Local musician reaps rewards after two decades of passion
What started as a dream is now becoming a reality as Nkosi continues to pursue his passion, despite the negative comments he received while growing up.
For local kasi artist Lunga Nkosi (35) – stage name Lunchole – music has never been about fame or fast success, but a lifelong journey of passion, self-expression and perseverance.
On February 24, the hip-hop artist released a song titled “Vumani” to celebrate his accomplishments.
“I love this song. It addresses the negative feedback I’ve experienced towards my craft, so it helped me address all those negatives through what I love,” he said.
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Nkosi was influenced in music at a young age by his father’s gardener.
“He would play his guitar while he sang, and my brother and I used to dance to his performances. As I grew, I began to analyse song lyrics and write my own,” he explained.
He said listening to kwaito and hip-hop artists such as Mzekezeke, Brown Dash, Mr Selwyn and many more, developed his love for hip-hop. One of Nkosi’s biggest musical inspirations was the late South African hip-hop pioneer Linda Mkhize, also known as Pro Kid. He admired the artist’s authenticity in representing the kasi lifestyle.
Although Nkosi has been making music for two decades, his first official project was released in 2019. He said his songs “Ingozi” and “Kumbaya” were well received by the community after their releases in 2025 and 2026, respectively.
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After two decades behind the microphone, Nkosi aims to prove that passion, patience and authenticity can shape a meaningful journey in music, even far from the spotlight. For him, music is more than entertainment; it is therapy and a platform for personal expression.
