He is dressed in a grey T-shirt and brown pants and wears red sneakers and glasses, as well as a red cap. His clothes signify his musical style. When he gets on stage, he is very nervous, but when the fans positively respond to his musical performance he gets on with the flow.

Meet Fizzy, an artist of many talents. The 25-year-old vernacular rapper is a producer, songwriter, graphic designer and IT specialist.

Mbavhelelo Wadell Radebe has become a household name in the region over the past months, commonly known by his stage name, Fizzy. This year’s LIM-Hop Award nominee in the Best Single category has been in the music industry since 2004.

It all started with a friend’s computer and music software. At that stage, his home village, Mudimeli, in Nzhelele boasted only a few computers. Fizzy developed a keen interest in music software and mastered the programme when his parents bought him his own computer.

He used to watch most of the national music videos when he was growing up. He then realised there was a gap in the music business. Most people used to rap in English and only a few artists rapped in Tshivenda. “When I was in high school, I realised chose to develop music that was not popular at the time,” he says.

Fizzy compleded a diploma in business information technology at Rosebank College in 2010 and dedicated all his time to music. A few months later he met the local prominent rapper, Mizo Phyll, who introduced him to many local artists. He then co-founded the music group,TooFab Music, with his friend Mulanga Ralioma prominently known as KashFlow.

While his career as not only a rapper but also as a songwriter and producer was gradually growing, he discovered other local artists and started producing their music. “Through Mizo Phyll, I discovered other artists and we intensified our effort and released a lot of mixed tapes,” he says. Most of those artists have released their own albums. The music of one of the artists that he had produced won the Tshima Awards last year.  

He is the second-born of four children of a Zulu father and Venda mother. “People often ask me if there is a Radebe in the Vha-Venda tribe,” he says. When he was in high school, his parents seldom supported his music and influenced him to focus on his studies. They have, however, learnt that music is his talent and they support him all the time.

Earlier this year, Fizzy released his first album of 19 tracks, titled Fhano Shangoni. The album contains, among others, Thusani, Fhano Shangoni, Ahuna Munwe, Ntakuse and Get up. Almost six months after the album was released he is still getting calls from people who want to purchase his disc.  

Fizzy had performed alongside prominent South African musicians such as Dee Jay Cleo,HHP, Mac-J, Bhamba and his music has featured on radio stations such as Phala Phala FM, Capricorn FM, and various community radio stations in Gauteng and Limpopo.  

He can be reached on the social networks. His Facebook page is Fizzy TooFab and his twitter handle is @yaboifizzy.