PEMBA D BRUDA: Hope My Knee Grows

Start us off easy. What is the story behind the handle "hopemykneegrows"? Is it a play on words, a personal thing, or just something that stuck?

"It's definitely an amalgamation of ideas and inspiration. I always wanted my IG handle to not be my alias or name, like how Earl is @soapmanwun, Tyler is @feliciathegoat. The one time when it really clicked for me was when I saw the handle of this great rapper who goes by the alias, Willing Listeners Forum. His handle is @thiskaffirraps & I just thought that was very bold of him."

Walk us through how you got into music. Where in SA did you grow up, and what was the moment that made you go, "Yeah, music is the one for me."?

"I was born in Jozi but raised in GQ. Music has always been part of my life… literally. My mom used to tell me that when I was a baby, I couldn't sleep without music playing on the TV. There's some broers that only get into it when they get older but I've always known that this is what I want to do with my life. In terms of when I started rapping, it was probably in 2019. I would make music with my homies in hostel for fun and the reactions I would get gave me some validation that my pen was good. And then in 2022 my homies Apostle and David Black got me into studio with them at res and from then on I never looked back."

Your recent drop "I" looks and sounds fire. What vibe were you chasing with that one, and how did it come together?

"So the producer for "I" is the OG, Eanershow, shoutout to him for real for believing in me. It's highly possible that I wouldn't have dropped music if it wasn't for him. Most of the time I treat beats like a journaling book. I think at that time in my life I was starting to find some resolution in my story. "Nothing is something" was my motto around that time. Just being okay with not being okay sometimes, you know?"

You direct, edit, and color a lot of your visuals (like the "DND" visualizer). How important is the video side to you compared to just the music? Do you see yourself more as a full creative package?

"At this day and age, it's as important as the music when it comes to your brand image. It's sad to say but the one thing I love more than anything has now become my business and source of income. Some people won't like a tune and then when they cav the visuals, it's a different story. I think your choice of attire is a salient factor as well. I really love to do all of these things, but my only issue with this though is when the main focus is everything but the music. So I guess it's a bit of both. I feel that right now for me, it's solely about the music. Of course I dibble and dabble with my other creative paths from time to time, but I'll get into those avenues and treat them with the same respect as I do with music at a later stage."

Any wild stories from a session, cypher, or live? Or moments where things just clicked?

"Besides me bodying every single one, not really. I'm usually pretty quiet in the stu. I kinda keep to myself and get in the zone, mainly because of how introspective my music is. I'm never in lit studios where people that don't make music are just roaming for "moral support or inspiration"."

How does your cultural background (language, family vibes, Eastern Cape energy) sneak into your sound or lyrics without you forcing it?

"This is my favourite question so far because it's really something I've been trying to incorporate into my music for a while. My pen is not as good in Xhosa as it is in English, simply cause i'm not fluent in Xhosa. I'm also not your typical Xhosa broer from Gqeberha, so I try my best to use South African instrumentation or samples into my music to not "force it"."

Balancing the come-up is real. How do you handle the grind of dropping tracks, linking with directors and producers, and staying in the pocket while keeping it real and not burning out?

"Honestly, I don't even know how to answer this because "I" is my first single I ever released on streaming platforms excluding features. In terms of directors and producers, most of them are my friends or people I've seen in the art world whose message I truly respect. I just stick to what inspires me and never try to force much."

What does a typical day look like for you? Are there studio late nights, chilling with the crew, or some weird ritual to get in the zone before recording?

"I usually make breakfast and listen to the music I made before or song that have been on rotation. Making music is so easy compared to marketing it, so I always try and do something related to my career before I make music. I'm usually by myself in the studio, I can't lie. I usually hear a beat and then just write and record it in my room."

What are 3 accessories you cannot go a day without?

"My phone, headphones and I can't say the third one."

Socials are key for artists these days. How has IG changed the game for you? We are talking about dropping snippets, connecting with fans, or even finding collabs through the 'gram.

"I think it's changed it in a bad way for me. Originally when I wanted to become a musician, I thought I would make it based on how good my music is. That's the only thing I've ever cared about, acknowledgement and recognition for my art. Never signed up for the other bull. On the contraire, it has it's pros. Like I would have never made "I" if it wasn't for IG. The producer, Eanershow is from France, never met the broer before but we chat all the time."

If music was not the move, what else do you think you would be deep into? Directing films, fashion, arts, something random like sports?

"I was actually really good at breakdancing back in the day, but that phase ended after my Ayo and Teo era. I've always had an eye for fashion since I was a laaitie, so probably that. I love art, but I just can't seem to think of something to draw and then still draw it well. Like I said before, I would have to give these different mediums the same amount of respect as I do music, 'cause everyone is okay with making trash these days. So I just stay in my lane. I know this is a hypothetical question but honestly though, I've never not thought i was going to make music."

Looking forward, what is next? What is the big dream project, collab wish list (local or international), or a sound you are experimenting with that we should watch for?

"I'm just gonna keep releasing great music till they understand. Dream Collab… I won't name rappers cause the list would be too long and I would wanna name them all. Locally, I'd love to work with Parkourtexas, Nightmare Henry, Kujenga. Internationally, Teezo Touchdown, Daniel Caesar, Solange, Standing On The Corner, SurfGang, chaz la pointe, Q Tip, Madlib, Dj Blackpower & randomblackdude."