Rodisani – master of musical fusions
The Xitsonga hip-hop star, Rodney Dzunisani Mabunda, who fused his names together to form his stage name, Rodisani HipGaza, is passionate about hip-hop. He says he wants to take the game to new heights.
LIMPOPO – In 2014 Rodisani came up with his own genre of hip-hop, namely HipGaza, which combines traditional Xitsonga music with hip-hop. He works alongside Xitsonga music award-winning producer, DJ Gami. Inspired by the likes of Dr Thomas Chauke, Jeff Maluleke and hip-hop artists such as Prokid and HHP; Rodisani began writing his own songs at the age of seven. The young boy was raised by his mother at Nkomo village in Giyani. According to Rodisani, growing up without a father heavily affected him and he decided to express himself through music.
He was known as Smooth D until 2012, when he formed a group with his friends, MUG and Droozic. Their hit single, Vuya put Rodisani on the map as a songwriter and artist.
The following year, Rodisani began his solo career with the DJ Gami-produced track Ha swona leswi which features singer-songwriter and guitarist, Hlamalani.
“I rap about reality and things that I see happening around me,” said Rodisani.
“Life was difficult as I was raised by my mother who was a domestic worker. This inspired me to work hard,” he recalls.
The 25-year-old civil engineering graduate is not comfortable with being labelled as a rapper or even an engineer, but aspires to be known as a businessman and a community builder. He is determined to use his musical talent as well as qualification to make a difference in his community. Before he launches his album, Vukosi, which means royalty, Rodisani has a few programmes lined up for Nkomo village for the year which he hopes will not only get everybody dancing, but will also touch people’s lives.
