PROFESSOR'S path to the release of his debut is littered with highly influential artists playing life-changing roles.
He first caught our attention in 2005 with the big hit that started the Durban movement and opened the way for Durban's Finest - L'Vovo Derango, Big Nuz et al.
Woza Durban, by T'Zozo and Professor, was a summer anthem, as was the Spikiri track Current, on which Professor featured.
Professor was now part of South African pop culture and had reached the big time.
"It's his quirky, dry humour which sets him apart," enthused a long-time fan. "Like his lyrics on Current, they were aggressive, but very funny. He always raps about some social conflict in a party situation. He captures that moment so perfectly that you can see yourself in that situation. No one can do it like him."
Now, after two successful albums as part of the duo, Professor has released his debut solo effort, The University of Kalawa Jazmee, featuring the track, Jezebel.
"I have been associated with Kalawa since 1995," he says of the title and record label. "I am the first artist to acknowledge them and it's how I show them respect."
His journey started in 1995 when he was in Grade 9 in Mzwamandla High, Port Shepstone. There he was discovered by Lindelani Mkhize and Spikiri while performing with a crew called Vibe Lizinto.Professor takes up the story.
"Spikiri regarded me as his younger brother almost from the beginning, but he told me straight up that I would have to wait. He would fly me to Jozi for specific recordings.
"At that time Oskido just saw me as this guy who came and went. Only Spikiri really knew what I was doing there."
Meanwhile, in Durban he received a lot of help from Joe Nina as well as Black Coffee and his group Shana, which at that stage were still based in Durban.
"Shana and Black Coffee taught me how to produce. They bought me a studio and I just had to pay them back when I could. In fact, they taught me everything about the studio, that's why I am such a good studio engineer. They also loved |my lyrics."
By 1998 Professor had moved to Jozi where he had a stint with his blood brothers, Bengi and Character, in a kwaito group. He also learnt DJaying skills and could be found on the decks in Hillbrow clubs.
"At that time I would still go to Kalawa and write songs. Then, in 2004, I finally met up with Oskido and everything changed when Spikiri and Oskido decided to sign me to Kalawa. I started working with BOP (Brothers of Peace) and, of course, recorded Current with Spikiri.
"It really meant something to me that they acknowledged me on that level. Bruce Dope, (the other half of BOP) became like another big brother to me. Oskido invited me to live in the house and again my life changed."
It would appear Professor just seems to lurch from one good turn of fortune to another. "Well, I don't see things coming, I just pray."
As fate would have it, fellow Durbanite T'Zozo was working with Mahoota and also featuring on BOP tracks. He was blowing up bigger than Professor at the time.
"I was supposed to have recorded my first album then. But T'Zozo was bigger. I didn't like that and was pissed off. I am a great guy, though."
He wrote Woza Durban just before he and T'Zozo went on tour with BOP. Oskido, who as usual, had his ear to the ground, saw the writing on the wall.
There was huge underground interest in Durban, particularly around Durban's Finest - Tira and Sox. Oskido instructed the two that they release Woza Durban as a duo from Durban, and, hey presto! the Durban scene was born. Cleverly, the track included Tira and Sox.
"2005 was definitely my year and Spikiri and I certainly played a big part in creating that Durban sound with Current."
Five years later and the tension between T'Zozo and Professor has been on the down-low, with both still insisting that they will make music together in the future.
However, from the few moments I have observed, including the fact that last year Professor refused to turn up at an interview I had scheduled with both of them, they are not happy neighbours.
Professor refuses to comment on the situation, and instead turns the conversation to his solo career.
"I do my music and that's it. I'm not a rebel. I have decided to bring back my culture and my family into my music with Character and my other brother, DJ Mngane.
"In terms of producers I went with young producers. A new guy called DJ Booster rocked four nice tracks, as did Mono T."
Going back to his rhyming skills and Jezebel, Professor flashes a cheeky grin: "Jezebel could be written by any artist. It's about dating an unfaithful girlfriend who sleeps with all your famous friends."
On the track, the busy Jezebel has one-night stands with Tira, Oskido, Nutty Nys and DJ Knaves, to name but a few.
"One day I am going to go on stage and say who my Jezebel was."
Yeah, well, breaking news, Professor, the Jezebels come with the territory. - tonight.co.za
JIMAPHI & JEZEBEL: PROFESSOR feat OSKIDO