an older dude and an elder spokesperson for hip-hop," he explained to the Canadian-based radio broadcast show.
Tumi further claimed that the new name is also a reflection of a new sound that he is currently exploring, given that 'Stogie' is another word for a cigar.
"I really enjoy cigars and some time alone. But the name also represents growth and a level of sophistication that I have achieved. Through many hustles, I am not a come up. Stogie is another word for a cigar and it shadows the new sound that I am exploring now."
Tumi is part of an endless list of rappers who changed their monikers, stage names, aliases or even stage-names for various reasons (spoiler: they are not as deep as his):
• When the copyright patrol came knocking, Biggie was forced to change his name from Biggie Smalls to the Notorious B.I.G.
• Young Jeezy is not only a snowman, but seems to be a psychic too. He used to be known around Atlanta as Lil J, but he had a feeling he wouldn’t always like the name “Lil,” so he changed his name to Young Jeezy. Good call on Jeezy’s behalf.
• Diddy is a man of many names. He started off his career as Puff Daddy, then changed his name to P.Diddy, and only a few years later after that, he decided just plain old Diddy would do.
• Before there was T.I. there was TIP. The Atlanta rapper was given the name “Tip” by his grandfather, but out of respect for his label mate Q-Tip, T.I. decided to drop the “p” and stick with T.I.
• K.Dot makes it hot! Compton rapper Kendrick Lamar used to go by the stage name K.Dot, but in 2009, the Poetic Justice rapper decided to return to his roots and use his birth name, Kendrick Lamar.
I'm an elder spokesperson for hip hop: The reason behind Tumi Molekane's name change
Over the years, we've heard rappers change their names from Puff Daddy to P. Diddy, Tity Boi to 2 Chainz, Baby to Birdman and even Riky Rick to King Kotini. Whether or not fans like the name changes, sometimes artists feel the need to switch things up - like Tumi Molekane, who now goes by Stogie T.
During an interview on The Come Up Show, the rapper revealed why he decided to change his stage name to Stogie T, saying that apart from his ability to do whatever he wants because he is a "free artist," the name speaks to his growth in the hip-hop industry.
"I think it just correlates with my growth and being an older dude and an elder spokesperson for hip-hop," he explained to the Canadian-based radio broadcast show.
Tumi further claimed that the new name is also a reflection of a new sound that he is currently exploring, given that 'Stogie' is another word for a cigar.
"I really enjoy cigars and some time alone. But the name also represents growth and a level of sophistication that I have achieved. Through many hustles, I am not a come up. Stogie is another word for a cigar and it shadows the new sound that I am exploring now."
Tumi is part of an endless list of rappers who changed their monikers, stage names, aliases or even stage-names for various reasons (spoiler: they are not as deep as his):
• When the copyright patrol came knocking, Biggie was forced to change his name from Biggie Smalls to the Notorious B.I.G.
• Young Jeezy is not only a snowman, but seems to be a psychic too. He used to be known around Atlanta as Lil J, but he had a feeling he wouldn’t always like the name “Lil,” so he changed his name to Young Jeezy. Good call on Jeezy’s behalf.
• Diddy is a man of many names. He started off his career as Puff Daddy, then changed his name to P.Diddy, and only a few years later after that, he decided just plain old Diddy would do.
• Before there was T.I. there was TIP. The Atlanta rapper was given the name “Tip” by his grandfather, but out of respect for his label mate Q-Tip, T.I. decided to drop the “p” and stick with T.I.
• K.Dot makes it hot! Compton rapper Kendrick Lamar used to go by the stage name K.Dot, but in 2009, the Poetic Justice rapper decided to return to his roots and use his birth name, Kendrick Lamar.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos