Humble Begging Nurture Eminent Success- Mopedy
By: Wendy Mbiko
A wise man once said, “It is not where you come from that defines you as a person, but where you headed and the motivation that drives you when you get there,” says Jackson Morema.
He is a well-known influential vernacular rapper who was born and bred in Makotopong, a village which is 23 km away from Polokwane the capital city of Limpopo.
His fans know him by his stage name Mopedy but that wasn’t always the case, before he spread his wings from Makotopong to try his luck in Johannesburg he used to go by the name 10ion but being one of the only Sepedi rapper among Zulu rappers he got re-branded to who we know him today MOPEDY as.
Mopedy matriculated in Phomolong High School and the pressure from his older siblings who are all graduates, he went off to get a degree in BSc water and sanitation at the University of Limpopo.
“I had to graduate in something, anything!” exclaimed Mopedy.
While busy with his studies the call from music echoed even louder so in 2008 he decided to answer it, it wasn’t easy because in 2004 when he first performed at Tiro Hall at the University as part of a duo called M10 at a Fresher’s Ball the performance went horribly wrong but that didn’t stop him, his courageous nature pushed him back on stage as a solo artist this time.
His plan was never to become an artist but rather an artist manger, unfortunately his lack of experience was a stumbling block to his dream. He came up with a plan that would get him both the experience he needed and an artist to manage, he managed himself.
Many artist regard a breakthrough in the industry as when you finally get recognised by a big record label or having a hit single, Mopedy emphasised he got his success when he finally committed himself to his passion for music 100%.
A lot of young people are stuck between a rock and a hard place when it comes to choosing between a career they love and a job that pays well. After having proven to his parents that he could turn his dream into a lucrative business, they too started to support him.
Every superman has a kryptonite that humbles them, Mopedy has his beautiful daughter, Leago, that motivates him and is his source of inspiration. Leago has put things into perspective: he knows he has someone to create a legacy for, someone who depends on him working hard and being responsible but that doesn’t mean he forgets to catch his breath and live in the moment.
Mopedy is the CEO of Verbal Silence Entertainment which is a Music and Events Company and a division of Zar Prestige Lifestyle Club.
Under the stable of verbal silence he manages three artist which are Moledi, Kedlalance which he says will have huge national hits before the end of 2017 (we’ll hold him to it) and Mopedy the artist will be focusing on features and management duties this year.
Zar Prestige has launched a wine rage which is sold online at www.zarprestige.com for all those wine lovers with the finer taste in life, the Shiraz and Rosé will quench your thirst. There is also a charity initiative being headed by Mopedy called #HelpUsDressABaby which donates clothes in Polokwane which has dressed 300 babies in 2016 and is hoping to double the number in 2017.
“I have different mentors for different needs” said Mopedy. Firstly, Dj Sbu, his optimistic approach to business, no matter how small or how impossible it may seem he's always willing to give it a go, fully commit and ultimately win.
Secondly, Arthur Mafokate, he might be labelled a crook but his long successful stay in the music industry tells a huge success independent record label exec story. Thirdly, Hip Hop Pantsula, for popularizing the Motswako Genre and being a library for all Motswakolistas when they need to study the game.
And last but not least is his business partner at both Zar Prestige Lifestyle Club and Verbal Silence Entertainment, Andy Pule Malahlela for his work ethic, for being a serial entrepreneur and always being concerned about how many lives and families they will improve before asking how much profit they’ll make.
“It gets easier as you go” stated Mopedy, “to all the young people wanting to get in the music or entertainment industry.
People may not even take your seriously from the word GO but hold on and keep going.”
To get a hold of Mopedy we can get a hold of him via Facebook: Mopedy, or Instagram : Mopedy and even on Twitter: Kemopedy respectively. To buy his music or any music from Verbal Silence, you can get it at www.zarprestige.com
