“It Ain’t Natural”: Kwesta Finally Explains How He Got His Distinctive Raspy Hoarse Voice
After years of speculation and fan theories, the enigmatic rapper Kwesta has finally put an end to the mystery surrounding his distinctive raspy hoarse voice. In an exclusive interview on Zingah’s YouTube podcast “Choppin It Up With Bhuda T,” the multi-talented artist opened up about the unexpected journey that shaped his now-iconic vocal timbre.
Unveiling the Unconventional Voice
It’s no secret that Kwesta’s gravelly voice has been a defining feature of his music, captivating audiences across South Africa and beyond. However, little did many know that his unmistakable tone was not a natural gift but rather a cultivated result of life’s unpredictable twists.
During the candid conversation with Zingah, Kwesta disclosed that it all began with a seemingly innocent influence from a cousin who introduced him to smoking cigarettes.
“It wasn’t even something that I thought was cool. I mean, I go to multi-racial schools, and I could find other things cool. I think poetry’s cool at that point,” he reminisced.
“This is a cigarette voice” – Kwesta Reveals
With a chuckle, Zingah playfully remarked, “This is a cigarette voice.”
Kwesta nodded in agreement, revealing,
“It is. This is not natural; I wasn’t born with it. It was cultivated.”
As he continued his revelation, it became clear that peer pressure played a role in his journey toward the unmistakable gravelly cadence that resonates through his songs.
Resisting Temptation: The Struggle Within
“I used to sh** on him and kind of went, ‘The f*** are you doing?’ I was acting all high and mighty, all righteous and sh**,” Kwesta admitted, reflecting on his initial resistance to the smoking habit.
But, as life often unfolds, he found himself taking a drag one day. The experience left him feeling dizzy, and he swore never to try it again. However, fate had different plans, and he succumbed to the temptation, eventually becoming hooked.
“I’ve smoked for a very long time, and the voice kind of broke,” Kwesta shared.
The Journey to Individuality: Embracing the Voice
In a candid revelation, he explained that his voice broke not only because of the natural changes that occur during adolescence but also due to the impact of his smoking habit.
“You know when it breaks because you’re growing and then it breaks because you’ve been f**king it up the whole time? So that’s what happened with this voice,” Kwesta explained, baring his soul about the unconventional path that shaped his voice.