Hip-hop group inspires the youth
Hip hop group KRAFT (Kings From a Foreign Tribe) shares Christ through their art.
The group aims to uplift young people by encouraging and giving them hope through their story telling.
“We mold the music scene by offering an alternative sound and giving a different perspective,” said Sipho “Kleezy” Nkosi.
Kleezy said the group consists of four members, including himself. The other group members are Demond “Baz” Mansoe, Sihle “Vortex” Mngomezulu and Isaac “Torch” Ndou.
When asked about their relevance to the youth, Vortex said their music genre is boombap hip-hop. It is an old school sound and is content driven.
“We are always improving our creativity and we don’t want to put a limit on our growth,” said Kleezy.
The group members said there are not a lot of Gospel hip-hop groups that interact with young people from diverse walks of life, with different belief systems.
The group started in 2005.
“We met at church and we would perform free-style behind the church,” said Baz.
“We called the corner behind the church ‘the dungeon’,” he said.
Torch said he used to have a studio at that time and all his friends would come through and they would all rap to various beats.
“What really united us was the love of hip-hop and we felt that was the only medium to preach the word of God as we can’t all be in the pulpit,” said Baz.
He also said that groups fall apart but KRAFT will not because they are friends and the music is a by-product of that friendship.
“The hardest thing about being in a group is considering someone else,” said Torch, quoting Q-tip.
“We share the burden, which is to see KRAFT going as far as its potential can go. We are at the mercy of God’s will,” said Torch.
The group has performed on various stages and they don’t like to name-drop.
“It’s because we love the movement and it is bigger than all of us,” said Vortex.
When asked about vulgar content, he said they aim to make music that even parents can listen to.
“To those who don’t know us yet, take note that you can expect an authentic, fresh sound and good alternative hip-hop,” said Kleezy.
The group will soon jet off to Port Elizabeth for an event on July 25.
