Ixa’s Flavourful Afrikaans Hip-Hop

Much like the legendary Cape Town based hip-hop/R&B group, Funny Carp, Ike Ikey Ixa is an Afrikaans hip-hop artist quite well-known in the Coloured and Baster communities.

His music will make you fall in love with the Afrikaans language as he puts a flavourful twist to poetic lyrics that are distinct to Narraville at Walvis Bay. Ixa’s musical message ranges from relationships, to social issues or just talking about his everyday life and past experiences. Check out his playlist on reverbnation.com.

Ixa was born and raised in predominantly Coloured neighbourhood of Narraville under harsh conditions in a location called Honger Laagte. However, Ixa said his life lessons growing up matched his challenges.

His career in music is no mistake as the Afrikaans rapper hails from a family of music lovers. “My dad is a music collector. My uncle, who plays guitar, is also a music collector. One of my older brothers is a DJ,” Ixa said.

Ever since he was a laaitie, music has been an important part of him. “I listen to almost all genres. I go crazy for all of it – to listen to, dance to, write it, perform it, buy it… I know it sounds crazy, but I believe the Lord saved me through music,” he says.

The rapper buys a couple of original albums each month to remind him where he is from and where he is going.

He began rapping in 2009 with the help of a friend, however, he wasn’t serious about it for a few years. He then took on the role of a DJ and for the first time, started making a few bucks from his love for music. “In 2012, I started a group called Brasze Fani Mic, and really started taking my musical career seriously,” Ixa said. In 2015, he embarked on a solo music career and he hasn’t looked back since.

He is inspired by many elements, however, his supporters, the “Wettige Masekinnez” as he calls them, give him that extra spark. “That’s why I don’t call them my fans, because we are family,” he said. “In addition, I have lots of love and respect for my girlfriend. I don’t have a lot of time on my hands these days, but she understands.” His other influences are his manager Mr Magic, his family and his bras.

Ixa’s playlist features hot hits such as ‘Wie Slaani Guitar’, ‘Toetsertjie’, ‘Silwer Randjie’ and ‘Sy Dink Sy is Tot Daar’, however the rapper said an album is definitely a milestone he wants to tackle, but the time to do it, he says, is in God’s hands.

“I’m not hasty, I work on my time. I’ve been running with street credit for almost six years now and it’s all through Him,” he expressed. Although he doesn’t have an album or a music video out yet, Ixa said he’s been getting a number of gigs, in and outside his hometown such as at the Rehoboth Arts Festival last weekend.

Ixa’s music has an element of uniqueness because he raps in Afrikaans which, he says is important. “It shows you are real and you’re not shy to say it. I believe we all have something inspiring to say, and you should say it in the language you feel it, whether they understand it or not.”

His songs, he says, reflect his life accompanied by a beat. “Everything is true. It happened to me or I’m currently going through it.”

Besides his full time job, the hip-hop head enjoys spending time with family and friends. He is also very passionate about football and tries to watch a game every other weekend. “And I support Real Madrid, if I may add,” he joked.

His goal is to inspire others. “I want young men out there to realise that everything is possible, it doesn’t matter what your circumstances are. If I can do it, who are you to say that you won’t, or you can’t? Life doesn’t owe you anything, you owe life – because you got it for free,” he said passionately.

The hip-hop culture at Walvis Bay is quite noticable and Ixa’s says it’s been brewing for some time. “There are rappers out here who say they started Afrikaans hip-hop in Namibia and I laugh every time I hear that. I say this because I was privileged enough to be mentored by the man who actually set the trend,” Ixa expressed. The rapper is referring to Filiciano Linzi Arendse, a rapper, producer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and video director. The rapper will never forget the day Arendse invited him to his studio for a session. Arendse was the first person to believe in him, and it paid off, Ixa said.

“This is just the beginning. I want to find more artists and infect them with my positive vibes, so they can help me build this legacy and take over one day – continue the cycle.”

Ixa plans to build a legacy his children and even grandchildren will be proud of, with the help of the man above.