Inspired by some of the music legends like Lucius Banda and Billy Kaunda, Blantyre based hip-hop artist Code Rxdd (pronounced Code Red) developed musical interest at a tender age.
His stage name Code Rxdd is an acronym for ‘Concetrated Overtime Devoted Entirely’ rapper with high visibility and intense emotions which are also basic tenets of the colour Red.
“My name is a way of life with pure determination inspired by a variety of emotions enabling me to create and believe people are watching what I do, and eventually it is going to be on a bigger scale,” he says
Born in a family of three girls and two boys, the 22 year old rapper, whose real name is Joseph Mhone tried to make an early mark in music as a choir member but his soft voice costed him a slot on the bass voice seat.
Years later, he has firmly established himself as an upcoming hip hop prodigy making a mark in a diverse industry filled with many rappers; old guards and rookies, with most of them aiming to be the best than the rest.
In 2020, he caught the sight of many music lovers when he made it to the final list of competitors in an online music competition organised by popular songbird Zani Challe.
In an exclusive interview with Malawi News Agency, Mhone describes himself as an artist who raps life experiences, aspirations, love and hurdles he has experienced personally or through an individual.
“I believe life is a series of shared experiences and therefore my vision is to make music people relate to as my mission remains making music for those who believe in the possibility of their own dreams,” says Mhone.
The rapper, who is currently in third year at Blantyre International University (BIU), had his first studio single titled The Ace enjoying massive airplay as of September, 2021.
Two months later, he turned it up a notch when released two more singles Project Mode and Your Heart remix whose original version was done by two US hip-hop heavyweights J. Cole and Joyner Lucas).
His uniqueness lies in the way he exerts authority in flow delivery of his conscious rap songs which are overall done in English language.
As a composer and song writer, he has also mastered the art of stringing together lyrical content which subtly surpasses his young age.
In his latest release titled 1306, which is a self-tribute for his birthday falling on June 13th, Code Rxdd delved into his personal life with an aim to share his life experiences as Joseph Mhone as well as his alter ego as an artist.
“A month prior to my birthday I thought of making my own song but not in the usual celebratory mood; but, rather I wanted to share my life story of who I was, the person I am today and who I am aspiring to be,” he says
“It was not easy to come up with the song 1306 because I had to confront my own demons which were likely to have an effect on my loved ones once they hear it because for me to tell the story I had to tell the truth.”
“Cold night winter season made the womb escape/Growing up in poverty grand ma was my surrogate/ Mum and Dad made sure we’d never suffocate/To set it straight they was hustling for some better days,” he sets the pace in the opening lines of the first verse.
He finishes the verse after narrating the death of his unnamed childhood friend while weighing down on the grief of the deceased’s mother and his own lack of awareness of death.
“Tears in the eyes of her mother when heaven had gained/ Too young to know grief unaware of what to think/ Now I’m looking back in retro and the pain cuts deep/ Horrifying scenes they be weighing on my mental/ I’d probably lose myself but the Lord is my mentor.”
The second verse of the song is a real-time reflection of his present life coupled with advice for his future self.
“Gave you keys to my dreams so if you go out your way to fulfil then Imma thank you for that/But if you terrified to lose and settle for mediocre life, I will blame you for that.”
At a time when the rap is saturated with rappers trying to outshine each other, Code Rxdd feels it is high time hip-hop artists stayed true to themselves by sharing stories that matter to the audience.
Precisely, he raps about his mistakes, misgivings and family responsibilities lying ahead of him.
“People have to know who we are before they pay attention to what they say because the aim is to resonate with them at a level they can easily relate to our music as artists,” says the Blantyre-based rapper.
Andrew Kadam’manja, his ardent fan from Biwi in Lilongwe, says the rapper is coming of age as an artist evidenced by maturity in production and distribution of his songs.
“I have followed Code Rxdd ever since he was 16, six years I cannot help but appreciate the improvement in his lyrics, production and delivery of the music which enjoy airplay on local radio stations and streaming platforms,” Kadam’manja says.
Meanwhile, the artist is currently working on his debut EP titled “1306” and he is also shooting visuals for his single titled “Tyler Hero”.
