4 Rappers Listed on The MTV Base Hottest Newcomers Of 2016
The top 10 were hand-picked after kwaito legend – Arthur Mafokate, Hip Hop legend Amu, radio personalities, Mantsoe Pout and Mo Flava and Zalebs’ Tinashe Venge all sat down with MTV Base VJ Sandile Ntshingila, to unpack the nation’s hottest emerging stars.
Taking the nation’s cultural temperature by showcasing the hottest artists of the future, MTV Base focused on style, buzz, staying power, music contribution with the potential to make more waves in 2016.
One of the most recognizable voices in South African hip hop, is the first lady of Motswako – Fifi Cooper. She is one of the talents that made a huge impact in music in 2015, releasing her debut album 20FIFI with singles Kisses featuring AB Crazy and Putsununu featuring JR and Kwesta; she also featured on a number of Hip Hop hits which include AKA’s Baddest Remix and Khuli Chana’s Mnatebawen.
“Rabafasa babalets”…aka Roll Up, was the song that launched rapper Emtee’s career. Taken off his debut album, Avery, Emtee remixed the song featuring Nigerian superstar Wizkid and our very own “Supa Mega”, AKA. Several Hip Hop heavyweights, including KO, have hailed Emtee as the one to watch. His hit single Roll Up also earned him “Song of the year’ at the South Africa Hip Hop Awards.
Dreamteam’s Gigi Lamayne, born Genesis Gabriella Tina Manney, proved to her critics that she is more than just a pretty face but a solid rapper with killer rhymes. 22-year-old Gigi has worked with industry heavyweights like Khuli Chana, winning the Jack Daniels Music Scouts competition in 2014, and becoming the youngest performer at the Back To The City 2013 concert. Her singles Miriam Makeba and Ice Cream have topped charts on multiple radio and TV stations.
18 year-old rapper, music producer and songwriter Nasty C born David Ngcobo entered the industry with his hit single Juice Back with a killer remix featuring Nigeria’s Davido and Cassper Nyovest. Named ‘The Freshman” at the South African Hip Hop Awards, where he also won Mixtape Of the year award. Nasty C is one of the youngest breakthrough acts of 2016. He is currently working on his debut album.
The list also included South Africa’s soul/Afro-pop darling, Nathi blew up with his melodic anthem Nomvula, Durban-born singing sensation Shekinah took the nation by surprise with her breakthrough single gold-selling Back To The Beach featuring Kyle Deutsch. A member of the Wolfpack family, another Durban hit maker, DJ Merlon featured on the list: After his song Koze Kuse featuring Mondli became one of the biggest songs of 2014/2015, DJ Merlon cemented his presence in the music industry!
Prince Kaybee’s debut album Wajellwa Foreal has been making up party scenes throughout the festive season! Also recognized in the Hottest Newcomers rundown is the City Rains hit maker Mobi Dixon, whose talent has spoken volumes for him and the song with international appeal Save Me took the nation by storm, earning Timo ODV a much deserved popularity.
Check out the list below:
