Local musician’s star shines nationally
Kagiso-born rapper and singer Jankie Makopo describes how he started making his own music.
From being the opening act for Mafikizolo, being play-listed on national radio stations and working with music giants such as DJ Clock and Busiswa, it is clear that Jankie Makopa’s star is on the rise.
The singer and rapper was born and still lives in Kagiso and refuses to allow fame to go to his head.
Coming from a family of choir singers, the Princess High School alumnus began singing as a solo tenor in church at an early age.
Slowly his passion for music led him to becoming a signed artist at On point Records and he is about to release his debut album titled Phala.
“In 2009 while I was on duty as a flight attendant I met a prophet who asked me how my music was doing. This man knew nothing about me or my music, but he told me God wanted to talk to people through my music. Then I knew for sure that music was my calling,” he told the News.
He is involved in an initiative called Baitsanape Incorporated, working within local schools and helping to improve the community in terms of social thinking.
“I call it my 40-year plan. When the youth reaches the age of 16 they are compared to other youngsters, forgetting that our strengths and weaknesses are not the same. That is why I want to do this, so that the youth don’t drop out of university in their first year,” he told the News.
He said entering the mainstream music industry has been twice as hard as the West Rand always is overlooked; but that has not discouraged him.
When The News asked him what his advice to the youth was, he said, “Do not worship money if you want to be successful and if you want to keep it real, then learn about your culture.”
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