CUTTING through the classic rock and indie hits often played at the Warnadoone Ski Boat Club’s monthly open mic, on March 26, local rapper “Mielie” provided a welcome break from the routine.

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Jaco Vorster, who goes by “Mielie” as his stage name, was rapping over beats since he was just 12 years old. Anticipation slowly ramped as his beat began and before long, Mielie’s vernacular bars wowed the crowd.

The Illovo Beach resident said that as a child, he was chubby and his sister fondly nicknamed him kaboomielies. The name stuck and he would go on to use it as his stage moniker.

“I originally started writing rap music in English and improved as the years went by, drawing inspiration and influence from the likes of American rappers, Eminem and Kendrick Lamar. In the beginning, I had doubts, as my family were upset with my choice to become a rapper. They came around to believing in me more as I honed my craft. I took my sister’s advice and started to rap in Afrikaans,” said Jaco.

He performed an original song, “Jys Welkom,” during his open mic set. The energetic, ballad-like song forms part of his album, Nissan Primera 200 GSI, which can be listened to on YouTube www.youtube.com/@mieliesJVD22.

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