Travis BlaKk is a rapper-songwriter; he worked on Nkosi X's debut LP, Free Tape, and has since performed at the Raptor Room in Cape Town. We recently had a conversation with him about his journey and future prospects.
Tell us about you; ubhuti ngubani osuka phi?
uBhuti yena nguLuvuyo wakwa Mahola. I’m from George but I was born in the Eastern Cape in a small town called Jame’s Town. I moved to George when I was very young and that’s where I’ve been my whole life.
How did the persona ‘Travis Blakk’ come about?
Before Travis Blakk people used to call me V.I.G and ‘God’, and I hated it, simply ‘coz I thought it was a ‘wack’ name. So in 2014 I decided to change it to Travis Blakk. At first I wasn’t sure about it but my friends thought it was a cool name. So yeah. . .
What are your earliest musical memories that shaped your love for music?
I remember in Grade 8, there was a guy in my class who used to write raps in his school books. He would rap for me during break time and that was the coolest shit ever. So one day I asked him to teach me how to write my own raps and he agreed. So I went home after school and wrote three pages. Went to school the next day and I showed him what I wrote and he was impressed. From that day on I told myself “this is what I wanna do”.
Who were your earliest influences?
I used to dislike hip hop when I was a kid.I used to hate how rappers dressed, the way they portray themselves. I used to think they’re just gangsters who happen to be on TV. But when I first heard J.Cole, I was like “fuck, who’s this?!” His music gave me chills. I loved the fact that his story was different, his subject matters were different, he dressed different. That’s why event today J.Cole is still my all time favorite and that’s where I got my flow and the way I write my lyrics is inspired by him. So yeah, J.Cole had a huge influence on me.
Can you share with us your music journey so far? The ‘ups’ and the ‘lows’?
Honestly, there’s nothing much to share. I’m still trynna grow my brand. Maybe in the near future but for now I only have songs to share.
How would you best describe your sound?
My sound is everything ‘new school’, ‘new school’, ‘new school’.
Why the move to Cape Town?
To find opportunities, ‘coz where I’m from there isn’t much to achieve; matter of fact there’s nothing to achieve at all, especially when you’re an artist.
What would make the George art scene actually work?
Nothing.
Can you share how the collective ‘ArtGang’ came about?
ArtGang started in late 2014 by a group of friends who shared the same interests, such as music, fashion, and art.
What’s on the pipeline for the next few months?
More music, more content, more, more and more. People should just stay glued to their phone screens.
Anyone in particular you’d like to work with and why?
I’d like to work with a lot of artists bro, locally and internationally. But the nigga I’d really love to work with in particular is Lurah; he’s from Cape Town. Simply ‘coz he’s a dope artist and niggas are sleeping on him.
Connect with Travis BlaKk:
Facebook: Travis Blakk
Comments