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IOL News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
How K. O remains a dominant force in South African hip-hop
South African rapper Ntokozo 'K.O' Mdluli is gearing up for the release of his highly-anticipated album titled 'Phara City', on June 13, 2025. Image: Supplied It may spark debate, but renowned rapper Ntokozo 'K.O' Mdluli continues to prove why he remains one of South Africa's best artists. With a career spanning nearly two decades, K.O has maintained a strong and relevant presence in the entertainment industry. From his early days as part of the hip-hop group Teargas to his successful solo career and business ventures, K.O has consistently stayed at the heart of South African culture. At the 2025 Metro FM Music Awards held in Mpumalanga, K.O walked away with the award for Best Hip Hop Song for his hit single "Too Much" featuring Nasty C. He took to the stage twice, once during the main awards show and again at the festival after-party concert, where his performance celebrated his win and journey. 'You need to constantly be evolving and making sure that you stay ahead of the curve and try to stay up to date with everything that is playing out within the field,' he told IOL when asked about the secret to his longevity. At his core, K.O is a strategic businessman who understands the importance of partnerships, networking, and aligning with the right brands to ensure survival in the cutthroat music industry. Under his belt is Skhanda World, a successful record label, clothing line, and lifestyle company. He has also secured partnerships with brands such as Martell, World Sports Betting, Volvo, and Fibertime. 'It's not just about a good deal in terms of money. I go where my value is appreciated and where partnerships make the most sense,' he emphasized. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ K.O makes calculated decisions when considering collaborations, always ensuring brand alignment and a clear understanding of the product. Growing up in a disadvantaged area in Mpumalanga, K.O understands the challenges of limited access to resources such as high-performance internet. Through his partnership with Fibertime, he is helping to drive a game-changing fibre solution designed specifically for townships. 'We've visited some of these communities, like when I was in Gugulethu, talking to customers and hearing their stories. 'It's little things like that which matter, where we're trying to make life easier for people who don't have the same access and privileges,' he explained. At the age of 44, K.O serves as an inspiration to many young South Africans, who see him as a role model. 'If you are setting a great example and consciously striving to uplift others, that energy and influence rub off positively on people. 'I'm all about positivity and making a meaningful impact in the community. That's something I'm now consciously committed to doing right,' he said. On June 13, K.O will release his fifth studio album, "Phara City" a project he promises longtime fans will appreciate as a return to his signature sound. The rapper is keenly aware of evolving listening patterns and the oversaturation of music available to audiences today. He revealed that "Phara City" took more than a year to craft carefully, creating timeless moments that will give the album a lasting impact. K.O is excited for fans to experience this body of work, which also serves as social commentary on life in South Africa, even though he typically steers clear of overt political statements. For the album's rollout, K.O took to the streets to hear the real-life stories of people often labeled as 'Iphara', a township slang term for junkies or drug addicts.
IOL News
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
When Liquideep and Teargas ruled the airwaves: Zakes Bantwini's nostalgic tweet strikes a chord
Who can forget the time when Liquideep was playing in every corner of Mzansi, from backyard braais to the loudest taxis after school? The beats were smooth, the lyrics were deep, and let's be honest, their songs were the soundtrack to many of our memories. Recently, award-winning producer and musician Zakes Bantwini tweeted that he missed the music of Liquideep and Teargas. 'Man, I really miss Teargas and Liquideep's music,' the "Osama" hitmaker wrote, and just like that, he had the timeline in their feels. It was a time when tracks like "Fairytale", "Alone", and "Settle for Less" by Liquideep were playing everywhere – from family gatherings and high school dances to those long taxi rides home. And who could forget "BBM"? The song arrived just as BlackBerry Messenger was at its peak, giving us the perfect anthem to go with our dramatic BBM statuses. Yes, those were the days. Liquideep, made up of singer Ziyon and producer Ryzor, came onto the scene with their soulful house sound in the late 2000s. Their 2010 album "Fabrics of the Heart" became a national favourite, earning the group several South African Music Awards (Samas), including Album of the Year. Their music peaked in popularity between 2009 and 2012, a time when house music was deeply embedded in Mzansi's cultural life: weddings, clubs, even your cousin's mixtape CD. Liquideep stood out for their emotional songwriting and international-quality production, helping to elevate South African house music on the global stage. At the same time, hip hop trio Teargas, made up of K.O, Ma-E, and Ntukza, was making waves of its own. The group debuted in 2006 with "K'shubile K'bovu", followed by the critically acclaimed "Wafa Wafa" and "Dark or Blue". Their blend of social commentary, streetwise lyrics, and catchy hooks turned them into one of SA's most influential hip hop acts of the time. Teargas earned several accolades, including Sama nominations and an MTV Africa Music Award nod. With tracks like "Chance", "Party 101", and "Champions", the group gave voice to township youth and tackled real issues while still delivering club bangers.
