We chat up with the South African hip hop artist from Gauteng Province Amos Bongani Nkanyane, officially known as WIZZY THE CREATOR who is currently based in Pretoria and a full time medical student at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University. 

In this exclusive, he shares how he has been working on his craft and getting fans all over the world with his recent Album “THE OASIS VOL.II”, and announces the release of his second studio album on the 27th of October 2023, called “THE HEART’S ABYSS”, which is set to shake a new wave of South African Hip Hop Music.

THE INTERVIEW

How did you first discover your passion for music, and what inspired you to become a musician?

My older brothers played a lot of hip hop music in the house when I was growing up and I couldn’t help but vibe with it, slowly did I know that I was falling in love with hip hop music. Early 2014, my passion was strong to a point where I practiced how to write lyrics and be in sync with the free beats I found on the internet. I listened to a lot of Eminem, Kendrick lamar, J Cole, Lil Wayne, and that’s were I draw my inspiration.

I recorded my first in 2015 and the producer was still a learner and couldn’t produce quality, from the I had no hope for being a rapper. I continued writing lyrics until I came into varsity, in 2018 I met my bestfriend who is also a rapper and be got studio equipment and that’s were I reinforced my passion and made a demo tape which was released in 2020. The demo tape was bad and got taken down because I used free beats and the producers sold the beats as time went.

2021 I made an EP and I was learning how to mix and master my own sound, thats where my initial fan base developed, but I wasn’t where I want to be. So in the same year, I was learning how to produce my own beats and also master the sound. I ended up making a new project called THE OASIS VOL.II which is the album I released in 2022, and a lot of my fans stated the improvement in my sound quality and beat production. From there I skyrocketed, making sure that I improve everytime I produce a new song.

Describe your music in your own words. How would you define your unique style or sound?

I developed my own unique taste of style where I mix elements of trap, rap, RNB, trapsoul, dancehall and Latin music to come up with my own subgenre in HIP HOP called FusionFlow.

What is the story behind your latest album or project? What themes or messages are you trying to convey?

My music is basically inspirational and uplifting, and I’m using the concept I developed called FLOWS AND FLAWS, which means in every story I tell, I express the good and the bad perspective.

Can you walk us through your creative process? How do you typically go from an idea to a finished song?

It all starts in my head, for example I could be walking to a store then see something sad happening in the streets, then I come up with the topic of the incident. When I get to my room, I sit down and decide whether I want the story to be sad or inspirational, after choosing a theme I let the theme direct the beat production.

When I’m done producing a beat, I sit down and write the lyrics for the beat and practice a new flow specifically suited for that beat and message I’m trying to convey.

Do you have any rituals or routines that help you get into a creative mindset before writing or performing music?

I practically do not have a certain routine or ritual, I’m naturally a highly imaginative person and that’s the root of my creativity.

What challenges have you faced in your music career, and how have you overcome them?

Firstly, I started off as a rapper and couldn’t make beats, my demo tape was made using other producer’s beats and I couldn’t monetize the sound. Those songs were eventually deleted by platforms when other artists bought the same beats, I used for my demo tape. So that opened a door for me to learn how to produce my own beats. Secondly, my quality was bad, and I couldn’t get the engagement I was looking for, that was solved by me continuing to produce more music and learning new skills by watching YouTube videos and applying what I learned. Lastly, I wanted to become an official and upload my music on Spotify and other big platforms, I was stuck for that moment because I thought I was in need to be signed by a record label, but I found a video introducing Distrokid and that’s when I found my current distributor.

Are there any collaborations or artists you dream of working with in the future?

From South Africa, it will be Cassper nyovest, Nasty C, Maglera Doe Boy, Shane Eagle and other dope artists I don’t know yet.

Internationally, it will be CURREN$Y, J COLE, EMINEM, Kendrick Lamar, Styles P, Dave East, Lil Wayne, Dizzy Wright, Tech N9ne

Can you share a memorable or unique experience from one of your live performances or recording sessions?

When I made a beat for my song BANKS, I was just producing something for the sake of producing, but in that moment the melody I came up with was talking to me and started mumbling while adding other elements to the beat. I was in zone and couldn’t help connecting my microphone to test out how a flow would sound like, and that was when I freestyled 75% of the song.

Music often carries deep emotional and social messages. Are there any specific issues or emotions you aim to address through your music?

There’s a lot I got to say in this one, but I basically convey a message of strength, health, breakthroughs, inspiration, consciousness and love.

How has your cultural background or personal experiences influenced your music and lyrics?

All my songs are usually based on reality, it’s either I’m telling my experiences or other people’s experiences. I believe this will teach the listener something about what they might be going through.

What advice would you give to aspiring musicians who are just starting their own musical journey?

The marathon continues, we die once and live everything, and all we do in a day should count. Patience is key because not everything you want in this life you get it at the same time you want it, sometimes God delays your request to prepare you for the biggest blessings he has in store for you.

Are there any upcoming projects or tours that your fans can look forward to?

I’m releasing my second studio album on the 27th of October 2023. The album is called “THE HEART’S ABYSS”.

What does the future hold for you as a musician, and what are your long-term goals and aspirations?

The grass is greener on the other side, with my consistency I know I’ll make it big one day. I’ll continue delivering albums every year coupled with singles.

1. WIZZY THE CREATOR – BANKS

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/wizzythecreator/banks

2. WIZZY THE CREATOR – HOLD ON TIGHT

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/wizzythecreator/hold-on-tight-tshiamos-story

3. THE OASIS VOL.II (DEBUT ALBUM)

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/wizzythecreator/the-oasis-vol-ii-2