ENTERTAINMENT NEWS - The multi-talented Sikhanyiso McAndrew Mlindazwe, better known as Gody, joined the ranks of judges in the Mossel Bay's Got Talent (MBGT) contest and says what excites him most is the platform being created to make dreams come true. Gody is not only an accomplished rapper, but also a fashion designer.
He was born in Johannesburg and later lived in Queenstown in the Eastern Cape and Mossel Bay.
Gody says he turned to hip hop music at a very young age. "It offered me an escape from the drugs, violence and the poverty that surrounded me in my hometown streets."
Although he has loved music since childhood, a friend of his father introduced him to what would soon become his "first love".
Spurred on by friends, who complimented him on his voice, he started believing he could become a musician.
"I have a very sharp memory. At times, I didn't write music, I just made words up in my head. I could memorise a whole 16 bars in a day. That's just a beautiful skill God gave me."
Gody started to bunk classes "just to be with the other boys behind classes, rapping, free styling".
The school started to pay attention to his skill and he recorded his first song early in January 2009. "That got the whole school shaking as well as the whole of Queenstown."
Soon afterwards, he moved to Mossel Bay. He soon developed a fan base because of his stage presence, his voice and "silly ways of talking to his audience". His clothing range, Clique Cliq Africa also gained popularity.
Gody says he feels good about the talent at MBGT. "We learn so much from the kids. I used to be there where they are. I see myself in that kid."
He says whats touches him most, is when he has to say no. "You can see the talent is there, but there is not enough on the table. But it is still super awesome to be a judge."
Gody says there are too many highlights he recalls from MBGT to single out one. "The finals are normally crazy, when we as a MBGT family get to stand back and see that we did a great job. We can see what we created."
And in five years' time? Where will Gody be?
"I really don't know." He laughs. "I take each day as it comes. All is in God's will. I just want to be somewhere else, crazy, giving back to the community."
MBGT auditions take place tomorrow night, 27 April at the Indoor Sports Centre from 18:00 to 20:30. Participants from Extensions 13, 23 and 26 as well as Asla Park are welcome. For more information, contact Yolandé van Aswegen (044 606 5224).
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