Treasure Luvhimbi, professionally known as Ramjay DABA, is one of the most exciting new voices to emerge from Limpopo's hip-hop scene.
Raised in the small village of Masakona, Ramjay is not only a proud torchbearer of Venrap – a vernacular subgenre of hip-hop rooted in local language and identity – but also a boundary-pushing artist whose reach is beginning to extend well beyond his home province.
Now 27, Ramjay's musical journey began early. "I started Venrap hip-hop in 2009 when I was just 11 years old," he said. "Growing up in a family that makes music is what made me fall in love with it at a very early age." That musical foundation, paired with a natural flair for storytelling, has become central to his artistry.
A pivotal moment came in 2018, when he released Sarafina, a single featuring Congolese-born artist Batondy. "The song surpassed miles of streams in less than a month. It did more than I could dream of," he said. That breakthrough made it clear that music was more than a passion – it was his purpose.
Ramjay's sound is personal, raw and grounded in reality. His lyrics often reflect his lived experiences, but he also draws on broader social issues. "I write from what I know. My family, my village, what I see – it all ends up in the music," he said.
He credits artists such as Diamond Platnumz and Batondy for shaping both his sound and his resilience. "They showed me what is possible if you stay true to your story."
Yet his rise has not been without challenges. Balancing a growing fanbase with personal integrity isn't easy. "Being well known is not an easy thing. We always face challenges through fans," he said. "But I stay unique and focus on delivering good music – that's what keeps me going."
Authenticity remains at the heart of his brand. Unlike many who follow trends, Ramjay is deliberate about making music that remains true to his roots. "After releasing a song, I rehearse with my crew to make sure we understand what we are doing – and more importantly, what our fans expect," he said.
This attention to detail ensures that each performance and release maintains both quality and cultural relevance.
Ramjay's recent rise has brought wider recognition. In May 2025, he was featured on several community radio stations, including Choice and Vuwani FM. He also made waves during his performance at the December 2024 B'town Bash, Venda's biggest annual music event. Sharing the stage with prominent acts like Ramzeey and Romeo the GreatWhite, Ramjay brought his sound to a larger audience and cemented his status as a rising star.
He is now preparing to release his debut album, Sthembiso, a project that reflects his desire to speak to issues that reach beyond music. "The album talks about life challenges and becoming stronger – especially for young people dealing with emotional and physical problems, including gender-based violence," he said.
Collaborating with artists like Fizzy Toofab, DJ Lagugga and Batondy, the album incorporates a mix of languages and genres with the aim of connecting with listeners across Africa and beyond. "I've always been a fan of mixing different genres into a project. I don't want my music to be put in one box," Ramjay said.
That boundary-crossing ambition has shaped Sthembiso, and also changed the way fans and critics perceive his voice – once misunderstood, now unmistakably his own. "Way back, people never understood how my voice sounded. But lately, they realise I have my own style in Venrap."
When asked who he'd most like to collaborate with, dead or alive, Ramjay's answer was immediate: Cassper Nyovest. "He's been inspiring me since childhood. We share a similar story, and his skills are what brought me here today," he said.
Looking ahead, Ramjay shows no signs of slowing down. With Sthembiso due for release later this year and a growing network of collaborators and fans, his focus remains clear: to build a career that uplifts his community and takes Venrap to new heights.