Rap artist determined to overcome all obstacles on road to stardom
The Angelo informal settlement rap artists is planning to release a new single early next year, and the song will revolve around his life story.
Rapper Jerry Makau, more popularly known as Mac-Grill in his neighbourhood, says he will not let poverty and staying in a crime-plagued squatter camp stop him from pursuing his dreams to become an internationally acclaimed hip-hop singer.
The 25-year-old singer/songwriter, who started singing during his childhood, had become a force to be reckoned with. He recently released a 10-track album titled Discovery.
He describes his latest creation as a step in the right direction to fulfilling his dream. All songs were written by him and their subjects include his life story and the society he lives in.
The rap artist independently distributes his own music during his live performances. He does door-to-door sales and his first album is getting a good reaction from hip-hop fans in his neighbourhood and the surrounding townships.
The 25-year-old Mac-Grill shows off his talent in the townships’ streets, clubs, pubs, community events, and his upcoming live performance will be on June 16 at Sisonke tavern in Lilianton. He described his work as unique, telling a story about life struggles.
Sharing his life story, Mac-Grill, who hails from a poor neighbourhood called Driefontein, Zeerust, spoke about his experience of being raised in poverty and his challenges of living in an unsafe impoverished community in Angelo.
“I decided that being poor should not be used as an excuse not to succeed in life. I was raised by a single parent in an impoverished family, living in a shack in the North West. At the time, my mom was working as a domestic worker in Gauteng.
“It was a really tough time for us … we grew up with hardly any money.
“There were four of us in the house and it was difficult for my mom to sustain us all with her job, but we were, despite the hardship, a happy family.
“When I finished my matric at Mmajane High School, I moved to Boksburg to live with my mom in Angelo squatter camp. Because of my family’s financial hardship, going to university was out of the question, so when I came here I wanted to help my struggling mom.
“I embarked on a few years of odd jobs before I got myself a job working as a shop assistant. I eventually left that job and focused more on my music career.
“Music was always my passion. Just as all the stars we know today begin small, so did I. I started very small, as a young boy aged 14. I would rap during school functions and community events organised by my friends.
“I used such opportunities to unveil my talent, and many people started to notice my skill and they began to invite me to perform at their events. It was at that time that I came to realise that I have to work extremely hard to become successful as an entertainer and help my family escape poverty.”
Despite all the hardships, Mac-Grill said his mom was almost always in good spirits.
“She was a supportive and encouraging mother. She would always encourage me to trust in my ability and work hard to fulfil my dream.
“My mom helped me find the courage to pursue my dream. Pursuing my dream had become part of my daily habits. “I’m now not scared to take risks. I follow my passion day in and day out. So, I’m determined to overcome any obstacle that stands in the way.”
Apart from the plight of his family, the rap artist also had to overcome the challenges of his surroundings, where crime has become a norm.
The community, where he resides, has become one of the Boksburg areas with the highest rates of crime, including robbery, rape, murder and burglary.
The appalling living conditions are among the many reasons why Mac-Grill works tirelessly to become successful and buy his mom a proper house. -@MthuphaFanie
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