Taking the Samas by storm: Khuli Chana
The Sun City Superbowl was filled with excitement as motswako rapper Khuli Chana scooped all three of the South African Music Awards (Samas) he was nominated for. He bagged male artist of the year, rap album of the year and the coveted album of the year award for his sophomore album Lost in Time, released in November last year.
This was the first time that a rapper walked away with the album of the year award.
Days after taking his trophies to his mother’s house in Mafikeng, where all his other awards are kept, Chana said that he was still buzzing with excitement.
Chana, whose real name is Khulani Morule, started his career as a member of the hip-hop group Morafe, then went on to gain success as a solo artist, becoming the self-styled MotswakOriginator, Khuli Chana.
The name of the genre is derived from the Se-tswana word for mixture. Its lyrics combine Setswana, English and other vernacular languages.
The first two singles off the album, Tswa Daar and HazzadazMove, became instant favourites on radio stations and Chana, along with rapper AKA, performed as the final act of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival.
Each time you were announced as the winner, there were roars of excitement from everyone.
There was genuine love in the air. Something I felt for the first time. It’s amazing to see how people have so much love for what I do.
You are the first rapper to win the album of the year award. That’s quite an accomplishment.
That was another game-changing moment for me and that was also the award we were going for. When we started working on the album, manager Refiloe Ramogase told me that we should aim to produce the best album, one that is going to win the album of the year award at the Samas. I thought he was being too ambitious and needed to chill, but in the end we did it! Recording the album was a spiritual experience.
What is the best thing about South African music right now?
The best thing is that the fans are so into local music right now. There is this amazing sense of patriotism that I see and experience every time I perform, every time I check Twitter and Facebook or interact with fans. Musically there is far less Americanism than before.
What is your favourite local genre of music?
I love house music — big up to artists like DJ Black Coffee and DJ Kent who are making soulful house. And I am also a big fan of the Kalawa Jazmee boys.
Where do you like hanging out that has just about the right amount of atmosphere for you?
Recently I’ve started enjoying Sophiatown in Newtown, which is a favourite area of mine. Capello’s in Fourways is also a great place to chill.
What are you playing in your car?
I’m listening to Ab-Soul who is part of rapper Kendrick Lamar’s clique.
Do you have a favourite song right now?
I am really enjoying Daft Punk and Pharrell Williams’s latest collaboration, Get Lucky.
When you want to escape Jo’burg, which city/town do you like to visit?
I go home to the North West. There is nothing like Mafikeng. It is so much more calm out there and going home grounds me.
Which part of Johannesburg do you like?
I really like the Fourways area, which is weird because I just bought a house in the West Rand. I love going to the Design Quarter and Cedar Square.
What is your favourite food?
I am a huge fan of traditional food. I love pap and mogodu.
What is the last film that you watched that blew you away?
I watched Iron Man 3, which was alright, but the last movie that really got to me was Flight, which stars Denzel Washington. It had me want to quit drinking for a while, but it was an intense, touching movie.
Do you watch TV and what is your favourite show?
My favourite TV show is still Martin. I am a fan of the Nineties comedy shows. And another favourite is The Office.