What’s your stage name and where are you from?

My stage name is Missoury which is pronounced (misery) and I am from Eastern Cape, South Africa

What’s the story behind your stage name?

The story behind Missoury is quite different from the stories you usually hear about how artist names. At first mine was more of a marketing strategy because the whole idea was attracting the overseas market through the name itself, Missouri is a city far from South Africa which people from all over tend to spell incorrectly, most people would put a Y rather than an I, which helps a lot of people find me easier due to search engine optimization. Another reason I chose the name Missoury was because the name said a lot about my background, and is also a mark of rebirth in my career as an artist.

Describe your musical journey in three sentences.

My musical journey is one of resilience and innovation, blending underground hip-hop influences with a unique artistic vision. Rising from South Africa’s independent music scene, I am still navigating the challenges of self-promotion and creative authenticity while pushing the boundaries of sound. Through my work I will continue to explore the intersection of technology and music, carving out a distinct space in the industry.

Share an interesting experience you had while creating your latest track.

I remember when I was recording “Instagram” back in 2024, I was struggling with choosing which verse from the two verses I wrote was better. The initial plan was for the song to have one verse but then after I recorded the second verse it mostly supported the first verse in terms of depth and that’s how Instagram came about.

What message do you want to convey through your music?

I aim to convey a message of resilience, transformation, and the beauty that emerges from darkness. My music reflects the journey of pushing through struggles, using sound to illuminate hidden truths and emotions. By blending underground hip-hop with innovative production, I encourage listeners to embrace their own paths, no matter how unconventional or challenging they may be.

Tell us about a challenge you faced during production and how you overcame it.

I feel like one of the challenges I faced was struggling to get a certain sound to match the vision I had in my head for Askelad – Which is an E.P I have been working on throughout 2024 that is yet to release

If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?

Within South Africa working with artists like Shooterkhumz, Dee Koala, and Nasty C makes sense for an underground artists because it provides a bridge between the independent and mainstream scenes while maintaining authenticity. Shooterkhumz, as a producer, brings a distinct sonic edge that aligns with underground creativity, while Dee Koala represents Cape Town’s raw, unfiltered energy, offering a street-level connection. Nasty C, though mainstream, still carries the independent artist mindset, and collaborating with him could open doors to a wider audience without compromising artistic integrity. Each of these artists brings credibility, exposure, and a unique sound that could elevate an underground artist’s reach while keeping their roots intact.
Outside South Africa it would be amazing working with artists like Don Toliver, Smino, James Blake and Doja Cat makes sense because they each bring a unique blend of mainstream appeal and experimental artistry.
1. Don Toliver – His melodic and atmospheric trap sound can bridge the gap between underground grit and mainstream accessibility, making for a fusion that still feels authentic.
2. Smino – known for his intricate flows and jazz- influenced beats, Smino embodies the balance between underground creativity and wider recognition, offering a chance to experiment while reaching a broader audience.
3. James Blake – His electronic and soulful production could help an underground artist push sonic boundaries, adding depth and emotional weight to their music
4. Doja Cat – Her versatility and genre blending approach provide an opportunity to create something unpredictable, mixing underground authenticity with mainstream energy.
Collaborating with these artists could lead to creating fresh sounds that challenge the norms of both the underground and mainstream worlds.

Where do you see your music taking you in the next year?

Most definitely taking me to places I’ve never been to and reaching new milestones in my career as an artist, such as growing my audience, collaborating with new artists and also experimenting more with different sounds and genre’s.

What’s the next big step for you as an artist?

* Getting Booked for shows
* Creating my own Clothing Line

Where can we hear/watch your most recent work?

https://open.spotify.com/album/7yJ7xh1yvsTaoX2wqP9tDM?si=9dU_x2MSQN-hkeQX10ACEQ⁰