In a revealing conversation on his All the Smoke podcast, South African artist Tshego shared details about his ongoing battle with addiction, which he attributes to his social anxiety.
“I became a drug addict because of social anxiety.”
The artist behind the hit No Ties, who was formerly associated with Cassper Nyovest’s Family Tree record label, gave followers a rare glimpse into the difficulties he has faced behind the scenes of his music career.
Tshego detailed the impact of addiction on his life and work, notably sharing that his most popular track, Hennessy, was produced while he was using drugs.
“I wrote Hennessy while I was high. My addiction definitely shaped how I made that music.”
This admission highlights a moment of vulnerability from an artist typically protective of his private life.
Briefly News previously reported that Tshego credited Riky Rick for assisting him in overcoming his addiction. He shared that during a three-day drug binge, the late rapper called him, prompting a change in his life.
“He said, ‘Just let us know if we should give up on you, boizen.’ That was the last day I touched hard drugs; I only told him that story years later.”
“His saying those simple words reminded me that I started this for myself, and the only person I’d be disappointing is me. When there are no accolades, I don’t cry; I do this for me.”
Tshego discussed the ongoing effort required to address his dependency, emphasizing that recovery is a continuous journey rather than a single achievement.
Rather than offering a neat conclusion to his narrative, he provided an honest reflection on his current state in recovery, which many viewers found to be a refreshing departure from the typical scripted accounts.
“Even though I was struggling, everything I went through shaped my music and who I am today.”
He stressed that he is “working on himself” and actively striving to move beyond his past to foster a healthier life.
Watch Tshego’s video below.
