A local hip-hop group that adds a unique Tshivenda flavour to this music genre is making inroads into the national scene. The group, TooFab, has eight talented artists who have been performing at various venues throughout the country.

The manager of TooFab, Israel Mureri, said they had performed as far as Cape Town, with fans turning up in large numbers to watch their stage performances. “We have also been to Pretoria, Mpumalanga (Nelspruit), and Johannesburg in Park Town, Baseline and Hillbrow,” he said.

Even though it is tough for upcoming artists to establish themselves, this has not been the case with these youngsters. Their collaboration has helped them to expand their network and to  uplift one another. “We always strive to help each other and, at the end of the day, it makes things easier for any member of the group to produce an album and claim prominence out there,” said Mureri.

The team's hard work, creativity and their ability to produce good-quality music have yielded good results. On 17 March, some of the group members will be interviewed on eTV's morning news show, Sunrise. They will also showcase some of their music.

TooFab was formed late in 2010 by Mbavhalelo Radebe (Fizzy) with his friends, Muneiwa Mukhwantheli (SK) and Mulanga Ralioma (Cashflow). This was when Tshivenda hip hop music was gaining popularity in the Vhembe region. “Initially, I did not know how it would go, but I took the risk and now, within a few years, we are reaping the rewards. Who would have thought that this type of Tshivenda music would be listened to in most regions of the country?” said Fizzy. 

Despite having performed for only three years, some of the group members have already won awards. Late last year, Thendo Tshipota, best known by his stage name “Floydbest”, triumphed at the Pretoria music awards. He won the 2013 Pretoria Best Rap Artist of the Year award. 

While the group members were still celebrating the success of Floydbest, Phuluso Tshivhase, widely known by his Rap name of C-Jay, stepped into the limelight after winning an award at the second Tshivenda annual Music Awards (Tshima). C-jay’s single, entitled ‘Toti’, earned him huge respect in the Tshivenda hip-hop music fraternity. “I felt special; the group has uplifted me. We improve every day and everywhere we have been performing, people are be asking for our albums,” he said.

C-jay stated that he would share 40% of the money he won at the Tshima with the churches in his home village, Fondwe. “The churches will identify needy pupils and buy them school shoes, or assist deserving learners with other needs, especially those whose parents are unemployed,” he said.

C-Jay is currently recording his debut album, titled Holy Hustle. The album will complement his award-winning single and he is going to launch it in April this year.

Thimangado Muofhe (Diva T), one of the group's ladies, said it was a great experience working with the team and it was very rewarding. “Our purpose is to empower young people,” she said. Some of the crew members include Eulender Nekhavhambe (MissyFab) and Fulufhelo Mukhwantheli (Visious).