Now Reading: 25K Reflects on SAMA Nomination as Confirmation He’s on the Right Track
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25K Reflects on SAMA Nomination as Confirmation He’s on the Right Track
Pretoria rapper 25K has earned a nomination for Best Hip Hop Album at the 2025 South African Music Awards (SAMAs) for his latest project, Loyal To The Plug: The Life & Times of Don Killograms. The recognition marks a major moment in his career and for the genre of Spitori rap, which he has helped bring into the national spotlight.
Reacting to the news, 25K said the nomination served as a powerful reminder that the years of work and personal sacrifices are being recognised.
“I won’t lie, I was excited,” he said. “I mean it’s quite a humbling thing to go through knowing how much effort you put into the music, the hours, the blood, sweat and tears.”
Known for his street-rooted lyrical storytelling and distinct Pretoria slang, 25K has steadily built a reputation for authentic and consistent output. With Loyal To The Plug, he cemented his sound and identity, drawing from his experiences growing up in the capital city.
The nomination, according to him, is more than an industry nod but also a clear signal that he is on the right path as an artist.
“I feel like getting nominated is like a lot and also a reminder to say yow you’re actually doing the right thing.”
Beyond personal success, 25K sees the recognition as part of something larger, a moment of arrival for Spitori rap and for Pretoria as a cultural hub. The rapper noted that being acknowledged on such a platform is significant not just for him, but for the community and sound he represents.
“To me as an artist, it means a lot,” he continued. “I mean if you really know how far Spitori rap has come, I mean to see the genre now, the subgenre or if I may say on the charts and getting recognised like this, I feel like that’s a huge thing.”
He emphasised that the nomination is also meaningful for young people from similar backgrounds, especially those from townships across South Africa.
“One, for myself, it’s a huge thing for the city of Pretoria. It’s a huge thing for any kid like coming from any township from South Africa.”
“I feel like this should be motivation enough to believe in the dream that you have and yeah just go for it.”
Loyal To The Plug continues to gain attention as 25K’s most refined work to date, and his SAMA nomination stands as both a career milestone and a moment of pride for Pretoria hip hop.
