The Early years

Mario “Mr Devious” van Rooy, was born in Bonteheuwel on the Cape Flats of the Western Cape in 1977. Like most of the other townships scattered across the Cape Flats, Bonteheuwel was a hotbed of violence where the dynamics were drugs and gangsterism.

The van Rooy family moved to Mitchell’s Plain. Mario grew up in a house with strong family values, strong belief system and morals. By the age of sixteen, he was actively involved in church as a Youth leader who encouraged and motivated the youths. The majority of the youth enjoyed his way of talking and the way he brings things across.

At that time he formed a rap group with his friend Garth (Troy), a well known Artist referred to as “Western Block”. Devious started to promote his music and performed at various events to get his name out on the streets. His lyrics he raps about are social conscious issues of what we have to deal with in our society, and the way he sees and feel about things that’s “fucking” up our people state of minds. He also used to perform every Saturday matinee at a well-known club in Cape Town called “Angels” where they used to have open mic sessions. Devious collaborated with upcoming artists such as Prophets of the City. He recorded a few tracks with them (POC). He was invited by POC to go to London and do a few gigs with them. He was only seventeen - well ahead of his time - the majority of the upcoming artist could not believe this!

Introducing to the record label

In 1998 Lance Ster, the owner of Ghetto Ruff in Johannesburg approached Mr Devious to record his album. Devious took the opportunity and left for approximately six months to complete his album. During this time he came home on two occasions on weekends to spend time with his family in Cape Town. His parents were excited to hear about their son’s music, and they supported him a lot in his endeavours.

He usually phoned home once a week and to say everything was cool with him in Johannesburg. However nobody was aware how difficult life was for him in joburg, and sometimes had no food or drink to sustain him. This frustrated him tremendously. His family was unaware of these hardships (because he never spoke about it). He decided to come back to Cape Town, but unfortunately things didn’t turn out the way he planned. The Record deal fucked up and Devious was deeply disappointed and told his girlfriend (Natalie) that they prolonged the process of producing his Album. He felt they wasted his time because he sacrificed his family to have his Album recorded. However he did hook up with other local Artists and Mcee’s during his stay in Johannesburg.
It took Mario a while before he opened up about his experience (the good times, the bad times and the sad times).

Became a family man

In 1999 his girlfriend, Natalie, fell pregnant and things just became hectic for him. He was unemployed the Record deal fell through. This had a severe effect on him and he sunk into depression. He became very angry towards the situations. His attitude towards life was negative.

Soon after his daughter Lezhaune was born, Devious got married and they lived with Devious’ family and decided to get his life back on track and started a rap group called “Untouchable Fellows “.His daughter played a major role in his life and gave him direction and to stay focus.

After that Ghetto Ruff Records contacted Devious and asked him to come back to Johannesburg to complete his Album and shoot his music video. Devious was reluctant about the offer this time and he explained his circumstances that as family man and he can’t do things for free anymore and had changed and he was occupied with his rap artist group. He was told that he was booked for a gig and would get paid. He was convinced and went back to Johannesburg to do the gig, got paid, came back and explained everything to his wife regarding the Record deal.

According to Mario, the record company wanted Devious to leave his family behind, and would provide Devious with everything he requested. This made Devious angry and this was one of the reasons he refused the offer. However Devious had other plans and what he heard basically inspired him to move forward and do his own thing.

He said “the record labels are “fucked up” what they basically want is to control your life and to exploit you as an artist at the end. They think we are a bunch of puppets.” Ever since then, he grew and started to write lyrics about his experience within the music industry. In the meantime Devious looked for a job to sustain his family. He went to a couple of places made phone calls to people to sell few of his songs. His mother words were he can do his music, but he had to work to provide for his family. There were many times he felt down and out, but he kept on going. However he continued with writing his lyrics and started to listen to all kinds of rap music. The strength of his family especially his daughter Lezhauné kept him going, he realised he can’t run away from his responsibilities. His aim was always to give his family the best in the world.

