Rising Rapper, Touchline joined The Pristine Queen on The Element fresh off of winning the Slikour On Life Verse Of The Year (VOTY) 2018 Hennessy People’s Choice Award.
The Tembisa born and raised artist whose real name is Thabo Mahlwele has been grabbing the attention of Hip Hop heads and the greater industry over the past couple of years and shows no signs of slowing down, any time soon.
On the #VOTY2018n win, he says that he believes that people just resonated with him, his story and his authenticity in the telling of his story through his music.
“It’s not for mahala – the win is just motivation to just keep on going [and] go on stronger. Sometimes it feels like it’s bigger than me – I didn’t expect that much love. I think people see it for what it is. I think everybody is appreciating lyricism and the hard work I’ve put in in the past year – especially people that know my story and where I come from… I think it was a proud moment for them to see me walk across that stage,” he says.
The artist is more than just a dope lyricist but also a strong story-teller who is conscious of what is happening in his community and the greater country – evident in his EP, titled 18 Flow and the conversations he engages in on his social media.
When Civil Rights Activist and Mother of the Nation, Mama Winnie Mandela passed away, he penned Letter For You, a beautiful tribute to her that garnered him more recognition and respect. Similarly, when Hip Hop legend ProKid passed away, Touchline showed off his lyrical prowess for the artist who he calls his ‘idol’ on the late musician’s Uthini Ngo Pro to pay homage to him.
On why it is important for him to pay his respects to the legends of our country, he says that it’s just something he’s compelled to do.
“When you think of people who have shaped culture or rewrote history – those people are very important for me, especially for intwana that has ambitions of being something great. People who have done it before you, they deserve their respect because they know exactly what it took to do that and you’re still trying to learn that,” he explains.
Hear more of what he had to say on depression; his 2019 plans and more, here:
Watch the full video of the interview here:
To hear the dope The Chamber freestyle that he dropped, click here:
The Element broadcasts on Massiv Metro every Saturday, 15:00 – 18:00 CAT and is presented by The Pristine Queen, Azizzar.
It’s all #ForTheLoveOfHipHop.
Sihamba Phansi.
