It is without a doubt that Johannesburg has been highlighted as the hub of local hip hop. Rappers from all provinces, and even those from out of the country, have come to understand that in order to make your presence felt as a hip hop artist, Joburg is the place to be.

However, some non-Joburg rappers have fought against that formula especially the likes of Durbanite hip hop group Dream Team, Zakwe and now the newest kid on the block,YBK. The Durban based rapper paid us a visit recently to let us in on what he’s about and with the recent release of his new music video Trippy Twerk.

YBK, welcome to ZAlebs, for those who are unaware of who YBK is, please introduce yourself to our readers and fill us in on what you’re about.

Basically YBK is originally from Zimbabwe, I came to Johannesburg to finish off my matric and then after completing high school I left for Australia to complete my degree at Monash University. Many people don’t know this but YBK stands for two things: its either Young Black King or Yellow Bone Killer (Laughs)

Your latest video Trippy Twerk just dropped; in your opinion do you think local music directors have a real concept of how a hip hop video should look like?

First of all, have to give credit to local hip hop videos at the moment because these guys are really bringing the heat in terms of creativity and quality. I mean you have videos like Caracara and Rands & Nairas which are really just raising the bar on how music videos should look like in this country which is great.  

In terms of directors, all I have to say is that the best directors are the ones that are going to get the job. Right now, I see a trend developing where rappers use the same directors for different music videos. This is great competition and it also shows that music video directors need to up their game too regardless of what type of music genre video they’re directing.

Does YBK have a mixtape out already?

I’m currently working on three albums, one of those albums is for my music partner Awgust Rush. Then there’s my album titled Trip Machine after that there’s a collaboration album that’s also in the pipe-lines.

We’ve seen a couple of unreleased music videos from you and Awgust Rush. How would you describe the music relationship between you guys, especially when in studio?

Awgust and I have an amazing energy in and out of the studio.  I only started rapping last year and my growth has been on a gradual increase. I have to give thanks to Awgust because he’s taught me all the mistakes that he has made so I don’t repeat the same thing.

As a fairly new artist, how has the response been by the public especially in Durban?

Yes, our music is still new but the reaction from the public has been crazy, people really just vibe with us in Durban and what’s interesting is that the tracks we perform are tracks that they’ve never heard which is amazing.

A lot of local rappers are starting to align themselves with corporates, are you also doing the same, is there a deal you're working on with a certain brand?

Yes, definitely my new single Trippy Twerk is going to be released alongside a new tobacco brand which also features in my new music video.