‘Bits and pieces’ of Tom Ravenous
Thomas Masingi, better known as Tom Ravenous, is a multi-talented artist and poet from Mokopane making a name for himself in the art industry.
POLOKWANE – Masingi (26) discovered he could write lyrics in 2006 and he participated in ciphers in high school. It was in 2009, his first year at the University of Limpopo where he studied psychology, that he really found his niche. Here he realised he is more of a poet than a rapper. “I started attending poetry sessions on campus every Tuesday and I met many talented people there. Being in that space allowed me the freedom to express myself,” he said.
In 2010, Masingi, together with Skumbuzo Innominate Mcwabeni and Mpho Madness Mabasa, formed a trio called Devine Thoughts. They released a rap album called Heavenly Prescribed Remedies which received a lot of positive reviews from underground hip hop fans. After the release of the project, Masingi decided to focus on poetry and started performing a lot at the University of Limpopo and in the city. In 2013, he saw that there was a need for a platform for poetry in his hometown, Mokopane.
“I partnered with Mokete Ledwaba and we founded a movement called Artistic Youth Expressions, which I now run with Semakaleng Rammutla. The movement has hosted many great acts from Polokwane, Turfloop, Johannesburg and Zimbabwe,” he explained.
Masingi is currently working on an anthology titled Bits and Pieces of a Broken People. “My poetry is heavily influenced by how society is designed. There are many injustices and they need to be addressed. Through poetry I have been able to travel and share my work with people. I have performed in Pretoria, Bloemfontein, Johannesburg and Bulawayo in Zimbabwe. I am a two-time winner of the Slam Emporium Polokwane (Poetry Slam) which was hosted by Mercy Dhliwayo,” he added.
Masingi is also an aspiring visual artist specialising in drawing and painting. “I have always had the ability to draw from a young age, however I did not take it seriously until last year when I enrolled for a visual arts course with Unisa. My artworks are visual poetry pieces because they express what I write about. What I love about art is it allows one to be themselves to the fullest. It is difficult to be an artist in an area where art is not appreciated or understood. Creating art keeps me sane; I cannot imagine my life without it.”
In the near future, he hopes to open an art gallery in his hometown and to continue growing Artistic Youth Expressions. For bookings, contact Masingi at thomasmasingi2604@gmail.com or call 076 526 5102.
