Eswatini’s hip hop scene pulses with vitality in 2024, a symphony of fresh talent and creative ambition. From Oriiginelle being in similar rooms with American rapper , Mick Jenkins, to Amarii and Grixxly making No Mistakes , and Phatzus making his way to being the unapologetic trap god: it’s crystal clear , the youth of Eswatini Hip Hop is crafting an undeniable movement.
Amidst this surge of artistry, one name rises above the din with a unique rhythm: LiveLoveLxnce (born Lance Dubber). Introduced to me through a series of dynamic collaborations with Amarii, on tracks like I Don’t Care from Oxytocin, Never Be a Thing, and Party; Lxnce’s voice and presence has become impossible to ignore. Yet, it was last year’s Made It Here that marked a turning point. Gritty and unflinching, the track echoed with the raw hunger of an artist chiseling an artistic legacy. It was a declaration, a signal flare: the rising star from Manzini had arrived, and he was not here for fleeting moments.
In 2024, Lxnce is far from idle; he is deeply entrenched in the grind, collaborating with his collective, BysKlub; a coalition of fiercely independent artists, including Phatzus, Trent Nicks, and sonic architect Golden Oldie. Together, they are reshaping the contours of Eswatini’s hip hop landscape. Tracks like The Same, produced by Golden Oldie, and the electrifying Catch & Release, alongside Phatzus, showcase Lxnce’s ability to effortlessly glide across genres. He weaves through beats and ambiances with a dexterity that only comes from an artist deeply attuned to his craft.
Then, on October 19, 2024, Lxnce unveiled The Real, a song that reverberates with unapologetic swagger. Produced by Golden Oldie, this latest single is an anthem of self-possession, a bold crescendo that signals Lxnce’s evolution. With each bar, he steps further into his artistic power, unshaken and unafraid to experiment with his sound while remaining deeply grounded in his lyrical truth.
In our conversation, Lxnce reflected on The Real and the creative process behind it. His words revealed an artist who views his craft as an extension of his identity, expressing a relentless pursuit of authenticity in a world quick to favor artifice.
Exclusive interview with LiveLoveLxnce:
Milliswa: Your latest single The Real has this bold, confident energy. What was the inspiration behind the song?
Lxnce: The inspiration comes straight from within. I’m always reflecting on my own process—my life, my grind. The Real is a direct expression of what I go through daily, turning those experiences into music.
Milliswa: In The Real, you fully embrace rap bravado. What message were you aiming to convey to your listeners with this song?
Lxnce: The bravado is really a reflection of how deeply I’m leaning into my craft, how it makes me feel when I immerse myself in my rap element. The message I wanted to send is simple: I’m back with a fresh, elevated energy. New sauce, as I like to call it.
Milliswa: When I see the title The Real, I get the sense that it’s a song about embodying your truth. Can you tell us what “the real” means to you personally and as an artist?
Lxnce: The Real is all about authenticity. It’s about being exactly who I say I am, no gimmicks, no filters. On this track, though, I’m referring to that moment “when things get real”; it’s an ode to pushing through, even when the odds are stacked against you. It’s about resilience and never backing down.
Milliswa: How does The Real differ from your previous releases like Made It Here or Keanu Reeves? What new side of yourself were you looking to showcase?
Lxnce: Honestly, I see The Real as an extension of Made It Here. It’s me embracing my rap roots fully, no distractions, just bars. Sure, I can make fun or commercial stuff, but my love for rap started with lyricism, and that’s what I’m here to showcase. The pen has to stay sharp, always.
Milliswa: You’ve been working a lot with producer Golden Oldie lately. How did that relationship come to life? And what’s it like working with a producer of his caliber?
Lxnce: It all started when Groovy (Golden Oldie) started sending me beats. Once we connected, things just clicked. His sound complements my rap style perfectly, and everything just fell into place naturally. It’s a blessing to work with someone who gets the vision.
Milliswa: The production on The Real has a hard-hitting, unapologetic vibe. What was the process like working on the beat and lyrics for this track?
Lxnce: It was a pretty interesting process. The beat was a collaboration between myself and Golden Oldie. Once I laid down the concept, they both knew we had something special. From there, it was just a matter of running with it.
Milliswa: Do you see The Real as a turning point in your career? How do you think it reflects where you’re headed musically?
