From Gomora To Glory: Inside Marcus Harvey’s Poignant ‘NYKM’ Documentary. South African rapper and multi-faceted artist Marcus Harvey captivated audiences with his deeply personal and poignant documentary. The film chronicles his journey from the streets of Alexandra, Johannesburg—colloquially known as “Gomora”—to his rising success in the music industry.
Born and raised in the gritty, vibrant neighbourhood of Alexandra, Marcus Harvey’s story is one of perseverance against the odds. The documentary delves into his early life, where he navigated the challenges of poverty, and limited opportunities after dropping out from school, but also found solace and inspiration in music.
These experiences shaped him into the voice he is today—a voice that speaks to the soul of South Africa’s urban youth. The recently released doccie sheds light on his rise in the music industry and the people he met along the way acknowledged his talent and nurtured it until this very point when we all get to know him (Now You Know Me).
Music is at the heart of the documentary, with Marcus Harvey delving into the creative process of his album NYKM. As the rapper opens up about his creative process, fans get an intimate look at the making of his album NYKM, many of which reflect his upbringing and the complex realities of South African life.
True to its name, NYKM reflects Harvey’s mission to create music that challenges industry norms. Before signing with Stay Low and the birth of NYKM, the rapper had an album ready for release but ultimately chose to scrap it and start from scratch. This decision, though met with many struggles, was driven by a long-term vision that it would pay off in the end.
“At the time i let go of the first draft, I also had issues with my girl, I was just trying to save my relationship or I’m saving songs or I’m gonna fight for the music. I didn’t know how to pick sides or decide whether I should fight for this relationship.
“But it was like this is a 7-year relationship, this is everything to me. Im in the studio and I’m just thinking about how I sacrificed my relationship for music and you can feel emotions. I was just messed up when I was just making that record (Mosadi)”
As a visionary, Harvey’s goal isn’t just to make music; it’s to build a legacy. NYKM highlights the meticulous care he pours into every track, showing a side of the artist that fans rarely get to see—the struggles, the self-doubt, and the relentless pursuit of perfection.
“Now I’m confident with my stuff, I’ve no doubt, I’m fearless. I know that me and music we are one thing you know. Im more comfortable in my language, there are a lot of people who sing in Spedi, but it’s how you make it sound because I personally think it’s such a beautiful language and it’s slept on. That’s why I’m here and I’m doing it the way I’m doing it. So I’m basically the voice of Bapedi.”
Through NYKM, Marcus Harvey not only tells his journey but also amplifies the overlooked stories of the townships, voices that demand to be heard. His partnership with Levi’s marked a major turning point in his life, one he calls one of his greatest achievements. It’s a testament that any kid from Gomora can take that bold step forward, crossing the road that separates Alexandra, and Sandton, and walk straight into glory.
“Having my name on the 501 jeans is really one of dopest things that ever happened to me in my life. I can’t describe it in words but its such an amazing things to happen. Especially a kid like me who comes from the township of Alexandra it’s such a dope experience.”
