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Introduction:
I go by the name Mtheto, but on stage, I'm known as MKH, which is derived from the initials of my full name, Mtheto Kadoko Hara. As for the name "Cooletic Muzek," it's essentially a fusion of "Cool Music" and "Modest," a representation of my style—cool and modest, far from the glitz and glamour. My journey into music began with dance, imitating legends like Michael Jackson, Bobby Brown, and MC Hammer. This led me to explore rap and hip-hop, where I found my true calling. Tupac, particularly his track "Dear Mama," inspired me to start writing my own raps.
Musical Style:
I'm all about old-school boom bap hip-hop. My music revolves around themes of self- empowerment, social justice, equality, purposeful living, and love and spirituality.
Inspirations:
At the top of my inspiration list are Tupac and Alicia Keys. They've consistently delivered music that truly reflects their values and worldviews, which is essential to me. Other artists who inspire me include Ice Cube, Lauryn Hill, Nas, Tracy Chapman, Jagged Edge, Boys II Men, Usher, Dr. Dre, Guru, LL Cool J, Snoop Dogg, Bobby Brown, and MC Hammer. While I'm a rapper, my music often leans toward R&B in terms of structure and themes.
Songwriting Process:
For me, it all starts with words and song title ideas. I'm a writer to my core, and my preferred form of expression is through rap songs. Typically, I'll conceive a hook first, and the song's title is crafted around the words in the hook. Only then do I proceed to write the verses. I prefer creating the song concept, hook, and title before working on the beat and lyrics. My inspiration comes from observations, analysis, visualizations, and occasionally, personal experiences.
Visual Artistry:
I have a unique approach to visuals and promotional materials. I tend to lean toward minimalism; less is more for me. My album artwork is usually simple, dominated by black and gold colors, with minimal pictures of me. I consider my music as the brand, not myself. In my music videos, you won't see me on screen. Instead, I hire dancers, actors, or models to convey the visuals while my voice takes the spotlight.
Collaborations:
I've had the pleasure of collaborating with producer Kato on the Track, who did a remix for my unreleased song, "IF YOU ARE NOT BLACK." This track aims to educate the public about the use of the N-word and why non-black rappers should avoid it in their songs.
In the future, I dream of collaborating with artists like Alicia Keys, Nas, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Usher, Baby Face, and African acts like Sauti Sol from Kenya and Mafikizolo from South Africa.
Artistic Growth:
Balancing my teaching career and music hasn't always been easy, but I'm determined to make my mark in the music world. I've been recording music since 2001, and I believe my sound is continually improving. With streaming and online collaborations, I'm confident that my music career is set for success. I plan to become a live performing and touring artist, sharing my music with audiences who truly appreciate the words and not just the beats.
Live Performances:
I've performed in various places around the world, including Malawi, Kenya, Thailand, and Norway. I lean more towards intimate settings rather than nightclubs or massive festivals. My music thrives when the audience genuinely wants to hear the lyrics and connect with the message. Auditoriums, medium-sized arenas, or open gardens are my preferred stages, places where the music takes center stage.
