BUBBLING UNDER - MARIKO

It is extremely difficult in today's competitive & dynamic industry to create your own identity, stand out as an artist and remain true to yourself and your craft. Fortunately, establishing an identity hasn't been a challenge for Mariko. His upcoming E.P, "Ba tla nkitse ka ditiro", is a strive for balance between leap-taking and staying grounded; It basically portrays him as a risk taking but also a focused individual; one whose songs are filled with wisdom which is presented in an attention-getting way.

"Born and raised in Itsoseng, I never took rapping seriously. All I ever did was write. Be it poems, short stories or even just angry outbursts onto a piece of paper; my passion has always been in writing. It was soon after picking up a basketball, at age 14, that I started writing lyrics to instrumentals I found in my elder brother's computer running an old operating system that my interest in music grew. Of course this dissipated soon after I started listening to Talib Kweli rap. My exact thoughts were: how do I compete! I didn't stop writing though. I never have. In fact I started writing a book in December of 2005 that I never got to finish."

It is in his first year out of high school that he got back into rapping (a story to be deliberately omitted).

Fast-forward [>>] I.T. professional, certified trainer, poet, self-taught graphic designer, web-designer, entrepreneur, creative writer, performer, father and uncle to many; Mariko came together with a few artists who formed and then signed to the independent label Square Root Studios where he is now also serving as an integral part of the management team.

Whilst still working on his craft Mariko has worked with Square Root Studios on the mixtape. "The Anchor", has featured a number of projects and released a single called "Mic Cheques" from his E.P. released in August 2013. "80% of the proceeds from this E.P will go directly to the CSI department within Square Root Studios; Rooting… and this is non-negotiable." says the bold Mariko.

"My purpose in life is to create a little bit of hope" is a motto that Mariko (better known as Tsholofelo Sehume) lives by. "... and that is all I want to achieve in my authorship, my musicianship and my poetry. All I hope for is that the work I produce can connect with you at various levels."

So look out for more from Mariko!

Some of his work:

Mic Cheques

This track is from my upcoming E.P. titled BA TLA NKITSE KA DITIRO (this is a tentative title and might change). It is a dedication to musicians, rappers, writers, and the likes out there in the world that listen and pay attention to content. It's presented in Motswako and is universal.
DOWNLOAD 

The Anchor Mix

In November of 2012 Square Root Studios released a completely free mix tape with all its then artists taking part. I featured on a number of songs in the mix tape.
It is available for DOWNLOAD.

Mzansi Poetry Evolution

I have had the honor and pleasure of being invited to perform/recite some of my poetry at the above mentioned venue. Needless to say; it is always a heartwarming experience.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/MZANSI.POETRY.EVOLUTION/

Holla @MarikoTheAnchor on twitter.

mariko@srsstudios.co.za