He walked for five kilometres in the cold, dark and rain, and got there 30 minutes late, but homeless rapper Koubi “Kroeskop” Mathese says there was no way he was going to miss his big chance to perform for one of the world’s most renowned DJs.
Following an interview with the Daily Voice two weeks ago, Koubi was invited to perform live on Grandmaster Ready D’s radio show on Good Hope FM on Thursday night.
“What I love about him is that he’s not using his situation as an excuse, his passion for music is his bottom line,” Ready D said.
Homeless rapper Koubi “Kroeskop” Mathese in action. Picture: Supplied
The 37-year-old rapper landed up on the streets as a 12-year-old child after his ouma became too old and ill to look after him, and the rest of his family turned their backs on him.
Despite being homeless, Koubi managed to produce five albums all by himself.
Koubi is currently staying at the City’s Safe Space shelter for the homeless in the CBD.
On Sunday, he said meeting Ready D was the greatest day of his life.
PASSION: Koubi says his dreams are coming through. Picture: JACK LESTRADE
“I’m extremely grateful to the Daily Voice and Ready D and his wife Malikah for listening to my story and having an interest in helping a man like me,” the humble rapper says.
“When Malikah emailed me to say there is a slot for me on Thursday night, I jumped at the chance.”
Koubi says he felt embarrassed arriving half an hour late for his radio debut at Good Hope’s Sea Point studio, but was determined to see it through.
“I walked to the studio and it was raining, I got there and it was dark and late. I got lost inside the building, but I got there,” he says.
Ready D introduced him to the listeners and Koubi says he even wrote a new song for his debut.
HONOUR: Renowned DJ Ready D, Koubi. Picture: Supplied
“There were other rappers too and we just passed the mic. I felt very intimidated, it was my first time on the radio and a real studio.
“They were all better than me and they are used to this, but I gave it my all.
“The song I did speaks about being homeless and not using that circumstances to weigh you down. Look at me, I’m still a dreamer and my dreams are coming true.”
Ready D says he felt honoured to put a smile on Koubi’s dial.
“Koubi was late but he still made it, that didn’t matter when he took to the mic to show off his rhyming skills.
“He can go far with his talent, if only there are more platforms and support for people like him in the hip hop industry.”
Watch Koubi's live performance here: