August holds a special place in South Africa, with the 9th marking a day of celebration for the nation’s heroines who are making remarkable strides in their lives. This date commemorates the historic event of August 9, 1956, when women marched nationally to petition against the oppressive pass laws that restricted the movement of black South Africans. More than sixty years later, South African women continue to play pivotal roles in the country’s political, economic, and creative landscapes. Today, we witness an increasing number of women emancipated and making their mark across diverse industries. In honour of this, Hip Hop Africa celebrates female rappers who are making significant strides in the hip hop scene, reflecting the true spirit of Women’s Day.
DEE KOALA
Khayelitsha’s finest Dee Koala, caught my attention in 2019 when she hopped onto the remix of Utatakho by Yanga Chief. Her flawless Xhosa raps, bold personality and cadence stood out and turned me into an instant fan. She then went on to drop her debut project titled “4 The Kulcha” with stand out songs like “Ungenaphi”, and “Whuzet”. Perhaps a turning point for her career was her record “Gwan” featuring 018’s Maglera Doe Boy, a song which she dropped after a 2 year hiatus having lost her mother. Gwan dropped on the 25th of August in 2022 and is currently sitting on over 2 million streams on Spotify and over 2.1 Million views on YouTube. Dee Koala is a strong voice for the hip hop scene in Cape Town embracing her hometown of Khayelitsha on all of her songs. The rapper has made many strides in her career from signing a brand deal with Adidas and a partnership deal with Tommy Jeans.
NEY
From captivating the TV screen as an actress and TV presenter to making significant strides as a hip hop artist, Ney’s musical journey has been exhilarating to witness. The Newcastle-born rapper’s unexpected foray into rap surprised many, yet she has firmly established herself in the rap game. Her hit single “Itching,” featuring Maglera Doe Boy, boasts over 91,000 streams on Spotify. Ney’s playful bars, delivered in Zulu, exemplify KwaZulu Natal rap, making her a delight to listen to. I was personally introduced to Ney through her single “Ingwe,” featuring Given Zulu. In this track, Ney raps with a sound that fuses indigenous Zulu culture with contemporary beats. She sings her praise name with a cool yet proud demeanour, staying true to Zulu tradition. The hook, delivered by Given Zulu, evokes the Maskandi music style for which Zulus are renowned, making it an infectious and engaging song.
K.KEED
The Captain Hook of South African hip hop, K.Keed is a female hip hop artist who has captivated our attention. K.Keed first caught my eye after collaborating with Mashbeatz, Flow Jones Jnr, and Maglera Doe Boy on “It’s Bad,” where she seamlessly glided over the beat, delivering an unforgettable and rapid-fire hook. Today, she is dubbed the queen of hooks, having delivered stellar performances on Priddy Ugly’s “Mosha,” Redbat’s “Progress,” and Dee Koala’s “Spazz” featuring Blxckie. Keed not only crafts compelling and intriguing hooks but also showcases her energy and lyrical prowess in her verses. What sets K.Keed apart is her knack for blending traditional hip hop elements with contemporary, trap-infused, hard-hitting sounds.
ZULU MECCA
What would a conversation around female rap be without mentioning the mighty Zulu Mecca? Incomplete and blasphemous. Zulu Mecca, born Mandisa Nduna is one of South Africa’s finest lyricists. The rapper has a knack for vivid storytelling and thought provoking lyricism. Mecca’s music is a beautiful conflation of conscious rap with elements of jazz, soul and boom bap, crafting a rich sonic palette. She is a rapper whose music delves into themes of personal identity, social justice and self introspection. My first interaction with Mecca’s music was in 2022, when I came across a song titled “Happy Art”, one of my favourite songs by her from her EP titled “Wept”. The rapper signed under StayLow, recently released her project “SEAMS” with features from Marcus Harvey, Lordkez, Mars Baby and Hannah Ray. “Seams” , sees Mecca embrace melodic flows over soulful beats. Whilst Mecca is notorious for catering to a niche audience, “Seams” sees the rapper take on a different approach, catering to both commercial and niche audiences.
NYOTA PARKER
Hailing from Cape Town, South Africa, Nyota Parker is a multifaceted rapper and songwriter who seamlessly blends rap with melodic elements, neo-soul, and alternative R&B. Her innovative approach adds a fresh dimension to South African hip hop, as she defies conventional music soundscapes. I first encountered Nyota Parker with her January 2024 release, “Like This” featuring JayJody. The track highlighted her authenticity and intricate, alternative influences. Nyota’s delivery ranges from rapid-fire raps to soulful, melodic passages, showcasing her versatility and emotional depth. Her project “Intrusive Thoughts” offers a profound glimpse into her psyche, establishing Nyota Parker as a prominent voice in South African hip hop.
