Gangsta Rap Made In Mdantsane - XLCapone,The Magnificient

You know right away when somebody is really passionate about something. But there are people who are a little bit more than that. They live for what they love. XLCapone seems to be one of them. Born and bred in Mdantsane he is a full blood musician and he makes his music, no matter that he has little means at his disposition.

XLCapone's name given to him by his mother is Lwanda. But XLCapone has become his name and there were a couple of other variations before that, so he told us. 

We met him like we have met many other people in Mdantsane. We bumped into him in front of the Mdantsane City Mall while we were getting a bite with Siseko Tose. XLCapone is Siseko's homeboy. And that is how it goes.

XLCapone is a rapper and there are different styles of rap, so we learned from him. His music is Gangsta rap.

"People think we are doing just the same thing as the Americans. They think we copy the Americans. But what we do is: we really we sing about our neighborhood. We sing about where we live. And my music talks about the life I live", XL Capone says.

He makes his own music but he also mixes other beats down. Everything he does happens from home. He is on facebook, twitter and on youtube.

" I am there 24 hours of 24 hours. I am on social media 24 hours a day", he says.

Living in an environment like Mdantsane, with few opportunities to get discovered, produced or promoted the social media platforms are the only way for many artists to bring their work out to the rest of the world. And  XL Capone is lucky enough that he knows how to use them to his advantage.

Mdantsane Homeboys Siseko Tose and XLCapone

There are hardly any productions companies in Mdantsane.

" When people are discovered, the talent is taken out of the township " he says, " Nothing is produced here locally."

We did learn a lot about the Mdantsane music scene and that people are crazy about House music and we are going to stay in touch with him. For now we are giving you a little taste of his beat. This is proof that the man can rap. We (LordAxHooper and Chocolat Negro) have filmed a short video in the Hi -way area just before the sun went down.
OK, now let me see if I can say this right: This video might offend sensitive ears. In other words lock the very small kids up! Parental guidance advised if you know what I mean.
For his defense he DID ask us if he is allowed to swear.