{"id":125720,"date":"2023-08-24T14:51:03","date_gmt":"2023-08-24T12:51:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pan-african-music.com\/?p=125720"},"modified":"2023-08-24T18:04:24","modified_gmt":"2023-08-24T16:04:24","slug":"chcco-amapianos-young-rockstar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pan-african-music.com\/en\/chcco-amapianos-young-rockstar\/","title":{"rendered":"Ch\u2019cco, amapiano\u2019s young rockstar"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

South African audiences are used to overnight stardom and one-hit wonders. Especially since the rise of the internet, it is common for young and inexperienced artists to suddenly become celebrities with one song, sometimes even by accident, through a viral video or a catchy trend. From house to gqom<\/a> to amapiano<\/a>, in all these bustling, hyperproductive scenes, the rise to fame of many of these chosen ones has been as quick as their omission. Ch\u2019cco is not one of those. Blowing up to the mainstream in 2021 with the now classic bacardi-infused amapiano hit \u201cNkao Tempela\u201d, the former rapper has managed to capitalize on his first breakthrough to increase his air of curiosity and expectations. Ch\u2019cco\u2019s lazy and smooth flow, mixing American hip-hop swagger with strong Pretorian cultural references, have become a trademark. With a few features and only four (four!) tracks to his official name since 2019, his latest \u201cPele Pele\u201d already a hit, the vocalist has imposed himself as South Africa\u2019s new golden boy, from filling up venues in his country to touring Europe and collaborating with international artists like Nigeria\u2019s Teni<\/a> and Tanzania\u2019s Marioo. His Instagram is filled with pictures of young fans in frenzy, he effortlessly rubs shoulders with the current South African amapiano jet-set (Focalistic<\/a>, Felo Le Tee, DBN Gogo, Pabi Cooper)\u2026 and all of this without having released an official project. Who is Ch\u2019cco – and where will he stop? PAM caught up with the young rockstar right after a packed show in Paris. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Let\u2019s start at the beginning. You mainly grew up in Pimville (Soweto) and Mamelodi (Pretoria). Can you tell me how this environment contributed to the artist you are today? <\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Growing up in Mamelodi was pretty dope. I was initially brought up by my grandma in Soweto, Pimville. There, I was exposed to a lot of cultures: Zulu, Tsonga, Venda\u2026 But in Mamelodi it was different, because Mamelodi and Pretoria are almost like their own country. When I went to Pretoria it felt like I was in a completely different place: the music, the language, the sound\u2026 That was how I understood Pretoria as a whole, everything was just boxed in. How it affected me? It\u2019s so rich with the bacardi, but at the same time we still had a lot of different music. Motswako rap, for example, which was not that big – RIP to the legend HHP. I think the city\u2019s biggest breakthrough was with Foca and Vigro\u2019s \u201cKe Star\u201d. That created a curiosity for\u2026 \u201cWhat else do you have to say? What exactly is this language?<\/em>\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I find it interesting that your first release on Spotify (\u201cChicco\u2019s duo\u201d) is a hip-hop\/r&b project. What were your musical influences at the moment you released it? <\/h5>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCh\u2019cco\u2019s duo\u201d! One of my favorite releases. At the time I was listening to\u2026 obviously, \u201cImpractical\u201d had that Afrobeats<\/a>, that Burna Boy<\/a>, Wizkid<\/a>, Davido<\/a> feel. The powerhouse, the Nigerian giants. Yemi Alade<\/a> was also there, Tiwa Savage<\/a> was also there\u2026 it\u2019s a long list. And then as far as hip-hop was concerned, we listened to a lot of local hip-hop, of course heavily influenced by American hip-hop here and there, but mostly AKA (supamega!), Riky Rick, Cassper Nyovest<\/a>, Emtee, Nasty<\/a> C, A-Reece<\/a>, Shane Eagle<\/a>\u2026 The list goes on. But I think bacardi is by far one of the most important genres, as far as its influence is concerned in me and amapiano. Also kwaito<\/a>. But yea, Mamphoza, Makhabacity Productions, Enny Man\u2026 The list goes on. It had a very significant impact in my life.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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