He might be homeless, but this motor-mouth rapper says his music is his safe haven.
When Koubi Roderick Mathese, 37, aka Kroeskop, landed up on the streets as a child, he had no direction in life and had to learn to fend for himself.
“I grew up with my grandmother in Mitchells Plain since the day I was born, my parents were alcoholics and couldn’t afford to raise me,” he says.
“When I was 12, my granny became ill and too old to fend for me, she asked me to go back to my father.
“I knew going to my father would be a bad decision because we never had a relationship and he had a new family who didn’t want me there.”
Koubi Mathese, 37, who lives on Cape Town streets, loves to rap
Koubi, who is single and has no kids, says music kept his mind occupied.
“I’m inspired by my role models Kris Kross, Rakim, Run DMC, Heavy D, Nas, Ice T and P.O.C. (Prophets of da City).
VIDEO: Supplied
“Music keeps me grounded and it’s
my escape from
my circumstances.
“I am very proud to have performed for Mayor Dan Plato and Alderman JP Smith at an event at a shelter already.”
Koubi says music keeps his mind occupied Picture: Jack Lestrade
Koubi has already produced five albums - Cruze, True Colours, Liggaamstaal, Lewendige Boom and his latest creation is My Liefdestaal.
His music is available on digital platforms such as iTunes and Google Play.
Koubi’s dream is to perform on The Ready D Show on Good Hope FM.
He still lives on the street, but sleeps at the City of Cape Town’s Safe Space in the CBD with 250 other homeless people.
Koubi has dropped 5 CDs
He raps in English but mostly in his mother tongue of Afrikaans.
“I don’t pay for the studio I use at the Cape Town Library to record. I create the artwork myself on my phone and then print the CD at a place in the CBD for R23,” he says.
Koubi has a busking permit and can usually be heard rapping around Cape Town, but recently his boom box broke and he is now unable to work.