Mashudu Nefotoni who is popularly known as MASH.Toni is an artist who hails from the South of Johannesburg, a.k.a Soweto. Specifically in Dobsonville extension three, from which he prides himself.
Speaking to MASH.Toni, he told the publication that it is important that he mentions he comes from and his upbringing so he can inspire others. The same way other artists inspired him, and still do inspire him to become the musician he is.
Mashudu also added that it means a lot to him coming from the hood because one of his main goals is to give back to the hood, embrace talents decrease drug rate. This is apart from being a Soweto hero.
We further asked what motivated him to start his music journey and this is what he had to say:
Both my parents inspired me, my cousin And Grandfather too, my mom introduced me to gospel a group called ‘Barorisi Ba Morena’ etc. and my dad was a really big fan of Tupac and R.Kelly. So I always used to picture myself being them. My late grandfather liked Sechaba and Lundi.
Now, in grade three he used to freestyle and play around with his childhood friends and called themselves The Biker Boyz.
Grade 9 we used to make triller videos with my friends of artists who inspire us, and in that same grade I started recording a verse at NeoBeats, I was featured though.
#1 Why do you go by the name you go by?
In a sit-down with the musician, he expressed that his stage name derives from both his name and surname. So it is a combination and it is inspired by his real name and surname “MASHudu nefoTONI.”
#2 What type of music do you produce?
MASH.Toni solely produces hip-hop, rap and R&B for now. We will have to wait and see if he ventures into other genres.
#3 When did your music career start and what’s your favourite song produced by you?
The year 2015, when Mashudu was in his prime years, in grade nine. “I was featured by an artist named K.Raw from Meadowlands. His favourite song by him has to be ‘2001’.
#4 What influence do you wish to have in the community?
“I wanna have a mental life path for the community cause that’s what I suffer from, anxiety and major depression etc, mental health is very important and it’s taken very lightly,” says MASH.Toni.
Additionally, on a personal aspect, he hopes to change his lifestyle. For his family to have a better life too. But most importantly, to fight off his mental health and become a better version of himself.
#5 Who do you look up to locally and globally?
The artist has quite a number of musicians he looks up to, and a variety. Namely, “21savage, Bryson Tiller, Jonathan McReynolds, NoCap, Jacquees, A Reece, Siya Shezi ,Rawhseason, Lejwe la Motheo, st.james brass band and LucasRaps.
It’s because of them that I am the person that I am today,” said Nefotoni.
DID YOU KNOW?
- MASH.Toni is highly spiritual.
- When he loves, he loves heavily.
- The artist is also full of humour and jokes.