Meet urban artist Nkosana Madi
“I'm really creative in such a manner that I hate doing something that has already been done.
Kwa-Thema – Versatile creative art entrepreneur Nkosana Madi’s recent creation of a train has been featured at the South African Hip-Hop Museum.
Born and raised in Kwa-Thema, the 37-year-old attended Zamani Primary School and Reshogofaditswe Secondary School.
He later studied civil engineering at Springs College and information and technology for a year.
Madi started as a hip-hop DJ before transitioning into building his custom-made bicycles.
In 2016, he was adopted by the Grassroots Innovation Project, supported by the Department of Science and Technology.
“The first bicycle I created is here at home. I have lost count of how many times it has broken, but I never gave up on the idea.
“Every time something didn’t work, I would work on it. If it meant starting from scratch, I would do that until I got it right. I had to teach myself how to spray paint and do graphics with spray painting,” said Madi.
His bicycles are more lifestyle orientated than a mode of transport.
He said the idea for the train for the museum came about when he created a cassette table that has also been featured at the museum.
Also read: Springs Art Gallery to host Simphiwe Majozi
“The guy who runs the museum approached me with the idea. As most would know, back in the day trains were a big part of the hip-hop culture.
“Cyphers and rap-battles used to take place inside of trains. So, when he asked that I replicate a section of the train for him, I decided why not,” he said.
Madi added this was one of his biggest projects to date and it took him a month to complete.
He described himself as an urban artist who wants to provide practical solutions to problems.
Madi was also featured on the SABC 1 show, Born a Legend.
“I’m creative in such a manner that I hate doing something that has already been done. I don’t see a reason to create something that has already been made by another artist.
“Whatever I create, I want that when people look at it they are like, how did you do it or what were you thinking?” he explained.
Also read: Springs Art Gallery invites artists
Madi explained art is tricky as most times you find artists dying poor because of being married to their art without mastering the skills of capitalising from it.
He urged young creatives to follow their passion and added that no one was born perfect. His dream is to one day own an academy that will cater to creative individuals.
The museum will be open to the public on September 24.
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