Hip hop veteran Chase Lutron (Lee Fortuin) says he is ready to take Afrikaans rap to the next level and believes his nomination for a music award is a step in this direction.
The Kuils River rapper was nominated for a Ghoema Award for best hip hop song of the year for Afrikaansebet, a song made up of the entire alphabet.
And while he didn’t, he says just being nominated is big for the rymklets movement (Afrikaans rap).
“I was very surprised when I was contacted by the Ghoema Awards to submit some of my work. It’s an honour to have been selected by industry professionals.”
Chase Lutron entered the hip hop scene in 1996 while at Sarepta High School, and 20 years later the veteran is staying true to his roots, keeping it strictly rymklets.
He started off as a b-boy, but after injuring his wrist he pursued rapping.
By 2006, he moved towards youth ministry and formed the group, Antioch which worked mainly with the youth in Kuils River, Bonnytoun and Pollsmoor prison.
When his friend and fellow b-boy, Ice (Isaac van Wyngaard) was killed in 2010, Chase found himself at a crossroads, not sure whether this was something he wanted to do anymore.
In 2011, he released his independent album, Legkaart: Die Kruis en Die Kroon and a video for his track, Kalsium, in memory of b-boy Ice.
“I released the album just for him but afterwards, I went off the scene for a while. I needed to shift my focus,” he said.
Last year, he launched WolfKraft Productions along with his graphic designer wife, Michelle, who handles the admin and design side of the business.
Chase Lutron describes it as a resource hub for aspiring artists – which comes with access to a full studio. He put out three songs last year and has also been focusing on the “business side” of the music industry.
He said it had not been easy working full-time in the IT industry while trying to pursue his music which he mainly worked on over weekends.
“My wife has been very understanding and supportive,” he said.
The industry had grown with social media and it was hard to “keep up” as artists were now releasing music at a rapid pace.
“There is a lot of music available, but, to some level, the quality has gone down as artists are rushing to put out new music,” he said.
Chase’s advice to young artists is to stay disciplined, to have a vision and to stay committed to that vision.
He said artists should also be more than just artists but learn the industry from the production side to the branding.
“It’s important to measure every decision against the vision and goal you have for yourself,” he said.
Chase Lutron is currently working on a solo project, Konsentrasiekamp.
Contact him on info@wolfkraftproductions.co.za
