Rising rap star makes hip hop TV show’s top four

TUMELO Rakumako (24), known as BigStar Johnson, is Kempton Park’s big rising rap star who has made it into the finale of DSTV Vuzu Amp’s reality hip hop show, Hustle.

The Birchleigh North resident is not only a rapper but also a producer, self-taught drummer, pianist, bass player and teacher.

Hustle first premiered on July 14 and aims to unearth South Africa’s next big rapper.

The winner will walk away with R250 000 in cash, a record and management deal valued at R250 000, a R100 000 music video for their winning song, accompanied by a six-month public relations contract

Three-time Channel O award winner AKA, MotswakOriginator Khuli Chana and rapper and poet Tumi Molekane, who are all successful in the South African hip hop industry, are the judges of the show which airs every Tuesday.

The judges are said to be looking for an undiscovered sensation who boasts the complete package, the sharpest and most memorable word skills, fresh and original beats, with the drive and determination to back up their talent.

After Rakumako’s performance in the seventh episode, Molekane got up from his chair and said it was a 10 out of 10.

At this point in the competition, the Birchleigh North star seems to be quite the favourite with the judges.

“It feels amazing, the reception is overwhelming, the pressure is managing to stay consistent, I don’t want this opportunity to slip through my fingers,” said Rakumako.

He claims the 10 second Instagram audition video he submitted for the show in June wasn’t that good.

“I was surprised to get the call back and to also make it through the psychiatric evaluation,” he added.

The thousands of audition entries were narrowed down, and the show started airing with 20 rappers.

Rakumako defies the typical rapper stereotype and goes to church every Sunday at New Day in Birchleigh North, he is a believer who prays and reads his Bible every day and prefers not to use derogatory language in his music.

“There’s already enough rappers using offensive language in their music, I’d just become a statistic. I try to avoid that, mainly because I respect music and I want to be respected and not just become known,” he said.

“The finish line is that I want to become a legend.”

The aspiring legend matriculated at Norkem Park High and holds a degree in media and communications.

“My folks were always preaching education and so I had to please them first before pursuing my dream, “he said.

Rakumako pointed out that he’s been really blessed to be able to make a living from his talent.

“If I wasn’t rapping I’d be in the corporate world, but I’m blessed that I’ve never had to work an office job as yet,” he said.

Although he’s a rapper, his favourite music genre is alternative and he mostly listens to the likes of Bob Marley and John Meyer.

Rakumako is currently working on a music project and hopes to release a single soon.

“I have had the privilege of featuring on songs by a few known artists,” he said.

He points out that sustainability in the music industry is about understanding the business side of things.

“It’s about understanding that it’s five per cent creativity and 95 per cent business, hard work and networking,” he explained.

After the Hustle show, whether he wins or not, Bigstar Johnson plans to push his project and hasn’t really thought about his long-term goals.

“I work with milestones, I have short term goals,” he added.

At the time of going to print, Rakumako was in the top four, and one contestant was about to get eliminated.