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MOSSEL BAY NEWS AND VIDEO - Mossel Bay is known as a breeding ground for performing artists.
The name Robert Smallz is well known in the Southern Cape hip hop scene. Smallz, or Andile Citashe, is competing in the category, Best Upcoming Artist, in the Mzansi Arts and Media Awards, a platform which recognises and allows artists to boost their careers. The competition is digital and is aired on Soweto TV.
After winning Mossel Bay's Got Talent in 2013, Smallz has been working hard to launch a career in music. A performance stint in Gauteng in 2019, renewed his vision.
Productive
"I've learnt a lot from that city, hence I came home," Smallz told the Mossel Bay Advertiser.
"My small town is my motivation hence I'm Smallz. My town is my pride and my energy. I won't ever trade it, not even for the city. The legacy I want to build and leave behind, is the knowledge that anything and everything is possible with perseverance and consistency. Despite where you come from, you should never box yourself in because of your background. Your background must be allowed to challenge your future."
Being locked in studio, he has been very productive working on an album, an EP, a full 20 tracks mixtape, as well as 15 tracks Zim Dance hall mixtape, all soon to be released.
He also released an official music video titled Forever which features one of Zimbabwe's finest gospel singer-songwriters, Godfrey Marco aka GeeMarco.
Smallz says that he has collaborated with quite a few upcoming Zimbabwean artists.
Watch a video below:
Small beginnings
Smallz, having been a winner of MBGT and later on also a member of the adjudicators panel, has a passion to develop young talent.
"My proudest moments was winning and working with the MBGT team. This platform allowed me to discover myself, my capabilities in music directing and teaching, I've accumulated some of the skills whilst with the MBGT team and for that I'll be forever be grateful." Smallz sees the local media as a vital part of his journey in gaining recognition as a performer.
"The local news paper helped me tell my stories. It has been there since the brand Smallz started. They watched me grow."
Following the Soul Festival in August 2019, Smallz spread his wings in a whole new artistic venture.
"Wow, what a story to tell! I had the opportunity to meet and greet with the great coffee guru Aharon Baruch CEO and founder of Baruch's Coffee Roastery. Together, we made a radio jingle for his coffee brand, aired on local radio stations.
"We are still in communication and I'm happy to announce that we are working on something during this pandemic."
Struggles
The Covid-19 pandemic has been a time of both challenge and growth, says Smallz. "Funny enough, I've grown my brand name and music. But financially, I've been falling and falling. I was forced to sell some of my studio equipment just to buy bread for the kids. It has been a struggle on a daily basis. No performances, no money coming. It's been a nightmare that I am really wanting to wake up from."
He remains hopeful for the rest of the year and a much better 2021. He has big dreams. To do this, funding remains a daily struggle.
But in the meantime, Smallz is counting on claiming his MAMA.
Vote for Robert Smallz by SMSing MAMA 3947 to 40439. SMS cost is R2 and no free SMS apply. "You can vote as many times as you like."
For more on Robert Smallz, visit his Facebook page Robert Smallz SA, send him a WhatsApp on 061 972 6926 or an email to ascitashe@gmail.com.
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