Starting out as an ambitious 12-year-old working as a presenter of the award-winning TV show X Attitude, he is now on the verge of making his dreams come true with the creation of his second album, due to be released internationally next year.

"I wouldn't say I wanted to go international. It's more like the world wanted me," he says confidently. With multi-platinum artists like Bow Wow and Keith Murray featuring on his album, Crazy Lu has more than enough reason to be confident. But, in spite of the lure of being on the international stage, he knows precisely where home is. "Africa is my home. I have a big fan base here that I won't turn my back on."

After presenting on X Attitude, Crazy Lu went on to present Castle live and SABC live. "I always knew I wanted to be a rapper. I thought being a TV presenter would be a good way to get into the entertainment world."

But the rapper has not lost his love of the camera and is recording his own reality show in Cape Town. Entitled The Crazy Lu, it will be aired on the Internet and sold on DVD. Through it, fans will be able to get a glimpse of his life.

After his much-publicised exit from the hip-hop group, Jozi, Crazy Lu has shied away from the limelight. "I want people to know that I was not kicked out of the group. I left because I was not happy with the way I was being managed. I have no regrets about it. I have to walk in my own lane and make my own success."

The experience left him feeling introspective. He explains: "I'm about business, not swag. It took me three years to work on my new album and get it to a level where I was happy with the sound. There is now a new Crazy Lu. I have grown in every way in the past three years, musically and spiritually."

Much to the chagrin of many parents, oversized T-shirts are a staple of hip-hop culture. Crazy Lu only wears his extra-large. Today, he tries out four different brands and gives his opinion on which T would best complete the rapper look.

The first T-shirt he tries is from Woolworths. "The collar is too thin, but overall, it does have a good fit."

Then, he tries a J Crew Originals T-shirt from Queens Park. "I'm not a big fan of the pocket. It could get ripped off in a fight."

Next is the Oakridge Comfort Tee from Mr Price. "This has a small neck, which is very important, but the colour isn't great. It's not as black as the rest."

The last contender is the Pro Spirit T-shirt from Ackermans. "It has the biggest collar and the black is a better black than the others."

Which of these Ts would make its way onto his videos? "The ultimate test of a T-shirt is the neck. The rest can be baggy, but it must fit the neck perfectly. Ackermans' T has the best fit and colour."