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Recognition within South African hip hop often carries more weight when it comes from someone who has helped shape the genre’s foundation. That was the case recently when respected rapper and cultural pioneer Slikour turned his attention to Roiii, a rising voice whose steady catalogue has quietly been building a loyal following.
Slikour, known for his precise ear and measured insights into artistry, used his Instagram story to highlight Roiii’s recent Freestyle Friday entry, Ko Moraho. The viral Freestyle which has been trending across all social media platforms caught Slikour’s attention for reasons that stretch beyond surface-level virality. In his Instagram story, the veteran took time to detail what separates Roiii from his peers, “If you love hip hop song technique @1roiii is one of the best in his generation.”
He expanded on that sentiment, describing Roiii as an artist whose articulation, rhythm and substance on record reveal a rare musical instinct. Slikour spoke about his timing on beats, his composure under lyrical pressure and the discipline it takes to balance storytelling with musicality. He also revealed that he has heard unreleased material from Roiii’s upcoming project, “I don’t think y’all understand what kind of skill it needs to do what he does. In fact, you might need to be born with it.” The gesture was accompanied by gratitude toward his industry peers like K.O and Tsholo for identifying Roiii’s potential early in his journey.
That public acknowledgment added a new layer to the conversation surrounding Ko Moraho. In the freestyle, Roiii pieces his thoughts together with deliberate pacing and confident phrasing, transforming what could have been a standard rap showcase into something reflective of his evolving authorship. The verses glide between introspection and assertion, anchored by a delivery that commands attention without rushing. Music fans have the freestyle on replay, finding new turns of phrase and subtle word choices that reinforce Slikour’s endorsement.
Roiii, in turn, responded to the recognition by resharing the story and expressing his appreciation, captioning it with a simple message “LOVE MY BIG BROTHER!”. The interaction resonated with fans who have been following the rapper’s recent run of freestyles and studio sessions, interpreting the acknowledgment as a symbolic passing of encouragement from a veteran to a younger artist steadily defining his voice.
While Roiii has steadily carved a place within contemporary hip hop through lyrical precision and energy-driven performances, this latest moment of recognition adds another layer to his trajectory. It also reaffirms Slikour’s long-standing commitment to spotlighting artistry that values technique, storytelling, and authenticity being the qualities that continue to shape the evolution of the genre.
Check out the video at the centre of it all below:
