It is no secret that in the past two years the state of Hip Hop has faced rather drastic changes. With endless debates fuelled by hyperbole statements surrounding the local hip hop industry, there has been a tug of war between spectators and industry professionals on the relevancy of Hip Hop in the current South African music industry. When the topic of the current state of hip hop surfaces, a myriad of opinions are flung about. Some claim that the South African Hip Hop sound has fallen to its tragic demise due to the wildly popular embrace of Amapiano which has subsequently pushed Hip Hop to a point of obsolesce. Others claim that Hip Hop is very much alive and well. It just merely requires a long awaited revamp from industry insiders. Whatever the case may be, one undisputed opinion about the SA Hip Hop game is that the hype has inconsequentially died down.
This begs the very important question: Who is going to save SA Hip Hop ?
Maybe one of the country’s biggest hip hop star could do a thing or two to breath life back into the genre ? Cue Cassper Nvoyest.
When he is not bagging million rand endorsements deals with the likes of MTN, AG Mobile or Drip Footwear, Or running around in a boxing ring with internet trolls, Cassper Nyovest is putting in work as one of the leading hip hop artists in the country. The artist who has a myriad of music accolades and has managed to make history by being the first South African hip- hop artist to fill the FNB Stadium.
The artist recently dropped a post on social media hinting on his plan of releasing a new album in 2022. Fans were relived to hear their favourite artist would be dropping an exclusively Hip Hop album after dabbling with Amapiano and Drill music for a brief moment. They took to social media to react to the news and expressed their excitement at the prospect.
they did say 2022 is a Hip Hop expansion. https://t.co/gvgLLfpF7q
— hosimusa x (@HosiMusa) January 9, 2022
Yes please Billiato!!! https://t.co/KUvyenw85W
— Ashley The Ambivert (@kng_ace_) January 8, 2022
You forgot to add ‘another’ on your tweet bruv ? https://t.co/ABkdsQMG6v
— OnlySne’s Account (@SneTembaM) January 8, 2022
2022 will be the year of SA Hip-Hop no doubt. ???? https://t.co/rI8QWpA0At
— ? AFRICAN_RAP_CITY ??™ (@Rap_City_SA) January 9, 2022
My favourite type of Nyovest. LETS GOOOO!!! https://t.co/Syn83zkj6T
— Be REAL. (@LunaV_10) January 8, 2022
I would genuinely love to hear it ? https://t.co/62OmhDPJiv
— Ms. Matthews (@abomatthews) January 8, 2022
Considering the unique, high quality sound, lyricism and word play the artist showcased on his previous albums Refiloe, Thuto and A.M.N (Any Minute Now), there is no doubt that Cassper can save SA Hip Hop. Outside of his internal craftsmanship, the artist also has an incredible grip over hip hop fans with his cult like following that could deliver his album to commercial success.
Now is just a matter of waiting to see whether his anticipated 2022 album will disrupt the current status quo in the South African soundscape, or if it will fall onto deaf ears.
