Cassper, the history maker

You know you are a hard core fan when you have to walk a good 10 km to an event venue, stand throughout the whole six-hour show, get rained on, lose feeling in your feet for a minute from the dancing and standing, being voiceless from all the screaming, and finally only getting into bed at 03:00 the following morning. This is how I felt at the history-making #FillUpFNBStadium concert which took place last weekend. Yes, I was part of the 68 000 people, one who came all the way from Namibia, to witness the first-ever south African hip hop artist to host a concert at the iconic 87 436-seater and largest venue in the country, situated in Johannesburg.

It's a known fact that Cassper Nyovest's 'Fill Up' concept was birthed from the notion that South African musicians cannot fill up stadiums without an international act and he wanted to dispute that. The definition of 'Fill Up' is more than the physical counting of seats but breaking barriers and making history by filling up stadiums to capacities never reached before by a South African act in the last two decades and in South African history by a Hip Hop artist. tjil had the opportunity to sit down with the artist after #FillUpFNB and here is what he had to say about the experience.



tjil (T): First of all congratulations on your latest achievement, #Fil UpFNBStadium. What was the first thing you did after you got off stage?

Cassper Nyovest (CN): I had a glass of Ciroc and it was very refreshing and awakening. Lol.



T: Did you ever, at one point doubt yourself or your team by thinking this was over-ambitious? What is the aim of the 'Fill Up' series?

CN: I never once doubted my team. I had about 100 people on the show and the teamwork really helped. It was just amazing, the execution of the show was amazing and I am sure everyone was blown away by the theme especially. The aim is to change the face of the African music industry and inspire the African child.



T: You have literally made history. Does this make you feel pressured at all and do you think this will elevate African hip hop to the world?

CN: I don't feel any pressure, I am just happy because it will elevate African hip hop to the world. We are now a step closer. I think as South Africans we grew up in a system thinking we were second best and not worthy. The reason I do these shows is to change the mind of an African child. If you put your mind and the hours into it, it can be done.



T: How do you feel about the love and support that your industry peers showed you before and after the #FillUpFNBStadium?

CN: The support was overwhelming and I greatly appreciate it and every single one of them.



T: Many people believe you have done it all, can you confirm this? Where to from this point?

CN: I am very young so this is only the beginning for me. Growing up, my foundation has always been God, Christianity and having faith in Him and that is where I get my confidence from. The Cassper Nyovest train must never stop.



T: Namibian artists and managers feel empowered by seeing you pull this off. What would you advise anyone with regards to planning and launching such an event?

CN: The first and most important thing is for one to believe in their dreams and secondly, to support your own… meaning to support each other within the industry.



T: There are talks that you want to fill up the Moses Mabhida Stadium… how true is this and what will be different about it from the previous Fill Ups?

CN: This is very true. Every show is different so I can't give a complete answer now. But every city is also different and the reasons for the upcoming event are different. So stay tuned.