Entertainer Thando Sibeko, known professionally as Uncool MC, has entered a new chapter of his career with the release of his debut EP, Sesikude, earlier this month through Gamma.

The Kwa-Thema-born MC, DJ, songwriter, and recording artist has spent years building relationships with major Amapiano artists and performing on international stages. Meaning ‘we have come far’, the project celebrates his journey and signals where he intends to go next.

From his childhood in Kwa-Thema, east of Johannesburg, to moving to Sandton, building connections in the music industry and travelling internationally, the EP reflects the experiences that have shaped him. For Sibeko, however, the journey is about more than how far he has travelled. It is about recognising his potential and finding the confidence to step forward as an artist.

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“I have decided to share my story of my experiences throughout my childhood memories, growing up in Kwa-Thema and moving up north to rub shoulders with my colleagues in the industry and going on to travel the world,” says Sibeko.

His years behind the microphone alongside established artists helped him discover the qualities he wanted to bring into his own music.

“Throughout the years of collaborations, I identified certain elements of myself that I saw as my strength to be able to start putting together my own music, which I later decided to express into a story that I’d put into a project,” he says. “This means everything to me because I put my all into it for people to experience Uncool MC the artist.”

Building confidence in the industry

That transition also required a belief in himself, particularly in an industry where experience and visibility do not always guarantee success as a recording artist. For Sibeko, confidence comes from trusting the journey, continuing to work on his craft and understanding that artistry goes beyond simply releasing songs.

He believes that the more time an artist spends creating, the more they learn about themselves and what they want their music to communicate. His approach is reflected in Sesikude, which he describes as an opportunity for listeners to spend a day with him through music. Rather than limiting the project to one particular message or mood, he wants it to capture different emotions and experiences.

The aim is to give listeners a closer understanding of the person behind the entertainer, allowing them to connect with his story while experiencing the music on their own terms. For him, the process of creating the EP also meant learning when to stop adding to a project and trust what he had produced. After playing the music for others and observing their reactions, he reached a point where he felt the project was complete.

That sense of contentment reflects a growing confidence in his own artistic decisions, rather than relying entirely on outside validation to determine whether his work is ready.

Chart success and future vision

The journey towards this EP began with the release of Setla on September 4. Featuring DJ Maphorisa, Focalistic and Ntsako XVI, the single introduced the sound and energy behind the project.

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The track reached number one on South African radio, giving the release further momentum as Sibeko introduces audiences to a new side of his artistry. While the single has brought attention to the project, Sesikude represents something more personal: an opportunity for him to move beyond being the voice that helps bring other artists’ performances to life and establish his own identity as a performing and recording artist.

His experience on stage, energetic performances, and ability to connect with crowds have helped shape his career. Now, he is drawing on those strengths to build something of his own.

“I want people to take positivity, endurance and consistency from the project, because those are the elements that helped me come this far in this journey,” he said.

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