Meet Kleinmond's top representative — Hershelle James Marinus (23) mostly known as Mashklktv — a Western Cape-based musician who dropped out of college to chase his dreams and pursue a career in the music field. His dreams of being in the music scene nourished when he was 10 years old, rhyming and freestyling on boom boxes. Mash's career spurned a dynamic drift when he started writting down and recording his verses. His honesty is what gained him a strong fanbase, as he represents the truth about the struggles and life in general. MashKlktv's music carries a unique force with it's diverse and versatile sound, it possesses a different state level of greatness that cannot be ignored. His art is finally getting out there, as we already see it lifting many SA hip-hop faithfuls. His entry videos for the Reflector Dot Rap Contest are also doing good ~ the rapper has been receiving great praises from the public.

Get to know Mash through the Question and Answer interview below, find out about his journey and get inspired.

Question & Answer Interview with Mashklktv (Q & A)

1.) Who are you and what do you represent? (tell us about yourself)
A. My Name is Hershelle James Marinus, I'm a 23 year old artist from a small town called KLEINMOND. I have been doing music since I was 10 years old, I recorded my first freestyle on a Boom Box. I stand for and I represent the truth... the truth about Life, Love and Struggles.
I'm always honest when I spit!!!

2.) What makes you different from the other rappers who are participating in this rap contest ?
A. They're all good but I'm too versatile, I am able of jumping on any beat or any flow, I can sing and produce too.

3.) Why do you deserve to win this contest?
A. I'll say I'm working over time to win it.

4.) Would you say that you are a good role model?
A. Yes, a lot of the youth look up to me. Not only because of my music but also because of friendliness and kindness. My hood knows, there was a time i used to spend about 2 days every week to go check up on children at the Orphanage homes, to give and show them love as a friend and brother.

5.) What goal do you want to have achieved in 2021/2022?
A. To push my music as far as I can, and in the process I hope to to change the lives of many.

6.) What was the hardest sacrifice you had to make when preparing for your Round 2 entry video?
A. To be honest I made no sacrifices! Music is my full-time hustle, I write everyday so nothing felt as big as a sacrifice.

7.) Who or What inspired your Round 2 verse?
A. My life inspired my verse. I wanted to bring something different to the table so I chose my story as an inspiration.

8.) What is your favorite part about this contest?
A. Patience is! My favorite part is waiting to find out whether I worked hard enough to secure the WIN.

9.) Apart from yourself, who else do you think has the potential to win this competition?
A. I'd say 54 Swagga ZA


10.) If you could describe this experience in 3 - 5 lines, what would you say?
A. The duration of the contest is a bit long, but I find it fun, exciting and educational.