1). How did you get into the whole Cheezy Business or should we call it the entertainment industry? Is it as glamorous as most people tend to think it is?

Well I used to go the Le Club and the radio shows on weekends that used to have rap sessions in their shows since I was in high school. I was partly exposed to the music industry via the shows &events we performed at, the music video’s we were part of (Amu – Skills, the Muthuload, 1997) and the radio jingles we did. Thus the beanstalk’s been growing since then, and now it’s fully grown and I’m climbing it to the top.

Well, is it glamorous?! The artist makes it glamorous for himself/herself.

2). Which genre of music do you specialise in and which is your personal favourite?

I do Hip Hop music, and I also listen to good music in general.

3). Clearly this was all spawned from a love of music. What does music mean to you?

To me music means life… and I’m blessed to be a musician because I perform life.

4). Tell us more about Cheezy Paul? Is Cheezy an artist or is he an entertainer (a character)? What lead to you taking that route?

I’ve always loved music, stage performances and entertainment. I always knew I’d do it as a career. It was all about timing. Cheezy is an artist, and he’s just cheesy, cheesy, and cheesy. Like the confident grin of a smile when they tell you to say cheeeese! Ima happy go lucky!

5). Are you happy with what you have achieved so far?

I am. My song “chomi” was leaked into radio and was well received, and it had a high rotation on top of that. I performed it to a crowd of about 4000 at the annual ESPN basketball games at Vista University, south of Johannesburg, and the whole crowd was singing along and getting along. Featured on various TV shows performing for kids and teaching them how to rap with that song. I did the The Cheezy Month in July 09, whereby any kind of cheese donation was collected from people and corporate companies and fed to the needy children. It was a huge success. I’m touring 9 cities for the next 3 months on a show called The Grind Tour. It’s headlined by the SAMA award winning, and MTV MAMA awards nominees Gang of Instrumental, as well as Howza, and Omen. It also features a very talented entertainer Jazz (lookout for this man), as well as DJ Cuba. There’ll be a feature of other known artists per tour besides us. We’ve just toured Mpumalanga with DJ Cndo from Durban. You can catch the show on DSTV, channel 150, every Friday between 17h00 and 18h00.

6). How do you manage to juggle being Cheezy Paul and Paul? Do you still find the time to relax?

I used to do juggling (like the circus Tom, Dick and Harry’s…) when I was in tertiary for fun and relaxation. That’s how I manage now, it’s like I’m juggling everything, with ease, comfort and relaxation. You get me right? You’ve seen how relaxed the jugglers are right? That’s how it is.

7). What’s the biggest event you’ve ever performed at? What would be your ultimate event?

Touring Mpumalanga has been a huge event, the ESPN basketball games was huge this year, the UEFA cup trophy tour performance with Gang of Instrumental in Monte Casino. I’d like to see myself performing on annual events like the 46664.

8). Give us a breakdown a day or night in the life of Cheezy Paul? What’s the preparation like, leading up to an event, and what happens afterwards, what food you eat (except for cheese)?

Well I wake up early, brush my teeth and go get that money. I do what every ambitious and successful young man do out there.
Before the show I get ready for the show. Then I drink mineral water, get on stage and kill it. Afterwards it’s relaxing and having a good time.

9). Is the entertainment industry your only source of income. Are there any other grinds that you are involved in?

I also do brand activations and advertising besides other business ventures.

10). What about time with family and friends – How do you manage that?

They understand the sort of industry I’m in, and I basically see them on Sundays when it’s all relaxed.

11). Given your insight into what’s hot on the urban music scene, what do you think the trend for summer will be? Has the economic climate affected your pocket as an artist?

HHP is doing his thing and big up to the brother. Teargas is coming out strong too which is great. Omen is releasing a hot project too as well this summer.
The economy has affected everyone, but as an artist you got to be smart too and see which other avenues you can get your money from.

12). Does Cheezy Paul get groupies? How many groupies do you get?

I’ve signed bras, panties, thighs and boobs for a good cause. It’s part of my job description.

13). Have you had any awkward moments with fans? Have you performed at an event that made you go ”WTF???”

A groupie pulled me off stage after reaching to her from stage and she pulled me down. I lost balance and fell onto her, luckily the stage was not that high so the impact was not bad. She was fine and yet excited, I was like WTF?? It was also kind of de ja vu, cause in high school at a school’s event a similar incident happened when a girl in front of the crowd pulled me down and I fell down on a group of girls…and I jumped back onto the stage.

14). Did you always know you’d end up where you are today? Do you have any qualifications under your belt for any studies you may have completed?

I enrolled at Wits to do Medicine and left in the 3rd year. I always knew I’d be part of the entertainment industry via my passion for music and all the other “hustles” I did as my means of getting money.

15). So, what’s in store from Cheezy Paul? What aspirations do you have?

This year Omen is releasing The Chefs Kitchen, I’m part of it and it’s coming out end of Oct 09. My album is dropping in the 1st quarter of 2010.

16). Do you plan on collaborating with other artists from abroad or artists from different genres?

Of course, why not. K’naan, D’Banj, BEP, HHP and Akon just to name a few

17). Who do you regard (aside from yourself) as an entertainer that’s making strides in the industry?

A combination of Puffy, B.I.G, Jigga and 50Cent

18). How may people get in touch with you should they be interested in being captivated by Cheezy Paul?

Well via MySpace: www.myspace.com/cheezypaul
Via facebook: www.facebook.com/cheezypaul
And on twitter www.twitter.com/cheezypaul