Anele Zondo Opens Up About Women In SA Hip Hop & The Need For New Energy
Anele Zondo Opens Up About Women In SA Hip Hop & The Need For New Energy. Anele Zondo has been carving her own lane in the SA Hip Hop scene for the past five years, and recently shared her thoughts on the state of the industry, particularly when it comes to the presence and treatment of female artists.
When asked whether South African Hip Hop is truly accommodating to women, Zondo was candid in her response: “The question is if SA Hip Hop is accommodating right now. That is the actual question.” She made it clear that while the conversation around female representation is important, the bigger issue is how the industry as a whole is evolving. “I don’t think SA Hip Hop is accommodating,” she said, noting that while progress is being made, there is still a long way to go.
Ney believes that the energy in the scene is often stifled and that the industry’s growth relies heavily on the introduction of fresh voices and ideas. “Everyone is doing their part, and everyone is trying to come out,” she continued. “My biggest thing right now is also trying to identify more up-and-coming SA female hip-hop artists that I can collaborate with and try to figure out how to regenerate the industry. It doesn’t move when there’s no new energy.”
For Zondo, the future of SA Hip Hop hinges on the infusion of new talent, particularly from women. She views herself as part of that new energy but emphasizes the importance of fostering connections among emerging female artists. “We need the new energy,” she told Hype Magazine. “I feel like I’m new energy, but we can definitely connect more and get that in.”
Zondo’s perspective is rooted in a deep understanding of the broader dynamics within the industry. While she acknowledges the current dominance of male rappers, she also credits their success to their ability to elevate the art form as a whole. “The male definitely has an up,” she pointed out, “but for me, their up is more based on just them taking the music thing to a whole different level.”
Despite her busy schedule, Anele remains committed to supporting fellow female artists, though she admits her balancing act between music and brand-building is a challenge. “I have so many things I’m focusing on right now, and I can’t even focus on music solely because I’ve built a brand outside of music,” she explained. “If I want to focus on the music, that means I’ll have to sacrifice my brand.” This dual focus means she can’t always focus solely on music, but she is still dedicated to uplifting and supporting those who are working to make it in the rap game.
Ultimately, the famed rapper’s message is clear: while she’s ready to help build the culture and be a voice for female rappers, the onus is also on others to speak up and fight for their space in the industry. “There are people who actually want to come up solely on rap, but I can assist where I can and help build that culture,” she said, highlighting the importance of both personal ambition and collective effort in the ongoing fight for equality within SA Hip Hop.
