Featuring Nokulunga “Dunamis” Maqubela

Who is Nokulunga “Dunamis” Maqubela?

Exactly that, Nokulunga ‘Dunamis’ Maqubela. I cannot be defined. One person may know a complete different version of me than the next person. We live and grow every day, we rediscover ourselves through different situations we go through. So therefore, I am a human, BEING whatever I want to be.

What/Who sparked your interest in Hip Hop?

My late brother Simphiwe aka ‘Charlie’ was a huge Hip-Hop head; dancer, rapper and all that, he represented the culture through his being; the way he dressed, spoke, the way he walked. I spent a lot of time with him, we were very close. We would freestyle, spend hours chilling, listening to RAP music, talking about RAP music. So he literally mirrored his habits on to me, I even walked like him, haha. So yeah, Charlie started this whole thing and left me with its Greatness. I still fall deeper into it each and every day through sharing with friends, and by just discovering on the internet.

What is your role in SAHipHopHeadz?

Well besides being the pretty one. I am an In-House Writer at SAHIPHOPHEADZ.

How did it all start?

 

It all started when a certain company decided to bring an international artist to headline their event; now this being something I had always complained about, like, why are they bringing these people here and sending money overseas while we have 1,2,3 artists who can do what these ones are doing, or even better. Why do we not give our people the same treatment we give to the international artists? When are we going to start celebrating our own? These were the questions that would always come to my mind. And so I thought to myself, you know what, instead of complaining about this, let me write about it, by this “Invest In Africa” came to life. After writing it, I sent it to a friend of mine who does album reviews for SAHIPHOPHEADZ, he said it was a great piece, and they would publish it, they did. Couple of months later, I met Lefoko (founder of SAHIPHOPHEADZ) at a conference. Fast forward, he sent me a DM on twitter (it goes down in the DM) asking if I could be a part of the Magazine, and as they say, the rest is Her-Story.

Tell us about the best part of what you do

 

Doing what I do is the best part of what I do. Like, when I get that intro, and I feel like “Oh snap! I just killed that”, or when I do interviews, the knowledge and wisdom bestowed in our people is beyond words. I just LOVE music/Hip-Hop, and having the opportunity to be able to work or contribute towards it, is just amazing, it excites me.

How/where do you see yourself/your work in the next 3/5 years from now?

I am not today where I wanted to be five years ago. I thought I’d have a degree in Actuarial Sciences by now, but life had other plans for me. Funny thing though, when I sit and think about it, I am doing something that is aligned to what I have always loved. So I just let life unfold itself, and trust for things to work out. The main goal is absolute contentment in everything I do.

How has the Hip Hop industry evolved since the days of the likes of

Amu, Landmynz and all?

Canibus once said, “There’s a misconception that movement in any direction is progression even though the potency of it lessens”. This, when it comes to Hip-Hop couldn’t be too far from the truth. Hip-Hop in those days was about getting people to e.i think differently, critically or creatively. The lyrics had an impact on a person’s life. The so called “evolution” isn’t much of forward change but crippling the purpose of what art Hip-Hop was. Now any kid from the basement with a dope beat thinks he’s Hip-Hop if he can make people dance. What happened to Rap? The art is no longer part of it. But this is what is on the TV and radio. There’s good Rap music out here, you just have to look for it. 

What advice would you give to up and coming artists?

· Invest in yourself and in your craft.

· Don’t wait for someone to put you on, go knock on those doors, if they say no,

check yourself, and go back the following day.

· Do not seek validation from people, not everybody will like you, do your best and

the rest will follow.

·      · Research, learn about your field, study those who have made it and seek advice from them.

· MASTER YOUR CRAFT. 

What song best describes you?

This is such a difficult question. I listen to so much music, my mind is a music library.

Do I have to choose one? It has to be ‘Soul In Mind’ by Lira, and

‘I Hope You Dance’ by Lee Ann Womack.

Who is your inspiration/role model? 

I draw inspiration from myself. There’s a line in a song that goes, “inspiration comes from within”. See, no matter how much you may look up to or aspire to be like someone, unless you get that push from within, that acceleration in your inner engine, you will not get there, or you will, but there will be less contentment.

What is your favorite holiday spot/food/gadget?

Take me to Santorini right now, haha, I would really like to go to Santorini (an Island in Greece), it just looks so peaceful and refreshing, the water, the white sands… I don’t really have a favorite type of food, but give me pap any day, I will devour it, in IsiNdebele we call it ‘Umratha’… Gadgets; hmm I am not a gadget person, I’ve never even owned a selfie-stick, but I would like to own a Boombox, the ones created by Tshepo Sedumo, pretty cool.

What side of the bed do you sleep on? 

The side closest to the plugging socket.

What is your favorite childhood memory? 

New Years’ Eve at Grandmas place every year, those were the best times.

What is your favorite book?

Mastery by Robert Greene

Are you a night owl or morning person? 

Both; but mostly a night owl. My grandmother believes I have a problem and I should see someone about it. I hardly sleep, hence my height, apparently, hahaha.

Are you messy or a neat freak? 

I am neat, not a freak though.

What color is your toothbrush?

Yellow, euw!!! I need to get a new toothbrush next week, one that’s not yellow.

Are you a good driver? 

When I buy a car, I’ll take you for a ride.

If you were to time travel, what period in time would you go to and why?

The Golden Era; the Hip-Hop music that was made then is just out of this world man; the diversity, quality, innovation, the influence… Yes we can access this music through different libraries, but I feel the energy is not the same. I just wish I was a little bit older then, you know!

If you could throw a parade in the president’s office, what would it be? 

Our President has so much problems already. I’ll sit this one out.

Do you have any allergies? 

Never tell people your allergies. That is how they kill you. 

What is your most embarrassing moment?

Geez; hahaha, okay. Back in primary, this was in grade 4, on a VERY HOT day, all the grade 4s had had the two last periods off, so the teachers thought it best that we all sit by the benches at the rugby field, these were four classes. One student did something (I don’t really remember what it was), it wasn’t good though, which had the two teachers who were on guard pretty angry. While reprimanding that student, someone behind me laughed, my BROTHER told the teachers it was me. They made me stand in the middle of the rugby field with my schoolbag held up high for TWO WHOLE PERIODS. 

If this is our last ever conversation, what words of wisdom would you leave me with?

Don’t panic, trust for things to work out. Learn to stand on your own. Respect the individual, you do not have to like everything and everyone but that does not mean you should assassinate what you do not understand. Value learning above everything else, wisdom does not come overnight. Have a sound mind, spend time with yourself, know and master yourself. There is no greater mastery than the mastery of oneself.