There is something I find magnetic about a good story in all its mediums of expression. From the first moment a conflict is introduced to the last moment it is resolved (or left unsolved in anticipation of the second instalment of its series), I am a certified sucker for those moments of suspense, excitement, heartbreak and everything in between. Without limiting him by putting him in a proverbial box, Lwandile Nkanyuza, affectionately known as ByLwansta, defies the status quo of being a conceptual artist. The South African musician, songwriter, record producer, agency founder, public speaker, art director and graphic designer Hailing from Kokstad, KwaZulu-Natal, epitomises conceptual narrative poured into the various facets of his creative portfolio. 

From his elaborate mixtapes, his Colors performance, and the 3 part rollout of his debut album SPIJØNGET to his current “Stop Ignoring The Signs” campaign for his latest offering “THE CHIP IS StALE” which centred his 2005 Opel Corsa Lite, and it’s breakdown as inspiration resulting in him being awarded with a brand new Opel Mokka; Bylwansta has a revered sense of tapping into the human business, crafting compelling stories behind his work when selling you a new product, he’s definitely the rare few who can sell ice to an eskimo.

The coveted orator who’s performed at international stages like Pop-Kultur Festival in Berlin, Rocking the Daisies, and Zakifo Festival continues to sharpen his needle-shifting performance skill set, having curated his weekly residency at Bar Ber Black Sheep, Parkwood, Johannesburg, for his own event property “Your Weekly Touch Up” and complimenting his sophomore with the “Everything Is A Sign” tour. 

“THE CHIP IS StALE,” which seamlessly defeats the sophomore slump, is a vivid archive of ByLwansta’s journey as an artist-entrepreneur. From the introspective lens of his personhood, addressing matters like people pleasing to his relationship with burnout he likened to the breakdown of his Open Corsa Lite, we enjoy an autobiographical tale of a creator who dares to challenge the system and produce tangible measures of success while tussling with the signs to tend to his health be it physical, mental, emotional, financial or social wellbeing. 

With an unyielding curiosity into one of the most lateral thinkers in the music industry, I took some time to inquire about the creative process of a mogul in the making. From the personal to the creative and everything in between, I trust our conversation will help you gain a new appreciation for the care ByLwansta affords his craftsmanship, rollouts and everything that goes into NORMVL ideas, sound, and agenda, which work in tandem to solidify ByLwansta as an innovative force and voice in alternative Hip-Hop.

For the benefit of our readers who might not have heard of you before, please share the story of how you came to be a musician. How was life growing up in Kokstad and beyond leading to your journey with music?

ByLwansta: “Growing up, my siblings and I were always artistically inclined. We all took art in high school and were naturally curious. My journey into music began in 2008 when my older brother, Kimosabe, discovered FL Studio while exploring software with a friend. He started producing music in our back room in Kokstad. A year later, in 2009, at 13 years old, I joined him out of FOMO. I started writing and releasing music, and soon, we had a whole community of kids from other schools queuing at our gate after school to make music together.

Kokstad was a calm town primarily centred around house music. We had to create and nurture our own hip-hop subculture. We’d host events, perform at others, and sometimes even pay to perform. When I moved to Durban, I realised this wasn’t the norm. When my brother moved to Johannesburg in 2011 or 2012, he took the studio equipment. But by then, music was so ingrained in me that I soon got my microphone, a Samson C3, and continued recording.

After matriculating, I moved to Durban for four years to study graphic design. During this time, I put out a mixtape called “Normvl.” In 2019, I moved to Johannesburg. My music is very autobiographical. I write about my personal growth, often focusing on specific, mundane experiences that I feel aren’t represented enough in music. It’s a bit selfish, but it’s therapeutic for me. I believe there’s nothing wrong with being a selfish creator, as music is often based on our self-interest and desire for progress, whether spiritual or financial.”

Let’s get into the album. “The Chip Is Stale” is a therapeutic and introspective outlook into your current state of being and lifestyle. From a songwriting perspective, why did you find it essential to craft this story to reflect on how life has been for you?

ByLwansta: “From a songwriting perspective, I find it easier to express my feelings through music than in conversation. The therapeutic nature of the album speaks to how I process things musically. I’m someone who introspects a lot, and I like to do the deep work when it comes to learning about myself. Often, I realise things after I’ve made a record. In the moment of creation, I’m just writing, but later, I think, “Oh, I see where this is going.” It was important for me to speak to this chapter of my life because I was facing some tough realities about myself that I’d learned in the last two years. For instance, I discovered I’m a people pleaser and quite avoidant, traits linked to traumas from my youth. I’m turning 29 this year and excited about turning 30. By then, I want to be kinder to myself and more accepting of who I am. This album is part of that journey – becoming aware of these aspects of myself, accepting them, and then taking action.”

