NGASII is celebrating after he got a master’s degree in gqom music.
The musician, whose real name is Mathias Katushabe, said he decided to further his studies by doing research on music for an anthropology degree at Nelson Mandela University.
The 26-year-old from Gqeberha said he realised there was a lot of research done on kwaito music but not much about the genres that came after it.
Ngasii said his thesis is titled Hooked on Gqom: An Ethnographic Study, and he’ll be graduating in December.
Ngasii said after having a conversation with one of his lecturers at the university in 2016 about music history, he knew he had something to add to academia.
“One thing I learnt is that you never stop learning in life. There were so many things I discovered reading books and articles, watching videos and speaking to people in the field,” he told Daily Sun.
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Ngasii said he’s been working with award-winning producer and DJ Prince Kaybee for five years.
“He discovered me in 2017 when he saw a video of me singing his and Lady Zamar’s smash hit, Charlotte on Twitter,” he said.
“Through Prince Kaybee, I’ve had the privilege of meeting artists such as amapiano star Sir Trill, Msaki and Dr Thulz.
“As a songwriter, I picked up so much from them, which has helped me gain perspective in writing for both myself and others.”
Ngasii said he was working with Prince Kaybee on a single titled Sambe Siyo Jola, which will be released on 17 June.
His message to young people is that they should never to stop dreaming big.
“Dreamers are believers. Never let go of your magic.
“It sounds like a cliche but knowing what you want and doing it may take you to a place where stars sparkle in your eyes,” he said.