In the year 2000 his second child Britney was on the way and he motivated himself in order to get his music out there. He contacted Shahien to enquire about upcoming events and whether it would be possible book him (Devious) for gigs. Devious and Shahien started to work very closely together on the YAA 2000 Aids Awareness Project for Bush Radio and recorded a few tracks. He collaborated with other upcoming artists such as Eloise from Godessa and liaised with them on lyrical content. He was invited by Zhain Adams, the owner of Bush Radio, regarding the Aids Awareness campaign to do a few live performances. He was feeling himself again, doing what he loved so much.
Since he came back from Amsterdam, he was very different and positive, so calm and collective. He shared his experience and information with other rap artists.

Record and liaise with other artist

Mr. John Fredericks contacted them to do a soundtrack for his documentary “Shooting Bokkie” and “Tomorrows Heroes”. Mr. Fredericks arranged the studio time and asked the group Goddessa to collaborate with them. Devious was on a natural high and lashed out in the studio. While they were in the studio the group “Untouchable Fellows” decided to distribute the album and sell it underground (bootleg style). In the same week (on Wednesday) something happened at the studio that would change the course of his life. Shamiema (Goddesa) had a few application forms with her that day and gave Devious one of documents to be filled in and returned immediately.

Devious works at CRED

Thereafter he went for the interview came back very excited and said he got the job. The organisation who employed him was CRED (Creative Education with Youth at risk). He went to Pollsmoor prison to work with juveniles but had no idea what to implement there. Everyday after work he went directly to the Black Beach Studios in Muizenberg. He worked hard to achieve his goals. He spoke of the hectic work in the prison. In our world, the youths looked so innocent and could never understand how they got caught up these situations. He became more involved with youth in the communities in the so called red-zone areas. The organisation (CRED) sent him for short courses such as conflict resolution, conflict management, problem solving, self awareness and the way forward. It was here that he seized the opportunity to implement his rap music combine it with the Life skills program that they were busy with. His profile was published on the internet which put him in contact with various artists from other countries. He said it was sad to see the youths had no direction in life, but most of them had great talent. There were no activities to stimulate the minds of our youth. Devious realised he had to do something and by introducing his music to “speak” to the youth.

They dealt with similar issues he went through not too long ago. The majority of his songs reflected on things in and around our neighbourhood. He had a passion for the things he did and he said that he could see in the children’s eyes the emptiness and they sought for direction in life to make things easier for them. He felt a lot for the youths and he could relate to them on any level.

At the same (2002) he hooked up with Shamiel Adams (Shakier x) the coordinator of Baobab connections here in South Africa. Shamiel arranged to bring artists from Amsterdam to collaborate with Devious. Devious invited them to come to Beacon Valley a township on the Cape Flats.

They got together again and Devious started writing articles for Baobab connections regarding issues in our environment and globally he started reading. He did a lot of research to empower himself with the knowledge to support his theory. Shamiel, Reddy D and Devious worked very closely together in that year they went to Europe for three weeks. He met different people and rocking the stages. He was booked for a couple of gigs in that year thing were starting to come together. He was at the prime of his life. There were times then he couldn’t keep up with the events.

Urban Riot and another child

During that same time he collaborated with a record label “URBAN RIOT” with Roger (Hamma) and his partner Rynald Fenter, Devious recorded his seven tracks and planned to bring out his own album later that year.

Of course his wife was pregnant with their third child and they knew it’s going to be boy and was much exited to hear that his first boy is on the way. Devious became more determined to complete his Album that year. His aim was to register his own Record label and NGO to help upcoming artists with their music.
He introduces his wife to the hip-hop game and recorded his last, a song with her (After every man is a strong woman).

In the last few years of his life, Mario travelled to various countries, including Tanzania, Uganda, Sweden, Norway and Holland. He was seen as a growing influence on the African Hip Hop scene, whilst contributing to the international social justice movement.

A star flickers, and a legacy born

On the 23rd of January 2004, Mario died violently at the hands of a small group of gang members. The very same youth that he dedicated his life’s work to. In the end he died with colors flying as he made the ultimate sacrifice defending his dad who was being stabbed and robbed. He left behind his wife Natalie, his two young daughters and an unborn child.

Mario’s death was a huge blow to all those who were touched by Mario’s beautiful spirit. In the mourning and healing process, a strong film idea emerged that went beyond a “tribute”, an exhibition was set up in memory of Devious, and some beautiful street-art emerged in his wake.

Mario leaves behind a legacy of what dreams are made of.
Natalie’s dream is to release his album, and complete the journey that began when Mario was born.

May his seeds proceed.