South African rapper and producer Thapelo “Táps” Nkosi is urging listeners to walk with confidence in his newest track, Aura, a hip-hop and trap-leaning collaboration featuring Sastii.
Aura is built on self-belief, not a single moment
Hailing from Nelspruit, Táps has been actively developing his music career in the United States since the start of 2025. For him, Aura isn’t just another feel-good release—it’s meant to capture the mindset of believing in yourself and claiming space wherever you go.
Speaking about the inspiration behind the song, Táps framed it as a result of steadily growing confidence rather than anything that happened on one particular day.
- He said there wasn’t one defining moment that sparked the track.
- Instead, he described a gradual sense of self-confidence as the “spark” that led him to write Aura.
- He added that the theme is about owning the rooms you enter, not just enjoying the vibe.
Why he released it now
When asked why he chose to drop the song at this time, Táps emphasized that music is about timing in a more emotional sense—capturing a feeling—rather than waiting for a “perfect” calendar moment.
He explained that there’s no universally correct point to release a track, stressing that listeners ultimately connect to what a song makes them feel. Rather than sitting on the music for too long, he chose to share it once the feeling was there.
- He said there’s “never” a right moment to release a song.
- He described music as something built around emotion and impact.
- He said he followed the feeling behind Aura instead of holding it back.
Working with Sastii and growing internationally
Táps also spoke about why he teamed up with Sastii, calling it a straightforward decision after paying attention to the output of the Qwellers collective.
According to Táps, the song needed a creative touch that matched Sastii’s style. He also said the track’s themes align with the kind of sound Sastii gravitates toward, which made the feature feel like a perfect fit.
- Táps said collaborating with Sastii felt “easy” after studying Qwellers’ work.
- He believes Aura was missing the kind of contribution an artist like Sastii could add.
- He pointed to a match between the song’s subject matter and Sastii’s musical interests.
Beyond the release, Táps is continuing to broaden his career on an international scale. He noted that he has been based in the US since the beginning of 2025, using that time to explore the entertainment scene through live events across different musical genres.
Even with the move, he insists his identity as an artist hasn’t shifted. For him, staying connected to the culture doesn’t require performing a role—it’s something he carries with him wherever he goes. He also said collaborating with artists back home helps keep him grounded.
- He said his US experience began at the start of 2025.
- He described getting exposure to the US entertainment world through live performances across genres.
- He said he remains connected to the culture wherever he lives.
- He added that working with artists from his country helps maintain perspective.
Influences, message to fans, and what’s next
Táps counts J Cole, Kanye West, and Drake among his musical influences. With Aura now available, he wants the project to leave people feeling energized and self-assured.
His goal is for the track to help listeners have fun while strengthening their belief in themselves—especially when they enter new spaces and want to feel like they belong.
- He hopes the song encourages listeners to enjoy themselves and trust their worth.
- He said he wants it to give fans the confidence to feel impactful when they step into a room.
Finally, Táps shared that the release is only the start. He teased that more music and additional collaborations are on the way in the coming months, describing what’s next as something “really something else.”
- More music is expected next.
- More collaborations are expected soon.
