It has been over 2 months since we caught up with rising star, Tyson Sybateli and this was when he released his first single of the year under Sony Music Africa titled, “It Worked.“, he now returns with a raw and authentic hip-hop mixtape “Present” in which he unites the various acts together from the likes of Priddy Ugly to Thato Saul and many more. This project is highly unique as it is hosted by one of South Africa’s hottest podcast, “The Sobering” in which they narrate the journey within the project. After multiple listens, we could not help but to reach out to Tyson for a catch up interview as the project left us with a lot in mind. This is of course after the listening session we attended last week Thursday which amplified our viewpoint to the project. Check out the interview with Tyson Sybateli below.
It has been over 3 months since your relationship with Sony Music Africa was formally established, How would you describe the past 3 months?
The last three months have been a journey of me learning people and learning how to rely on people and trust more. I’ve always looked at myself to come through on all things I even need help in, personal relationships too and so it’s just been a process of having more hands making the goal achievable.
How has the relationship had an impact to your release structure?
Not a big change in my release structure cause indie acts and labels both use the same method of output if you aim to be successful. That comes from learning how every player in the infrastructure that deal in the consumption of art/music in its many forms and trying to see which method is best for the kind of artist you are.
We don’t get much mixtapes in the SA anymore so I would like to know, How did the making of the mixtape come about? (Who reached out to who?) and what was the whole aim behind the recording of it? And what about it makes it special to you as the creator?
I was honestly working on an album and I felt as though in the process I was just ignoring what was going on in my life and trying to make a concept album but my heart wasn’t in it yet. So taking a step back and addressing my own personal matters and trying to find myself in them, the mixtape came about naturally cause its the songs I made trying to be focused in the moment during that time. I reached out to the Sobering to host it in true mixtape fashion to fit the theme of Hip-Hop culture and to celebrate Hip-Hop. The process was the only thing that truly made this year worth it because I had fun with every record and didn’t overthink or take long on making a song work.
What was the source of inspiration when naming the project?
The name comes from me trying to be more present in my personal life and relationships after not making time for all that for so long. In turn, the art we make stems from where we at mentally and spiritually so being solely focused in the present with my matters also meant the same for my art.
Through the structure of “Present” one is taken on a contrasted route from light to heavy then back to light. Was this done intentional and if so, what guided you and the rest of the team to do so?
I don’t think one can have light or dark without the other. In all forms of expression too like when people try to force positivity it’s weird to me. If you said you should feel it out and accept the feeling into your life cause that’s addressing it and then comes clarity after. The music plays out in the same fashion sonically and win the sequence of songs cause that’s how my emotions flow.
What was the process when selecting acts to feature on the project?
All featured artists were literally the people I was speaking to the day I was making the song they on. It flowed and I would casually ask them to get in the song and if it didn’t feel normal anymore I would put that song aside. The songs on the tape are the songs that flowed.
When recording “I Can Bet”, the listener is given a more raw side of you through the lyrics and delivery style. What were you feeling at the moment of recording the single and would you say you achieved what you were aiming to foretell through the single message?
Off the rip having a lyricist like Priddy Ugly on the same song as myself, we achieved the goal of it. A clear display of skill and a jab at the social norms and industry norms while also bragging.
You managed to unite acts across hip-hop on one project. Can we anticipate for more content like this or initiatives like this in the near future from you?
I’m always a fan of how Kanye West and Westside Gunn compile their projects. They make use of features in the case where they can’t bring anything new to make the moment better, they incorporate artists they are a fan of in an environment that suits them but also asks for their best. That’s what I do with every release and will continue to do so.
Where do you envision the state of Hip-Hop in South Africa? Would you say that the existing community caters for that vision or not?
South African Hip-Hop is about to have an international focus/moment in the near future based on the successful shift it’s having in the present. A change in leaders happened and average listeners had to do the work to get informed. The community just needs to be solidified then the changes will be more visible.
Where to from here?
Europe, a tour in Europe. Shows in the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Germany before USA catches wind. I plan on being the next generation of enigmas cause we don’t have much anymore.
“Present” is without a doubt a must add to your library as the project is clearly more than just a mixtape, it is a historic moment amongst hip-hop artists and we cannot wait to hear or see more collaborations like this.
Listen to “Present” by Tyson Sybateli below:
