Tshego has come a long way. He is now one of the country's most notable hip-hop artists and producers. In July, he left Family Tree, the label headed by Cassper Nyovest, which he was part of for the last few years. His imprint Twenty Five Eight Entertainment signed a licensing deal with Universal Music Group at around the same time he departed from FT.

Tshego's debut album Pink Panther, which was one of the most anticipated this year, arrived a month later. The project follows the EP, Since 1990, which the artist released in 2015. Tshego has produced and appeared on some of the country's biggest hip-hop releases, which has kept him busy leading up to his defining moment.

Tshego reveals that the album title doesn't much, if anything at all, adding that he's not a sentimental guy. Even most of his tattoos are just art. There's never a boring moment when he's being interviewed. Names get dropped like it's not a thing, revealing a man who has nothing to hide and one who's willing to show the world who he really is.

Pink Panther is by no means a themed album—it's instead a coherent compilation of varied songs that sound great together. An equally varied guest list—including King Monada, Riky Rick, Kwesta, Tellaman, Frank Casino and others—adds to the album's diversity.

We got a chance to sit down with the musician and picked his brain about Pink Panther, independence, having to start the album afresh at some point and his willingness to be more visible, among other things.

The interview has been edited for clarity and length.