Oarabile Mahole aka Jay Cubed is a Hip Hop artist born in Mafikeng, South Africa. He got introduced to music via old vinyls that played in his house and that is what influenced his writing style and approach to music. A young storyteller with an ambitious mind of being a creative, he started creating music by recording with up and coming Mafikeng producers while in high school. With street mixtapes dating back to 2004, he has been making music for a long time but has mostly released music that he has been featured on.

After moving to Johannesburg to pursue a career in the arts, Jay Cubed roamed the circles of Newtown and sharpened his skills by entering talent shows like the Channel O MC Africa challenge. It wasn’t long before Jay Cubed was in various studios, learning and crafting his skills in preparation for bigger crowds.

Like many artist, the balance between chasing the passion and earning a living led our young artist into the advertising world where he quickly established himself as an award-winning copywriter who worked with reputable brands like Nando’s, SAB, LEGiT, MINI, Vuzu Amp and Channel O. Not only did he conceptualize and write the adverts but he also did voiceover work and featured in a few print adverts. One could say that this prepared him for the life in front of cameras. But this line of work also created opportunities to meet artists that Jay Cubed would later collaborate with.

He has collaborated with the likes of G-C (Motswako rapper), BIG FKN GUN, Drain (UK producer) and has performed at WITS O-Week, Maftown Meets Pitori and Kalawa Women’s Day Showcase. He also performed in Mafikeng, by throwing his own shows at malls and parking lots. He plans on bringing the culture of street performance back as it is what encouraged him to take his music more seriously.

Jay Cubed believes that it takes courage, talent and belief for him to put out music, even if it is still unmastered or purely distributed via cellphones, as long as it is heard and people hear his message. As an independent musician without a lot of resources, he has slowly built his studio and is making the music regardless of limitations. He has graced the same stage as some of the greats like HHP, Morafe and is not new to a mic and the crowd. The people deserve a chance to hear the next big thing and he believes that he is what the music industry and the people’s hearts are missing.

Music is more than just stage, lights and fame for him. He believes that people can be healed and lives can be changed from the messages that we put out. Whether he makes them dance or makes them cry so they can get over the hard times, musicians have a greater responsibility and Jay Cubed as an artist would like to play his part in changing the world. He also knows that he is talented enough to see and be seen around the world.

Jay Cubed’s experience as an award-winning copywriter in the advertising industry allows him to bring his creativity to the lyrics, rhyme scheme and approach to his music. His subject matter touches on everything from the ignorant lyrics expected from any and all hip hop artists, to some thought provoking issues which are relevant to the youth. With the belief that music has power, the music always has a purpose and speaks to issues that reflect society. He also writes in animated pictures, concepts that can be understood by closing one’s eyes and picturing everything as it is being said. Humour and a few vulgar words on some experimental instruments. He has recently been working with Tshepang Ramoba (Drummer and producer for BLK JKS) as well as artist Moonchild Sanelly, which has switched his sound to some alternative hip hop that he is soon going to infiltrate the South African music industry with.