“No One Has Had the Kind of Collaborations I’ve Had,” Stogie T Reflects on Motif Records and Creative Legacy

Veteran rapper, lyricist, and cultural figure Stogie T recently reflected on his storied career and leadership at Motif Records during an appearance on The L-Tido Podcast, where he spoke openly about his role as a label head, creative director, and collaborator.

During the conversation, Stogie T revisited the artists he has signed under Motif Records as well as the many musicians he has worked with across genres over the years. Speaking with confidence about the breadth of his collaborations, he stated, “No one has had the kind of collaborations I’ve had, bro.”

He went on to list some of the iconic names he has shared creative space with, highlighting the diversity and depth of his catalogue. “I have Sbongile Khumalo, Kelly Khumalo, Thandiswa Mazwai, L-Tido, Yanga, Emtee… bro, it’s vast, it’s wide because that’s my superpower,” he said.

For Stogie T, collaboration is not just a by-product of longevity, but a skill developed through years of working within the structure of a record label. He explained that being part of a label environment sharpened his ability to see creative connections between artists and ideas. “I’m able to like, ‘yoh, can we put together…’ I see there’s a thing here, and it comes from being the label,” he shared.

Expanding on that idea, Stogie T emphasized that his strength at Motif Records was never rooted in finances or business administration, but in creativity and people management. “I was the creative guy at the label. I wasn’t the money guy. I was the guy who sits in the room with a bunch of people,” he explained.

That experience, he says, became foundational to how he approaches music today. Being constantly surrounded by artists, producers, and executives taught him how to listen, facilitate ideas, and shape creative direction. “That’s what it taught me,” he added. “I brought that into the music-making ability and into the creative thing.”

Stogie T’s reflections offer insight into why his career has remained relevant across generations. His ability to bridge worlds from traditional icons to contemporary hip-hop stars, speaks to a rare creative instinct developed not only as an artist, but as a curator and collaborator. As Motif Records continues to be part of his legacy, Stogie T’s “superpower” remains bringing people together to create meaningful music.