BUZZI LEE
What would this list be without the queen of Pitori raps, Buzzi Lee? My first encounter with Buzzi Lee was through fellow music tastemaker Eattzzz, who consistently reposted her work and tweeted about her talent. However, it wasn’t until DJ Clen released his album “Viral” that I truly appreciated her artistry. Featured on the track “Shark Attack” alongside Loatinover Pounds, Buzzi Lee immediately captivated me with her effortless flow and raw Spitori raps and slang. With three South African Hip Hop Award nominations to her name, Buzzi Lee’s impact on the scene is undeniable. The song that significantly propelled her career is “Pheli Via Church,” a track that provides a vivid glimpse into the Atteridgeville township in Pretoria.
MONEY BADOO
There is no one word to describe the creative that is Money Badoo. She is an avant-garde creative maestro who identifies as a rapper, singer,songwriter and visual artist. Named after her favourite artist, Erykah Badu, Money Badoo seamlessly melds genres such as rap, pop, hip hop and R&B creating a distinctive soundscape that captivates listeners. The rapper and singer’s artistic versatility is matched by her dynamic persona and innovative visual aesthetic pushing boundaries of contemporary music and fashion. Her debut album “PORNSTAR” dropped in 2022 and features Maglera Doe Boy, Lordkez, Sliqe and Yanga Chief. The album shows us a vulnerable Money Badoo, hidden underneath the cool persona she has- delving into themes of personal growth, friendships, relationships and a modern approach to femininity. In November 2023, Money Badoo worked on a collaborative project with producer NOTBENJAMIN, releasing 9 songs with prominent features such as BELO SALO, Tembi Powers and Buzzi Lee. Her video for the song “CHARGE IT TO THE GAME” featuring BELO SALO, dropped last week. With her musical ingenuity, distinct style and cultural resonance, Money Badoo promises to be a formidable and transformative force in South African Hip Hop.
TASHA HENDRIXX
“Main Course” by Tasha Hendrixx first caught my attention with its compelling collaboration featuring Jay Jody, PDot O, and Don Trozo. While Jay Jody’s verse garnered widespread acclaim, it was Tasha’s emotionally charged, intricate, and authentic delivery that left a lasting impression on me. A year later, Tasha released her latest project, “If I’m Really Honest”, which includes contributions from Touchline, CeaZorbantu, Nyota Parker, and Khaya DoomAKU. The standout track for me is “Find Your Peace” featuring Nyota Parker, a melodic rap anthem that poignantly explores the challenges faced by female artists in the industry. With her exceptional storytelling, incisive lyricism, and a distinctive blend of melodic and alternative rap styles, Tasha Hendrixx is poised to make a significant impact in the South African hip hop scene.
SCUMIE
It wasn’t until the release of her track “Rip” that I fully recognized Scumie’s remarkable talent. Renowned for her unconventional approach to rap and unapologetic style, Scumie is a standout figure in the South African hip hop scene. Her underground raps have garnered a devoted following on SoundCloud, propelling her to notable heights. From collaborations with international DJ UncleWaffles to performances at NOT BENJAMIN’s “STREETFEST” and a collaboration with Grammy-nominated songwriter Hannah V, Scumie has swiftly established herself as a formidable force. With her innovative sound and dynamic presence, she is set to leave a lasting impact on the ever-evolving landscape of South African hip hop.
HANNA
“Adapting is a useful skill, but you could live your whole life on your toes, or you could choose to heel (heal).”- (Hanna,2023) STAYLOW’s No Paperwork freestyle series has a remarkable ability to spotlight new talent, and one such revelation is Hanna—a Zimbabwean-Ethiopian lyricist redefining South African hip hop. Her 2020 mixtape, “The Girl In The Durag,” marked a pivotal moment in her career, earning her a nomination for Best Female at the South African Hip Hop Awards, a testament to her rising prominence. On May 17, 2024, Hanna released her latest EP, “Guilt Free,” which presents a more joyous and positive approach to her music, with the central motif of shedding guilt and embracing one’s journey. Tracks like “Prop” and “All I Need” highlight her gratitude for her achievements. Hanna’s music seamlessly blends elements of trap, melodic rap, and R&B, showcasing her artistic versatility and depth.
VENUSRAPS
Green Means Go, right? Okay, let’s get it. Kudos to STAYLOW’s No Paperwork freestyle for introducing me to new talent—I discovered rapper Venusraps on their platform. 034’s Green Queen rapped for sport on the freestyle, leaving me mind-blown. From her flows to her commentary on competition and industry politics, she truly proved that Venus really raps. “My competition ain’t competent, the cats that probably could compete is covered in common sense,” she declared, dropping a jaw-dropping freestyle that earned my respect and prompted me to dive into her music. Venusraps is a rapper whose rhymes are immaculate and whose pen game is sharp. Her music is highly emotive, with her latest single “Heart” showcasing her talent. “Heart” is an open letter to Hip Hop, where she candidly discusses the industry’s downsides, especially for women.
