America has its own issues with racial inequality, unjustified racially-charged shootings threatening our people, gentrification popping up in the hood, and overall repression of Black and brown culture.
South Africa has had similar issues of segregation throughout their history.
The Apartheid regime only ended around 1991, leaving the entire country slowly re-building its way out of this period.
From the ashes, there’s a bright side: A new wave of South African hip-hop artists are emerging into the spotlight, and they have a lot to say.
Shane Eagle
I admit the title of his single caught my eye, but if you’re looking to kick back, light a blunt and lose yourself in calm musical waves, you should definitely throw on some Shane Eagle.
Best known for being one of the finalists on Vuzu: The Hustle, Eagle is a 21-year-old who comes from Johannasberg, South Africa.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmhRS-DQr3o
Eagle’s raps are a comfortable flow of precision, often talking about his experiences during his come up, the inequality of the world we live in, and the people living in it.
His new album dropped on iTunes on August 31st.
AKA
AKA recently released an album with Anatii, fellow South African hip-hop producer and musician, Be Careful What You Wish For.
AKA had a brief feud with Anatii before squashing that bullshit and releasing their album together. He tells Okay Africa:
“It’s important that we as African artists stick together. There’s so much beef, so much egos… You know it’s hip-hop at the end of the day, and everybody wants to be the best.”
AKA is well past his come-up, having opened up for rappers such as Kanye West, Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross, 2 Chainz, Big Sean, and Kendrick Lamar, and winning several major awards for his music.
Nomuzi Mabena
Don’t forget our South African femcees.
Fashionable Moozlie, real name Nomuzi Mabena, is new to the world of music, but there’s no doubt the girl’s got rhythm.
On October 13, Moozie dropped Versus, an 11-track mixtape showcasing her growth, image, and the direction she is heading with her music.
Moozlie has worked with other South African names like Gemini Major, Victoria Kimani, and Yung Swiss. She’s had her fair share of social media backlash, but continues to soldier on with her music and image.
Hopefully we see the talent continue to rise to fame as Moozlie drops more hot pieces like “Ride or Die.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncmcXxrhEUw
Frank Casino
I can see myself nodding along to this at the club.
Frank Casino’s, “Whole Thing” dropped at the end of last year, but it’s still poppin’.
Casino comes from Tembisa, Johannesburg. His deep voice is electrifying over his heated beats, and he doesn’t hold back for anyone. He is on the rise to fame and nothing, and no one, is holding him back.
He’s been making music since 2004, but with the recent “Whole Thing” blow up, One Hip Hop asked the rapper if being signed to a label made things easier,
“Just like success means different things to different people, what may seem easy to me might be quiet difficult for another artist. What really matters is the music and the degree of commitment both parties (the label and the artist) have on the vision.”
On October 6th, Casino dropped his album Stay Shining.
Black Coffee
Black Coffee is known for being a record producer and DJ.
His beats are a slow build up of sound, hitting parts of your brain where it feels the best.
He’s recently worked with the legendary Alicia Keys on an electro/trance/jazzy remix.
A South African native, Black Coffee, full name Nkosinathi Maphumulo, stepped onto the stage in The Knockdown Center in Queens earlier this year, revealing the name he has since created for himself.
https://soundcloud.com/djblackcoffee/your-eyes
A self-described “Afropolitican,” Black Coffee has spun records in Ibiza’s top clubs, and even worked with big names like Drake on his funky-toned 2017 hit, “Get It Together.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWSeJB-EImA
Peep his Instagram for the latest updates on his shows and upcoming projects. His new album is available for pre-order now.