FROM an acting cameo in Blood & Water season 2 to becoming a brand ambassador for G-Star RAW, Cape Town rapper YoungstaCPT is hard at work exploring new creative options.
The rapper, real name Riyadh Roberts, has a line of merchandise, Y?GEN which was launched in a collaboration with the series to create promotional material, while he simultaneously featured on the soundtrack of the show.
But then again, sick beats and smooth rhymes are second nature to the rapper and freestyle king who has been building his brand and making one hit song after the other while collaborating with artists like Nalu and Shane Eagle.
YoungstaCPT said he identified perseverance and consistency when working with other artists.
“If you’re going to jump on and off the rap train, I can’t work with you. If you’re not taking your craft seriously, we can’t work together,” he said.
His stage name, YoungstaCPT, was derived from being the youngest in an older crowd circle of friends and musicians, while CPT is short for Cape Town, a city he’s proud to represent.
He said he learned that building a brand was of utmost importance.
“It’s not only about rapping. I want to have my own identity and I want to take ownership of it.”
The Cape Town’s King of Rap’s love for music began in the mid-’90s and he’s enjoyed music ever since.
“As long as I wake up every day, I will keep finding things to rap about. Every moment can be put into lyrics,” he said.
His debut album 3T (Things Take Time) was released in 2019. The album paid homage to the struggles and unique heritage of his community. Since then, his fan base has kept growing.
YoungstaCPT said he always had new music ready, but the pandemic has made releasing it difficult.
“Music depends on the timing and I always tell people to refer back to the name of my album – things take time... It is coming. It exists, and it will be here before the end of the year.”
The Wynberg rapper’s cameo in Blood & Water season 2 was also his acting debut on the small screen.
He said he initially declined an acting role in the series but wanted his music to be featured.
“I told them I’m okay with a small cameo and being in the background, people don’t even need to see my face.
“They gave me a role, added in the merch and told me I get to make new music for Season 2 as a packaged deal. I was sold.”
When it comes to acting, the rapper said although he’s starred in music videos before, it doesn’t count as acting.
“I always have fun playing different narratives in my music videos. This was also about me trying on different hats to see which one fit the best.”
Having been in the game for just over a decade, YoungstaCPT’s passion for rap and creating art spill through in everything he does.
The Wes-Kaap hitmaker said aspiring artists needed to realise that the music industry isn’t something that should be taken lightly.
“Treat it like any job. Show up on time, don’t stay absent and give it your all.”