Def Trinity

The three man squad widely known for their popular track ‘Street kids’, their powerful, tear jerking performances and who could forget the acts they portray whilst delivering their songs, gave me an insight into their minds and to their hearts. This is to re introduce The Devils Entertainment Family and the Trinity of God by Nolusindiso Noqayi.

The group consist of three members, namely Sonwabo Skeyi aka Devil Sobz, Luthando Ndumiso aka Man Flo’ and Anele Brown aka K.O.D.

"we have gone through struggles in our lives, so instead of writing senseless lyrics, we write about our struggles"

How did the group start?
The group was conceived in 2001. The original members are no longer part of it, except Man Flo’ who was the beat maker. Their stage name was Def Revolution Clique (DRC), and then they went their separate ways. Flo’ who remained then teamed up with G and they started Trinity. Then an original member, L.O.D contested the name saying that there had to be an original element to it. They then renamed the group Def Trinity

Where do you guys live and where do you have your jam sessions?
Devil Sobz and K.O.D live in Pefferville and Flo’ lives in Duncan Village. We have our jam sessions at each others homes and we have the assistance of Lush as the beat maker.

What are your aspirations for the future?
We want to see the group on a higher platform, to perform on a national and commercial level. We think we would be able to withstand the challenges that artists on that level face, because we are unique in that we can stand our ground as artists and as a group. As much as we would like to go national, artist get exploited out there, therefore we would like to stick to the style of music that we make, and not be compared to other artists out there.

What is your muse for your lyrical content?
We have gone through struggles in our lives, so instead of writing senseless lyrics, we write about our struggles, the way that people live on the streets, about the state of our country and about politics. We want to sing about what will help people gain knowledge, and to inspire them to be better human beings.

Explain your love for performance
When we are on stage we aim to entertain, to educate and to fill the crowd with energy. Before going on stage, we usually come across challenges which spoil our mood, but as soon as we start performing, all troubles fade and it is just us, the stage and the crowd. Some artists plan their performances and then realize that what they are doing is not according to plan, all that we do is pray for strength from God and we just do what we do best on stage. Some of us did drama at school, so each song we perform; we act it out as we perform so that the audience can get the picture and the mood.

As the interview deepened, the members took me on a journey into their childhoods, portraying their struggles, their fears and nightmares they went through while they were young…
Devil Sobz grew up with his grandmother from a very young age. His mother was away working in the city, while he spent his childhood playing in the streets of his village and being a shepherd boy. He does not know his father, nor had a man figure in his life. He felt unloved because he could not understand how a man could make a child then turn his back on him. Despite those struggles he survived through God and managed to survive on his own.
K.O.D’s childhood was not as much of a struggle. The problems started when his parents separated. His older brothers fell on the way side of life, ending up as prisoners, social workers removed his younger siblings from his home and instead of giving up on himself, he sought refuge from his uncle who gave him shelter. He still lives with him today.
Flo’ had a tough life, his family was poor, and he does not know his father. He heard that he died somewhere and has never been to his grave. There are times when he really needs a father figure, but has none. Most of the lyrics he writes are based on his experiences and heartaches.

Also in the group is Robert Ntingane. He is the lead vocalist and he came closer to the group with the song street kids. He was also a street kid, ran away from home after being abused by his stepfather. On the streets he found a home, found love and respect. He experienced most of what these kids go through and was luckily found and sent to a shelter where he grew up. Since his mother could not raise him up, he would like to go back to her and give her the love that she could not give to him.

In the song they make a plea to the government to recognize street kids as decent human beings, to provide for them and to make their lives easier. It is not their will that they are there on the streets; circumstances have led them to have difficult lives. They also appeal to the public to give love to those kids because most of them need it and they have so much they could give to the world, but poverty has once again struck.