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Johannesburg – With his unique blend of hip-hop and maskandi music, it’s easy to see why new kid on the block, Dr. Bone, is quickly becoming a fan favourite, and why we picked him as one of our artists to watch in 2016 (more on that here).
The rapper, who hails from KZN, released his debut studio album, Lindelani, in April. His debut single, Noma Benga Khuluma featuring iNdidane, has received support on radio stations across the country.
The Juice sat down with this up-and-comer to find out more about his distinctive sound.
Where did you get the name “Dr. Bone”?
My grandfather had two wives, and I’m the youngest at home. They both wanted me to be a doctor, unfortunately that didn’t happen. I was a dancer before everything. I used to dance pantsula back then. I got the name bone, actually it was “no bones”, based on the way I used to dance back then. When I decided to rap I took the bone part, and then I added the doctor because I couldn’t fulfil my grandmothers’ dreams of me becoming a doctor so I’ll be like, okay let me be a rap doctor. A “rappyologist.”
How would describe your sound?
I think my sound is influenced a lot by African sound. I’m influenced a lot by maskandi music. To be specific iNdidane’s music. I wanted to make sure that when I come out with my album, I come out with something unique, something that most people will definitely relate to and it needs to be away from what is happening in hip-hop right now.
What sets you apart from other musicians?
I think that apart from my sound, it’s the fact that I’m a zulu boy, I’m a proud young farm-boy, so to say. I’m proud of who I am. I’m proud of where I grew up. I think in our days you find there’s a whole lot of people that really tend to try so hard to be something else, something they’re not. And I think when you’re honest with your music you stand out. When you're honest with yourself, honest with what you do, you stand out.
What would you consider your greatest achievement thus far?
Working with iNdidane, he’s my role-model, my idol. I wanted to work with him since, I don’t know when. And you find that not every person gets to meet their idols, let alone work with them. So my greatest achievement was working with him after 2 and a half to 3 years of looking for him, and two weeks after we recorded the song he passed away. And after all I’ve been through, to be signed by Warner Music, I think that was life changing for me.
Are there any other artists you would like to collaborate with?
I pick my features very carefully, I don’t go for the obvious. There’s Salif Keita. I would love to work with Salif Keita, I don’t know how to get hold of him, but I know I will. Internationally, I like Usher, I would love to do something with him you know he’s been in the game for quite some time. There’s Bruno Mars. I’d like to do something with Kendrik Lamar, I’d like to do something with J. Cole, and hopefully, Kanye.
What does the future hold for Dr. Bone?
Right now the most important thing is promoting my album, because I believe Lindelani has the potential of selling triple platinum, and I want triple platinum. And I won’t lie, I’m a new kid on the block, but the sales have been amazing. We’ve been humbled by the support.
