Top 10 Greatest Soweto Rappers Of All Time

A large number of the most iconic South African rappers come from the South Western Townships where they get down, kid. Where you usually get smacked if you act like a clown, kid. 

We asked one of Soweto’s staunchest Hip-Hop heads and prolific producer SPeeKa to rank the G.O.A.T.s of Soweto. 

“I went 80% impact and influence, 20% lyricism,” says SPeeKa. 

Honourable mentions: Amu, MaseVen Opse, Chaka Dolla

10. F-Eezy

From earning his stripes as a top tier MC in the days of Slaghuis, F-eezy remains one of the best lyricists Soweto has to offer. With a classic debut album ‘Gate Khahlela’ (2007) under his belt, he continues to drop flawless verses to this day. 

9. Rev Tumza

One of the founding members of legendary Soweto group GP Gangsta, Rev Tumza’s journey of becoming one of the most respected rappers in Soweto is one for the books. Besides writing a few Kwaito classics for Mzambiya, he has shared the mic with legends such as the late great HHP. 

He was also the rapper behind the iconic Jam Alley jingle in the early 2000s, before ProVerb took over. Rev Tumza and GP Gangsta’s impact on Soweto street culture is evident with the success of their clothing brand currently taking over the streets.

8. Red Button

One of Soweto’s most respected lyricists, Red Button’s rise in the Soweto Hip-Hop scene quickly caught the attention of the late great PRO, who would go on to become his frequent collaborator and mentor. 

He is also an incredibly gifted producer with a Producer of the Year South African Hip-Hop Award nomination under his belt. 

7. Pitch Black Afro

Pitch Black Afro’s unorthodox rap style made him a stand-out performer during the days of Black Sunday and Slaghuis in the early 2000s. 

He holds the distinct honour of being the first South African rapper to reach platinum status with his legendary debut album ‘Styling Gel’ (2004).

6. Mr. Selwyn

One of the pioneers of Kasi Rap, Mr. Selwyn is a legendary MC who burst into the consciousness of most South African rap fans with his highly controversial verse on Amu’s ‘Attention’ in the early 2000s. 

He would go on to become the first rapper from Soweto to win the South African Music Award for Best Rap Album in 2005 for his classic debut album ‘The Formula’.

5. Siya Shezi

As a member of pioneering Kasi Rap movement Deep Soweto, Shezi was consistently a favourite amongst fans, influencing a generation of young MCs from Soweto and beyond. His debut mixtape, Iqaba (2011) earned him a nomination for Mixtape Of The Year at the inaugural South African Hip-Hop Awards in 2012. He would go on to collaborate with Major League DJz, Cassper Nyovest and the late great Riky Rick on 2014’s ‘The Bizness’.

4. Saudi

Known to some as “Msotra Man”, Saudi’s roots in the game can be traced back to his affiliation with Soweto rap collective DONE Fam (founded by lethal Soweto MC Froz) in the early 2010s. He would later go on to be part of the great Ambitiouz Records take over of 2015, adding his unique style alongside the likes of Emtee, Sjava, A-Reece and more. He also might be the only rapper from Soweto who can talk about being on the same joint and holding his own alongside K.Dot, Schoolboy Q and 2 Chains.

3. Maggz

Maggz’s reputation as one of the dopest spitters in the country was under-appreciated for a long time due to his somewhat humble demeanour. 

With countless legendary feature verses to his name, very few MCs can go toe-to-toe with him on a track. His journey in the game has seen him do amazing things with the likes of the late great PRO, Jozi, Cashtime Life and more.

2. Gigi Lamayne

Gigi Lamayne is undoubtedly one of South Africa’s biggest female MCs. Her skills as an MC and as a songwriter are undeniable. Without a doubt an influential MC who opened the doors for more dope South African females MCs who dominated in the late 2010s. To date, she holds the record for most South African Hip-Hop Awards Best Female Award wins – scooping the honour in 2013, 2014 and more recently in 2022.

1. PRO

The number 1 spot for Soweto’s G.O.A.T is a no-brainer. Linda “PRO” Mkhize. If you know, you know. And if you don’t, ask your favourite rapper. Enough said.