INTERVIEW: South African born Poet and Lyrical Evangelist, REAL S.O.A.K talks Respect for Gospel Rappers, Upcoming EP, Publishing Deal and much more…

Silas Jirnde Nsulunka (born 10 May 1999) well known by his stage name “REAL S.O.A.K” is a Christian rapper from Durban, South Africa.

REAL S.O.A.K’s vision is to reach those that are in need of light to shine upon their lives, to encourage them to be the best that they can ever be and most importantly to bring souls to Christ. In his music you will hear him talking a lot about life, social issues that we as humans encounter in our lives, he also speaks a lot about spirituality, although for the most part he talks about life and less of God but he always lets the transparency between his belief fuse into his music and the way he approaches subject matters.

We can all agree that this young talent is slowly making his way through the top of not only the Gospel Charts in S.A but internationally.

Check out my exclusive interview with the Humble Rap Beast below:

Hey REAL S.O.A.K! Would you like to introduce yourself to our readers?
Sup fam, I’m Silas Jirnde Nsulunka, better known by my stage name REAl S.O.A.K. I am a young creative mind who paints pictures in words. I’m sometimes referred to as a Christian rapper but I think of myself as more of a lyrical evangelist, someone who wants to capture souls and bring life to people through art.

Talk me through an average day in the life of you?
Well an average day in my life is pretty much the same as an average young adult’s day. I got school (Yeap, you read that correctly “School”), then a few chores which I never do (hahaha), I spend most of my time in my bedroom studio either making music, listening to music or engaging myself in musical activity. I barely ever go out the house, the internet, my bible, my mic and my laptop are my best friends.

What institution(s) did you attend and what did you study?
I attended St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School, and I’m currently at Brettonwood High School.

When did you decide to venture music and why Gospel?
I’ve always been associated with gospel music, just that I took the decision to be an artist and more specifically a gospel artist in 2014. The reason being was because I wanted to make music that has substance, and not just talk about money, cars and having a flashy lifestyle because there;s more to life than just partying or being the richest. I wanted and still want to make music that people can relate to, music that talks about real life, real issues, real truth. It’s pointless me making music that just talks about how successful I am when after the music stops my fans head home to live with the same problems that they had before the show. I’m not saying that I give solutions, but I know a god that does.

How did you come up with the stage name “REAL S.O.A.K”?
Haha, well it’s crazy because the who “son of” concept began back in the times of Mxit. I created an account then called myself “Son Of Thunder”, crazy, yes i know. It was all about being creative and unique, fast forwards a few years later my friends kept on calling me “Young King” or “King” for some reason, so when I was about to sign my deal with BiG Light Records, we combined the ideas that were present making “Son Of A King” which made sense because we are all sons and daughters of the most high, so that the little backstory of how the name came about.

Do you feel gospel rapper get the respects they deserve from industry players?
Well firstly, I know that gospel rap hasn’t been very competitive from its genesis, by competitive I mean in terms of artists take the craft and maximizing it by really implementing every core element that makes rap/hip hop, hip hop. We have dumbed it down a lot, and made it simple and I understand because not every Church folk understands the lingo and the ways of hip hop as a culture. It has only been since like 2013/2014 when artists starts to go full in, top production, hot bars and beats and all that. So I’d say that we haven’t really earned the respect that I believe is due and on our end we haven’t really given the industry enough content of something worth having their respect, and even if we had to look at it in a spiritual point of view, we won’t be fully embraced by the mainstream because we pretty much preach the opposite of what they preach.

In March 2016, you signed a publishing deal with Sheer Publishing, how did the deal come about and what made you sign with them?
I was in contact with a lady who works in their A&R department and she did her job by scouting me and as result i scored an exclusive publishing deal with them. I actually had other offers that were on the table but then I chose them simply because the deal made more sense and they understood me better.

Tell us more about “Running” you released in July, what inspired the titled and how did you feel hitting 10,000 downloads in 22hrs?
“Running” is the first single off my upcoming EP that’s scheduled to drop in the first quarter of 2017. The hook basically summarizes the whole idea behind the song, of me reaching a stage in my life and career where I have to make major crucial decisions, a stage whereby even friends turn into enemies, people seeing the way things are beginning to work out for me and they quickly point fingers and say that I’m in it for the fame. There’s a major emphasis on ‘running’ because sin is the one element that i know will bring me down no matter what.

So your latest single featuring Switch “Not What I Do”, tell us more about it?
Switch and I have known each other for sometime but collaborating has never come up in any of our convos (hah, crazy). Till my PR manager who also handles his PR thought of getting him to jump on one of my tracks, I sent him the beat like a day after the initiation was taken, the song was finished in like 2 days, well I finished producing the beat earlier in the year. The song is basically talking about how people react when we approach them saying that we are “Christian” rappers, confusion strikes them and they us what do we do.

Looking at when you released your debut single “FIND A WAY” and now, how will you say you doing currently?
The Lord has been faithful, things haven’t extremely changed but there has been growth.

You also run a Talent Agency and supply talents and acts for brands. How is that working out for you?
Well I’m actually the CEO and Co-Founder of BiG Light Records. It has been amazing, I’ve been able to meet new artists and give the a chance to be discovered by others.

As an artist, how would you describe the industry in South Africa?
It is fresh, rich in talent and still has a long way to go.

