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#MusicExchange: Jerome Rex

3 Sep 2019

Ghoema Award-winning hip-hop, soul singer and rapper Jerome Rex and his six-piece band will have you enthralled as they musically share their journeys in the show entitled Lyrics Still Matter at the Cape Town Comedy Club on 11 and 12 September 2019.

The show was sold out a few months ago at the Artscape. I spoke to the leader and creator of the show, Jerome Rex, last week.

When are you happiest?

On the N2 somewhere along the Garden Route. I love the open road.

What does music mean to you?

What would life be without a soundtrack?

What is the most enjoyable aspect of your work?

Seeing vision become reality is a thrill I’ll never tire of.

Are you famous?

I like to joke that I’m “hood-famous”!

What drives you: ego or humility?

This is a trick question. If I say “humility”, is my ego driving me to do that. Humility is a big driving force in my work.

Any funny moments on stage?

I headlined a show at the SABC auditorium once. At the end of my set, I waved around one of my branded t-shirts, like “who wants this?” I made a big show of pulling my arm back with the tee in my hand, threw it as hard as I could and it went straight up in the air and landed on the stage next to me. Not my most athletic moment!

What is your most treasured possession?

It’s a tie between my guitar and my ukulele.

It’s your round, what are you drinking?

Pink milkshakes! They’re the best!

Dream gig to do?

NPR Tiny Desk Concert.

What makes you stand out?

I believe the thought that goes into my live shows and recorded music are what differentiates me. I rarely do exactly the same set more than once.

Nicknames?

Mr Baadjies.

If you were not a musician, what would you do?

Visual arts or an actor.

Favourite fashion garment?

My 100% authentic Free State vellies I bought in Bloemfontein.

Give us some real proper slang and what it means

“Moetie my bors warm maakie!” – Don’t provoke me!

Pick five words to describe yourself?

Driven, tireless, funny, peaceful, outspoken.

Your greatest achievement?

Making time to kick ball with my girls in the backyard. That’s not as easy as it sounds!

What do you complain about most often?

Toll roads! I’m a huge critic and I’ll talk your ear off if you let me.

On stage, I tend to?

Talk too much. But I was booked to sing songs!

Where would you like to be right now?

In front of the braai fire.

Do you do charity work and, if you do, what do you do?

My wife and I are custodians of the Kuils River leg of Expression Session, a monthly performance platform for creatives. Everything goes there – singers, rappers, dancers, entrepreneurs, interior designers – everyone is welcome.

We want to see a Cape Town where the arts are well supported financially. Not because we’re looking for handouts, but because it’s good art that should be valued.

Wishes and dreams?

To take my dad to Emirates Stadium for a Premier League match
To see the Northern Lights
To contribute to popular culture in such a way that it makes the world a better place for our children to live in