Nyanga hip hop band rises “like a rose out of concrete”

There are three members: Prince Williams, Thulani Sombo and Lwazi Thami. The group was formed in the early 2000s but the three friends were separated by different life goals. They have reunited in 2012 and have decided to pursue their dream of recording an album. They met with notable Cape Town producer Simphiwe Halam (known as Pyrobeats) and this is how “Page One” their album was born. It took less than a month to produce it.

The first single of the album (Zwakala) has been received with unexpected love as local radio stations have embraced it and fans warmed to it during shows. Generation X has performed at various establishments in the mother city including Phezulu Brubar, Monate Lounge, Zula Bar and Mzoli’s. Page One was launched on the 30 November 2012 in Zwelitsha. It is being sold for R70.

We interviewed Generation X.

GroundUp: How was it growing up in the township?

Lwazi: The three of us lost our fathers at a very young age, so our mothers raised us. It was hard and painful. Most of our friends were fortunate to be raised by both parents. While we still struggling to cope with that situation, our friend and member of the group lost his mother. That was a bitter pill to swallow. However even with these circumstances we managed to pass matric and live fulfilling lives.

Prince: It was a rough path as we faced all sorts of difficulties. We lost a lot of our friends to gun fights and gang violence. That has somehow shaped us and strengthened our character and helped us grow. If you manage to get a chance to make it out of the township consider yourself lucky. Any person that manages to grow up here and become a success is like a rose that grows out of concrete.

Groundup: What is your message to your fans and followers?

Lwazi: It takes an imperfect person to be perfect we are not perfect but we are living our dreams. So can you. For your support, we don’t like it but we love it from the bottom of our hearts. We thank you for the support without you Generation X is nothing. Thanks for the love and support.

Sombo: Guys thank you for the love you have shown us specially this last weekend at the Cape Town Kasi Music Festival.

Prince: There is still more to come from Generation X. The album just went out but we already working on some new material at the studio. Thanks for the support. Big up to you.

You can book Generation X by contacting their manager, Mandla Ndofaya Mahashe. Tel: 021 827 1489 or 071 972 1376 Email: mandlandofaya [at] gmail.com Twitter: @MandlaNdofayaSA

You can listen to some of their sounds here: http://soundcloud.com/generation-x-2/generation-x-album-premix