This series features the most exciting independent and alternative artists from Africa and its diaspora. Black artists are complex and multidisciplinary. Every month, we'll introduce the boldest musicians out there that you need to listen to.

South African-based Angolan artist Ahrt is not afraid to share his struggles with mental health and his bi-polar disorder through his music. His songs come from a very personal place; at one point, he equated people judging his music to people judging him as person, even fearing releasing any new material.

Now, Ahrt uses his music to show people that it is possible to persevere through anything and to fight the stigma against mental illness. His therapist was the one who encouraged him to get back to making music. "Art was my way of letting it out. So, I have moved from not doing music because of [my mental health], to doing music because of it," he explains.

We talked to him below.