MUSIC

Top 10 Best Rappers in South Africa 2022

Published

6 years ago

11:18 am

Delvin

Have you ever wondered who the best South African rapper is? I have and after doing a lot of thinking about it, I’ve arrived at a definitive list. Now some of these rappers might seem obvious until you realize that one of these words is not like the others.

Rapping is not just a profession or hobby in South Africa, it’s a culture. South Africans take their rap music very seriously. With the high levels of crime in South Africa, rappers help express how they feel about the wrongs that are happening in their country. Here are the top ten rappers in South Africa today.

10. Okmalumkoolkat

Okmalumkoolkat is a rapper, producer, and a graphic designer who in fact has worked with Nike before. His real name is Smiso Zwane and was born in Umlazi, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. Okmalumkoolkat has been active in the rap game since 2007 and he came to the limelight back in 2013 after he collaborated with Cassper Nyovest in the single “Gusheshe”.

“Mlazi Milano” is his only album at the moment which is certified Gold and released in 2016.

Did you know: Okmalumkoolkat is also known as Future Mfana, DJ Sharp Sharp, Smart Mampara, Mlazi Milano Malume wengane.

9. Emtee

Emtee, whose real name is, Mthembeni Ndevu is best known for his debut single ”Roll up” featuring AKA and Wizkid. The single won Song of the Year at the 2015 South African Hip Hop Awards. He later released his debut album in 2016 named Avery after his son and took home Metro FM Music Awards.

One could think that Emtee’s music career took off fast but that is far from the truth, he released his first mixtape in 2008 title “The Introduction”.

Did you know: Emtee first stepped on the stage to perform when he was just 9 years of age at a talent show in Yeoville primary school.

8. Kwesta

Senzo Mfundo Vilakazi Katlehong, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng and is currently signed to his own record label known as Rap Lyf with Kid X as the co-founder. His Song Ngud featuring Cassper Nyovest went 5x Platinum which was on his third studio album DaKAR II released in 2016. He has also had songs with International acts like Kelly Rowland and Wale on ‘Spirit’ which also went platinum.

Did you know: Kwesta and his girlfriend(now wife) got matching ring tattoos way before they even thought about marriage. Isn’t that cute?

7. Priddy Ugly

His real name is Ricardo Molo and was born on 2nd April 1992. Other than being successful in Music Priddy Ugly was also been an accomplished Sportsman during his childhood.

Priddy Ugly released some amazing songs from his 2018 album, EGYPT(Everything Godly Yearns Patience and Time) which earned him a lot of listeners across Africa and some great reviews.

Did you know: Priddy Ugly is the first-ever African ambassador for Italian retail clothing company, Diesel.

Top 10 Best Rappers in Africa 2022

6. A Reece

One of the youngest rappers to make it in South Africa. Besides being a rapper, he is also a songwriter and record producer signed with Ambitiouz Entertainment in 2015. A-Reece started his label(RubberBand Gang) after having disagreements with Ambitiouz Entertainment.

His real name is Lehlogonolo Ronald Mataboge. He currently has 3 albums with his latest one dropped early in 2020. You can find all his songs on his youtube channel.

Did you know: While other kids were dreaming of being Doctors, pilots, e.t.c A Reece always dreamt of being a rapper since eight grade. (he achieved his goal, don’t give up on yours).

5. K.O

Also known as Ntokozo Mdluli who is also a businessman in South Africa. K.O came into the limelight after releasing hits with the Hip-hop group Teargas, they released a couple of albums from 2006 t0 2012.

He released his debut album in 2014and another one in 2017 under Sony Music Entertainment Africa. K.O has being nominated for many awards for his hit song Caracara which he released back in 2014 featuring KId X.

Did you know: He was influential in the career of fellow rapper Kid X.

4. Shane Eagle

Shane Patrick Hughes (born 7 June 1996) is best known for his song ‘Way Up’.

He rose to fame after being one of the top four contestants on the South African television show Vuzu: The Hustle, where most South Africa rappers came from. He released an album in 2017 under his own Record label.

Did you know: Meek Mill is his all-time favorite rapper.

3. A.K.A

AKA is a rapper and entrepreneur from South Africa. He also goes by the name Kiernan Jarryd Forbes. In 2014 AKA signed a multi-album deal with Sony Music. He has also opened for Ed Sheeran and 2 Chainz on their South African tours.

AKA has released quite several albums, as a matter of fact, his 2015 album ‘Levels’ went Certified Gold. Beside AKA being a decorated artist he is a father.

Did you know: His Rap career started back in high school(2002) when he started a Rap group ‘Entity’ with his friends.

2. Cassper Nyovest

Cassper Nyovest is one of Africa’s favorite who is popularly known for his first hit songs ‘Gusheshe’ and ‘Doc Shebeleza. The two songs earned him awards and since then he has been getting awards across the world like its nothing. Cassper Nyovest became the first South African Musicians to fill up a stadium with 72,000 fans during his concert.

Did you know: Cassper Nyovest is also a Business Man and in In 2018, he made it to the list of Forbes Africa’s 30 under 30 list.

Top 10 Best Rappers in Nigeria 2022

1. Nasty C

The man of many awards at only 22 years of age, a lot of rappers cant relate. He is not only the Best Rapper in South Africa but also the best in Africa. Besides being a South African Rapper he is also a songwriter and Producer.

Nasty C has been nominated by BET Awards before for Best International Act: Africa and has won many other awards across Africa. He has really changed how we look at the Hip-hop genre here in Africa. Nasty C’s real name is Nsikayesizwe David Junior Ngcobo. He currently has albums, Bad Hair and Strings & Bling.

Did you know: Nasty C started his rapping career at only nine years old

(That should go to the people who think Rome can be built in just one day)

As far as I am concerned, South African hip-hop is currently in a healthy state. With so many fresh and underrated artists emerging left right and center, it is hard to list who are the best rappers in South Africa right now.

It seems that almost everyone on the lists below has been overlooked, yet we think that these MCs have all earned a special place in SA hip-hop. These lists will likely be updated on a monthly or bi-monthly basis, but then again, we might just leave them as they are for eternity.