Born in 1985 July the 14th , Tebogo Phofa better known by the

alias B.I, grew up in Soweto . The name B.I. stands for Black Infant,.

gGiven to him by his late friend Benedict aka Mr Cat, who passed

away in 2007. “Cat always said my flow sounds as fresh as a new

born baby initially called me the infant. From a young age I always

loved music, in the hood we grew up listening to Kwaito. Hip-hop

only reached out to me when I turned 15. The 1st Hip-hop album I

ever bought was Nas’ It was written; which dropped in ’96. Nas

would tell stories in a way I found influential”.

“As I hit high school my peers and I would form these circles during

break called ciphers…lol - ask the teachers - we use to be

troublesome with those. Similar to a baby learning to move by

crawling. I started writing my first verse while listening to Nas.. I

developed a writing style and unlike others , made me unique .

Months of writing & rapping to instrumentals became a big

influence in developing my own sound and style, what would

eventually be B.I. “ says the hip hop artist.

B-hind the Music B.I has done a lot in his career including hit

singles on radio stations such as Yfm and Metro fm. In 2010 he was interviewed live on Dj Euphonic’s My House show, alongside his producer and engineer, Matthew Garton; who ran a production label called Rythmic Fizz. Garton saw talent in B.I, and the two escalated to a great musical chemistry. Later in 2010, he released his single titled The good, bad and the ugly, featuring Tswyza, who is now known for his hit single titled Booty.

“Man…the hustle got me far, this industry wasn’t built for the faint-hearted. In late 2010 I had the honour of meeting Dj Lemonka; whose well known for the Motswako tape , and famously the man behind launching Notshi’s career. Lemonka invited me to perform at his hip-hop session held at place called Itsoseng, also known as Tlebebe, in North West. I had the honour of performing with great artists like Mo Molemi and Hhp” says B.I

B.I.s flow is comprised of mainly English with random jabs of the Sotho languages (Sepedi.

Setswana & Sotho) and slang amongst others.

He draws a lot of his flow from the 90’s era of rap, with a pinch of new school. Making it effortless

for him to flow on either tempo between fast & slow.

You may consider him the best of both worlds between the Reasons, Proverbs of the world as well

as your Hhp’s and Khuli Chana’s.

Whether you consider him Motswako or rapping in the universal language, he stands his ground

firm.

His raps are influenced by the way he grew up speaking living in Soweto, and forced to learn other

languages including the slang spoken around the township.

Character

B.I portrays a confident character with traits of a dramatic personality, yet respectful and values opinions.

He is aggressive behind the mic showing eloquence and free-thinking word delivery in his music.

He is a great storyteller, but also never holds back on songs that need that arrogance of swag.

His distinct voice, flow & pronunciation sets him apart from any other rapper in the industry. Many that

have heard his music say his voice sounds a tad smaller than his masculine appearance.

B-hind the hype Hype magazine’s presence got B.I featured in their September issue. This

opened doors to being approached by Dineo Ranaka’s then assistant producer Bujy Junior . Bujy requested a jingle for their “Live on Drive” show which played every week day between 3pm and 6pm.

B.I has graced many crowds with his talent performing at events such as: Soweto fashion week Dj Lemonka’s Tlebebe Hiphop sessions Loliwe hiphop sessions in Garankuwa Gushima’s Rock the Garden alongside Teargas Sweepers Management Networking Party TME launch Kospotong Newtown

B.I. at the Soweto Fashion week

B-hind the style B.I’s image in dressing includes snap back

caps dark and bright colours, depending on the event, time or/and mood.

Simple golf t-shirts including non-collared, short sleeved tops to bring out his masculinity. Accessorising with a black chain, with a pendant of a hand holding a microphone (with non collared tops).

Brands he prefers to be seen wearing include:

Baleveng

J75

DC shoes

Hightop sneakers (Plain, Nikes, Adidas,)

Galxboy

Converse

Jordans

Above: B.I alongside

Scandal actor Jason

Willemse & producer

Lazy left (extreme

right)

B.I.

The Music The Art

B.I has currently released his Ep titled AutoB.I.opic.

The Ep was released on the 28th November with it’s

first single titled Laces.

Laces is currently out on radio stations such as

Yfm,Metrofm,5fm. Also on campus and community

radio stations such as Ujfm, Tuks fm etc.

Laces did well enough to reach number 1 in the hiphop

9 at 9 show on Yfm broadcasted every Thursday.

The Ep which can be streamed online via AudioMack

including soundcloud also, hard copies are being

directly sold by B.I himself & his team.

The 1st

video was shot on the 29th

November which is

for his 1st

single ‘Laces’ which is expected to debut

sometime in January 2015.

He also had a contract with Etv’s show reel to have his

music played in soapies such as Scandal and Rhythm

City.

Cover art to

AutoB.I.opic

Goals Short term

By the end of 2015, I see B.I. being more than just a brand . I see it as a household name, and if not create emotion at least create curiosity.

I run a production label called B-ringiton Music Group in which my intentions are to sign and expose fresh new talent, and get them exposure at a younger age to ensure longevity, something that I lacked in my career.

My single ‘Laces’ which is the 1st on my Ep, basically tells a story of thinking of your shoe laces as your means of transport. Stop focusing on other people and focus on you , your life where you’re going. The same way ‘pull up your socks’ is used as an everyday expression in my case it’s ‘tie your laces’.

The aim is for ‘Laces’ to attract sneaker endorsements such as brands like Converse, DC shoes, etc.

Long term

My aim is to go bigger than just South Africa, I strongly believe musically I’m more than capable to sell across borders.

I want to put South Africa on the map and fight against the taboo that we cannot produce music as good as America.

My music speaks to everyone. With that being said, I’d like to be an international icon. I see myself involved in music as an executive running, my own label with a roster of artists signed to it. I also foresee my B.I.Green campaign being practised by more communities in south Africa, to ensure

longevity of future generations to come.

Extra, Extra, B all about it

B.I alongside rapper/ producer Stringz (right) at the

Soweto Fashion week

B.I performing at Shitanga (Newtown)

Events Performed

Prospects to be B.I.Green

B.I‟s aim is to be big.„BIG‟ in a sense of being B.I. Green. B.I.G interpreted as “be eye green” and become aware of

your surroundings mainly the environment you live in. The aim is to give back to communities out there in

teaching them about the environment, and how they can make it safe and healthy for them to live in and vice versa.

Everyone deserves a chance to be B.I.G in life and get the utmost quality out of living .

We want to run a B.I.G campaign which will involve a tour promoting B.I, yet also informing and teaching children -which are the future of this country - to be B.I.G and go green.

B.I aims to encourage more people for the environment. Informing communities out there that going green sustains

life. Not just for today, but also tomorrow and including future generations to come.

B the change you want to see tomorrow!

Green

For the Fans

B.I’s music is available on platforms such as soundcloud, kasimp3 Datafilehost, AudioMack etc.

B.I. b-ginning

B.I laces

BI_blackinfant1

Singles(s) & Ep

For bookings

Email: tphofa@gmail.com

Cell: 0734994330 / 0822203003

Label: B-ringiton Music Group

Publisher: Sheer Music