Dee Koala has opened up to TimesLIVE about the significance of a support system and living authentically to drive social change.
The rapper is part of the JiK’iZinto campaign that uses a TV show, music and a web series to inspire, educate and equip youth with the tools and information they need to make informed decisions about their mental health, sexual and reproductive health and economic empowerment.
As part of the campaign, she and DJ KMat and Boohle created a song titled JiK’iZinto. Dee Koala also appears on SABC1's upcoming educational series DiChipi.
“The initiative is very close to home. I wish it came sooner because for these things,specially in the music industry, you need such a support system and I think it is exactly that. It pushes you and has your back. It is like a youth movement of support and encouragement,” she told TshisaLIVE.
This year the Khayelitsha-born rapper made headlines when her ex-boyfriend Yonke Gugushe exclusively told TshisaLIVE he allegedly suffered emotional abuse in their relationship.
Dee plans to use art to address reports about her personal life and show her fans a different side of her.
“When we did the web series, it dug a bit into my personal side. Watching it, I was like, I'm glad people can see me as a normal human being and they get to see that even though we are famous, we are also real people. It is a harder reality to face when you are in the limelight.”
“The way we carry ourselves as public figures, people pay attention to it, but sometimes it can be heavy on our shoulders because you have to be a perfect public figure, a role model. Nobody asked for that. I like sharing the importance of being real to yourself. Even if you find inspiration or look up to someone, that doesn't mean you must forget yourself.”
“Sometimes I put a lot of pressure on myself and I think this campaign kind of brought me home a little bit to say that it is OK to be you.”
Dee Koala said she is set to release new music as her fans await her upcoming album.
“The album is coming through. There's no date yet. It's been a long time since I dropped an album, My fans are getting mad at me, and I've been getting DMs, and emails. They do not want to hear an excuse.”
“I will be recalling the year we had. I had quietness at some point, recalling the things that people saw and the things they didn't see. Illustrates better than social media. Illustrating my whole social media situation. Life is actually on social media. And other personal stories as well.”
Dee Koala plans to use her art to spark conversations and challenge controversy
‘The way we carry ourselves as public figures, people pay attention to it’
Image: Supplied
Dee Koala has opened up to TimesLIVE about the significance of a support system and living authentically to drive social change.
The rapper is part of the JiK’iZinto campaign that uses a TV show, music and a web series to inspire, educate and equip youth with the tools and information they need to make informed decisions about their mental health, sexual and reproductive health and economic empowerment.
As part of the campaign, she and DJ KMat and Boohle created a song titled JiK’iZinto. Dee Koala also appears on SABC1's upcoming educational series DiChipi.
“The initiative is very close to home. I wish it came sooner because for these things,specially in the music industry, you need such a support system and I think it is exactly that. It pushes you and has your back. It is like a youth movement of support and encouragement,” she told TshisaLIVE.
This year the Khayelitsha-born rapper made headlines when her ex-boyfriend Yonke Gugushe exclusively told TshisaLIVE he allegedly suffered emotional abuse in their relationship.
Dee plans to use art to address reports about her personal life and show her fans a different side of her.
“When we did the web series, it dug a bit into my personal side. Watching it, I was like, I'm glad people can see me as a normal human being and they get to see that even though we are famous, we are also real people. It is a harder reality to face when you are in the limelight.”
“The way we carry ourselves as public figures, people pay attention to it, but sometimes it can be heavy on our shoulders because you have to be a perfect public figure, a role model. Nobody asked for that. I like sharing the importance of being real to yourself. Even if you find inspiration or look up to someone, that doesn't mean you must forget yourself.”
“Sometimes I put a lot of pressure on myself and I think this campaign kind of brought me home a little bit to say that it is OK to be you.”
Dee Koala said she is set to release new music as her fans await her upcoming album.
“The album is coming through. There's no date yet. It's been a long time since I dropped an album, My fans are getting mad at me, and I've been getting DMs, and emails. They do not want to hear an excuse.”
“I will be recalling the year we had. I had quietness at some point, recalling the things that people saw and the things they didn't see. Illustrates better than social media. Illustrating my whole social media situation. Life is actually on social media. And other personal stories as well.”
READ MORE:
Dee Koala’s ex-boyfriend breaks his silence: ‘I tolerated so many lies and manipulations’
'Yoh nkosi yam!' — Dee Koala unimpressed with KFC's Uncle Waffles burger
‘It’s wild and I’m forever grateful’: Dee Koala on her 5-year collab with Adidas
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