Meet Phodiso: Bold Sounds, Real Stories – Live at the A.V Concert
- Afro Verve
- May 1
- 2 min read
The AFRO.VERVE concert is almost here, and with each artist reveal, the anticipation only grows. This time, we’re putting the spotlight on Phodiso—an artist whose sound is raw, intentional, and deeply rooted in lived experience.
We asked him five questions to unpack his creative journey, what inspires his art, and what fans can expect when he hits the stage on June 7th.
Still need your tickets? Don’t wait—grab yours here and be part of the movement:
1. What inspired you to pursue a career in music, and can you share a pivotal moment in your journey that shaped your artistic identity?
-I grew up with a serious passion for music. I wanted to play guitar, keys, sax—basically anything I could get my hands on—but I never really had the chance to learn any of them. Percussion was all I had. Then came poetry. Then rap. Eventually, I found myself in five bands, doing vocals and percussion across different genres. Through them, I learned different approaches to music-making from people who knew far more than I did. That became my music school.
I’d say the pivotal moment was having access to that knowledge, being influenced by so many perspectives, and having the freedom to explore creatively. I had big dreams for those bands, even if we didn’t reach them all. But my gratitude for that time is beyond words.
2. Can you describe how your background and personal experiences have influenced your sound and the themes in your music?
-It’s hard not to be inspired by Sotho-Tswana writings—our storytellers have crafted such incredible work. I was also raised by a mother who listened to a wide range of music, so I’ve never really been able to stick to just one style. It’s natural for me to pull elements from many places. And then there’s poetry. Not all my music is poetic, but my background in poetry heavily influences the way I write songs.
3. What challenges have you faced in your career, and how have they impacted your music and your approach to performing?
-Mainly anxiety. I don’t usually feel anxious unless something really matters to me—and music makes me more anxious than anything else. But that just shows how important it is to me.
4. Who are your biggest influences, and how have they impacted your artistry and the music you create today?
-Some names you’d know—Tuks Senganga, Andre 3000, Lauryn Hill. And some you might not, but they’ve had just as much of an impact: Alfdaniels Mabingo, Ch! Nonso, Mazbou Q. They’ve all shaped how I think about music and performance.
5. What can fans expect from your upcoming performance with AFRO.VERVE, both in terms of the music and the overall experience?
-I was a performer before I was an artist. I’m kind of shy in general, but not on stage. Once that first song is out the way—the show’s on.
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