Everybody wants to make their break into the South African Music scene. With social media that’s easy. D'Nova from Pietermaritzburg is the living testament of that! The first chick ever to do justice to a Pijoline beat. Get this she's making history, KZN stand up!
When I heard you, I forgot that you're female, something that’s synonymous with Lola Monroe. Who are your biggest influences in the industry?
[laughs] Thank you! Funny thing is I don’t listen to any female rappers except Jean Grae, then the common favourites Jay-Z and Kanye.
Why the name D'Nova?
It was actually DeeKay but I have a friend who's coming up in the industry right now, @KayDeeSA who's video "BlueBox" is all over Channel O right now and people couldn't tell us apart so I just decided to change mine 'cause he's been in the game longer than me and we work together most of the time. I prefer just "D" but hey I guess the Nova won't hurt nobody [laughs]
With so many genres to choose from, why hip hop?
'cause I can rap man [laughs] I'm down with experimenting and playing around with different sounds, from Dubstep to Kwaito and House beats, I just love good music and I don’t wanna limit myself but of course hip hop is my first love.
What makes D'Nova unique?
Uhm...Yo' that's a tough one [laughs] I'm just tryna do me the best way I know how, not seeking society's approval and conforming to fit in. I'm not tryna sound like a Nicki Minaj or be the best female rapper out, I'm trying to change the game and show people that there are female rappers who can actually rap.
In your opinion why are there so few females in hip hop especially in South Africa?
I feel like they're waiting for a helping hand and aren't pushing and exploring ways to get out there.You can do it but you gotta start somewhere. Fellaz in this industry work hard. no offense to my sisters but they shrink to accommodate folks, Most of them don’t believe in their material neither do they take themselves seriously enough to push until the industry takes note, then they wanna turn around and say the industry doesn't take them seriously. If the work is good quality, they can't ingore you forever.
How did you link up with Pijoline?
I'm between PMB and Joburg but uhm...last year Casper Nyovest had that "Gusheshe Remix" competition where you downloaded the beat, laced a 16 then submit. So I did, luckily on the day that he was choosing a winner, so when he went to Yfm for the Siz n Scoop show he played the verses he like and mine was one of the them. I think a lot of Niggas were listening and Pijoline was one of them and found me on twitter, sent me this crazy beat saying he made it after hearing my remix and we've been working ever since, the nigga is mad talented!
Were there any challenges working with him since ya'll haven't met?
None what-so-ever!! We just clicked.
What has the hustle been like?
It’s never easy [laughs] fun, painful, hard, great lessons and all that but I guess that's what makes it rewarding in the end.
I hear a lil' vernac on the track "Good Good" do you have any vernac material on the pipeline? [laughs] 100% vernac? Nah I don't think so but all my verses are a mixture of both vernac and english.
When is your project dropping and how can we get a hold of it?
Whats the plan for 2014?
F*ck sh*t up!!! [laughs] Get out there and kill everything. Mixtape, album and awards. [laughs]
Should we expect more tracks from you produced by Pijoline?
I've already got 7 tracks going into my mixtape which are produced by Pijoline. I'll be working with him a lot actually.
Quotes: "I'm not tryna sound like a Nicki Minaj or be the best female rapper out, I'm tryna change the game and show people that there are female rappers who can actually rap" "Most female rappers don’t believe in their material, neither take themselves seriously enough to push until the industry takes note" "If the work is good quality, they can’t ignore you forever"
Hip Hop has always been perceived as a male dominant industry, which tends to degrade women to a certain degree, which makes it hard for women to earn their respect in the industry.
It takes hard work, drive, vision, passion and confidence – D'Nova is all that and more. she's going places. -Zayne
