Mohalenyane Phakela
HIP hop artist, Robocop, has released a single in which he asks for forgiveness for his past indiscretions, saying he has mended his ways.
Robocop, whose real name is Sello Molibeli, this week told the Weekender the track, which is titled Ntšoareleng, was an impassioned plea for forgiveness after living a life of alcohol and drug abuse which he sustained through criminal activities.
The 24-year-old Ha-Motloheloa-born rapper forayed into the rap game in 2013 as a member of Skebz D’s Sotho Hop movement. After releasing such tracks as Roboharam and O Rata Mang under the stable, Robocop disappeared from the scene late last year leaving fans wondering if he was just a one-hit rapper.
“When I thought I had established myself in the local Hip Hop scene, I started drinking and using drugs thinking it was a cool thing to do,” he said.
“I wanted to please some of my so-called friends, so my addiction to alcohol and drugs built up steadily. Before I knew it, I had become a junkie.”
Robocop said his perennially drunken state took its toll on his musical endeavours as he could not concentrate.
“I would miss scheduled studio sessions and performances because I was engrossed with the bottle and weed,” he said.
“Since I was unemployed, I ended up engaging in illegal activities such as stealing to maintain that lifestyle.”
Efforts by relatives and friends to urge him to mend his ways came to nought, Robocop said.
“I would get into altercations with many people including friends and mostly my parents about the direction my life was taking. But I didn’t care because I thought what they were saying was nonsensical,” he said.
“I thought people who tried to show me the way were wasting my time or even jealous. These included family members, hip hop artist Stlofa and other friends.”
As his life unravelled, Robocop said he considered ending his life.
“I got really depressed and thought committing suicide would be a solution for all my troubles. However, I resolved in February this year to get back on my feet because I realised it was not yet too late to change my life story,” he said.
“I considered booking myself into a rehabilitation centre, but my parents told me all I needed to do was to tell myself I could change.”
The single, Robocop said, was meant to show he had finally turned a corner.
“Ntšoareleng is a confessional track through which I am trying to show people I have reformed. It is also a teaser for my upcoming album, The Rise of Robocop, which will drop before the end of the year,” he said.