Born Bongane Wiseman Shiba, currently known as Landrose, has taken the South African music scene by storm with his impeccable rapping skills. He hails from Tembisa, South Africa, and launched his music career in 2010. Since then, he has been pushing himself to the forefront of the industry and has become a prime mover in Mzansi rap streets.
Landrose's talent was first showcased to the public in 2015 when he rapped on Yfm during Ankle Tap's "Tap My School" show. Since then, his music has been played on several prominent radio stations such as YFM, Metro FM, 5FM, Alex FM, BMH Radio, and more. He has released two musical projects so far, accompanied by singles and remixes.
In July 2020, Landrose made his first TV appearance with a performance on House Of Trace, alongside other well-known artists in the industry. He has also released a song titled "The National Anthem," where he raps in all 7 South African official languages. This song earned him the number one spot in rapping on Metro FM's Absolute Hip Hop show. His work has been recognized by prominent industry figures such as DJ Zan D, Sphectacular, Rashid Kay, Sizwe Dhlomo, and Chris Q, to mention a few.
So we also had the pleasure of having a chat with Landrose and asked him some questions about his music journey and plans for the future. Here are his responses:
Q: Recently, you go by the name Landrose only even in your clothing apparel – are you dropping Jimmy? If yes/no please support your statement: "Yes, my stage name is 'Landrose'. Jimmy is an alias I used to go by(still do to some), however, I had to remove it after finally understanding what a stage name is and knowing that a stage name has its own meaning and it's permanent".
Q: Of all the South African languages you can rap or speak – which is your favourite and why? Also, according to you in a country like South Africa what are the advantages of being able to speak as much languages as possible? "I honestly do not have a favourite language. I believe that they're all important, so when you understand many of them, you have greater chances of engaging with people without ethnocentrism, have better understanding and you can cater for different cultures and broaden your audience in such a diverse country".
Landrose is the first South African Hip Hop artist to make a song with all 12 official languages, featuring the likes of Gigi Lamayne, Towdeemac, Lolli Native, and more. He continues to make waves as an incomparable South African rapper on the rise.
Q: Being able to feature music legends like Reason, currently known as Alakine – what has that meant to you and your music journey? "Working with legends like Reason/Sizwe Alakine made me realize that hard work and consistency genuinely pays off. There are people that see your greatness and even though your paths may differ, Love, Respect and Acknowledgement will always be the way to go".
Q: You’re comfortably in your own journey as an artist with no clout chasing or involved in unnecessary drama – what does it take to keep your brand as clean as possible and how important is staying comfortably in your lane when you are growing in the industry? "The goal is to change my life and the lives of many others for the better. I'm not here to fight nor beef with anyone. I try my best to show nothing but love as much as I can and let that type of energy guide me. Discipline plays a huge role in my life and helps me avoid unnecessary drama, that way I stay productive and focus on the good".
Q: Lastly, You are busy on collaborations currently – any plans for a new album anytime soon? "Well... My first album is still far from being released. I have big plans for it. However, I will be releasing new projects this year along with some great collaborations. This is Big 23 after all! There are greater things in the pipeline".
It is without a doubt that Landrose is a talented artist, and his unique approach to music sets him apart from the rest. With his outstanding rapping abilities and impressive achievements in the industry, Landrose is undoubtedly one to watch out for.
Other than that, Landrose’s catalog of work continues to inspire and entertain listeners across South Africa and beyond. His dedication to the craft, passion for music, and unwavering work ethic have helped him to be respected and great in the SA world of hip-hop. With each new project, Landrose continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in music and inspire the next generation of artists to follow in his footsteps.