Riah Skit looks to global stardom

South African hip hop idols set their eyes on aspiring rapper Riah Skit, after a video of him rapping for his school teacher went viral on social media.

Bedfordview High School Grade 11 learner Khumo Bokaba known by his stage name “Riah Skit”, was influenced as a young child by family members who rapped and produced music around him.

In 2014, he decided to grab the mic by downloading a software app, and created his own beats, and began rapping.

By the time he was 15, Khumo had taught himself to freestyle rap.

“I usually look around at what’s around me, and then come up with the words.

“My freestyle also depends on the moment, whether I am in a rap battle or if I am just doing it for fun,” said Khumo.

He released his first single in 2015 titled ‘The Stakes’.

“I write and produce most of my own music, although I do work with other producers.

“I find it easier to work with someone who gets me,” said Khumo.

Khumo said the worry of choking while rapping creeps in his mind, but he perseveres through it.

“I use to be shy, I was never really confident.

I was in Grade Nine when I decided not to care what people thought about me. I learnt not to catch feelings anymore,” said Khumo.

For now Khumo said losing is not an option, winning is all he is after.

Khumo said his school has been a huge support, although in the beginning he got a negative response for his raps.

“As soon as I dropped my first song, and everyone saw my work ethic, other learners began to like me. They even gave me the nickname, ‘Yo-Yo’,” said Khumo.

His family is a big influence on Khumo’s drive to succeed in the music industry.

“The family members who influenced me as a child, never got the chance to make a career in the industry.

“This has given me this drive to work even harder.

“Wanting success drives me, although my mother and my sister are the main reason for me never giving up.

“We have been through many trials and tribulations as a family. I’ve seen things I never want my younger sister to see.

I do this for her. I want her to have a better life. I tell myself I will only sleep when I die,” said Khumo.

Khumo went viral on December 30 2019 when a video of him freestyling for his life orientation teacher Miss Emily Pulumo was posted online.

He said the freestyle rap was about the emotional feelings his teacher was experiencing, but then gradually became something more.

By the end of January, Khumo’s video had 500 views.

“My phone was off the day I went viral.

“I remember waking up the next day, and saw my video was everywhere.

“I dint even have a Twitter account at that point, a friend posted my video on her account.

“I got to school and everyone was staring at me. My video ended up getting 15 000 views ever since,” said Khumo.

Multiple hip hop artists such as Scoop Makhathini, Reason, Rouge and Emtee, among others, all responded to his video.

“I couldn’t believe my skills has gotten me to the point where artists I admire have begun to notice me.

“I finally had an opportunity to showcase my talent,” said Khumo.

Khumo now yearns to be a global superstar.

“I want my music to reach people of different languages, and connect with them.

“South African hip hop is in a good space, but I want to take it to another level.

“I also want to take the genre to another platform. I want to be a black rock star,” said Khumo.

Hip hop artist Reason met with Khumo at his school recently to show him support.

“Reason said I was going places, no matter what I might face.

“He asked me when I started rapping, and what I wanted to achieve, and promise he would provide assistance where he could.”

“He told me to not lose focus on school work, and mostly work on my music over weekends.

“His support means the world to me,” said Khumo.

Khumo will not take no for an answer.

“Producers and studios have told me my sound is whack and I am not dope enough; sometimes people don’t connect, but I will keep pushing on and do it my way,” said Khumo.

Khumo is interested in going into acting, modelling and singing.

He said he wants to study business or psychology, depending on how this adapts to his music endeavours.

Looking back, Khumo said going viral was surreal, and is grateful for the experience.

“I was confused, excited and scared I might mess this up, but much like Eminem said in his song, ‘Lose Yourself’, you only get one shot,” said Khumo.