 Watch “Corsa Lite Flows” Here:

There’s an interesting contrast between burnout experienced by you and your old Opel Corsa Lite, elaborated eloquently in “CLUTCH BALANTSI (TIME IT),” “CORSA LITE MUSIC,” and “OFFICE DAZE.” Why was it crucial for you to narrate these analogies in the music? How has your relationship with burnout changed since making the records?

ByLwansta: “As an entrepreneur, the luxury of a 9-to-5 schedule doesn’t exist for me. My small company demands constant attention, often extending my work beyond traditional hours. With my home office doubling as a studio, the line between work and personal life blurs significantly. You might find me working on my laptop, even in my bedroom.

My song ‘OFFICE DAZE’ celebrates this entrepreneurial spirit. It’s an ode to self-starters and visionaries who build from scratch, romanticising the idea of working tirelessly, Monday through Sunday, in pursuit of a dream. However, my perspective on burnout has shifted as I’ve entered my late twenties. Your body sends clear signals – aching knees, a sore back – that can’t be ignored. I’ve had to prioritise self-care, especially sleep, even if some might view it as a lack of dedication. It’s a delicate balance, but it’s crucial. When your body demands rest, you need to listen and adjust accordingly.

My goal isn’t just success but sustainable success. I want to fully realise my potential before my time is up, which means taking care of myself along the way.

This journey is reflected in songs like ‘CLUTCH BALANTSI (TIME IT),’ ‘OFFICE DAZE,’ and ‘CORSA LITE MUSIC.’ I often draw parallels between my entrepreneurial path and maintaining my old car. Both require constant attention and care. My entrepreneurial journey has taught me that success isn’t just about relentless work and mindful self-care and sustainable practices.”

Watch “Passenger Prince” Here:

Your entrepreneurship portfolio expanded with 71 weeks of your event Property “Your Weekly Touch Up”. Please elaborate on why it was essential to conceptualise and execute an event property of your own?

ByLwansta: The idea for a regular residency came from my business partner, “Amongst The People I Know,” who heads our live experience department. He suggested at the end of 2021 that I needed to do a residency as an artist to grow through frequent performances.

“Your Weekly Touch Up” has been crucial for various reasons: I’ve become a much stronger performer. I now know how to handle unexpected situations, like technical difficulties, without showing discomfort. Beyond performing, I’ve learned how to host and even picked up DJing skills from observing our resident DJ, Al da 3rd.

“Your Weekly Touch Up” grew beyond the ByLwansta brand, becoming a platform for other artists. We’ve expanded into our inner and outer communities, with various artists taking the stage. We receive inquiries from managers and artists from across the country and even internationally. The consistency of our weekly event has made us part of other artists’ rollout campaigns.

This event, which we call NORMVL agenda, works alongside our creative agency (NORMVL ideas) and record label (NORMVL sound). While we’re servicing clients with rollouts through the agency, we’re releasing albums through the label and touring them through our live events. The residency paused in August but is set to return in September. It’s become an integral part of my routine, allowing me to nurture my community in real time every week. It’s a model that challenges traditional artist schedules and has proven invaluable for my growth as an artist and entrepreneur.

Thank you for joining us for this interview! Before you go, please elaborate on the future for Bylwansta beyond the “Everything Is A Sign” tour? What else do you have lined up for your devoted supporters?

ByLwansta: “We’re planning to record a live album for “THE CHIP IS StALE” in the next couple of months. This will capture the energy of our live show that we’re taking on tour. We want to give everyone access to the live experience, showcasing how some tracks really come alive on stage. It’s not just another studio recording – we want to highlight the dynamic nature of our live performances.

There’s potential to release this live album on vinyl, featuring the best moments from the show. From there, we plan to create compelling music videos for the tracks. The album came out on the 10th of May, 2024, so we will wrap up the rollout in May 2025. I’ve always wanted to venture into anime as well, so that’s another possibility we’re considering.

This project is significant to us, and we feel we’re on the cusp of a tipping point. It requires our complete dedication and focus. That’s why I emphasise not relying too heavily on a “Plan B”. When your life depends on something working out, you give it your all. We’re committed to making this succeed over the next few months, years, or however long it takes.”

Written by: Cedric Dladla 

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