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Senzo Mfundo Vilakazi (born 11 August 1988) known professionally as Kwesta, is a South African rapper and songwriter. Born in
Katlehong Katlehong is a large township in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. It is 28 km south-east of Johannesburg and south of Germiston between two other townships of Thokoza and Vosloorus next to the N3 highway. It forms part of the City of E ...
, Gauteng, a township also known as "K1". In 2003, at the age of 15, he and his friends formed a rap group Ghetto Fellaz which then changed to The Juvenylz, same year. He is currently signed to his own independent media company known as RapLyf Records with co-founder Kid X. In 2010, he released his debut studio album ''Special ReKwest''. His second album ''DaKAR'' (2013), peaked at number 3 on the
iTunes iTunes is a media player, media library, and mobile device management (MDM) utility developed by Apple. It is used to purchase, play, download and organize digital multimedia on personal computers running the macOS and Windows operating s ...
South African Hip-hop/Rap chart. Kwesta's third studio album, ''
DaKAR II ''DaKAR II'' is the third studio album by South African hip hop recording artist and poet Kwesta. The album was released on 26 February 2016, by Urbantainment, under exclusive license to Sony Music Entertainment Africa. The album was certified ...
'' (2016), spawned with singles includes; " Ngud", "Nomayini", "Day One", "Ngiyazifela Ngawe," "Mayibabo" and "Mmino". The album was certified 7× Platinum by the
Recording Industry of South Africa Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA) is a trade association representing the interests of major and independent record labels of South Africa. Located in Randburg, RiSA is responsible for running the annual South African Music Awards (SAMA ...
(RISA). Having sold 210,000 copies in South Africa, ''DaKAR II'' became South African hip hop's best-selling album. His fifth studio album ''g.o.d Guluva'' (2021), which debuted at number 3 in
South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. Its Provinces of South Africa, nine provinces are bounded to the south by of coastline that stretches along the Atlantic O ...
. His most reputable
accolades The accolade (also known as dubbing, adoubement, or knighting) () was the central act in the rite of passage ceremonies conferring knighthood in the Middle Ages. Etymology The term ''accolade'' entered English by 1591, when Thomas Lodge use ...
include 6
South African Music Awards The South African Music Awards (often simply the SAMAs) are the Recording Industry of South Africa's music industry awards, established in 1995. The ceremony is held annually, usually in late April or May, with the judging process starting in ...
, 4 South African Hip Hop Awards, 1 MTV Africa Music Awards, and 1 Metro FM Awards.


Life and career

Kwesta attended Phumlani Secondary School in
Katlehong Katlehong is a large township in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. It is 28 km south-east of Johannesburg and south of Germiston between two other townships of Thokoza and Vosloorus next to the N3 highway. It forms part of the City of E ...
for three years, and later Alafang Secondary School. He developed an interest in poetry during his high school years and received positive feedback and encouragement from fellow students and teachers. In 2003, Kwesta became a part of the group The Ghetto Fellas later known as The Juvenylz. The group disbanded after two years. After the group's disbandment, Kwesta made an agreement with Africa's Most Southern Record Company for the use of their studios. During this time, Kwesta participated in competitions and events to provide visibility for his brand. He took part in YFM's Rap Activity Jam MC of the Month competition. He topped ETV's Shiz Niz Freestyle Kings Special. Also, he performed at The Rand Show, Miss Confidence Show and The Durban Beach Festival. The rapper dropped out of high school at the age of 16. After which he convinced his mother to give him the taxi fare necessary to get to Buttabing Entertainment's offices. The meeting resulted in him being added to the record label's roster marking the beginning of his signed career.


Career beginnings

In 2007, Kwesta earned a judging gig on the Sprite Hip Hoop Tour and a feature on The Ventilation Street Tape. He was also part of The Nokia Defend Your Street Campaign, where he worked with other artists to create the theme song. In the same year, Kwesta released his inaugural single ''Sharp Fede.'' He later released a mixtape in collaboration with DJ C-Live. In 2010, Kwesta was among the few chosen as Brand SA Ambassadors. He performed during the national roadshows held before the
2010 FIFA World Cup The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for List of men's national association football teams, men's national Association football, football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010. ...
hosted in South Africa. Kwesta worked alongside
Kelly Rowland Kelendria Trene Rowland (born February 11, 1981) is an American singer, actress, and television personality. She rose to fame in the late 1990s as a member of Destiny's Child, one of the world's List of best-selling girl groups, best-selling gir ...
, Jozi, and 2Face amongst other artist on the Everywhere You Go anthem for MTN. He also performed during the
2010 FIFA World Cup The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for List of men's national association football teams, men's national Association football, football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010. ...
closing ceremony.


