Quick Facts
Biography
Ntokozo Zakwe (born March 8, 1988) is a South African Rapper born in KwaMashu, KwaZulu-Natal.
Early life
Zakwe was born in the township of KwaMashu in KwaZulu-Natal. He went to Brettonwood High School where he completed his matric and developed his passion for hip hop music. He then went to further his studies at the Durban University of Technology but due to financial difficulties he dropped out and chose to pursue his dream of becoming a musician.
Career
Zakwe started releasing music as an underground artist, at this stage he released a number of vernacular mixtapes which were titled Street Music. The mixtapes were well received in the underground hip hop scene, this then led to two of his tracks within the tapes to eventually make it into Hype Sessions and thus received massive airplay.
After the success of his mixtapes, Zulu Boy another durban based emcee, featured Zakwe on his track 'Zobe Zisho' which led to Zakwe bagging a recording and artist management deal with Native Rhythms.
On 2011 he released his self-titled debut album Zakwe which was a huge success and was certified gold status by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RISA), earning him five nominations at the South African Music Awards, he won the Metro FM Award for best Hip Hop artist and the first best Lyricist Award at the South African Hip Hop Awards (SAHHAs) the following year, thus taking his place amongst the best rappers in South Africa.
Zakwe's success and talent earned him endorsement deals with SAB Miller and Hennesy. He was one of the performing acts at the 2011 Metro FM awards in the province of Mpumalanga, he also was one of the live acts in the 2012 and 2013 South African Music Awards. In February 2013 he was the opening act for American rapper Kanye West at the Dome in johannesburg, South Africa.
On 2015 he released Impande an album which became an instant hit and earned him three nominations at the South African Hip Hop Awards for Best Album, Best Male Artist and Best Lyricist,He won the Best Vernacular Hip Hop at the 12th South African Traditional Music Awards (SATMA) for the song 'Reverse' featuring Duncan.
Zakwe released a hit single called Sebentin featuring Cassper Nyovest and Musiholiq on 2017 which received positive reviews. A remix of the song was released in the same year which featured Blaklez, Musiholiq, Cassper Nyovest, Kwesta, HHP and PRO. The remixed version of the song won the Remix Of The Year at the 25th South African Music Awards.
On 6 July 2018, Zakwe released his third studio album titled "Cebisa".
Discography
Albums
- Zakwe - 2011
- Zakwe (Delux Edition) - 2012
- Zakwe (Super Delux Edition) - 2013
- Impande - 2015
- Cebisa - 2018
Accolades
Nominations
- Best Street Urban album during the 18th Annual MTN South African Music Awards (SAMA)
- Remix of the year for the remix of the song "Bathi Ng’yachoma" featuring Zuluboy and danger 18th Annual MTN South Afrcan Music Awards (SAMA)
- Album of the year for debut album ZAKWE 18th Annual MTN South African Music Awards (SAMA)
- Male artist of the year 18th Annual MTN South African Music Awards (SAMA)
- Newcomer of the year 18th Annual MTN South African Music Awards (SAMA)
- Best Album at the South African Hip Hop Awards (SAHHAs) - 2015
- Best Male Artist at the South African Hip Hop Awards (SAHHAs) - 2015
- Best Lyricist at the South African Hip Hop Awards (SAHHAs) - 2015
Awards
- Best Lyricist Award at the first South African Hip Hop Awards — 2012
- Best Hip Hop Artist at the Metro FM Awards — 2013
- Best Vernacular Hip Hop at the 12thSouth African Traditional Music Awards
- Best Remix of the year at the 25th South African Music Awards