It's no secret that the Mother City has an abundance of music talent, and the Hip-Hop scene is no exception.

We were graced with the opportunity to have a one-on-one conversation with a young artist who goes by the title LIFEOFMERCEDES, and we got to find out a little bit more about his come-up, his future plans, and his personal experience with navigating through the music world.

Who is LIFEOFMERCEDES?

Before learning anything else, the first thing we had to question the bright musician was his identity and what that represents in the world of music.

“Lifeofmercedes, a versatile artist, channels personal experiences into a rich tapestry of self-expression and introspection. Through poignant lyrics and captivating beats, I illuminate themes of friendship, relationships, and mental health struggles, while promoting resilience and self-awareness.”

“My music, marked by hard-hitting beats and catchy melodies, serves as a powerful medium for navigating life's challenges and embracing personal growth.”

What made you follow the path as a musician?

A career in music isn’t something anybody just decides to do, there’s a reason behind why every artist chooses to follow this path, so it was only fair we asked MERCEDES where his passion for music originated from.

“I followed the path of a musician because I grew up surrounded by music. My mother and uncle introduced me to a wide range of artists, from Koffi Oliomide to Dr. Dre.”

“Writing a war cry song for my primary school athletics team ignited my passion for creating music, and from then on, I knew it was my calling.”

What exactly is your creative process when it comes to your music?

Whether it may be a full length project, a single, or any kind of musical output, it takes artists a while for their work to be fully complete until it gets released to the world. This is usually due to the fact of artist satisfaction with their work, so we wanted to understand how LIFEOFMERCEDES finally reaches this point in his creation process.

“When it comes to making music, I always start with crafting my own beats, unless specified otherwise. Sometimes, I have a hook or a focal point in mind beforehand, but I find that beginning with the beat gives me the best platform to write and create. However, I do post production after the song to polish the product.”

“As someone who appreciates art, I'm drawn to the art form of albums and the curation process. For me, it's a more exciting experience than creating a single.”

“However, when it comes to completing songs, it varies. Some tracks can take days to fully develop, while others come together in just minutes. It all depends on the strength of the idea or concept behind the song.”

You released Whatyousaymercedes! last year which we adore. You got any plans for the upcoming year?

“This year I'm dedicated to my project "Nothing Personal" which holds significant importance for me. It's shaping up to be an impressive body of work.”

“Additionally, I'll be releasing more singles and small EPs collaborating with various artists, and delving deeper into collaborative production. Visuals will also play a pivotal role, enhancing the depth of my craft and adding another dimension to my music.”

How would you describe your sound/style of your music?

From our past listening experience towards LIFEOFMERCEDES, our impression of his style of music was that he had an explosive energy around his sound, with entertaining trap beats and enjoyable wordplay from the lyricist. We wanted to know exactly how he’d define his sound in his own words.

“My style of music is deeply expressive and emotive. Whether through the drums, tone, or vocals, I convey my emotions in every aspect of the song. Even in tracks that may appear to lack substance, I ensure that every note and word communicates something meaningful about how I'm feeling in that moment.”

“Consistently, my music mirrors whatever is occurring in my life. Despite addressing tough topics, I infuse positivity, believing in silver linings and offering hope and pride during times of struggle.”

We've been blessed to witness you perform live on stage in front of a crowd. Can you describe what that feeling is like?

Having been able to watch LIFEOFMERCEDES perform not so long ago at Club Paradise, we were blown away by his ability to draw the crowd’s attention, and we loved jumping along to every joint he performed. It looked like he was in full control of the audience, so we wanted to figure out how that must all feel to the talented rapper.

“Performing on stage is a sacred moment where I immerse myself fully in the art, disconnecting from the world and embodying its essence. It's not just about connecting with my fans, but also reaching out to those who may not know me well.”

“It's a space I cherish, where I can authentically express myself and share my passion for music.”

What is one piece of advice you'd give to an aspiring musician trying to make a name for themselves in the music world?

“If it feels right in the moment. Drop it.”

It was an honour for us to have the opportunity to have such a conversation with one of Cape Town’s hottest properties.

We cannot wait to hear what more the rapper has in store for us eager Hip-Hop heads.

You can find most of his work on streaming platforms like Apple Music and Soundcloud.

In the meantime keep an eye out for more work from the young sensation.