Angry & Hungry
Top 5 Angriest SA Hip Hop Artists Revealed
Verbalz: HYPE
Illustration: The Craft(ZA)
Now here’s a young story for you: In the beginning there was oppression and oppression so hated a minority group of people that the oppressed gave birth to hip hop. Now hip hop fought hard against oppression for many years until hip hop started winning the majority of battles against oppression.
The End 🙂
Today the war still continues with the only difference being that hip hop has become an unstoppable subconscious. There has never been a better (or more awesome) way to express oneself than through rap. Sideline that amazing story you just read above and pause for a minute and try to remember how many hip hop songs have gotten you through all those social breakdowns, break-ups or frustrations. This culture has become more than the music, this culture has become our weapon. Whether you believe it or not, hip hop is one dangerous force and has ideally been a medium of social expression for years. With all of that said, we have compiled a top five list of the most amgriest SA hip hop artists today. Artists that HYPE considers to be using this hip hop weapon for a social cause, aggressively…
5. Frank Casino
There first time you lend your ear to some Frank Casino music, you start feeling abit uneasy for some reason. You start getting angry. Real name Nhlanhla Tshabalala and hailing all the way from Kempton Park, Frank Casino’s sound is heavy with its foundation. With songs such as ‘Dead Bodies, Fade Away and Whole Thing’, it’s so evident that there’s a beast waiting to be unleashed here.
4. Maglera Doe Boy
If you’ve never heard Maglera Doe before, then you won’t really understand where we going with this. Despite being evidently underrated, Klerksdorp Rapper Maglera Doe Boy has been putting in the work for a minute. The flow, mixed with the aggressiveness, undeniably showcases his ability to blow up on any given beat. Listen to his ‘Broly.’ track and you will understand.
3. Uno July
Best Kept Secret EP (check), ‘Swelekisa’ Freestyle (check), ‘Native Yards 57’ (check), Uno ‘n Only tape (check). If you’ve been in the game for such a lengthy period and still haven’t received the right amount of mainstream praise you (damn) deserve yet, I imagine you would be kind of pissed off in one way or another. Cape Town’s Uno July is definitely one masterful hip hop artists, who’s only weakness is the public’s inability to keep up. Shame on us.
2. Youngsta
What more can be said about the level that is Youngsta. Arguably one of the most unpredictable MC we have ever had, this CPT force can switch things up from 0-100 real quick. From giving us feel good tracks such as ‘Salutas’ to lyrically murdering all of us on ‘Top 10 List’, Youngsta is really scary. Never get comfortable.
1. ByLwansta
Imagine having your voice being ignored for years and years. Imagine not get your well deserved spotlight for years and years. Imagine not giving a f*uk anymore. Now imagine ByLwansta. Arguably the angriest rapper in SA right now, ByLwansta has never hidden his sense of aggression within his music. His drive to convey socially thought provoking songs and visuals is what makes this decision an easy one. Take a look at ‘Lindiwe’, which takes the form of a short film and is deep with its delivery. The drama, the storyline and the song itself could be considered too deep for anyone to absorb the first time around. Controversial with his tone, ByLwansta is brutal with his content and unapologetic-ally blunt with the flow. HYPE dived into the mind of ByLwansta to get an insight of how an angry rapper functions at a time when everything just seems so joyful.
We know about your inspirations and how you got introduced to hip hop, but when did you come into the realization that you really wanted to pursue this music thing? I mean there had to be a pure moment when it all became clear.
I started making music because I had access to a recording studio from a young age, however the defining moment which lead me to pursue music as a career, was when I moved out my parents place in 2014. I left my mother’s care and comfort to be by myself, which enabled me to learn more and more about myself. Having to be independent and self-reliant changed the framework of my music, where I would use music to voice out my problems, challenges and share a true depiction of who I am. Basing content on myself and not the outside world was well received by the listeners.
Your artistry is quite deep and the way you package your content is thought provoking. With that said what inspired your short films in the first place?
Both short-films (Lindiwe & Dominics interlude) were inspired by girls from my past. I planned the Lindiwe short-film for a year and initially decided to use short-films instead of music videos because I wanted to detach my art from the expected hip hop story-line, which involves alcohol, naked girls and fancy cars. My aim was to share an impactful, relatable and heartfelt series of short-films which depicted the true meaning of my music. I also saw it as a more feasible way (financially) to record short-films than flashy music videos for mainstream media.
Deep. So do you think that SA hip hop is accepting of your artistry? Real talk…
I think I am the least favorite artist, because you have SA hip hop heavy-weights co-signing other upcoming artists based on the similarity in their music. Based on what I am doing and the type of music I make, there aren’t any South African hip hop artists co-signing or looking out for me. The aim for me is to stand out rather to be accepted as however. But I feel like there will always be a market for my music in the SA hip hop scene, despite the factors I face. Eventually people will be more accepting to my music, although it does not meet commercial standards of SA hip hop, in terms of content.
What sort of mental state do you have to put yourself in before making music? Because we imagine your studio sessions to being quite dark (respectfully)
My process to making music is very unorthodox. I usually write my lyrics while occupied by other tasks while listening to the beat. I usually dedicate my walks down to the grocery store to write my content and brainstorm content for new projects.
“I think I am the least favorite artist.” – ByLwansta
Interesting. Lwansta are you an angry rapper? Because most of your content is quite uncomfortable if we being honest (dangerous too)
[Laughs] I wouldn’t refer to myself as an angry rapper but if I don’t bottle up my emotions or problems then I will mention them in my songs. I find it really difficult to write a happy songs. I think it’s easier to blow steam than to share happy thoughts.
Guess that’s true. So what can we expect from ByLwansta in the near coming future?
I will be launching a website where I can share and publish my own content.
“I left my mother’s care and comfort to be by myself, which enabled me to learn more and more about myself.” – ByLwansta
Dope. Now when you dream about your influence in the game. What sort of impact do you want to have on SA hip hop culture as a whole?
The impact I would like to have on SA hip hop is to show people that you can make it by doing what you want to do, by continuing to make the sound that you know and love. Focusing on your craft and not changing it due to trends and norms that change the framework of music.