Rising star merc$ ELEVN makes a powerful entrance into the music scene today with the release of his debut E.P ‘Wavy Coast to Coast’.
Born and raised in Pretoria, South Africa, the self-proclaimed New Age King brings a refreshing fusion of Amapiano, New Age beats, South African trap, and old-school house energy that sets him apart as an artist to watch.
For merc$ ELEVN, real name Onkabetse, music is deeply personal.
Inspired by his late mother, who urged him in 2023 to ‘find your own flow,’ the project transforms pain and loss into something timeless.
Her passing in March 2025 shaped the E.P’s emotional depth, with every track serving as a tribute to her legacy.
Astonishingly, the entire project was recorded on his phone, inside his closet, proving that raw creativity thrives even in humble spaces.
‘Wavy Coast to Coast’ is built on freestyled lyrics delivered in merc$ ELEVN’s unique style, which he calls merc$ talk a bold mix of raspy vocals, rockstar energy, and lyrical finesse.
Working alongside producers XKG and Tiny Zee, he crafts a sound that feels futuristic yet grounded, a sonic landscape he insists is ‘not of this world.
‘Blending influences from Future, Marilyn Manson, Eminem, Lil Wayne, and T-Pain, merc$ ELEVN carries both the grit of his Pretoria upbringing and the ambition of an artist chasing global recognition.
With a fast-growing online following and an unstoppable drive, ‘Wavy Coast to Coast’ marks not just a beginning, but a powerful statement: merc$ ELEVN has arrived, and his wave is just getting started.
