Ghettoboi IV grew up in Alexandra, where the daily grind of community pressure, taxis, taverns and Sunday church shaped the stories he now tells through music.

“Alexandra taught me that where you are from does not describe who you are, but it does shape what you have to say. My creativity comes from turning struggle into sound. I chose music as an escape, to give hope and encourage self-belief,” he said.

Read more: Alexandra musician GhettoBoi IV releases new single ‘Iphupho’

His passion ignited in 2018, when, surrounded by challenges and watching peers fall into bad habits, music became his way out. “I was saving my school lunch money to record my first single, Basazogcwala, on SoundCloud. The moment I heard my voice on a beat, I felt something I never felt before. It was like my pain finally had a voice. That’s when I knew this wasn’t just a hobby; it was my purpose. That’s why I do it – to show the youth in my kasi that talent lives here too.”

Fully self-taught, Ghettoboi IV drew strength from home struggles. “I did not want to disappoint myself or my family, so I promised myself that I would be the first person to get whatever we need. Not having money at home to continue with my studies made me take art seriously. Every MC I have met believed in me and kept me going even though things were not promising, but I chose it as a career either way.”

Key milestones marked his path: the 2018 SoundCloud release that proved he could do it, early performances and connections with supportive artists, and now his latest release, Iphupho, featuring Ngqimu. “The song represents a new chapter. I also got featured on GodFather Wase Kasi’s album, The Enlightenment, on Impilo Yase Kasi and Sophuma Ebumnyameni. The music video for Impilo Yase Kasi is available on YouTube.”

He has faced setbacks, including a former crew that doubted his style behind his back. “That broke me. I thought that was the time I had my own equipment. I struggled and ended up wanting to give up, but I did not. I found another crew from my kasi street. We worked, but because the pressure was too much, I chose to carry on with my matric. After matric, things worked out. That is where Isukile, my second release, represented me well. I chose myself again.”

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His artistic style is clear: raw, real and hopeful kasi soul. “I do not box myself into one genre. The foundation is always storytelling. It is music that lived in the hood, but dreams beyond it. In other words, I am an inspirational kasi storyteller who makes pain sound hopeful.”

His creative process starts with emotion rather than a beat. “Something happens in life – maybe I’m grieving, maybe I’m motivated, or maybe when I see something in Alex. That feeling sits with me. Then I hunt for a beat that matches that feeling. I let the hook come naturally before I write any words. A finished piece for me is when I can listen to it and it has to heal me first, before it heals anyone else.”

Life in Alexandra remains his biggest influence, alongside artists like Westlife, Mnqobi Yazo, Costa Titch, Maseven, Chaka Dolla and Malome Vector, who showed authenticity can earn global respect. “I am influenced by kasi reality and artists who proved that iphupho lakho [your dream] is valid.”

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