ProVerb Interview

From presenting Idols to releasing highly acclaimed albums. Proverb is one of the best MC’s in South Africa. Hailing from Kimberly, ProVerb has a successful career in music and television. In our one on one interview, ProVerb shares with us his aspirations for the youth of South Africa, the struggles he faced as an upcoming artist, his first break, his thriving career, meeting the love of his life and how being a father and a married man has shaped his perception on life.

YV: Who is Proverb?
ProVerb : ProVerb is a humble small town boy who is here to take full advantage of all opportunities, a creative, outspoken expressionist, in love with all platforms and mediums of expression, a husband and a proud father of two who seeks to leave a legacy.
YV: How did the name Proverb come about?
ProVerb: When i started writing rhymes and music, I sought a name that embodies what I’m about and what I seek to communicate in my music. After learning that a proverb is a short saying stating the truth, I decided that this is who I am and this name accurately describes what my music is about, the truth.
YV: What where some of the challenges you faced as an upcoming musician?
ProVerb : Every aspiring musician, wants to be heard and this is the challenge that we all face. Who will hear my ideas? , where can I send my recordings?, how will i get my break? .. all these make for challenges that one faces coming up.
YV: When did you get your first big break?
ProVerb : I was invited to participate on a radio competition hosted by Phat Joe at the time called “Rap-A-lot Wednesdays” and I sincerely believed that this began it all. I held the title for a good 5 weeks and it being a national radio station (metro fm) I began to build a name, and the rest as they say is history.

YV: What else would you have done if you weren’t a musician?
ProVerb : Well I studied Sound Engineering and have a diploma so the likelihood is that I would be a sound engineer. I also have other interests in the media industry including radio and television, both of which I happen to do as well.

YV: Any life lessons you drew from your journey as a musician?
ProVerb : Absolutely, to never give up, to persevere but also to keep an open mind and keep my options open.
YV: Who are your favourite international rappers
ProVerb : Right now I’m really enjoying M.I and Ice Prince both of whom are from Nigeria.
YV: Will you ever rap in venac?
ProVerb : I have, I have a song on my latest album “Write of Passage”where I rap in Afrikaans as this is the most widely spoken language in Kimberley (this is where I come from)
YV: What does Proverb do for fun?
ProVerb : I love what I do and have never thought of it as a job, so I write music for fun, do my radio and tv shows for fun.
YV: You are a family man, has that changed you in any way?
ProVerb : Definately, I am a lot more focussed and I work so much harder knowing that I have a wife and little ones that depend on me. My business acumen has also sharpened because now I have bonds, medical aids, policies and school fees that need to be taken care of.

YV: You and Mrs Verb, how did you guys meet?
ProVerb : It’s not a glamorous story at all, I was judging a competition and she was in the audience, that’s where i spotted her first. A week later we both attended the “Brenda Fassie tribute launch” and that’s when I approached her. Two years later, she is now Mrs Verb.

YV: Are you reading anything at the moment?

ProVerb : Definitely, a book given to me by my manager called “How to make money with music publishing”
YV: What are you driving at the moment?
ProVerb : Being a proud Volvo Car South Africa brand ambassador, I am driving a black Volvo S60 D5

YV: Any other projects that you do besides being a radio host, artist and lecturer?

ProVerb : I don’t lecture anymore unfortunately but now I co-own a production company, and I present on two tv shows SA Idols, All Access and I MC and do public speaking. I also do music production.
YV: What has been the highlight of your career so far?
ProVerb : It has to be being the host of the biggest production on South African TV, South African Idols.
YV: Presenting the Standard bank Blue wave, how did that come about?
ProVerb : I was approached and I’m very proud to host Standard Bank’s Blue Wave.
YV: What new projects do you have on the horizon?
ProVerb : I was announced as the new presenter on Mzansi Magic’s All Access and I will be shooting over the next few weeks. I will be hosting Miss SA 2011 in December, and I have multiple shows lined for MCíng, speaking and performing. I’m also currently on tour with Lira, guest performing on her “Captured Tour”

YV: The Youth today complain about their inability to progress with their lives or to access this or that what advice would you like to give them?
ProVerb : I say answer these 3 questions:

1- What do you want?
2- What are you gonna do to get it?
3- What are you waiting for?
YV: What qualities do you feel one need to have to be successful?
ProVerb : Humility and a “never say die” attitude.
YV: Who and what inspires you?
ProVerb : I inspire me, I’m fuelled by my achievements I learn from my failures and I’m driven by my family.