Mayhem KS

Soweto-based hip-hop artist Mayhem KS has a compelling way of grabbing listeners’ ears with the very first words he spews from his lips. With an obsession for stacking flows on top of each other like boxes filled with Avon products, ordered by the neighborhood granny; he rarely utters anything without good intent. Mayhem’s sneaky metaphors, puns and multi-syllable rhymes expose a technically-focused emcee trying to meet music-lovers halfway on their quest to connect emotionally with an artist in song. To accomplish this, he intuitively and soulfully wraps up everything with nostalgically-influenced hooks that massage the soft, gooey center of the next man.

Mayhem KS (Government name Morena, in case the feds are asking. Kidding) fell in love with rapping when he first heard Pro Kid. This changed EVERYTHING. It was the first time Mayhem had heard such in-your-face, unrelenting confidence on wax from anybody, let alone a Soweto boy. Having attended a private school, he was used to sort of downplaying his kasi origins during the people. Listening to Pro Kid unlocked his confidence and the pride he had in his hometown and made him believe he could do this rap thing too, at the tender age of 10. From there he started writing in his light blue manuscript. He would then rap to his mother, classmates, cousins and anyone who did not have an excuse good enough to dodge him.

Fast forward to current times, where he is intensely focused on creating a name for himself in the local music game. So far, Mayhem KS has 2 projects under his belt: LoveRapHustle: The EP (2017) & 1818: The Capsule (2018). Mayhem KS has been actively making music since 2012. His musical influences include Pro Kid, Jay Z, Maglera Doe Boy, Rihanna, Mos Def, J Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Mdu, Spikiri, TKZee, Mzekezeke, Zola, Eminem, Brown Dash, Priddy Ugly, Erykah Badu, A-Reece, AKA, Nasty C, Stogie T, Zubz, Cassper Nyovest, Bongo Muffin and the numerous artists heard on Metro FM every Sunday at the family lunch.

For a long time Mayhem KS was not getting any bookings. Finally, he decided to hustle himself a mobile speaker and go around Johannesburg performing his songs