Young, gifted with rap. You’d be forgiven for thinking this is hip-hop artist Sizwe “Reason” Moeketsi’s moniker. Having broken into the music industry early, this young artist has a starpower and longevity that belies his age. 

Born in Tembisa and raised in Katlehong, Reason came up as a battle rapper competing in numerous competitions, both official and on the street corner. It wasn’t long before Johannesburg began to take notice and he began making appearances on YFM delivering breakfast jingles for DJ Fresh on “The Unrestricted Breakfast Show” in 2005.

Reason has gone on to be named Hype Magazine’s King of the Bedroom and was named “Emcee of the Month” by Hip Hop’s first lady Lee Kasumba in March 2006 on YFM “Rap Activity”. This buzz propelled Reason to multiple shows across South Africa as well as a Scandinavian tour. Since then, Reason has gone to collaborate with some of South Africa’s most prolific rappers such as Proverb, Tumi, Zubz, ILL Skillz, HHP, Amu, and AKA.

Background: 

Reason’s first studio release “The Reasoning”, boasting the production talents of Battlekat, Instro, Mizi, Rastic Ras and Ootz The Afronaut, garnered critical acclaim posting 4 stars in Hype Magazine, positioning it as one of South Africa’s highest rated albums in 2010. Reason then joined South Africa’s largest hip-hop brand Kool Out Entertainment as the featured Emcee and host for all Johannesburg events and has performed with international stars Ras Kass, Qwazzar (Typical Cats), K’Naan, and Masta Ace.

In 2011, this “Unsigned Hype” joined Motif Records, marking a new step in his career and will feature his first official label release in June 2012. Motif Records, a South African based independent music company, recording, developing and promoting cutting edge music through strategic music management. Motif was formed in the late 2000's and have established one of the most sought after roster including one of Africa's most popular hip-hop exports - Tumi (Tumi And The Volume), South African/Canadian singer/songwriter Zaki Ibrahim, the labels latest artist partnership include SA hip-hop artists Perfecto and Reason.

Motif see's an opportunity to develop and nurture African and South African talent with the potential for longevity in today’s declining music business fixated with pop hit formulas.

Ninja Turtles:

The Ninja Turtles are a relatively new crew except that T-time Terry, B-boy Roots and B-boy Deh Curse collectively have over 25 years of dance experience between them!

Carefully selected, hand-picked from Cape Town’s best, they met while performing in a dance production called Mixing It Up and decided to form a crew focussed on producing, “hip hop with an edge”.

A fusion of the traditional elements of b-boying, with contemporary hip hop, pantsula and other traditional South African dance styles like gum boot. This is what they believe makes them strong competition for the Red Bull Beat Battle 2012 title. Watch this space!