Editorials

Top 10 SA Rappers Of All Time: Part 2

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SA Hip Hop has taken shape and grown from the days rappers were not considered to be cool and the elements that made a dope rapper have evolved. We have had rappers come and go since the genre came on the scene. Hip Hop is definitely most alive in SA than in any other African country, it was also the most prominent genre in SA last year so we have decided to create a Top 10 SA Rappers Of All Time List:

5. Zubz

Zubz

Rated as Africa’s Hip Hop ambassador, Zubz penned his first rhymes at the age of 12. After graduating from varsity he won a major battle at legendary club 206 and graced the stage alongside Talib Kweli, Dead Prez, Black Thought and Jeru da Damaja at Black August.His grooming as an award worthy artist started with his highly acclaimed first album/mix tape,Last Letta. He has gone on to pen three albums Listener’s Digest (2004), HeadphoneMusic in a Parallel Universe (2006)and the 2009 release Cochlea: One Last Letta. Throughout this he’s stuck to his definition of Hip Hop: True, Lyrical, Brave and wholly Zubz.


6. Amu

amu

He is one of the pioneers of Hip Hop in South Africa. Making his first appearance in 1996 on the “Muthaload” Compilation, his song “Skillz” off the compilation, was its first single, and also had a video which got some play on Channel O (this was a big deal back then). Amu is a founding member of Township Frekwentsi and is one of the first rappers to mix vernacular with into his English raps.

7. Khuli

khuli chana-nyc-by-gugu-lethu-600x428

Khuli has been doing it since the 90’s and is another Motswako pioneer on the list. Chana’s come up was with the legendary group Morafe and 2015 see’s the man celebrating 10 years in the industry. He has a different type of rhythm and flow that I have never heard coming from any other rapper because it is unique to him alone. Having reached a juncture in his career where his talents as a musician have been proven, Khuli Chana continues to work hard to maintain that level of excellence whilst molding and honing his other brand properties and business entities, taking on the title of a young mogul in the making

8. Tuks

Tuks

The legend has to be one of the best story tellers to come out of SA and is one of the Motswako movements pioneers. Poetry is both lyric and content, one without the other can never be on point. These words encapsulate what Tuks is about, paying homage to one of the most critical aspects of the five elements of hip hop for an MC. With 5 classic albums Tuks has won various prestigious accolades and has a gold plaque for his 2006 sophomore album MC Prayer.

9. AKA

AKA cover3

The rapper came into the game 5 years ago but is relevant to a point where you might think he is a new comer. AKA is one rapper who has put the country and the genre on the map. He is the first ever SA rapper to be on the legendary Tim Westwood’s Crib Freestyle Session, the first to be nominated for a BET Award and the first English rapper to ever go gold in South Africa. AKA has achieved so much with only 2 albums under his belt.


10. Cassper Nyovest

Cassper cover1

The 24 year old rapper is the 2nd rapper to ever go platinum in SA and we can’t deny the impact his music has made. Cassper Nyovest dropped his debut album last year and became the biggest winner at the Channel O Awards last year (which has never been done by a SA Hip Hop act). The rappers music has taken SA hip hop over the border as his songs are hits in countries like Zimbabwe, Botswana, Swaziland to only name a few.

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