Rashid Kay Shares Criteria For His Top 30 SA Hip Hop Groups List

Rashid Kay Shares Criteria For His Top 30 SA Hip Hop Groups List. South African Hip Hop, beyond being blessed with exceptional individual rappers, also proudly showcases influential groups that have long championed the culture.

Some have unfortunately disbanded for various reasons, while others have persevered through challenges, making significant contributions to the SA hip-hop culture. The continued influence of groups like Skwatta Kamp, Majorsteez, and Stino Le Thwenny underscores the significance of rap collectives in the industry, even though many have disbanded over time.

Taking to Twitter (X), SA Hip Hop veteran rapper Rashid Kay took time to compile a list of SA Hip Hop groups who have been vital in their contribution to the culture. The rapper’s list consists of Skwatta Kamp as number 1 with Teargas, H2O, Prophet Of The City and Morafe completing the top 5.

Nonetheless, the veteran rapper and media personality openly acknowledged and credited the new generation of South African hip-hop groups that have emerged after the aforementioned cliques. Notably, Majorsteez, Stino Le Thwenny, and The Wrecking Crew have achieved significant success in shaping and sustaining discussions within the rap scene in South Africa. As if that’s not enough, Rashid Kay also made an honourable mention to the two powerful and very influential groups, Die Antwood and Boyz N Bucks

Check below the criteria used by Rashid Kay to rank the Top 30 SA Hip Hop Groups:

1. Originality  – They say “There’s nothing new under the sun”, but sounding like another rapper is not acceptable.
2.  Concept  – Handling a topic in the most creative way; eg Nas on “I Gave You Power” where he talks from a gun’s perspective, and“Rewind” where he raps backwards.
3. Content  – This is the actual meaning of a song, its structure and vocal arrangement.
4. Versatility – The capability of no restrictions and being limitless when tackling the music.
5.  Vocabulary  – The richness and the depth in the usage of the language/words.
6. Substance – Some rappers just rhyme and some got nice flows, but they are not saying anything meaningful. 
7.  Flow  – The mutual complement between the beat and the lyrics (Rhythm And Poetry).
8.  Delivery – It’s how the lyrics are translated to the listener over the beat, or even acapella. 
9. Ability to Freestyle – Every soccer player is expected to know how to dribble, but it’s a skill a lot of people have succeeded without mastering.
10. Voice projection – It’s important for MCs to understand their vocal range and capabilities for perfect reception.
11. Live Performance – Some artists make beautiful music but have no stage presence when they perform live, others have average songs but kill the performance.
12. Poetic Elements – Word play, similes, metaphors, puns,rhyme schemes etc. Basically the P in RAP.
13. Uniqueness  -It’s when you can’t mistake Snoop Dogg for Eminem. As an MC you need to have an identity.
14. Repertoire (Catalogue) – No artist should be judged on one hit song. There must be quality in quantity.
15.   Industry Impact – It’s when an artist is being carbon copied by other artists or gets crossover features. 
16.   Social Impact  -It’s when artists use their artistry to bring about change or social development.
17. Longevity (Consistency)  – We’ve seen artists come and go or failing to produce a song better than their last hit. One Hit Wonders have always been there.
18.  Lyricism  – It’s the wit in delivering clever concepts in a creative poetic form and the substance in the usage of language.
19. Battle Skills  – Hip Hop has always been a competitive sport since day one. If you claim that you’re  doper than the next rapper, you must be able to back it up in a rap battle or diss track.
20. Influence – It’s when an artist’s fashion sense or slang is being copied by the general public. Classic example: Okmalumkoolkat being the most copied/imitated from style to slang to dance moves.

PS. If SALES counted, MC Hammer and Vanilla Ice would be on every list but they are not. ENDORSEMENTS usually censor artists not to express themselves honestly on some sensitive issues. As an artist, you can lose your endorsement if you have something to say about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.