Dopekid Shewacher is reaching for the stars

Nothing seems to be able to stop local-born producer, beatmaker and vocal artist Dopekid Shewacher as he keeps on climbing the music ladder.

Shewacher’s latest album, titled Only You, moves seamlessly between Amapiano, hip-hop and Afro-beat sounds. The album comprises only three tracks, the songs Only You, Cheese and the closing track, Walk of Shame and was released via Present Global, featuring artists such as Kulani, Trima C Cotha, Sheriff and TEA SOR.

“This EP runs wild across a rich sonic terrain that thrives in the fusion of genres, ready for the heat and smoke of the club,” said Shewacher.

Dopekid Shewacher was born Nyiko Emmanuel Sambo at Migad village in the Elim area and began singing at the tender age of six. He explained that his unstoppable desire to create music fuelled his passion. “I would steal my late father’s cassettes and erase everything on them to record my own vocals. I started creating my own music at Djunane Primary School,” he said.

His most recent high-profile performance was as part of Uncle Vinny’s birthday celebration, with the likes of the late Ricky Rick, Major League, Blxckie and many more. “My first big performance was at the Makhado Show Grounds in 2016. I shared the stage with Da Les, Colbert Mukwevho, P Postman, ‎Mizo Phyll and Dbn Nyts,” he said.

Dopekid Shewacher’s wide-ranging gifts swiftly earned him his Dope Kid moniker. “I would go to studio sessions after school to sharpen my skills and knowledge. Everyone would compliment my work and say, “you are too dope kid”, so that's when I decided to call myself Dopekid,” he said.

He said that the local owner of Backyard studio, Makapeni Mawela from the area, had given him full authority to use his studio. “At the age of 15, I used a local professional studio to record my first single. I titled the track Rydo, and with help from my friends, we managed to produce a music video,” he said.

The song earned him the attention of fans and recognition in the music industry. Since then, he has steadily built up his production, song-writing and performing credits. 

Entertainment - Date: 05 March 2022

Thembi Siaga

Thembi Siaga started as an intern during 2021. He assisted with video photography and editing. He also produced numerous small documentaries, focusing on the Vhembe region and its people. Currently he works as a freelance journalist, covering stories in the Elim area.

Thembi studied at the Tshwane University of Technology, where he completed his diploma in Journalism in 2021.

Email: