Mohalenyane Phakela
UP-AND-COMING rapper, Pearlucci, says music is her first love despite also having model, actress and radio presenter on her ever growing resume.
Pearlucci told the Weekender this week that music was a conduit for expressing her thoughts as she was growing up.
“Music has always been a part of my life. I would always write down my feelings and experiences in my diary in poetic form and later on decided to add a beat to the verses,” said Pearlucci, whose birth name is Pearl Lawrence.
“Initially, I would sing the lines, but I then decided to try something different by rapping. My journey to becoming a full-fledged rapper really took off in 2014 when a friend of mine and rapper, RMC, from the group Magic In Progress introduced me to its leader T-Mech who then mentored me.”
The 21-year old said she never thought her reflective and experiential lyrics would appeal to Hip Hop fans who are more used to a more aggressive style.
“I never thought people would relate to my lyrics since they are more emotional and emanate from life experiences. But, I was surprised by fans’ reaction during my debut performance at club 4Fordy in 2014,” she said, adding that she drew inspiration from female rappers such as Da Brat, Missy Elliot and Pink.
“Hip Hop has long been associated with misogynistic and controversial lyrics, but my verses minister happiness to inspire others through my story of coming from nothing to definitely going somewhere.”
The International Business student at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology said at first her mother was not impressed by her foray into the world of Hip Hop.
“My mother was very much concerned that I would end up taking drugs and alcohol as portrayed by some rappers on television,” Pearlucci reminisced.
“She was against me being involved in Hip Hop until she saw me on stage and realised that I was living my dream. My dad, however, supported me from the onset since he was involved in music at some point and understood what I was doing.”
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On her hectic schedule, Pearlucci said she took it all in her stride.
“All my endeavours, such as rapping, acting, radio presenting and modelling are just hobbies and how I relax. I enjoy doing them except for school because I have to do it,” she said.
“The only thing I consider as a burden which I have to complete is school whereas the rest is what I love.”
