Zakwe Explains Why He Ranks Cassper Higher Than AKA

In a sit-down interview with SA Hip Hop Mag, veteran rapper Zakwe ignited a major debate by ranking Cassper Nyovest higher than the late AKA on his list of top South African hip-hop artists. The controversial ranking has become a huge talking point on the publication’s social media platforms throughout the weekend.

During the interview, as Zakwe gave his Top 10 list, SA Hip Hop Mag host @TheCool asked if he had forgotten to include AKA. Zakwe clarified that he had not, but was then pressed on why he placed Cassper above the Supa Mega.

Zakwe’s response was a nuanced take that highlighted the different strengths of the two hip-hop giants. He stated that while AKA makes better music, he believes that Cassper has better bars. To support his point, he referenced his experience working with Cassper Nyovest on their collaboration, “Sebentini,” which also featured Musiholiq. According to Zakwe, this collaboration gave him a firsthand perspective on Cassper’s lyrical prowess in the studio.

While his ranking of Cassper over AKA has caused a stir, Zakwe made sure to not question AKA’s greatness or legacy. He further shared that had AKA still been alive, he would undoubtedly be releasing hits and would likely have a major single dominating the charts right now. This sentiment further emphasized that his ranking was based on a specific aspect of the craft—lyrical ability—rather than an overall assessment of their impact and artistry.