Yanga Chief

Yanga Ntshakaza (born 17 October 1987), professionally known as Yanga Chief (or mononymously as Yanga) is a South African rapper, record producer and singer-songwriter. Born in Mthatha and raised in Queenstown, Yanga studied film studies at University of Johannesburg.

Career

In late 2000s, Yanga was a videographer for Buttabing Entertainment. In 2016, he was featured on AKA's "Dreamwork" which was certified 5× diamond, and he co-written Kwesta's song featuring Thabsie "Ngiyaz'fela Ngawe" released in February 26, 2016. Yanga wrote and provided vocals for AKA’s song "Jika" released in 2018. In October 2018, his single "Utatakho" was released. The song peak number one on Metro FM Top 40 charts and was certified gold in South Africa selling over 10 000 units. In 2019 "Utatakho" won Song of the Year at the South African Hip Hop Awards. Yanga made "Utatakho Remix" the song features the late South African rappers Riky Rick, Dee Koala and Boity. Yanga ranked number 3 on MTV Base: SA's Hottest MCs 2019. In October 2019, his extended play (EP) Becoming a Pop Star was released. Becoming a Pop Star won South African Music Award for Best Hip Hop Album in 2021.

Yanga began to work on his debut in 2017. On October 16, 2020, album's pre-add were made available.

On November 27, 2020, his debut studio album Pop Star was released in South Africa. The album received positive reviews from music critics.

He teamed up with Blxckie and 25K on single "Ntoni Na", which music video premiered on MTV Base on the 31st of August 2021. In 2022 he made a single called "Benjamins" where he features Emtee and Henny Belit.

Awards and nominations