The duo named the most effective and hard-working group by the Makana Arts Council during the 2012 National Arts Festival is continuing to make waves in the hip hop and poetry scene.
The duo named the most effective and hard-working group by the Makana Arts Council during the 2012 National Arts Festival is continuing to make waves in the hip hop and poetry scene.
Rap artist Lonwabo "Dezz" Gwente, 24, and poet Sfiso "Njilo" Mhlabeni, 21, started working together in 2010.
They planned to work on just one song together but realised that they worked well together and should start a crew.
"Our styles compliment each other, we both write about the challenges of life and everyday people," Gwente said.
"We were influenced by different people as I listen to and look up to Pitch Black Afro, and Njilo listens and looks-up to Zola, so the fusion becomes a taste of different worlds combined into one package." he added.
Their songs are aired on Radio Grahamstown and they've also been interviewed in studio a number of times.
The two have also shared a stage with Durban-based house group Big Nuz and Eastern Cape gospel sensation Veliswa Skeyi.
"When we started working together we had a lot of critics and our friends didn't give us a chance, but we decided that we won't stop because we have a bigger dream and we pushed hard till this day," they said.
Njilo noDezz have performed in the Soul Clap Sessions for emerging artists in the province, as well as the Hip-Hop Kas'lam Sessions in Cape Town, among others.
They also appear on the local music scene and have performed at the Fingo Festival.
"Wake-Up Sessions were actually a form of expression about how we appreciate the love and the respect that we are given," Gwente said.
Njilo noDezz have a mixtape out entitled Ubuncwane Besingqi, meaning "Taste of Rhythm", released in 2011.
The CD costs R70 and their products are self-distributed.
They also have a few music videos on Youtube, all produced at Shizzo Manizzo Productions.
To get a copy of their CD or a Njilo noDezz shirt, which costs R100, call 071 5784 175 or 073 2934 835.
You can also like their Facebook page, Njilo noDezz.
