Unapologetically S’BO GYRE
Skating his way through the beat
In an exclusive interview with Bars n Rhymes, S’BO GYRE share insight into new projects, the year 2024 and a new single titled Skating with Namakau Star produced by Yolophonik and Audio Addicts.
Born on January 29, 1995, in Empangeni, KZN, S’bonakaliso ‘S’BO GYRE’ Nene is standing on business and shows no signs of slowing down.
He moved to Johannesburg at age six laying the foundation for his ascent as one of South Africa’s few openly queer entertainers. Through their unwavering determination and unapologetic artistry, S’BO GYRE became a shining example of self-assurance in a space that embraced both innovation and inclusivity.
“My time in KZN was more modest and taught me how to have fun. Johannesburg was where I learned to hustle, even from a young age. My music is a reflection of both environments. You can take me out of Zululand but you can’t take the Zulu out of me. It just manifests itself in the Jozi-rap style that’s become a signature for me,” says S’BO GYRE.
Having been named Global Citizen’s Top Five artists to watch and featured in The New York Times to name a few; the Afropunk Ball performer and 2023 Africa Rising Music Conference panellist’s boundless creative curiosity led them to acclaim as an entertainment specialist.
As one of South Africa’s openly queer entertainers, S’BO GYRE confronts challenges head-on, armed with talent and tenacity. “I am a firm believer that my sexuality will get me views but my talent will get me places. I navigate through the homophobia and all the other prejudice by being undeniably good at my craft. I believe excellence is a choice and I always choose it,” he asserts.
South African multitalented artist S’bonakaliso S’BO GYRE Nene.
Their debut album, QUEERNOMICS, is not just a musical journey but a testament to self-discovery. “It was an episodic depiction of a contemporary black queer man in RSA,” they explain, emphasising the project’s role in affirming identity and celebrating individuality.
“QUEERNOMICS was me genuinely learning how to rap on beats. Two other songs aside, those 14 tracks are the first 14 tracks I ever made. The whole era was a process of learning to rap, to make music and to learn myself. The artistic manifestation was a result of my collaboration with J-Word Audio, Spreadin the FLU and L-Tune Chillin.”
The album birthed the bold track Eat My Ass exemplifying S’BO GYRE’s unapologetic approach, challenging societal norms and reclaiming his narrative.
“I heard the chant in my dream and immediately went to J-Word and the rest is history. Some might say God told me to preach the gospel of eating my ass. Jokes aside, it was more for me than anything- to learn to normalise my sexual experience as a queer gay man. I believe now that existence is resistance so by being myself, I am breaking those boundaries. It’s important to challenge society because it’s important to be authentic to myself.”
Yet, S’BO GYRE’s impact extends beyond the stage. His involvement in NKOLI: THE VOGUEOPERA pays homage to activist Simon Nkoli, fostering empathy and understanding through art.
“Phillip Miller was the one who approached me after my dear friend Welcome Lishivha had recommended me. It was a daunting task at first, especially because I had never written an opera before – let alone one this different and seismic. But its difference was the reason why it ultimately fit like a glove.”
“I hope people learn about Simon Nkoli as well as recognise and appreciate the contribution he made as an anti-apartheid and LGBTQIA+ activist. I hope they learn to see queer people as nuanced and ultimately humanise them. Most importantly, I just hope they enjoy it,” they say.
Breaking barriers isn’t just a milestone; it’s a legacy in the making. As the first openly gay male rapper to grace the main stage at Basha Uhuru, S’BO GYRE paves the way for future generations, embodying excellence, compassion, and courage.
“I represent myself and those who feel represented by me. I know the magnitude of the work I do is beyond me so I rest assured knowing that I needn’t think too much about the impact on representation I will have. In respect to my legacy- I hope I am synonymous with excellence, compassion and courage. These are the traits that have gotten me this far and will take me further.”
They have collaborated with artists like Namakau Star, Dali Danger, and Naimah to name a few.
“Collaborations are an opportunity to learn for me, hence why I embrace it and come out better after it. I always go into a collaboration with an open mind, even though sometimes my ‘writer pride’ wants to do everything. But I’m disciplined,” they share.
When asked about how they prioritize their diverse portfolio of projects, the response is as candid as it is enlightening.
“MONEY! Jokes aside, I believe everything has its season. It’s about knowing when to prioritise what. I can’t be in the studio every day yet, but it doesn’t mean I can’t write or rehearse a rap when I have a moment. I see myself as the ‘jackpot of all trades’. Excellence is an intention as much as it is a choice. Not everything will turn out excellent but the intention will undoubtedly shine through. I also see myself as a media tycoon in the making. My motivation is to shape this industry to my and other like-minded individuals’ image.”
EXCLUSIVE: Their upcoming EP, Altar Call, promises to captivate audiences, setting the stage for a transformative year in mainstream music.
“I am releasing my debut EP, Altar Call in August. There’s tons of music lined up for 2024 as well as other interesting artistic projects. I have music with Namakau Star, SiyaCee of Audio Addicts, Cheryl Zondi and Tim Welsh of Goodluck all on the way amongst others. It’s going to be a life-changing year for me and the mainstream music industry.”
Their collaboration with Naimah and Venus Raps was released earlier this year and has since been well-received by fans alike. “It came about by chance as we all had been at the Africa Rising Music Conference. Namakau Star brought us together and the rest is history. We recorded on that day and again a few months later and it was amazing. They are both such great artists and a pleasure to work with them.”
This is why they hope listeners take away from the song, “When you find love, enjoy it and dance BITCH!”
