Credit: Moniqua

Over the past few months, 22-year-old Masego has gained popularity off of his hit single “Girls That Dance” via his Pink Polo EP, reaching almost 1 million plays on SoundCloud.

Born in Kingston, Jamaica and raised in Newport News, Virginia, Masego (real name Micah Davis) plays numerous instruments while also being an amazing vocalist. Uncle Sego plays piano, guitar, cello, trumpet and saxophone –an instrument you will always see him with on stage, creating his own genre: TrapHouseJazz.

The new sound Masego brings to the table involves traditional jazz sounds (saxophone, scatting, cello, etc.) with the bass of trap and intensity of house music. DJ’s are automatically drawn to his style of music, including label and collective Soulection.

Masego is a breath of fresh air for the music industry, which is why we had to sit down with him and pick his brain. For the Civil Scope, he explains what Masego means in Tswana — the official language of Botswana — and what his fans would never expect to find out from the young musician. Check it out below and check out more of his music here. — Sabrina Vaz-Holder 

Credit: Sabrina Vaz-Holder

Where are you from and how has it affected your music?

I’m from the 757, Hampton Roads area. In that area, there are a lot of talented musicians and I used to be in competition with all of them. I tried to just stand out from the others and it was good because within that competition I would just progress in my talent and learn so much about chords and music.

How did you get your stage name?

Stage name came from a project I did in high school of African culture. The main thing I got from that project was that they really valued their names. So one day I went to the name chart, and I was trying to find my own name to see what it meant. Masego stuck out to me when I was on this name chart and I saw that it meant “blessing.” Back in my church days, everyone used to call me blessing because I could play all this music without all these lessons and reading music. Since they already called me blessing, and Masego meant the same thing, I said “might as well call me Masego.” Eventually I became Masego to everybody.

When did you start rapping and singing?

I used to rap back in the day. I came out with 2 rap projects that should never be heard (laughs). I started rapping and singing in my freshman year in high school when I was in the marching band, which put me above the geeks. I would freestyle about anything, and people were like “yo, you can freestyle!”

Who are some of the biggest influences to your career?

I would definitely say Cab Calloway is just at the top of the top. Andre 3000 is up there, and Cory Henry who’s been a big influence. and it would make sense to throw Pharrell in there because he is the man.

Credit: Sabrina Vaz-Holder

How will your next projects differ from what we heard on Pink Polo?

The next project is a lot, almost unapologetically Black —-neo soul and funk.

What’s one thing your fans would be surprised to know about you?

That I can’t read music. I can learn to read music, but at this moment in time it’s not really needed.

What are key lessons you are learning early on in your career?

Avoid fast women and avoid drugs. Don’t compare yourself to other artists, because it’s going to be your whole career… Also, a great team is very important and who you surround yourself with.

What are your goals for the rest of the year and the start of 2016?

Solidify my vision for my live shows, and definitely have a set plan for my next projects. Just a lot of planning for the rest of the year. I’m focused on touring as much as I can.