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Award-winning rapper Mthembeni “Emtee” Ndevu has swapped singing for TV as he takes on season 3 of SABC1’s Youth Culture Series.
The five-week-long educational documentary addresses various socioeconomic issues faced by young people in the Eastern Cape. This season will explore alcoholism, unemployment, finances and gender-based violence.
Emtee will feature as the lead in the series’ first episode. The hit-maker told City Press that he enjoyed contributing to the documentary, which was shot in Port Elizabeth last year.
“I wanted to make a difference somehow. I saw this as an opportunity to lay a foundation and make people understand why I rap in the first place, which is to inspire and elevate the youth with my craft. I wanted to extend my muscle, lend a hand and make a difference in others’ lives. I got to learn more about myself too – the power of what I do and how important my role is in society,” said Emtee.
In his episode, the rapper tells a story of how financial stress affects the emotions and status of black men within their families.
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Viewers are taken on an emotional ride as they get a glimpse into how the average man feels when he cannot provide for his family, and how they are affected by this.
In his personal capacity, Emtee has previously made headlines with his romantic and financial misfortunes, which include a public break-up with the mother of his children.
The star said that with the upcoming release of his next studio album, he was starting afresh in the industry.
“I’m in a position where I feel that a fresh start isn’t a bad idea. Slow progress is better than no progress at all. I’ve just completed a project I’m about to release. What I’ll do differently from now on is be more responsible,” he said.
Rapper and music producer extraordinaire Yanga Chief will also feature in one of the series’ episodes.
Port Elizabeth-based Youth Culture Series producer and director Nomakhomazi Dewavrin said season 3 was filmed against the backdrop of spiralling violence against women and children in the country last year.
“I really wanted to understand what’s going on with men psychologically, how they view life and what makes them snap. All five of the episodes are simply platforms for them to share what happens in their minds.
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“I’m hoping that this series will open a conversation. I feel that the SABC pays attention to these types of films so that we can go deeper, understand our men and our own contribution towards pressurising them to the point where they snap,” she said.
Youth Culture Series season 3 will premiere on SABC1 on January 25
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