“Trust no one—Ke Manong!” – BlackAce reveals the truth behind his ‘Belly of the Beast’ trilogy
From a 10-year-old boy imitating his favourite artists to a seasoned musician navigating the concrete jungle of Johannesburg, BlackAce’s journey speaks to perseverance, passion, and profound growth.
Born Rorisang Mogapi in Rustenburg, he discovered his love for music early, but his path to becoming a fully-fledged artist was paved with trials and triumphs that shaped his sound and message.
“When I was 10 it was mainly about imitating my favourite artists and not thinking about the verses, as long as they rhymed (chuckles). I would say that my greatest growth occurred from my mid-20s, I went from being an elite MC to becoming a fully-fledged musician,” he recalls.
Inspired by heavyweights like Stogie T, Proverb, J.Cole, and Nas, he’s honed a lyrical style that reflects not just skill, but a deep consciousness of the power of words. “My inspirations taught me how impactful a simple sentence can be, whether it’s a punchline or a statement everyone can resonate with.”
His breakthrough came in 2017 when he won the Twitter freestyle challenge for Eminem’s Revival launch, securing a spot among South Africa’s hip-hop elite. Meeting his idols was surreal, but it also served as a wake-up call.
“It was an amazing experience, it opened my eyes to the fact that a freestyle can be more than just a freestyle, it can connect you to a musical community all based on raw talent. Meeting my idols was an eye opener to what it takes to make it in the industry, and how to conduct yourself as an artist.”
Now, BlackAce is channelling his experiences into a three-part album, Belly of the Beast. The first instalment chronicles his initial discoveries in Johannesburg—a city that welcomed him with opportunities and challenges. “It’s about a young child from Rustenburg trying to find success in Jozi Maboneng,” he explains.
“The biggest lesson I learned is to trust no one; there are many vultures out here, ke Manong.” Parts two and three will delve into his transformation from a small-town boy into a city man, exploring the spiritual battles and personal growth that accompany such a journey.
This personal and relatable narrative is at the heart of Belly of the Beast. It’s an album for anyone who has left home chasing big dreams, only to find themselves grappling with the stark realities of city life. “Whether you’re from Rustenburg, Free State, or Mthatha, we all have similar stories when it comes to experiencing Joburg,” he says.
“Finding yourself again requires humility and faith.”
BlackAce’s appearances on platforms like MTV Base’s Yo MTV Raps and SABC 1’s One Mic solidified his place in the industry, proving that the BlackAce brand is more than just music—it’s a movement. His single Never Ready featuring Touchline and Capital C has already surpassed 20,000 streams on Spotify, a milestone he attributes to hard work and collaboration.
“Having Touchline on the track ensured it would reach the masses.”
Despite his rising fame, BlackAce remains grounded. Media recognition is a tool for growth, but not a measure of success for him. “There are many artists who are unknown but financially stable,” he says wisely.
“It’s up to you to figure out what’s important: money or fame.”
As fans eagerly await the next chapters of Belly of the Beast, BlackAce promises more stories of perseverance, patience, and faith. Beyond that, he’s leaving his future in God’s hands. “From the hustle to 9-5, art is a mirror of life,” he reflects. “And this is just the beginning.”
A notable highlight for BlackAce is his appearance on Sotra Cyphers, a platform known for its raw and unfiltered showcase of South African hip-hop talent.
“Before anything else, SPEEKA IS THE GOAT. Being on Sotra Cyphers was amazing, finally getting that Sotra Cypher stamp of approval is one of the highlights of this year. Innercity Cypher is the main reason how I got the call to Sotra Cyphers, in case you’re wondering, Innercity Cypher is an every Friday Cypher hosted at Bongz & Records by Tony Dangler.”
To date, he has released various EPs and albums like Trimesters and Semesters, Therapy and Last Days at The Trap. Therapy remains his personal favourite, “It holds the most weight, during that time I was in a dark place and the studio became my therapy. If it wasn’t for hip hop I might not be here today,” Shares BlackAce.
With such a remarkable journey under his belt, BlackAce’s story is an inspiration for all aspiring artists. His advice? Stay true to yourself, understand the power of your words, and remember that success is a marathon, not a sprint. Jozi may be a beast, but with his talent and tenacity, BlackAce is more than equipped to tame it.
He is hosting a live band show on September 28 at Bongz & Records, 33 De Korte in Braamfontein.
Stream Belly of the Beast here.
