Rising star merc$ ELEVN has released his debut EP Wavy Coast to Coast, a groundbreaking blend of Amapiano and New Age beats infused with South African trap and old-school house classics. More than just a musical debut, the project is a heartfelt tribute to his late mother, whose words and encouragement inspired his journey to find his own flow.
In 2023, merc$ ELEVN—born Onkabetse—was told by his mother after she heard his early Soundcloud track Rider: “Find your own flow, Onka.” Those words became his mantra, carrying him through the loss of his mother in March 2025 and fueling the creation of this deeply personal project. Wavy Coast to Coast transforms grief into melody, turning raw emotion into music that resonates far beyond the walls of the studio—or in his case, the closet. Remarkably, every track on the EP was recorded on his phone, with his closet serving as soundproofing, proving that creativity knows no limits.
A true solo vocal performance, the EP features merc$ ELEVN freestyling every lyric in a conversation with beats crafted by producers XKG and Tiny Zee. The result is a futuristic soundscape he describes as “not of this world,” where basslines and melodies weave together to create something both experimental and timeless. At the heart of this sound is merc$ talk—a signature style blending raspy tones, rockstar energy, and sharp lyricism, inspired by icons like Future and Marilyn Manson.
Since finding his musical style earlier this year, merc$ ELEVN has been steadily building momentum. Influenced by childhood favorites including Eminem, Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, and T-Pain, he has carved out a lane that is unapologetically his own—rockstar-made and fueled by resilience. His rapid rise has already made waves on social media, with his very first posted song gaining 1,000 TikTok followers in less than 24 hours, signaling that audiences are ready for his bold new vision.
With Wavy Coast to Coast, merc$ ELEVN steps firmly into the spotlight, not only as Pretoria’s next big star but as a voice for a generation seeking to turn struggle into art, and loss into legacy
Follow merc$ ELEVN on Instagram and Spotify. Listen to ‘Wavy Coast to Coast’ EP on all platforms here
