MBABANE– Eswatini poet and hip-hop artist Sibusiso Shongwe, popularly known as Bless LePoet, is gaining international recognition after his latest release, Second Chance Remix, featuring King Mzesh and BadRelief, was featured on Talent Showcase Africa Playlist – Episode 236.
The recognition has opened doors for the artist’s music to reach audiences beyond Eswatini, with the track receiving airplay across Namibia, the United States of America, the United Kingdom and South Africa.
The song is currently featured on several radio platforms, including Energy100 FM in Namibia, Nam Radio Local, High-Grade Radio Dallas in the United States, LagosJumpRadio in the United Kingdom and Day One Radio in South Africa.
For Bless LePoet, the milestone marks another step in a musical journey built on storytelling, perseverance and a passion for using poetry to address everyday struggles.
His artistic journey began in hip-hop, where he was previously known as Yung BadNewz. However, he began taking his craft more seriously in late 2021, developing a distinctive style that combines spoken word, poetry and music.
Describing himself as a storyteller, poet, lyricist, music arranger and stage performer, Bless LePoet explores themes such as relationships, family, faith, human struggles and hypocrisy.
His catalogue includes the emotional spoken-word project Ngilimele and Bengisemngcwabeni Wami 1st, a thought-provoking piece that imagines the poet attending his own funeral while confronting love, regret and hidden truths.
The latter reached number two on Eswatini Hits and received airplay on EBIS 1, demonstrating the potential of spoken word to connect with audiences through deeply personal narratives.
Beyond his individual music career, Bless LePoet is the founder and host of Bars2Bars Cypher Seasons, a hip-hop platform dedicated to promoting emerging Eswatini artists and encouraging collaboration with musicians from other countries.
Through this initiative, he has worked to create opportunities for upcoming creatives while contributing to the growth of the local hip-hop scene.
His work has also attracted international attention through features in United States-based Pepper Magazine and collaborations with artists from South Africa, Zambia, Malawi, Ghana, Lesotho and Nigeria.
Produced by XeRo and BR, Second Chance Remix centres on resilience, overcoming past struggles and finding redemption. Its message reflects the artist’s broader approach to music as a platform for sharing experiences and encouraging listeners to keep moving forward despite life’s challenges.
The international exposure comes as another significant milestone awaits Bless LePoet, who has been nominated for the Eswatini Lifestyle Awards 2026 in the Artist of the Year category.
The nomination represents an opportunity to celebrate his contribution to spoken word, hip-hop and the development of emerging talent in Eswatini.
Supporters are being encouraged to vote for the artist, with his campaign highlighting his journey from a rural community to international platforms despite limited financial resources.
His supporters also point to his work through Bars2Bars Cypher Seasons, which has helped create a platform for upcoming artists to showcase their abilities and connect with other creatives.
HOW TO VOTE
To vote for Bless LePoet in the Artist of the Year category:
- Visit the official voting portal at www.theELAcenter.com.
- Navigate to the voting section.
- Select the Artist of the Year category.
- Choose Bless LePoet.
- Pay E2 per vote via MTN MoMo. Multiple votes are permitted.
Supporters can also continue streaming Second Chance Remix and sharing the song with others.
The song is available on Spotify, while the Talent Showcase Africa broadcast and playlist feature can be accessed through the platform’s blog.
As his music reaches more international listeners, Bless LePoet continues to demonstrate how poetry and hip-hop can carry local stories beyond national borders.
STREAM THE SONG: Spotify – Second Chance Remix
BROADCAST FEATURE: Talent Showcase Africa Playlist – Episode 236
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