Flexing To The Top
Flex Rabanyan is the performance moniker of Mpumelelo Mthembu. Last year, the rapper left school in his hometown of eSikhawini in Kwazulu Natal to chase his dream in the city of gold, Johannesburg. His current trajectory suggests his risky decision was justified.
Formerly known as Nator, the rapper manufactured a rapid rise to a seat at the table after winning the second season of South Africa’s biggest hip-hop talent contest; TheHustle. It was difficult imagining anyone else winning with the rapper impressing fans and judges alike whilst alarming fellow contestants with his undeniable talent in performing, battling and crafting great songs.
Being the last born, Flex was influenced by his older brother who got him into rapping. He would often get into trouble during his school days writing raps as opposed focusing on his work. The rapper cut his chops listening to the likes of Eminem, Drake and J Cole.
Following in the footsteps of The Hustle alumnus, Shane Eagle, Flex snubbed a record deal which came as part of the prize for winning the reality contest. It was another risky decision for the young rapper, declining a record deal worth a quarter of a million rands, but the charismatic rapper was inspired by the independent success of Cassper Nyovest.
As a result of his decision to go independent, the rapper is now hustling and using all the relationships and platforms afforded to him to build his brand independently. One of those platforms is KFC Soundbite where the rapper currently has two tracks charting which he worked on during his time on The Hustle.
‘Dlala’ which peaked on the charts currently sits in the 8th position at the time of writing. ‘Rabayeezy’ which is his latest addition to the KFC Soundbite is the perfect introduction to Flex. The track which is his first official single sees Flex detailing his come-up whilst simultaneously flexing from the top and flowing success into existence with charismatic bars. The track even impressed Stogie T (who is one of the judges on The Hustle) with a great flow, smart bars and an authentic over a trap beat with oozing 808’s.
Stream ‘Rabayeezy’ by Flex Rabanyan below.
KFC SoundBite is a local music platform which connects fans and artists. The platform offers fans a new channel through which to discover local music while affording independent artists of all genres the opportunity to reach a new audience and new heights with the potential to perform with the best South African musicians at the Soundbite events. Visit www.kfcsoundbite.com to submit or discover.
