'I think it's a full-circle moment': K.O chats reality show and multiple Sama nominations

‘I created more of a biopic type of thing where it profiles my entire ecosystem’

18 October 2023 - 07:00
By Constance Gaanakgomo
K.O's reality TV show is set to premiere on BET (DStv channel 129) on October 18 at 7.30 pm.
Image: AOT K.O's reality TV show is set to premiere on BET (DStv channel 129) on October 18 at 7.30 pm.

Rapper and businessman K.O is aware his move to have a reality TV show is unexpected, but he is done not only with being boxed but with colouring inside the lines that were defined for him.

Inside Life with K.O, an eight-part series, is set to premiere on BET (DStv channel 129) on October 18 at 7.30pm.

The rapper's reality show will not only delve into his own life, but also shine a spotlight on key people in his life, including Loki Tunez, ROIII, Tsholo and Gobbs. 

Coming from an era and school of rap that was pre-social media, the rapper never fully immersed himself with antics and gimmicks that came with being on the socials. He has always kept it by the book, but admits over the years he has become accustomed to it.

Speaking to TshisaLIVE ahead of the premiere of the show, K.O said no-one saw Inside Life with K.O coming, but he is at a point where he is trying to break some stereotypes and do things out of the ordinary.

“When it's all said and done I'm a human being at the end of the day. There are certain things I have always wanted to be a part of.

“We are in a time where people still consume music, but beyond music we are all invested more in the human being than just the craft, so it goes hand in hand. As much as I've been blessed to be in this space for all these years, and I want to add a few years to my musical run, I think this is a perfect opportunity to allow for that to also come into play and humanise myself a little more so people can maybe understand the music a little bit deeper.

“Some stories I tell through my music, people cannot really connect the dots, so now they'll get to see some of the people who are on my team and my family and all those kind things, I think it's a full-circle moment. That is why I entertained the idea of going through this route.”

In the first episode fans will get to see the big moment in the rapper's life that unfolded in June.

On what his fans can expect from the show premiering on Wednesday, the SETE hit maker said reality. Nothing is performative or staged. 

" I've seen certain shows and a lot of the things become too performative, too scripted and sensationalised. I think people will maybe appreciate the fact that this is an authentic TV show that takes you behind the scenes of the life of a man who's no different from the next person. I didn't want to create an entertainment piece. I think I created more of a biopic type of thing where it profiles my entire ecosystem. There is no drama between me and some the cast members.”

K.O has been nominated in the 29th annual South Africa Music Awards in six categories. The awards will for the first time in years move from Sun City and be staged for two nights at the Durban ICC on November 17 and 18.

“I'm grateful for all the award nominations and I'm hoping I would be able to bag a few more in the future with the new music coming out.”