Raising the Energy

Drill hip-hop artist RAF DON sits down with ClubX to chat about the power of music and how it has more influence than we think

- MELISSA NDLOVU

He's got swag as he strolls into the restaurant - hands in his pockets, perfectly styled braids and a cool way about him as he sits down. "Nice to meet you," he says, peering over his shades. He has a welcoming aura that immediately draws people in.

Raphael Tambwe, aka RAF DON, is a rising hip-hop artist who is of French descent and came to South Africa with his family as a child. He started out in music ghostwriting for other artists, but six years ago ventured out on his own - and quickly became one of the most talked about rappers in SA.

With his powerful lyrics and drill hip-hop sound (a subgenre characterised by slower, hard-driving beats and grittiness), RAF DON has captivated audiences across Mzansi and beyond.

"I always knew music was what I was meant to do, although it all started with dance. I have a huge passion for dance and grew up watching the likes of Michael Jackson and, later, Chris Brown, who put a lot of passion and soul into their live performances," he says.

At first, he started making his own music to dance to, and then people started noticing the music instead of his dance moves. "I always got good comments on the music and my accent and how it made the music sound. And that got me thinking... Why don't I take this a step further?"

RAF is deeply influenced by his multi-cultural background. His lyrics reflect the struggles and experiences of the different people he has encountered throughout his life, making his music a powerful reflection of the socio-political issues that affect these communities.

In 2017, he released his debut single, 'Foreign', to widespread acclaim. Following that success, he went on to release several more songs, further cementing his place in the local hip-hop scene.