UKZN Student Making It in the Hip-Hop World

BY: .

Third year Bachelor of Education student on the Edgewood campus, Mr Innocent Qiniso Vilakazi – known on stage as Tru Vilakazi – is fast making a name for himself in the world of hip-hop music.

Vilakazi recorded a song I am the Guy and it has been playlisted on various radio stations including Gagasi FM, iNanda, and Yfm as well as on community radio such as Mkhondo FM, UGU Youth Radio, VOC and DUT radio. 

He has also performed at a variety of events including the Youth Hip Hop Festival 2015, 2020 Beach Festival, Magic Tour, Durban Spring Break, Halala KwaMashu Festival, the 1^st Annual Mpumalanga NYE Pic Nic, and Sprite Hip hop Uncontainable. 

He has performed with artists including Ne-YO French Montana, Davido, Rick Ross, Yemi Alade , D’Banj, Sakodie, and Cassper Nyovest. 

Born in the township of eThandukukhanya near Piet Retief in Mpumalanga, Vilakazi was raised by his grandparents and mother who noticed his great passion for music at an early age. 

In 2007 he became one of the Mpumalanga’s top hip-hop artists in a competition hosted by the Department of Art and Culture. 

Vilakazi, who describes his music as catchy and vibrant, was recognised by a top hip-hop magazine in Africa - HYPE Magazine - as the Hottest Newcomer’s Delight. 

He manages to balance his studies and his music, enjoying success in both areas. 

‘Music has become part of my curriculum,’ said Vilakazi. ‘I keep the robot green and stay true to myself because for me music isn’t just a career, it’s a lifestyle.’ 

Tru Vilakazi will perform at this year’s Mr and Miss UKZN event, and at a variety of other events in Durban and on the South Coast towards the end of the year. 

Listen to his song I am the guy on YouTube https://youtu.be/kcZwmma4RMk 

Free download

http://www.datafilehost.com/d/aefa7e23

for broadcast 

http://www.datafilehost.com/d/9e7d6a93

stream online 

https://soundcloud.com/innocent-qinis...

Ndabenhle Moloi