The post Herc Cut The Lights Recalls Health Struggles & Being Homeless Before ‘SSG’98’ Success appeared first on SA Hip Hop Mag.
Herc Cut The Lights Recalls Health Struggles & Being Homeless Before ‘SSG’98’ Success. South African producer Herc Cut The Lights has opened up about the deeply personal journey behind his music during a heartfelt appearance on The Sobering Podcast, shedding light on the struggles that shaped one of the standout tracks from his latest project.
During the conversation, Herc reflected on the creation of “DANCE4ME”, a collaboration with rapper Blxckie that appears on his debut album SSG’98, released in early 2026. While the track is now gaining recognition as a highlight of the project, its origins trace back several years. According to Herc, the song was created for a second album planned in 2023, but never made the final cut at the time.
“We had that song, and it was actually for the second album we had prepared in 2023,” he explained. “That shows how powerful the record is. But we ended up sitting on it.”
When it came time to finalise SSG’98, the track resurfaced and quickly proved impossible to ignore. What made “DANCE4ME” stand out was its emotional depth, particularly the honesty in Blxckie’s lyrics, which mirrored a difficult chapter in Herc’s own life.
The producer revealed that the period following the release of his 2024 hit “Tholakuwe”, featuring Sjava, Blxckie, and Young Stunna, was far from the success many might have assumed. Behind the scenes, he was dealing with serious personal setbacks.
“After the release of Tholakuwe, I lost a lot. I’m not ready to speak about it now,” Herc shared, his voice breaking during the interview. “At one point, I was sleeping in my friend’s car. He was inspiring me every day and taking me to the studio.”
Despite the hardships, he continued working relentlessly. Herc described a period where he felt physically and emotionally drained while trying to keep his music career alive.
“I used to be broke. Sometimes I felt like I needed a break,” he said. “But I had lost everything, and there was no time to rest. I didn’t even have the energy to slow down. That song really speaks for itself.”
The pressure eventually took a serious toll on his health. Long studio sessions that stretched to twelve hours, combined with mixing submissions for other artists, left him dealing with severe back pain. The exhaustion ultimately forced him to step away from the spotlight for a while.
“It took a toll on my health, which is why I had to go incognito for a bit,” he explained.
Things began to change with the arrival of SSG’98. As the album reached listeners, the response from fans and fellow artists helped lift his spirits after what he described as some of the darkest days leading up to its release.
“The days before the project came out were not the best,” Herc admitted. “But things eventually worked out. I finally got my own place now.”
Reflecting on how far he has come, the producer became visibly emotional while recalling the struggles he endured.
“That’s why I’m getting emotional now. People don’t know that I was just lying on a couch dealing with back pain,” he said.
Herc Cut The Lights’ journey from sleeping in a friend’s car to securing his own home highlights the determination behind one of South Africa’s emerging production talents. With “DANCE4ME” gaining attention as one of the strongest moments on the focused eight-track project SSG’98, his story stands as a reminder that some of the most powerful music is born from life’s toughest moments.
The post Herc Cut The Lights Recalls Health Struggles & Being Homeless Before ‘SSG’98’ Success appeared first on SA Hip Hop Mag.
The post Herc Cut The Lights Recalls Health Struggles & Being Homeless Before ‘SSG’98’ Success appeared first on SA Hip Hop Mag.
Herc Cut The Lights Recalls Health Struggles & Being Homeless Before ‘SSG’98’ Success. South African producer Herc Cut The Lights has opened up about the deeply personal journey behind his music during a heartfelt appearance on The Sobering Podcast, shedding light on the struggles that shaped one of the standout tracks from his latest project. …
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