Phupu Augustinus Tikoe, formerly recognized by the stage name AJFawdySeven, is a 24-year-old musician hailing from Ts’enola, Maseru. Currently residing in Ludhiana, India, he continues to develop his artistic career.
A native of Mohale’s Hoek, Tikoe’s passion for music was ignited at a young age, largely influenced by his father who gifted him his first CD. This early exposure to music, combined with the extensive music archives his father left behind, fueled Tikoe’s deep love and passion for the art form.
AJFawdySeven’s journey into music creation began around 2011 while he was still in primary school, following the unfortunate passing of his father.
Despite the tragedy, he found solace in the musical wealth his father had left behind, which played a pivotal role in shaping his artistic path.
His early immersion in hip hop culture, influenced by his father’s taste in music, clothing style and the movies he watched, left an indelible mark on him.
“Those are my early memories of falling in love with the culture, which wasn’t a thing in Lesotho at the time, back then, Spantsola Music and people wearing Dikkies was the in thing,” Tikoe reminisces.
Hailing from Ts’enola, Tikoe’s background and the social classes in Lesotho have profoundly influenced his music and consciousness. He acknowledges that his choice to create music in English established a sense of privilege.
“I’m still in the early stages of my discography. Currently, I want people to join me on this journey. However, my music is yet to fully incorporate the cultural aspects of where I come from.”
As a final-year Bachelor of Business Administration student, Tikoe cites Papa Zee and Ntate Stunna as significant influences as well, “They taught me to be in tune with myself before creating music because art influences people’s feelings,” he explains. Another major influence is Ntatao, whom Tikoe believes will be a big name due to his technical abilities.
According to the artiste, living in India has offered him a new perspective, allowing him to tune out distractions like the groove of Maseru. “Always being in those spaces made it hard to embrace the creative process in my music,” he says.
This change in environment has also led to fruitful collaborations with Indian artists, such as Khan Yaar. He notes the business-oriented approach to music in India, encompassing creation, visuals and distribution, “This applies to big and small artists alike. The two I’ve worked with so far have been learning experiences from people who put discipline and hours into their craft, as well as business acumen.”
Tikoe’s latest project, “Time and Place for Everything,” released in mid-June on all major streaming platforms, is a Hip Hop/Rap project that explores themes of the diaspora experience, delayed gratification, the discipline of sacrifice, and the love that builds a true sense of home.
“I’ve been getting positive feedback from fans and critics alike,” he shares. The project’s outro infuses elements of Basotho culture through language and a skit from the locally produced movie, The Two Shepherds.
Reflecting on his experiences, AJFawdySeven emphasizes the importance of Basotho consuming local content, from movies to music and other art forms. “My goal in music is to build a formidable brand and sustainable career once I graduate,” he declares.
He also offers advice to aspiring artists back home to stay in the loop with the know-hows of your industry and include God in their genuine craft.