Lxnce: I wouldn’t call it a turning point, more like a stepping stone. The Real showcases my skill set and proves I’m equipped for anything. My goal is to show people that I can really rap: no façade, just love for the craft. This is just one chapter in a much bigger story.
Milliswa: You’ve got a lot of energy in The Real. How did you channel that into the recording and performance? What was the vibe in the studio like when you laid it down?
Lxnce: Honestly, it was super laid-back. I recorded myself, while Groovy and Nathan Masters, who engineered the song handled the rest. There was no dramatic scene: just chill vibes. When we hit playback, we knew we had something fire on our hands.
Milliswa: Tell me more about the BYSKLUB collective and how it came to be.
Lxnce: BYSKLUB is a group of independent artists who are serious about making a mark on the hip hop scene here in Eswatini. We met through Golden Oldie, and since then, we’ve been working together to elevate the game. We’re here to bring something new, something real.
Milliswa: BysKlub seems like a close-knit collective. How do you and the other members push each other creatively?
Lxnce: We support each other with whatever anyone needs, whether it’s feedback, production tips, or just motivation. There weren’t many “grootmans” to guide us through the local music scene, so we became our own. We keep each other grounded, and that’s why we trust our own circle.
Milliswa: Growing up in Big Bend and later moving to Manzini (the 505), how have your experiences in these places influenced your music and the stories you tell? Why do you identify mostly as a 505 rapper?
Lxnce: Big Bend connects me to my mother’s side, but I left when I was two. Manzini, though, raised me, that’s where I became the 505 rapper. My father raised me here, and it’s where I discovered my love for music. I’m proud to represent Manzini because this is where my journey began.
Milliswa: In tracks like Made It Here and Right Now, you reflect on your journey. How do you feel you’ve grown as an artist since you started releasing music in 2020?
Lxnce: Every experience, every challenge I’ve faced has been part of the process. I’ve learned to trust that everything happens for a reason, and I wouldn’t change a thing. Since 2020, it’s been about finding my sound and my place in the scene. Now, I’m starting to feel like I’m exactly where I need to be.
Milliswa: Is there a specific genre or sound you feel most comfortable with, or are you always looking to experiment?
Lxnce: I love experimenting, it’s exciting to push my boundaries. But at the core, I’m always drawn back to conscious rap, because that’s where it all started for me. I enjoy dropping hard verses, but I’m open to anything. Music is about growth, and I’m not here to be boxed in.
Milliswa: As an independent artist, what has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced in building your career in Eswatini’s hip hop scene?
Lxnce: The biggest challenge is getting people to listen. It’s funny how people are quick to support artists they don’t know but hesitate to back someone from their own backyard. That’s always baffled me.
Milliswa: What do you think about the current state of hip hop in Eswatini?
Lxnce: I think we’re heading in the right direction. People like you(Milliswa) , BeeEasy, Mzion, and others are really pushing the culture forward. More artists are emerging, and the work they’re putting out is impressive. The scene is growing, no doubt.
Milliswa: What’s one message you hope people take away from listening to your music?
Lxnce: I want people to understand that I’m serious about this. No gimmicks, no façade. I live and breathe this music. I want them to feel that passion when they listen to my tracks. That’s why they should tap in and really pay attention.
Milliswa: What can we expect from you next? Are there any projects, new sounds, or even live performances on the horizon?
Lxnce: Nice try, Milliswa. I guess we’ll all just have to wait and see, won’t we?
As Eswatini’s hip hop continues its upward spiral, LiveLoveLxnce stands out as a promising artist, playing a significant role in sculpting the Eswatini Hip Hop movement . From the visceral grit of Made It Here to the commanding bravado of The Real, his trajectory as an artist is marked by growth, precision, and a pen that cuts deeper with each release. His music; bold, unfiltered, and emotionally resonant, embodies the heartbeat of Eswatini’s hip hop: a devotion to craft that transcends fleeting trends, rooted in something more enduring, more profound.
Though Lxnce remains characteristically enigmatic about what’s to come, one thing is certain; this is just the beginning . As he himself put it, “I don’t do this for no other reason but the mere fact that I love music and I want to see it prosper.”
So whether you’ve been following his ascent from the beginning or are just now tuning in, LiveLoveLxnce is an artist you cannot afford to overlook. His contributions in Eswatini’s hip hop renaissance are not to be ignored; as he plays an instrumental role in composing its future.
Stream The Real by LiveLoveLxnce here: https://songwhip.com/livelovelxnce/the-real