ORIIGINELLE
From the Kingdom of Eswatini to the world, Oriiginelle is a rapper whose career is rapidly ascending. Her name, Oriiginelle, reflects her originality(Origin-) and her unconventional embrace of femininity(-elle is French for she), through her music. She is widely recognized for her sharp lyricism and raw storytelling, which offer insights into her life, relationships, social issues, identity, empowerment, and personal growth. While I had heard of her before, my first significant encounter with her music was when she released “A Thou Nyana” featuring Swiss, an infectious anthem about chasing the bag. Since then, I have followed her career closely, engaging with each project she has released. Her recent project, “Expensive Hunger”, reveals a different facet of the rapper as she blends conscious rap with soulful, boom bap beats by Soduh Beats. Tracks like “Change” featuring Zulu Mecca, “16s and Some” featuring Ntatao and Novl, and “Jack n Jill” featuring Toby From 59th highlight her sharp lyrical prowess, proving that dynamite does indeed come in small packages.
SANDRAHH
Born in Kenya and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, Sandrahh is a multifaceted artist to watch. I was introduced to her music in 2022 while curating a playlist with fellow curator Boo Thug Shakur, who included her song “Hmm Yahh” featuring Just Jabba. This prompted me to explore her entire catalogue , and I was impressed by her versatility and distinct nuance. Her 2023 project, “LAWS OF THE JUNGLE”, elevated her artistry, showcasing an aggressive Sandrahh who fiercely battles through her raps. With standout tracks like “Jungle” featuring Oriiginelle and “Basquiat Flows” featuring Yolophonik and 2AM, “Laws of the Jungle” stands as a powerful project and Sandrahh’s magnum opus. What sets Sandrahh apart is her ability to both sing and rap, making her a multidisciplinary artist worth watching.
AYON
The Durban scene is currently thriving with fresh talent, and one artist who stands out is AYON. Born Ayanda Mfeka, AYON is an emerging rapper and hip-hop artist making significant waves in the Durban hip-hop arena. I was introduced to her work by Durban producer SiphoMjita, and AYON’s music is a testament to her upbringing in a women-led household. Her mother and grandmother were pivotal in shaping her into the multifaceted, conscious, and dynamic artist she is today.AYON’s recent release, “Choice Assorted,” is a compelling trap anthem marked by its energetic, pulsating production. The track is a showcase of her braggadocios style and distinctive flair, capturing the essence and vibrancy of Durban hip-hop. Yet, it is “The 07th” that truly resonates, with its introspective lyrics delving into her life journey and aspirations. AYON’s dedication to her Zulu and African heritage is evident, as she honours her grandparents who played a crucial role in her upbringing. Her standout single, “Ingqwelekazi-Remix” featuring Maraza, has achieved notable success, amassing over 8,000 streams on Spotify and solidifying her presence in the industry.
NELZ
If you tuned into the inaugural season of Vuzu’s acclaimed hip-hop talent show “The Hustle”, NELZ will be a name you recognize. Originating from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, NELZ has emerged as a compelling force in the rap scene. Her latest single, “Je Ne Sais Quoi,” featuring Tony Dayimane and Lord Script, is a dynamic trap anthem distinguished by its infectious hook. The track has captivated audiences, accumulating over 42,000 streams on Spotify in just three months. NELZ showcases her exceptional range by seamlessly blending Zulu and English in her raps, underscoring her profound musicality. Her impressive repertoire also includes collaborations with notable artists such as Mnqobi Yazo, Musiholiq, Nadia Nakai, and Indigo Stella.
In a time where female voices are taking up more space in African hip hop, it’s heartening to see women excelling not just as artists but also as journalists and media personnel. Women like Eattzzz, Banyezus, Lady Kuda, Queen Azizar, and Itumeleng Letsapo are some women who are driving the industry forward. These women are hard at work, documenting Hip Hop stories in their respective countries- from MC duties , to playlist curation, to writing and content creation, these ladies are holding their own weight and making a mark in the hip hop community. In celebrating the incredible achievements of these trailblazing women in South African hip hop, we recognize not just their musical talents but their resilience, creativity, and profound impact on the industry. Their journeys reflect the essence of Women’s Day, showcasing strength, empowerment, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. As we honour these exceptional artists, we also inspire future generations to break barriers and embrace their unique voices. Hip Hop Africa stands with these women, acknowledging their contributions and looking forward to the continued evolution of hip hop through their dynamic presence. Here’s to the women who rap, sing, produce, and elevate the culture—today and every day. Phakama Mbokodo!
