SK Baleni on Working With Gabi Le Roux, His Debut Project, Hip Hop In Worcester & More

by Sabelo Mkhabela

A few years ago, Sakhile Baleni had a regular 9-to-5 for three years. But he realized it wasn’t for him. “I wasn’t satisfied,” he says. “There was a big hole I had to fill.” He wanted to make music professionally. Typically, his family wasn’t impressed. “One day it will make cents,” he told them. Which became the name of his debut project, which he just released.

Sakhile raps as SK Baleni. He reps the small Western Cape town Worcester. He worked with mostly artists from there, on One Day It Will Make Cents. He produced most of it, under the moniker Six Eight.

SK is a dope rapper, and his talent, a few years back, caught the attention of South African veteran producer, Gabi Le Roux (the man behind Mandoza’s “Nkalakatha”).

Things didn’t work out in that contract. He decided to go the independent route. We haven't heard the whole album, but the few tracks we've heard (including "Stronger", the lead single) tell us the project is something worth your time and money.

Listen to an interview with SK Baleni, below, where he talks about his debut project, his deal with Gabi Le Roux and his ambitions, among other things. He showcases three songs from the tape, and does a breath-taking live wire, which you can watch underneath.

Get at SK on Facebook and Twitter for a copy of One Day It Will Make Cents.