In the bustling landscape of South African music, rapper Bravo Le Roux has emerged as a beacon of innovation and cultural artistry.
With a distinctive blend of rhythmic skill, thought-provoking lyrics and an undeniably magnetic presence, Bravo Le Roux has captivated audiences worldwide, solidifying his place as a trailblazer in the realm of hip-hop. You wouldn’t take him for the ‘chill’ type, until you meet him. Would you believe he’s actually quite introverted and hates crowds?
In Cape Town’s Victorian-style Kloof Street House, the enigmatic ambiance of the setting provides a cosy backdrop for our catch-up. I’d known from when we hung out back in 2021 that he goes clubbing but doesn’t drink or smoke. It was a refreshing revelation, since many people associate rappers with that ‘trap life’. Bravo is completely different; he loves to have clean fun, celebrate life and love, and uphold his strong personal and family values.
‘I’m a township bru. I know what it’s like to struggle and hustle. And I’m grateful to have that street smarts and finesse,’ he explains. ‘But at the end of the day, having strong values – whether spiritual or moral – makes you who you are, and is what will determine your growth…We live in a time where it’s really hard to find true love, relationships etc because of changing values and new norms.’
Ear to the ground
In a world hungry for authentic voices and boundary-pushing artistry, Bravo Le Roux stands tall as an embodiment of artistic integrity and sonic ingenuity. His journey from the township to the world stage is testament to the power of music to transcend borders and bridge cultures. But how did it all start? Well, it’s a nostalgic story.
‘I was like 11 or 12 years old when I first developed a love for music and experimenting with sound, but it was dumb stuff, playing around as a kid,’ he recollects. ‘My mom had this hi-fi and she used to listen to a lot of Brenda Fassie and Ladysmith Black Mambazo on cassette tapes. So, we’d take the white end of the cassettes (the part where there’s no recording) and put it together somehow, put it in a cassette and press record.
My little brother would do the beatboxing and I’d rap over it. Then I would take that cassette and play it for the whole community, and be like, “Yo! Listen to me! I’m killing it!”
He didn’t think music would catch up with him later on, but it did. He started taking music seriously in 2018. And we’re so glad he did.
“I feel like I’m destined for great things, so I’m experimenting in new avenues”
The anticipation is over
Bravo has an innate inclination for sound production, drawing inspiration from the rich tapestry of his culturally diverse surroundings. With hits like ‘Suxoka’, ‘Amandla’ and ‘Iskhephe’, he’s popularised isiXhosa rap around the globe. This year, his debut album, ‘Igazi, Iinyembezi, Nombilo’ (which directly translates as ‘Blood, Sweat and Tears’) has been met with resounding praise for its evocative storytelling and intricate production.
‘This album is me finally sharing my personal story. This year I experienced a spiritual, emotional, mental – all of the above – breakthrough, and I knew my experience would move other people. The title was inspired by my coming from a broken family, yet still making it, which is unheard of where I’m from.’
Not only has Bravo skilfully showcased the power of his musical brilliance, but he’s served fans anthems that celebrate his truth, his evolution as an artist and his vision for the future. It’s not just about where he’s been and what he’s sacrificed, but where he’s going.
“Hip-hop will always be my first love. It taught me how to express myself ”
Growing up in a city teeming with creativity and energy, he’s definitely soaked up a multitude of influences, ranging from traditional African rhythms to alternative music. “I don’t discriminate against any music genre. I enjoy listening to all types of music,” he states. “But I am who I am because of hip-hop, even though I’m experimenting with other genres right now. You might even see me do a trance song tomorrow, but I’m always going to add a touch of hip-hop…Hip-hop will always be my first love. It taught me how to express myself.’
Working with Sjava
His album, which had 1.2 million streams in under three weeks, includes 15 hard-hitting songs – featuring artists like Zusiphe Mtsitshe, iFani, Gemma Fassie, YoungstaCPT and Sjava.
‘My features are really based off energy and if the person would complement the song. It’s never about the name, it’s about the connection and the intention,’ he explains. Bravo’s first encounter with award-winning artist Sjava was unique and eye-opening.
‘Sjava really changed the game for me,’ says Bravo. ‘It’s crazy because years ago I would rap in multiple languages and Sjava actually advised me to stick to isiXhosa. I thought he said that because he didn’t like my music. But when we met again, he started rapping one of my verses before I could even greet him, and it was all love and motivation; he gave me my props.’
The two dropped their hot single ‘Umntu’ back in June and its thought-provoking music video a month later, and the internet went wild. The song is about the never-ending quest for love and believing there is someone for everyone. ‘It’s an important message because it’s so hard to find real love these days.’
A beacon of light
‘To be honest, I’ve always believed that South Africans make the best music in the world. The difference between us and other countries is that we’re the only country that has so many commercial genres. If you watch our awards shows, there’s everyone from Kurt Darren to YoungstaCPT. The categories are so diverse; it’s beautiful!’
All about making a positive impact on society, Bravo has made it his mission to collaborate with brands like The FIX and perform at events like Cotton Fest to make sure his core message of taking care of your mental health reaches those who need it most. ‘The fact that I’m coming from a city where there aren’t enough successful black people’s stories is what keeps me going, because this is bigger than just me,’ he explains. ‘I don’t want to just make and sell music. I want to give people hope.’
He admits to feeling like a failure after dropping out of college, ‘but here I am today, making music that resonates with people from all over. One of the reasons why I got so depressed in the past was because I thought if one thing is not working out for me, my life is over. The truth is we all try and fail. But shout-out to you for trying. So, if your sixth sense is telling you to change your career, do it. Don’t limit yourself to just one thing. There’s so much you can do in the world.’
Right now, aside from working on music and performing, Bravo is busy with his own clothing brand, Bravo Le Roux (Pty) Ltd, starting with his signature graphic tees. ‘I feel like I’m destined for great things, so I’m experimenting in new avenues,’ he says. ‘This is only the beginning.’
With a slew of upcoming collaborations and an ever-expanding creative vision, he remains committed to pushing the boundaries of his artistry. His drive to innovate and his ability to connect with audiences cements him as a force to be reckoned with in the world of music.
Get to know bravo…
Full Name:
Sinesipho Peter
Birthday:
11 July 1995
Age:
28
Birthplace:
Khayelitsha, Cape Town
Rapid-Fire Q&A
Pet peeve:
People talking in my face and spitting!
Favourite social media platform:
Instagram.
Most memorable collaboration:
With Sjava.
Style must-have:
Anything with a touch of culture and heritage.
Favourite pastimes:
Chilling with my close circle and listening to podcasts.
Describe yourself in one word:
Special.
Best life hack:
Bro, THINK before making impulsive decisions!
Words By: Charndré Emma Kippie
Photographer: Zhann Solomons
Enjoy this read? Subscribe HERE for more pop culture and celeb updates!
