Some artists are shaped by talent; others by the environments that raise them. Tshepiso Mohlophegi is both — a singer, rapper, producer and designer whose journey began in Meadowlands, stretched through Braamfischer, and took root in the imagination of an only child who paid attention to the world around him.
His earliest memory of music is hearing The Supremes’ You Can’t Hurry Love with his mother, a moment he describes as becoming “conscious of music.” Singing came naturally, rapping followed in high school, and performance arrived the day he watched Michael Jackson’s Live in Bucharest. “It added into my dimension as a musician,” he says.
Growing up introverted — with magazines, toys, radio and TV shaping his creativity — Tshepiso developed a vivid inner world. Catholic schooling grounded him, adding moral perspective and introducing religious motifs that still appear in his music today.
After matric, he chose Multimedia Design at the University of Johannesburg, a move that expanded his creative range beyond music. Photography, design, videography, animation and critical thinking became key tools. “There’s so much that goes into music beyond the music,” he says. “Those skills made my self-sufficiency a great asset.”
His 2016 single Purple Roses earned airplay on UJ FM. A year later, he won Vodacom NXT LVL’s YFM call-in competition by performing an original song — a bold decision during one of the toughest periods of his life. “I never got to sit and be happy about that moment,” he reflects. “But I’m happy the boy who was losing everything won.”
Collaborations with Thabzin SA and Tyler ICU followed, each teaching him about vulnerability, opportunity and the importance of asking for help. In 2019, he acted in Orlando, a Mzansi Bioscope film still airing today — an experience that confirmed storytelling through music resonates with him far more deeply than acting.
Tshepiso’s music balances familiarity and freshness. Influenced by artists ranging from The Supremes to Kabza De Small, his sound reflects the multicultural nature of Soweto — R&B, Pop, Rock, Hip-Hop and Kwaito all living together in one identity. He calls his approach “nostalgic-modern,” inspired by how cultural preservation and innovation can coexist.
A key part of his sonic palette is the Yamaha DX7 electric piano, famously used in 80s classics. Discovering the plugin shifted something for him. “It felt like time travelling,” he says — a sentiment that echoes through much of his work.
As a producer, engineer, writer and designer, Tshepiso understands the value of independence. “I enjoy not having to wait for people,” he says. This hands-on approach has strengthened his collaborations and ensured his releases feel true to his vision.
In 2024, his music was featured on Big Brother Mzansi: S’ya Mosha — a quiet but powerful reminder that his catalogue holds weight. “It showed that even my old music is strong,” he says.
Authenticity anchors his work. He explores temptation, ego, envy, and relationships with uncommon transparency, often drawing inspiration from psychology and books that challenge his worldview. “I don’t cap,” he says. “Music helps me understand myself and become better.”
In November 2025, Tshepiso released his EP HERE, DAMN, led by Good Grief, Outta Touch, and Say It Twice. Born out of frustration and introspection after losing his laptop and navigating creative doubt, the project became a cathartic reset. Its sequel, It’s Dark Outside, is next.
For independent artists, his advice is simple: build skills, stay curious, and don’t fear doing things yourself if you must. Tshepiso’s journey — from a young boy discovering music to a fully self-sufficient artist — is a testament to growth, resilience, and the quiet persistence of becoming.