Yanga Chief

For the Idols SA winner, see Yanga Sobetwa.

Yanga
Born
Yanga Ntshakaza

(1987-10-17) 17 October 1987 (age 37)
Mthata, Eastern Cape
NationalitySouth African
EducationUniversity of Johannesburg
Occupations
Musical career
Genres
Labels

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.[1]

Career

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In late 2000s, Yanga was a videographer for Buttabing Entertainment.[2] In 2016, he was featured on AKA's "Dreamwork" which was certified 5× diamond,[3] and he co-written Kwesta's song featuring Thabsie "Ngiyaz'fela Ngawe" released in February 26, 2016.[4] 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[5] and was certified gold in South Africa selling over 10 000 units.[6] In 2019 "Utatakho" won Song of the Year at the South African Hip Hop Awards.[7] 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.[8] In October 2019, his extended play (EP) Becoming a Pop Star was released.[9] Becoming a Pop Star won South African Music Award for Best Hip Hop Album in 2021.[10]

Yanga began to work on his debut in 2017. On October 16, 2020, album's pre-add were made available.[11]

On November 27, 2020, his debut studio album Pop Star was released in South Africa.[12] The album received positive reviews from music critics.[13]

He teamed up with Blxckie and 25K on single "Ntoni Na", which music video premiered on MTV Base on the 31st of August 2021.[14] In 2022 he made a single called "Benjamins" where he features Emtee and Henny Belit.

His extended play Imvelaphi, was released on May 31, 2024.[15] It was supported by one single "Mbali Yam".

Awards and nominations

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Year Award ceremony Category Recipient/Nominated work Results Ref.
2016 South African Hip Hop Awards Best Collabo
"Dreamwork"
 Nominated [16]
2019 Song of the Year
"Utatakho"
 Won [17]
2020 Mixtape of the Year
Becoming a Pop Star
 Won [18]
Song of the Year
"Utatakho Remix"
 Nominated [19]
Best Collaboration Nominated
Best Remix Nominated
2020 South African Music Awards Remix of the Year Nominated [20]
Best Hip Hop Album
Becoming a Pop Star
 Won [21]
Best Music Video of the Year
"Jika"
 Won [22]
Record of the Year Nominated [23]
2021 Best Hip Hop Album
Pop Star
 Nominated [24]
2022 Global Music Awards Africa Rapper of the Year
Himself
 Nominated [25]

References

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  1. ^ Zilibokwe, Nkululeko (20 May 2016). "WATCH: Yanga paving his own trail - Fourways Review". Fourways Review. Archived from the original on 10 December 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  2. ^ Mkhabela, Sabelo (10 February 2021). "Yanga Chief's debut is pop excellence : New Frame". New Frame. Archived from the original on 10 December 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  3. ^ "AKA gets singles certified diamond and platinum". IOL. 23 October 2019. Archived from the original on 25 February 2023. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  4. ^ Melisizwe, Annika (13 February 2020). "AKA Gives Yanga Chief Due Respect for Writing Dope Hooks For Himself, Others". Ubetoo. Archived from the original on 11 December 2021. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  5. ^ "Yanga Chief secures his first number one spot on Metro FM's Top 40 countdown | Political Analysis South Africa". Political Analysis South Africa. 8 April 2019. Archived from the original on 10 December 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  6. ^ "Yanga Chief's "uTatakho" goes Gold - Groove Africa". Groove Africa. 9 September 2020. Archived from the original on 10 December 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  7. ^ Mkhabela, Sabelo. "Interview: Yanga Chief, South Africa's Most Reluctant Pop Star, Is Starting a New Chapter - OkayAfrica". OkayAfrica. Archived from the original on 10 December 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  8. ^ Mkhabela, Sabelo. "These Are The 10 Hottest South African MCs of 2019 According to MTV Base - OkayAfrica". OkayAfrica. Archived from the original on 10 December 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  9. ^ "Yanga Chief releases his EP, Becoming A Pop Star (BAPS) – JustNje". justnje.com. 18 October 2019. Archived from the original on 13 February 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
  10. ^ Kekana, Chrizelda (6 August 2020). "SA hip-hop celebrates Yanga Chief's Sama win, as he dedicates it to his dad". TimesLIVE. Archived from the original on 10 December 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  11. ^ "Yanga Chief Announces Release Date For New Album, "Pop Star" - Groove Africa". Groove Africa. 13 October 2020. Archived from the original on 15 February 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  12. ^ Dayile, Qhama (20 November 2020). "Yanga Chief on his new release Pop Star : "Every song has meaning for me" | Drum". South Africa: Drum. Archived from the original on 10 December 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  13. ^ Fako, Sipho (26 January 2021). "Yanga Chief Takes The Lead With His Debut Album 'Pop Star' - OkayAfrica". OkayAfrica. Archived from the original on 28 October 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  14. ^ "Yanga Teams Up With New Wave Rappers 25K & Blxckie On Ntoni Na". SAMDB News. 3 September 2021. Archived from the original on 13 February 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  15. ^ Gaanakgomo, Constance (5 June 2024). "A homage to heritage and healing: Yanga Chief reflects on musical tribute, six-track EP Imvelaphi". South Africa: News24. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
  16. ^ "Here's the Full List of South African Hip Hop Awards 2016 Nominees - OkayAfrica". www.okayafrica.com. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  17. ^ "Yanga Chief: Last year I quit making music completely". TimesLIVE. Archived from the original on 27 September 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  18. ^ "2020 WINNERS". SA HIP HOP AWARDS. Archived from the original on 26 September 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  19. ^ "Here are the South African Hip Hop Awards 2020 Nominees - Okayplayer". www.okayafrica.com. Archived from the original on 26 November 2021. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  20. ^ "SAMA26 nominations unearth fresh new gems". SAMA26 nominations unearth fresh new gems. Archived from the original on 27 September 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  21. ^ "SA hip-hop celebrates Yanga Chief's Sama win, as he dedicates it to his dad". TimesLIVE. Archived from the original on 26 September 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  22. ^ "WATCH | AKA loses his mind over winning Music Video Of The Year at the Samas". TimesLIVE. Archived from the original on 11 August 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  23. ^ "Here Are SA Hip Hop SAMA26 Nominees". sahiphopmag.co.za. 9 July 2020. Archived from the original on 28 October 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  24. ^ "South African Music Awards 2021: All the nominees". Music In Africa. 19 May 2021. Archived from the original on 14 October 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  25. ^ Shumba, Ano (26 January 2022). "Global Music Awards Africa 2022: All the nominees | Music In Africa". Music In Africa. Archived from the original on 27 February 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
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