Kwesta

East Rand rapper, trendsetter and music mogul Kwesta represents the ultimate self-made success story. Born Senzo Mfundo Vilakazi in Katlehong, since leaving school at age 16 to pursue a career in spoken word poetry and beatmaking, this serial South African Music Award-winner has grafted and hustled his way all the way to the top. Highlights along the way have been major industry coups—including releasing South Africa’s first ever gold hip-hop double-disc LP (DaKAR II), headlining international festivals like SXSW, and even collaborating with Southern hip-hop icon T.I. as part of his Hustle Gang Tour. There have been hits aplenty as well, with banging trailblazers such as “Stomp”, “Ngud' (feat. Cassper Nyovest)” and “Nomayini”—each considered fundamental precursors to Mzansi’s distinct brand of trap and hip-hop that’s set for global domination.