Rapper Lolli Native speaks about his acting debut on ‘Adulting’, his second album and venture into fashion

Lolli Native received applause for his stint on Showmax's Adulting S2 after the season finale. The rapper, who has added actor to his growing resume, says he hopes people will get to see more of him on the small screen. 

“My dream has always been in the entertainment space, be it music, MCing, or acting, but growing up it has always been so far-fetched. Even music has always been far-fetched,,” he told TshisaLIVE. 

Lolli Native, real name Luthando Dekeni, made his debut on the show in the first season as an extra and was later given a few lines in the second season to showcase his acting skills. 

“I was excited and I thought I could take it a step further. I got into doing monologues and studying how I could get myself into the space. Then, as fate would have it, they called and liked what I did. As much as it was a small role I appreciate it gave me an opportunity to represent Xhosa culture. I've always been a Xhosa activist, in the hip-hop space and in other spaces.

He plans to study more about the acting industry and hone his craft. 

“Watching it, seeing the comments, I think people understood what I wanted to do with the role. I really enjoyed it and it's something I am taking seriously and I want to do more. Like any other thing I do, I give it time and study to see what more I can do to be better. ,

“Being on Adulting was a dream come true. It is one of the biggest shows and that being my first, I don't take it lightly. The whole experience was amazing. The opportunity to act with great actors and be directed by the best in the game, I don't take that lightly. I'm going to do more and let God do the rest.”

Two years after the release of his first album Ivangeli, Lolli Native said he's gearing up to release another album soon titled Amandla, which is inspired by his sister Amanda and is also a testament to how far he's come in his career. 

“I'm having fun with it. I want to give people an amazing project. Obviously, I'm not in the same space as I was when I was doing Ivangeli, hence the album is called Amandla.”

Lolli Native said he is inspired to venture into more spaces this year, including fashion. 

“I'm dropping my own underwear. It's called Respect the Native. Starting with an underwear range, and more merch will later drop. The underwear range is inspired by a song I have called Andapende. The song is about me sagging my pants and it being part of the hip-hop culture, as much as people shun us for doing it. It's not just underwear, it's a statement piece. Everything I do coincides with the music.

“It's exciting being able to showcase all my talents. I'm also grateful that the first one was music because that's what I want to be known and remembered for. Whatever else I do, people will always relate to the artist. The music is honest and the music says who I am. I'm grateful to have had an opportunity to showcase as a new face. I know it's not easy in the industry.”