20102012: ''Special Rekwest''

In September 2010, Kwesta released debut studio album titled ''Special Rekwest''. The album featured hit singles such as ''Babhemi'', ''Flash It'', ''Stomp'' and ''Pump It''. ''Flava'' received a synch-deal with DStv and got featured in the Loeries TV's 2011, ad-campaign. ''Pump It'' received a synch-deal with DStv and Redds. ''Stomp'' was one of the soundtracks for Death Race 3, an America action movie. With the success of the album, Kwesta became South Africa's first rapper to have seven songs ranked on multiple radio charts in the same year. ''Special Rekwest'' earned SAMA nominations in 2011 for Best Newcomer and Best Rap Album.


20132015: ''DaKAR''

On 25 November 2013, Kwesta released his second studio album titled ''DaKAR (Da King of Afrikan Rap)''. The album ranked third on the South African
iTunes iTunes is a media player, media library, and mobile device management (MDM) utility developed by Apple. It is used to purchase, play, download and organize digital multimedia on personal computers running the macOS and Windows operating s ...
Hip-Hop Charts during its debut.


20162019: ''DaKAR II''

In 2016, Kwesta released his third studio album titled ''
DaKAR II ''DaKAR II'' is the third studio album by South African hip hop recording artist and poet Kwesta. The album was released on 26 February 2016, by Urbantainment, under exclusive license to Sony Music Entertainment Africa. The album was certified ...
''. On 18 January 2016, ''
Ngud' "Ngud'" is a song from South African rapper Kwesta's third studio album ''DaKAR II'' (2016). The song features a guest appearance from Cassper Nyovest. The song was produced by DJ Maphorisa and samples Joakim's remix of "Camino Del Sol" by Anten ...
'' was released featuring,
Cassper Nyovest Refiloe Maele Phoolo (born 16 December 1990), professionally known as Cassper Nyovest, is a South African rapper, songwriter, entrepreneur, record producer and amateur boxer. Born and raised in Mahikeng, North West (South African province), Nor ...
. At annual
MTV Africa Music Awards The MTV Africa Music Awards (also known as the MAMAs) were established in 2008 by MTV Networks Africa (now Viacom International Media Networks Africa) to celebrate the most popular contemporary music in Africa. The 2008 and 2010 events took plac ...
, the single "
Ngud' "Ngud'" is a song from South African rapper Kwesta's third studio album ''DaKAR II'' (2016). The song features a guest appearance from Cassper Nyovest. The song was produced by DJ Maphorisa and samples Joakim's remix of "Camino Del Sol" by Anten ...
" received a nominations for the song of the Year. In early October 2017, his single "Spirit" featuring the American rapper
Wale Wale or WALE may refer to: Places * Wale, Devon, a hamlet in England * Wale, Tomaszów Mazowiecki County, a village in Poland People * Wale (surname) *Wale (rapper), stage name of American rapper Olubowale Victor Akintimehin Radio and televisi ...
was released. The song was certified platinum by Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA). On 26 April 2018, ''
DaKAR II ''DaKAR II'' is the third studio album by South African hip hop recording artist and poet Kwesta. The album was released on 26 February 2016, by Urbantainment, under exclusive license to Sony Music Entertainment Africa. The album was certified ...
'' was certified 7× Platinum by the Recording Industry of
South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. Its Provinces of South Africa, nine provinces are bounded to the south by of coastline that stretches along the Atlantic O ...
(RiSA).


2021present: ''g.o.d guluva''

In March 2021, his single "Fire In The Ghetto" featuring Troublle was released, as album's lead single. On 30 April 2021, Kwesta released his fourth studio album, titled ''g.o.d guluva'' cronym for "ghost of dakar" The cover art was by
Nelson Makamo Nelson Makamo (February 1982) is a South African contemporary visual artist known for portraits often depicting rural South African children. Makamo has exhibited his work internationally, with notable solo shows in cities like Los Angeles, Paris, L ...
.''The album'' features
South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. Its Provinces of South Africa, nine provinces are bounded to the south by of coastline that stretches along the Atlantic O ...
artists Thabsie, Focalistic, TLT,
Yanga Chief Yanga Ntshakaza (born 17 October 1987), professionally known as Yanga Chief (or mononymously as Yanga) is a South African rapper, record producer and singer-songwriter. Born in Mthatha and raised in Queenstown, Yanga studied film studies at ...
,
K.O. A knockout (abbreviated to KO or K.O.) is a fight-ending, winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts, karate, some forms of taekwondo and other sports involving striking, a ...
The album peaked No. 4 in
South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. Its Provinces of South Africa, nine provinces are bounded to the south by of coastline that stretches along the Atlantic O ...
Top 100 Albums, and received generally positive reviews from music critics. At the 2021 Mzansi Kwaito and House Music Awards, his single "Njandini" won the award for the best Best Kwaito song.


Discography


Studio albums


Notable singles

Awards and nominations


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kwesta 1988 births Living people People from Katlehong South African male rappers English-language singers from South Africa