South African MC, DJ and entertainer Uncool MC has released his debut EP, Sesikude, marking a new chapter in a career that has taken him from Kwa-Thema, east of Johannesburg, to stages in South Africa and abroad.
Born Thando Sibeko, Uncool MC built his name as an MC before expanding into DJing, songwriting, recording and live performance. The new project reflects that progression while giving listeners a more personal look at the entertainer behind the microphone.
The title Sesikude, which means “we have come far”, draws from his journey through music, including his childhood in Kwa-Thema, his move north and the relationships he developed within the industry.
“This is a reflection of the decision to transition from an MC into a full performing artist and DJ,” Uncool MC says. “I’ve decided to share my story of my experiences throughout my childhood memories, growing up in Kwa-Thema and moving up north to rub shoulders with my fellow colleagues in the industry and going on to travel the world.”
The project also draws on years of collaborations that helped him establish the sound and energy he wanted to bring to his own recordings.
“Throughout the years of collaborations, I identified certain elements of myself that I saw as my strength to be able to start putting together my own music,” he says.
The road to Sesikude began with Setla, released in September and featuring DJ Maphorisa, Focalistic and Ntsako XVI. According to the release, the single reached number one on South African radio and continued to chart ahead of the EP.
Uncool MC has performed at events including Cotton Fest, Piano People, Afro Nation and Fact Durban Rocks. His catalogue of releases and collaborations has also accumulated more than 140 million Spotify streams, according to his team.
For the entertainer, however, Sesikude is less about the numbers and more about documenting the journey that brought him to this point.
“I want people to take positivity, endurance and consistency from the project, cause those are the elements that helped me come this far in this journey,” he says.
The EP represents Uncool MC's move into a more visible role as a recording and performing artist after years of helping other musicians and performers command audiences from behind the mic.