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Zakwe
Birth nameNtokozo Zakwe
Born08 March 1988
KwaMashu, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
OriginMsinga, South Africa
GenresHip Hop
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • record producer
  • singer-songwriter
Years active2011–present
LabelsMabala Noise (Former)

Ntokozo Zakwe is a South African rapper born in KwaMashu, KwaZulu-Natal.[1]

Early life

[edit]

Zakwe was born in the township of KwaMashu in KwaZulu-Natal.[2][3] He went to Qhilika High School where he completed his matric and developed his passion for hip hop music. He then went to further his studies at the Durban University of Technology but due to financial difficulties he dropped out and chose to pursue his dream of becoming a musician.[4][5]

Career

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His musical career began in early 2000's, performing in the streets of Kwa-Mashu and Msinga.[6] Zakwe started releasing music as an underground artist, at this stage he released a number of vernacular mixtapes which were titled Street Music. The mixtapes were well received in the underground hip hop scene, this then led to two of his tracks within the tapes to eventually make it into Hype Sessions and thus received massive airplay.[7]

After the success of his mixtapes, Zuluboy another Durban-based emcee, featured Zakwe on his track "Zobe Zisho" which led to Zakwe bagging a recording and artist management deal with Native Rhythms.[8][9]

In 2011, he released his self-titled debut album Zakwe, which was a huge success and was certified gold status by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RISA),[10] earning him five nominations at the South African Music Awards, he won the Metro FM Award for best Hip Hop artist and the first best Lyricist Award at the South African Hip Hop Awards (SAHHAs) the following year, thus taking his place amongst the best rappers in South Africa. The latter became the first Zulu hip hop album to earn gold status.[11][12][13][14]

Zakwe's success and talent earned him endorsement deals with SAB Miller and Hennessy.[15] He was one of the performing acts at the 2011 Metro FM awards in the province of Mpumalanga, he also was one of the live acts in the 2012 and 2013 South African Music Awards.[16] In February 2013 he was the opening act for American rapper Kanye West at the Dome in Johannesburg, South Africa.[17]

In 2015, he released Impande an album which became an instant hit and earned him three nominations at the South African Hip Hop Awards for Best Album, Best Male Artist and Best Lyricist, He won the Best Vernacular Hip Hop at the 12th South African Traditional Music Awards (SATMA) for the song "Reverse" featuring Duncan.[18][19]

Zakwe released a hit single called "Sebentin" featuring Cassper Nyovest and Musiholiq in 2017 which received positive reviews. A remix of the song was released in the same year which featured Blaklez, Musiholiq, Cassper Nyovest, Kwesta, HHP and PRO. The remixed version of the song won the Remix of the Year at the 25th South African Music Awards.[20]

On 6 July 2018, Zakwe released his third studio album titled Cebisa.[21] The album was certified gold by the Recording industry of South Africa.[22]

In early September 2020, he announced that his working on a collaborative studio album with Duncan.[6]

On December 4, 2020, Zakwe and Duncan released their collaboration album titled Zakwe & Duncan.[23][24]

The album features Kwesta, Assessa, Just Bheki, Kay Masta, Beast, Supreme, Lilly, Max Ov, K.O, DJ Tira, Qwabe Twins, and Riot. [25]

Zakwe received a nomination for Artist of the Decade at the 2021 South African Hip Hop Awards.[26]

Discography

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Studio albums

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  • Zakwe (2011)
  • Zakwe (Delux Edition) (2012)
  • Zakwe (Super Delux Edition) (2013)
  • Impande (2015)
  • Cebisa (2018)

Collaboration albums

[edit]
[edit]
List of singles as featured artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
ZA
"Bazokhulu" (Kelly Khumalo featuring Mthunzi, Zakwe) 2022 — From a God to a King
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Accolades

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Nominations

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  • Best Street Urban album during the 18th Annual MTN South African Music Awards (SAMA)
  • Remix of the year for the remix of the song "Bathi Ng’yachoma" featuring Zuluboy and danger 18th Annual MTN South African Music Awards (SAMA)
  • Album of the year for debut album ZAKWE 18th Annual MTN South African Music Awards (SAMA)
  • Male artist of the year 18th Annual MTN South African Music Awards (SAMA)
  • Newcomer of the year 18th Annual MTN South African Music Awards (SAMA)
  • Best Album at the South African Hip Hop Awards (SAHHAs) – 2015
  • Best Male Artist at the South African Hip Hop Awards (SAHHAs) – 2015
  • Best Lyricist at the South African Hip Hop Awards (SAHHAs) – 2015

Awards

[edit]
  • Best Lyricist Award at the first South African Hip Hop Awards – 2012
  • Best Hip Hop Artist at the Metro FM Awards – 2013
  • Best Vernacular Hip Hop at the 12th South African Traditional Music Awards
  • Best Remix of the year at the 25th South African Music Awards[20]

References

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  1. ^ "Durban born star is making waves in the music industry". sowetanlive.co.za. 20 February 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  2. ^ "Zakwe theres no formula for a hit its a gift from God". radiodut.co.za. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  3. ^ "Rapper zakwe releases album cebisa to kick off vdj2018". iol.co.za. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  4. ^ "Zakwe – humble beginnings". ikindmedia.com. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  5. ^ "Its very needed to represent where youre from – Zakwe". radiodut.co.za. 25 October 2019. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  6. ^ a b "Zakwe Celebrates Gold & Announces Collab Album with Duncan - Kaslam Media". Kaslam Media. 4 August 2020. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  7. ^ "Zakwe—Native Rhythms". nativerhythms.co.za. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  8. ^ "Zuluboy recruits Zakwe—Spotify". spotify.com. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  9. ^ "South African rapper Zakwe has left his label heres why". mtvbase.com. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  10. ^ Langa, Jabulani (3 August 2020). "ZAKWE'S SUCCESS CAME AT RIGHT TIME | Dailysun". Dailysun. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  11. ^ "SA hip hop still moving millions". sowetanlive.co.za. 13 August 2019. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  12. ^ "Lyrically he's one of the best in South African Hip Hop". onenationmusic.com. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  13. ^ "Zakwe". bizcommunity.com. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  14. ^ "Zakwe shares news of his first love song set backs". justnje.com. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  15. ^ "Zakwe". bands.co.za. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  16. ^ "Yearbook—2016" (PDF). southafrica-newyork.net. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  17. ^ "Three times lucky for rapper Zakwe—Pressreader". 22 February 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2020 – via PressReader.
  18. ^ "Hip hop women under raps". timeslive.co.za. 9 December 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  19. ^ "Durban Rapper Zakwe wins SATMA". superbalist.com. 4 December 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  20. ^ a b "Universal Music Group Artists Win Big at Samas". musicinafrica.net. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  21. ^ "Rapper Zakwe releases album to kick off vdj2018 – Cebisa". iol.co.za. 6 July 2018. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
  22. ^ "Zakwe's Third Studio Album 'Cebisa' Has Finally Been Certified Gold! - SA Hip Hop Mag". SA Hip Hop. 24 July 2020.
  23. ^ Maqubela, Nokulunga (12 April 2020). "ZakweSA & DuncanSkuva Release Their Joint Album #ZakweAndDuncan". Slikouronlife.
  24. ^ "Zakwe and Duncan release self-titled joint album". JustNje. 4 December 2020.
  25. ^ "Zakwe & Duncan Drop New #ZakweAndDuncan Joint Album | Hype Magazine". Hype Magazine. 4 December 2020.
  26. ^ Bukola. "Full list of 2021 SA Hip Hop Awards nominees | Fakaza News". Fakaza News. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
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