PSYCHOLUTION - AN UNSHAKEABLE POWERHOUSE

The music genre of hip-hop has, over the years, been one of the world’s most popular genres with many singles and albums topping the music charts globally, rendering it a force to be reckoned with. 

It continues to influence a vast majority of the urban youth for the same reasons it did when it first started in the USA and spreading throughout the world.

Artists have embraced the hip-hop culture from all corners of the world as they freely express their views whether political or socially. In-turn, a lot of artists have changed their lives for the better just by simply expressing themselves and making music which speaks to the people. Ever since Psycholution started his music career, it was without a doubt that he was a force to be reckoned with as his lyrical ability wowed many fans countrywide and outside the borders. He resembles the saying that goes ‘form is temporary and class is permanent’. Over the years, he has stood his ground while maturing in his sound and also being a media personality.

Being at the top of your game requires consistency, hard work and determination for one to thrive in whatever they do and in this week’s STYLE, we spoke to the powerhouse that is Mzwandile Nxumalo aka Psycholution. Enjoy!

1. Who is Psycholution? 

Psycho Lution is a God driven wordsmith who expresses himself through a wide spectrum of art. I am Mzwandile Nxumalo who is a qualified sound engineer and media practitioner. Lution is a personality within me that serves as a medium that allows me to connect with people through making music, digital content creation and copywriting. I started rapping in high school when I was in boarding school (Metropolitan College). After my matriculation in Mpumalanga, South Africa, I came back home (Kingdom of Eswatini) to release my first project titled PsychoTik RevoLution E.P. in 2009 under Claiming Ground Records. 

2. What have you been up to as people were wondering where Psycholution was? 

So between studying, working and building a company is what has relatively kept me away from releasing and performing music on a constant basis. When one aims to succeed in a specific discipline, one has to apply focus on the given goal. So part of my focusing process included sacrificing the performances and music releases for about 4 years while I made sure that I concentrated on school and getting to graduate. As soon as I graduated, I immediately landed a job that required a lot of my attention, but it still allowed me to create music at my own pace while building my company behind the scenes. I have been away from the music scene in the Kingdom of Eswatini although I still played my part in contributing to the culture by inviting numerous Swati musicians and entertainers such as Mozaik, Zamo, KrTC, Kena, Mandisa, Nomalungelo and Dr Shakes to my radio show  at BMHRadio in Sandton. 

3. Over the years, has Psycholution changed personally and in his music?

I strongly believe I have evolved mentally, spiritually, musically and as an entrepreneur. Every moment is an opportunity to be better than the person I was yesterday. With that said, my thought pattern, when it comes to decision-making, is much more positive future driven decisions, especially when it comes to my career and the company I choose to associate with. I believe I have also grown spiritually as I exude an attitude of gratitude to God for the smallest things to the grandest blessings. I make it a point that I credit the most high in all my achievements and also credit his glory for all the lessons that come with my pitfalls. I also believe that my subject matter in music is now strongly influenced by the books I read and documentaries I watch.  

4. You last dropped a single in 2019 and were quiet for a while, what can your fans expect?

It was quite humbling for my award-winning single titled ‘Quentin Quarantino’ to cause the stir that it did to the hip-hop fraternity in and around the kingdom. Part of the perks of the success of the song was establishing a strong working tie with an artist in the UK called Obi Rudo who later proposed that we make a joint project that will merge Eswatini and England in the context of hip-hop. I’m currently in studio working on that project with the musical assistance from the multi award-winning producer; Mozaik and the phenomenal Alex Muti while Obi Rudo also brings in talented producers and musicians from the United Kingdom.

5. Tell us more about Kingdom XLR.

XLR Media trading as Kingdom XLR is a ground breaking youth-led media power house which consists of music, compilation, journalistic reviews, and news outlets among more. Our aim is to promote an educated, informed and diverse civil society by supporting high-quality engaging content and services created, developed, executed by diverse talent at all levels and capacities, and delivered across multiple platforms. 

To achieve this goal, we support the development and distribution of creative high-quality, semi-commercial content and services with particular attention to the needs and interests of the youth, core public media communities, diverse audiences and unserved and underserved communities and the public generally. 

We facilitate the development and distribution of creative high-quality content, including news, music compilations and information that is accurate, fair, balanced, objective, transparent and produced in a manner that is consistent with editorial integrity by all involved. 

6. What other projects are you currently working on?

Other projects that I’m working on include The Wolfpack Choonz which is an entertainment YouTube channel that tackles social issues through banter between friends (Elfoe, Shiggy, 80 Script, Blueprint, Django and I). I strongly encourage the nation to subscribe to the channel as it is very informative, insightful and entertaining. Beyond the Wolfpack, I am a registered member of the Innovators Association of Eswatini. 

7. What are your thoughts on the state of Hip-Hop currently in the kingdom?

Hip-hop in the kingdom is growing stronger every year and it is very fascinating to witness the amount of talent that surfaces frequently from new artists. I admire the rate and magnitude of talent that hip-hop in Eswatini is growing in. However, I believe it would grow more stronger if we had more platforms that play a role of unearthing these numerous talented kids. Shout out to platforms like RePresent with KrTC on DTTV, Jelele FM, Hala Radio and Kingdom XLR. I guess the rest is all in a day’s work. 

8. What would you advice to the younger generation that wants to pursue music locally?

I would advise the younger generation to read informative books and question everything with a healthy intention to lean and grow. Always ask questions. There’s no such thing as a stupid question, there are only stupid people and stupid people do not ask questions. (A)lways (S)eek (K)nowledge. 

9. Any artists you are currently working with?

Apart from working with Obi Rudo; I’m working on a project with LeeRoy from Durban and I’m also working on a few tracks with L-Tore from Lesotho.

10. If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?

I wouldn’t easily change the attitude we have towards local art. I would make our people embrace, support and endorse locally produced products and services 20 times more than we do at the current moment. I’m fully taking advantage of using the internet during lockdown to strengthen working relationships with artist from beyond our borders. I would like to work with a young artist called R.K. from Manzini.

10. Favourite male artist locally and internationally?

My favorite male artist in the Kingdom for years is and always has been the mighty Qibho Intalektual. I believe it goes without saying. Internationally I’m currently enjoying some wordsmith called ANoyd.

11. Favourite female artist locally and internationally?

My favorite female artist(s) would have to be a tie between Nomalungelo, Velemseni and Sarnilo. These women have powerful voices and beyond implacable writing skills. I admire their music. Internationally I’m currently enjoying Ayanda Jiya on a project titled Ayandastand. Beautiful music.

12. (This one for the female readers. Is Psycholution single or taken?

Lution is single and not looking. God will make a style when the time is right. Right now it’s XLR O’clock lol.

13. Favourite holiday destination?

Greece, London UK, and Japan and Brazil. 

14. Favourite Car?

Easily a black on black Bentley continental GT

15. That one person you would call a role model?

Sir Tim Zunckel, Mozaik and Sizwe Dhlomo. I’m very humbled and fortunate that my role models are actually my mentors in real time. I thank God every day for the guidance and advice I receive from them on a constant basis.

17. What is one message you would give to your fans?

Remember that’s it’s your support that makes everything worth it. But while you do, make sure that you support the product because it is good quality not only for the mere fact that it is local. 

18. What is your favourite song to perform?

I would like to say all of them but at the moment I believe it’s one called Chosen One. It always feels like I’m talking positive words to myself in front of a listening audience every time I perform this song.

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