Tumelo Kepadisa is an introvert and an outsider at the same time.
But this rapper's stage persona, Tuks, is a seTswana-rapping wordsmith who shoots straight from the hip. "I was drawn to music because I was never good at chatting to people one on one," says Tuks, before adding, "maybe that's the reason people sometimes think I'm arrogant."
Dealing with this and other accusations about his place in hip-hop seems to be important to Tumelo, so Tuks settles the scores on his latest album, MC Prayer.
His departure from record label Ghetto Ruff to EMI and the subsequent speedy release of an album has raised eyebrows.
"With the move, EMI wanted an album out. Maybe it's because I won the Sama or maybe they were scared I was a one-hit wonder. Sometimes I think that they had a point because although they pressured me into releasing, it's a dope album. I'm happy with it and people are happy with it," clarifies Tuks.
He's certainly no one-hit wonder, proven by his hits: Senganga, Pressure Point and 525 600 Minutes - all from his debut Mafoko a Me. And the Sama? Pitted against Pro (formerly Prokid) and Hip Hop Pantsula - two of SA's most loved rappers, it was Tuks who was awarded the 2005 Sama for best hip-hop album.
Though many were rooting for this underdog, Tuks claims he received a lot of flak for the honour - mostly from Motswako (a term coined by rappers from Mafikeng) followers.
He addresses this in the song Motswako Back .
"My category was allocated judges, it wasn't voted for by the public. So my peers chose me. This wasn't about my personality or popularity; it was about my music.
"They judged the product, not the person."
"Personally," he continues, "it (the response) ticked me off, what was I supposed to do? Take the award back? So I'm not beefing with Jabba or Morafe, this is about how I feel about other people who were negative about me taking the Sama, me coming out of nowhere and making something out of my life."
It's not all gloom on MC Prayer, the platinum-selling rapper explains. While celebrating the success of his debut, he also merely wanted to enjoy life and "floss about things just because I can". Amid the social consciousness in songs such as the catchy Monate Thwaa are really fun and silly songs. "I wanted to let people enjoy the lighter side of Tuks without me always being so serious."
And this former "outcast" has good reason to do so. With an endorsement deal with clothing brand Dickies, possibly even Audi in the near future and plans to release a DVD of his live shows, it's no wonder both Tuks and Tumelo are grateful.
"My music is my job, and it feels good to say that. It's a blessing, hence the title: MC Prayer. You know what?" he offers, "I realised my blessings and this is just me saying thank you very much."
