Cassper Nyovest’s #FillUp series of concerts at The Dome, Orlando, FNB, Royal Bafokeng and Moses Mabhida stadiums have made him the epitome of “black child it's possible.”
After staging the first concert in the series in 2015, he earned his other sobriquet "Abuti Fill Up". By leading by example, Cassper has shown local artists that they too can fill big live events as headliners and not just their international counterparts.
The same model has since been adopted by gospel sensation Dr Tumi and Tsonga musician Benny Mayengani.
That brilliant move has become synonymous with Cassper’s career; even joining Beyonce, Jay Z, Usher, Ed Sheeran and Chris Martin as the headliners for Global Citizen: Mandela 100 in 2018.
Similarly, Cassper has emerged as one of the biggest hip hop acts in Africa, thanks to his braided ponytail (early in his career), funky dance moves and quotable rap lyrics (Ke tshwere stoko sa lekgowa).
His anthemic hits Doc Shebeleza, Gusheshe, Tito Mboweni and Mama I Made It have yielded collaborations across borders (Anthony Hamilton) and a nomination at the BET Awards – losing out to Sjava in 2018.
Cassper’s biggest rap rival has been his nemesis AKA. Their beef – perhaps the biggest since Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac’s complex feud – saw shots being fired in diss tracks Composure (AKA) and Dust 2 Dust (Cassper).
In comparison, AKA has offered a more pop and crossover appeal rapping in English in songs like Congratulate, Jealousy, Fela in Versace, The World is Yours, Badass and Caiphus Song. The Supa Mega has often been criticised for his use of auto-tone.
Then there is Kwesta, hailing from Katlehong on the East Rand, and he is a standout as he brings to the table a more kasi vibe. His tracks Ngud and Spirit – featuring American rapper Wale – changed the game.
Entering the industry at age 15, rapper Nasty C earned the nickname “Coolest kid in Africa” and bolted to stardom after the release of Hell Naw in 2015. Then came hits Black and White, SMA and They Don’t. He even inked a deal with Def Jam Records last year and has attracted the attention of international collaborators Omari Hardwick, T.I and Ari Lennox.
It’s also hard to ignore fellow KwaZulu-Natal rapper Big Zulu as he towers above the rest. He is the self-proclaimed king of inkabi (hitman) rap – a clever metaphor for spitting bars and rhyme while paying homage to his past as a taxi driver. Even the son of former president Jacob Zuma, Duduzane, is a fan of Mali Eningi.
Other local rappers that have made all the right noise include Riky Rick, Emtee, K.O, Zakwe, Duncan, Yanga Chief, A-Reece, YoungstaCPT and Shane Eagle.
Female rappers Boity Thulo, Nadia Nakai, Gigi Lamayne, Rouge, Moozlie and Patty Monroe are fighting for their voices to be heard in the male-dominated genre.
SA rappers have also had the opportunity to flex on American radio show Sway Calloway’s American show, Sway In The Morning. From Tumi Molekane to AKA, Nasty Cassper and Kwesta, they showcased the hottest freestyles.
MTV Base’s annual Hottest MCs list never fails to polarise hip hop fans every year.
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