Born in 1985, July 14th, Tebogo Phofa, better known by the alias B. I (Black Infant), grew up in Soweto. Surrounded by mostly Kwaito music while growing up, B.I only fell in love with Hip Hop at the age of 15. "The first Hip Hop album I ever bought was Nas' It Was Written. Nas would tell stories in a way I found influential. As I hit high school, my peers and I would form these circles during break, called ciphers. We used to be troublesome with those", says the star with a smile.
B.I started writing his first verse while listening to a Nas record. He then developed a writing style that set him apart from the rest of the South African Hip Hop artists. Months of writing and rapping to instrumentals became a big influence in developing his own sound and style.
With his modern yet old school style, B.I's flow is comprised of mainly English, with random jabs of the Sotho Languages and slang. He draws a lot of his flow from the 90's era of rap, with a punch of new school. "My raps are influenced by the way I grew up speaking in Joburg, as well as my current life experiences", says B.I.
B.I was also featured on one of Hype magazine's mix-tapes, which exposed him to more opportunities. He got approached by Bujy Junior, who was then the producer of Dineo Ranaka's Live on Drive show on Yfm. Bujy requested for a jingle for the show, which played every week day between 3pm and 6pm.
The artist also has some of his tracks continuously playing on numerous soapies and documentaries such as Scandal, Rhythm City and Born Frees, on Etv. B.I has released two projects under his name; The B-ginning...Since '85, and his latest Ep titled AutoB.I.opic. The Ep was released on the 28th of November 2014, with the first single titled Laces. Laces is currently on radio stations such as Yfm, Metro FM and 5FM. As well as campus radio stations such as UJ FM and Tuks FM.
Laces did well enough to reach the number 1 spot on the Hip Hop 9 at 9 show on Yfm. The video for the track was shot in April 2015, and has debuted on You Tube. The Hip Hop artist does not intend on limiting himself to his birth soil, but to grace the rest of the world with his unique sound. More is yet to come from this Joburg creative!
By Tumii L (Boitumelo Lerato Kwena)
