Paperweight is definitely no light weight rapper
Rudzani "Paperweight" Ratshikhopha is also the co-founded of Venrap and the University of Venda (Univen) hip hop sessions with DJ Complexion and Katz.
THOHOYANDOU – RAPPER and music producer, Rudzani “Paperweight” Ratshikhopha (28) from Muledane outside Thohoyandou is working hard to establish his brand in the music industry.
Ratshikhopha is also the co-founded of Venrap and the University of Venda (Univen) hip hop sessions with DJ Complexion and Katz.
He holds an honours degree in urban and regional planning and is currently registered with the University of Pretoria for a master’s degree in town and regional planning and a certificate in geographic information system from Univen and a certificate in project management with the University of South Africa.
“I wanted to be a singer from an early age and I joined the Univen choir in 2003. My first single, Dream Catchers, received a lot of air play on most community radio stations around Limpopo.
I have also recorded jingles for various radio stations such as Univen FM, Turf FM, Makhado FM, GTFM and Phalaphala FM,” says Ratshikhopha.
“I have already recorded tracks such as Zwiliwa Zwa Ndevhe, Ndi Rine Fhedzi and Dream Catchers.”
The success of a collaboration with his friend, Oli-V on the track, Ndi Rine Fhedzi, lead to the signing of a recording deal with a Limpopo-based recording company, Pro-Entertainment, and this lead to the formation of the group, Tsunami, which recorded The Musical Disaster Phase 1 with Kaygizm of Morafe.
Ratshikhopha says he is currently working on his first solo album, which will feature various artists and producers.
“The project serves as evidence of my maturity. I have been in the industry for years. I am a storyteller and I have a lot to teach society, which is faced with war, rage, poverty and illnesses. My music carries wisdom and comfort. The upcoming album will cater for all music lovers from young to old, new school to old school and composes a mixture of English and vernacular raps,” he says.
He says will release the single, The Hip Hop Comrade in December.
“Tracks on the album include He Ndaa, Luwani featuring Killah Gee and I’m Back Featuring Oli-V and Itumeleng Banda. The album will be released in July next year.”
