Fredokiss goes guns blazing in no holds barred MBC interview
Monday nights have become talking points in urban music circles and this week it was no exception when legendary rapper Fredokiss stormed Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) radio 2 studios.
Real name Fredo Penjani Kamlepo Kalua also known as The Ghetto King Kong, the “Zautsiru” hitmaker was a guest on currently the hottest radio show Made on Monday hosted by DJ Joy Nathu.
The interview started on a rather controversial note when the DJ wanted to find out how the moniker “Ghetto King Kong” came about considering the fact that another rapper also claims to be “King of the Ghetto”.
A few subliminal shots were fired but finally it was a no holds barred kind of an interview.
“This name came from way back. I started Ghetto Gutter Entertainment years ago. He used to be known as Gamba when he was at Poly before he got weeded. Do people still call him Gamba these days?” Fredokiss questioned.
After a few minutes explaining his music, education and personal background, the interview changed tone when the rapper was quizzed about the Fredokiss Scholarship’s Ghetto Shoulder Initiative.
“Do you know what I did with the money that I got from Nyasa Music Awards when I won Best Hip Hop artist? I used it pay for school fees for five needy students. I approached a Blantyre based NGO to identify the students that really needed help. That’s what we need to do as youths. We have to be the change that we need,” he explained.
Then Joy Nathu asked, “But some people say you claim to be ghetto when you don’t live in the ghetto?
Fredokiss responded, “Every time people say am not ghetto, I go home, bow down and pray because I have defied the odds. Being ghetto is having that positive mind and doing what people thought you couldn’t do. Being ghetto doesn’t mean you have to struggle and be poor for the rest of your life.
“Back then ghetto was synonymous with negativity. But, our music has made ghetto look cool. I rap, I work and am still studying because I have to be an example to these kids that follow my music. You go to our shows, you see the crowd response. As musicians, what messages are sending out there?”
Commenting on whether his father’s political status quo affects his music, the young Kalua said, “I love my father. He mentored me to think critically. He has taught be a lot in life. To me, what happens to him is not strange. It has been happening for a long time. He gets arrested almost each year. It seems new to others maybe because now people can easily get information through social media.”
Fredokiss came into the limelight in the early 2000s with a hit “Woza”. He was one half of the duo Fredokiss and JB which made headlines in mid 2000s. The duo once crossed paths with Tay Grin and Phyzix respectively.
“I was young but I still think the beef was worth it. Hip Hop is like a sport. It’s competitive,” he said.
Before the interview, the rapper released and premiered a new song “Dear Jah Jah” which he described as a conversation with God.
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