On a mission to carve his own identity, one half of the award-winning duo Tswazis, affectionately known as Raxxa, recently surprised fans when he released his first solo effort.
Raxxa, whose real name is Reinhardt Terence Pieters, told VIBEZ! his new track titled ‘Babalas’ speaks into the aftermath of a wild night out, capturing the highs and lows of those experiences.
“The title, meaning hangover, perfectly encapsulates the vibe of the song. I chose it as my first single because it’s fun, fresh, has a message that’s relatable, and resonates with people. It also allows me to showcase a different side of my musical style,” he said.
After years of collaborating with his partner Eldazz, Raxxa felt it was important to explore his own creative identity. “While our partnership has been incredibly rewarding, I have always felt like I haven’t reached my full potential yet, and that I had more to give than just box myself to Tswazis. I wanted to challenge myself, and see what I could create independently. This solo endeavour is about my personal growth, self-discovery, and pushing the boundaries.”
Raxxa said this would not be just a once-off thing, as he plans on pushing the boundaries with his new journey to be able to contribute to the group’s legacy. “The song ‘Babalas’ is just the beginning. I have more singles that can make an album lined up. It’s the beginning of a new journey for me. I have a lot of music I’m excited to share, so fans can expect more solo work as well as collaborations in the future,” he said.
Once a trio, the group headed to ‘splitsville’ in 2015 when Kaptein Tswazi embarked on a solo career, which also raised eyebrows when Raxxa announced his solo track, which he denounced.
“Eldazz is incredibly supportive of my solo work. He is a talented artist with his own unique style. Our group discussions have been positive, focusing on how our individual projects can ultimately benefit the group’s dynamic. It’s an exciting time for both of us to grow individually and as a group,” said Raxxa.
At the same time, the group is working on new material since they have not released an album since 2018 and plan to release two albums later this year, one for Raxxa and another for Tswazis.
“The journey has been a rollercoaster, filled with both challenges and amazing opportunities. Each step has been a learning curve; from starting out with Eldazz, to now exploring solo projects. The industry is tough, but the passion for music and the connection with fans make it all worthwhile,” he noted.
He thanked all the fans for their unwavering support, saying “This solo project is as much for them as it is for me. Stay tuned for more music, and keep an eye out for our upcoming album. Your support and love mean everything to us, and we can’t wait to share more with you.”
-slunyangwe@nepc.com.na