You might have seen him at Back To The City 2013 as co-host with Muzart Vocalist Rorisang Thandekiso. Other than that you might seen one of his TV commercials or caught a mind blowing live performance. Previously known as Ondaground or O.G, B.O.Y Wonder says he’s still very active in the rap scene.
How did you start off your rap career?
I started my recording career in 2004 with my first project Cyphers from the Underground under the pseudo name Ondaground.
How would you describe where you are right now in terms of your rap career?
I’m at a point right now where I’m very comfortable with myself and the style I rap in. I’m learning everyday how to put words down so that people relate to me. I’m also at a point where I want to be heard so I’m putting in lots of work to create brand awareness for B.O.Y Wonder – Shooting videos, recording singles and trying to pen distribution deals.
Besides being a rapper, what else do you do?
I have a degree in Drama from the Tshwane University of Technology so I put acting as one of the many jobs I have with a few commercials, Theatre productions and TV cameos under my belt. I’m also a voice over artist doing voices for Spar as well Kaizer Chiefs TV at the moment. I dabble in corporate radio as well. Expect to hear my voice at OR Tambo international Airport doing links for Airports Radio or perhaps at most Sun International Casinos. I also MC at certain festivals like CoolerBoxingDay on the 26Th December in Pretoria as well as Back to the City Hip Hop festival in Newtown 27th April. Hopefully I get to MC this year again.
Are you independent or you work with a team and how hard is it to push when you are indie?
I am an independent artist when it comes to music!! I work with BeatMachine Music Group which is run by Trompie as well as The Studio Next Door headed by Nyambz but ultimately I am an independent artist. Only recently have I been working with a management team Thermo Entertainment only because of the goals I have set for myself for the next couple of years. The struggles of being indie are the lack of recourses and connections. People rarely give you a second look when indie so you work twice as hard to get credibility.
Do you think you are more known for your TV work than your raps?
Yes. A lot of people don’t even know that I have a few mix tapes under my name. I frequently get asked if I’ll ever get back to rapping and I’m like “I never left bruv”!!
What struggles have you come across on your way up?
Being a solo, indie artist means I have to take care of all finances on my own. I might get a sponsor but ultimately everything fall squarely on my shoulders. It’s been tough!! I’m in a better place right now because I have figured out my rhythm in terms of making money and its helping immensely. I’m still on my way up.
What do you think of the hip hop scene in Cap City and generally?
Generally there are a lot of rappers out there which is healthy for competition. There are quality recordings and videos being put out and that’s exciting!! Not all these rappers are dope because sometimes lyricism flies out the window but competition is always good. Double C. R. C (cap city rap city) is always going to be #1 Hip Hop arena!! The young bucks are straight spitters and the OGs stay lethal on the Mic!! All we need are more industry quality shows!
What has been some of your biggest highlights in the game so far?
Hosting Back To The City is always dope! I get to hang out with all my favorite rappers and just have fun and build.
How did the collabos with PDotO come about?
I’m busy working with Nyambz and for the project he laced me with a Mananz beat. I just heard a PdotO hook on it so I hollered at him to help a brother out. At the end of the day we’re all good friends in CapCity
There are currently 2 music videos out which you appear on, yours and that of Stan B, what else should we look out for from you?
I featured on ThicknThin’s – Helicopter RMX which aired on ChannelO for a few months. Probably still rotates. I’ll be shooting for all tracks in my project Life In Retrospect Side B which is on Bandcamp. I also shot my first video for Hard Knock Life last year.
Life in Retrospect side B: http://boywonda1.bandcamp.com/
Hard Knock Life: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6b52d2sdwhY
Get Up ft PdotO : http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5g9Co9X4YjM
Soundcloud.com/b-o-ywonder
@leboywonda : twitter
Written by Tania Moeng (@Ms_TaniaMoeng)