Do you think South Africans feel groove to other gospel music from Africa?
Yes we do, I actually feel as if we groove to other African country’s music more than they do to ours, well maybe it’s because i haven’t been to many African countries as yet.

How do you balance your personal and professional life?
There’s a very fine line that draws the difference between my personal and private life. I’m the same person on and off the mice, in fact I prefer my fans having an insight of what my life is like because it brings about a certain connection that I can’t explain. When you’re on that big stage, performing in front of a huge crowd, it seems as psychologically impossible for a fan who is in the crowd to reach a level where they can hold you, talk to you or connect with you. But through social media, behind the scenes videos, bloopers it builds that virtual feeling as if they know me on a personal level, and that’s what i want, for my fans to known that I’m not a super human, I’m just like them and the difference is that I let God use me for his purpose.

How often do you go to the gym and how many hours do you spend while you there?
Hahaha, I have a full year gym subscription but I’ve only gone there like 20 days since the year began.

What’s your 5 Dos and Don’t of being a musician?
Do’s
1) Practice
2) Practise
3) Be disciplined
4) Seek to gain more knowledge
5) Strengthen your strengths

Don’ts
1) Don’t think you’re better than the next man
2) Don’t seek for money, once you get it there won’t be a need to do music anymore. If you want money, start a business.
3) Don’t disrespect people
4) Don’t forget your roots
5) Don’t try to be the star of the show when your not.

What would you say is the main misconception the public have about gospel musicians?
That all we do is judge people, or we feel as if we are better than everyone else.

What aspect surprised you the most once you started in the music industry?
What surprised me the most is how people don’t believe what you say until you do it. i was turned down by many labels, until they saw how much of a buzz I was building then rejected their offers.

Which brands, clients, producers, artists and celebs have you worked with?
I actually just partnered with a brand, but i don’t want to announce anything as yet, because it will be a surprise to many.

What has been one of the most memorable jobs/clients to work on?
Jayjoel Nans’s song “Don’t Let Go”. That song came about as a joke. I hummed most of the hook, we used song references to not forget the chord progressions, after producing it like twice we eventually got it recorded. Song files went missing, studios were shut down and so many incidents kept on happening causing us to re-record and produce the song 3 times.

Who do you want to work with that you haven’t yet?
The list can goon till forever but a for now I’d say, Lecrae, Lira, Toby Mac, Kaien Cruz, Aewon Wolf, Gemini Major, Cassper Nyovest, Mawat, Blaque Nubon, AKA, Big Sean, Kari Jobe and many more

Tell us two things people don’t know about you?
1. I’m a programmer, I code for fun
2. I’m a Pizza, Burger and sneaker addict.

What do you consider your biggest professional success so far?
Being featured on MTV was pretty much the biggest achievement.

What has been your biggest challenge?
Putting this project together. haha, trying to narrow down which songs to fit in a 7 song EP is worse than deciding between a pair of Jordans or a collection of Supra sky tops.

#ExcuseMySneakerAddiction

You are very active on social media. Do you think its important to be online and if so why?
Yes, social media is one of the key ways i can get to listen and talk to my fans, instantly.

You are from Durban and I hear you plan to relocate to Johannesburg, South Africa. How is that working out for you?
Haven’t moved to Johannesburg as yet, although I’m planning on moving but Durban is still the best place to be in my opinion.

What are your must visit travel destinations?
Ummh, I’d say Zanzibar, Mauritius, Dubai, Hollywood, Mount Everest and Berlin, Germany.

Name 5 things we should take seriously about our style choices?
Id say, the color scheme, keeping things simple but elegant, use of accessories, know your body and what type of clothes suite you best, don’t dress to impress, dress to be the finest.

How would you describe your style?
Young and mature. Excuse the Oxymoron

Name your five must have accessories/essentials?
1. Belt
2. Watch
3. A pair of clean socks
4. A nice leather wallet
5. African bracelet

What are your favorite fashion trends?
I’m not really sure hey, I don’t really follow trends.

What is your favorite dish?
Friend chicken, with fries, salad and a beef burger. The salad is just to make up for all the junk associated with the dish.

What songs are currently on your playlist?
Umh,
Lecrae – Deja Vu
Rouge -Sheba Ngwan O’
Yemi Alade – Na Gode
Social Club – Awkard pt.2
Davido – Aye
AKA – Composure
Nasty C – Problems
Cassper Nyovest – Super Ex
Kirk Franklin – Wanna Be Happy?
Derek Minor – Gimme

Apart from music, what other projects are you currently working on?
I just started up a media company that will do music distribution, PR, social media marketing for unsigned artists. The company is called “Retrospect Media Group” I’ve partnered with South Africa’s best indie music agents and some international companies.

Seeing you’re doing your dreams, what advice can you give others to pursue their dreams?
Don’t waste time chasing dreams, make them a reality. People have to laugh at our vision because only you can see it, they can’t so let them be blind and you make it a reality.

Any specific plans for the future?
I will be releasing me first project in the first quarter of 2017 so stay tuned for that.

Any final words?
Stay real, stay righteous and stay blessed.

Where can we follow you online and on social media?
Twitter: @iamrealsoak
Facebook: REAL SOAK
Instagram: @iamrealsoak
Website: www.realsoak.com