Rosey Die Rapper hiked from a small town called Saron, in the Tulbagh District to Mitchell’s Plain, to attend her birthday celebration with her hip hop family – and to work on growing her music career.
Rosey, 23, whose real name is Murensia Block is originally from Porterville, but now lives in Portland.
She was one of only two female rappers nominated in the category for hip hop song of the year in the Ghoema Music Awards, which recognises outstanding achievement in the Afrikaans music industry. It was her music video for the song My Naam Hoor off her EP, Wie is ek, which secured her the nomination (“Rosey nominated for Ghoema music awards”, Plainsman, March 13 2019).
When Covid-19 was declared a pandemic and lockdown enforced, Rosey returned home where she worked on the farm, something many people iin her community do to earn a living.
“I wanted to understand why people come to the farm, why they work here. I worked with grapes and naartjies. I also did this to survive and also experience my people,” she said.
But, she added, while this had only been a temporary arrangement for her, it had been important for her growth. “I have my calling and what I would like to do. However, going back to the farm, it was a serious thing for me to experience what my people experience,” she said.
“If you’ve achieved a matric certificate, this does not matter. All you need to do is work on a farm, there are not many opportunities available for their community,” she said.
“I want to build here in Mitchell’s Plain, Cape Town so that I can go back and help my community with more opportunities. I need to inspire my people, to show them that it is possible,” said Rosey.
Rosey’s friend, poet and performer Lindsay Hendricks who goes by the stage name Maam Madamme said people had forgotten to dream.
“Our people must be business-minded and be mindful of what they want to do with their lives, their dreams. If you have creativity, make it work. I’ve walked this journey with Rosey, she’s hiked to get to her dream. She took a leap of faith,” she said.
Talent scout and agent, Kim Possible said Rosey’s music had “captured” her when she heard it for the first time.
“I heard about her in the hip-hop circle. I heard her story and she has this light inside of her that needs to shine. Rosey is baie vir haar mense en die plek waar sy van dan kom. Sy het ’n fire in haar, vir haar mense, for fighting the system. She’s so young but wise in her own way. She hiked out of Saron just to come to Cape Town. She puts so much in her craft,” she said.
Rosey wants to create a Rosey Centre for youth and all those who had a dream, to help her people back in Porterville and feed them with opportunities.
On Sunday December 5, Rosey performed at the Warriors for Change event which advocates for victims of gender-based violence. She also shot a video for Rhime Crimes, featuring Ranny K, in Saron and performed at her birthday celebration in Goodwood on Saturday November 27. Also on the line-up were Seed of Amenti, Lance Lightyear and Craiig’O.
For more information or for bookings, email maammadamme@gmail.com
