Yanga Chief Explained
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
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
Notes and References
- Web site: WATCH: Yanga paving his own trail - Fourways Review. Fourways Review. 2021-12-10. Nkululeko. Zilibokwe. 2016-05-20. 10 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211210204859/https://fourwaysreview.co.za/233335/watch-yanga-paving-his-own-trail/?pwa-amp. live.
- Web site: Yanga Chief's debut is pop excellence : New Frame. New Frame. 2021-12-10. Sabelo. Mkhabela. 2021-02-10. 10 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211210205830/https://www.newframe.com/yanga-chiefs-debut-is-pop-excellence/. live.
- Web site: 23 October 2019 . AKA gets singles certified diamond and platinum . 28 July 2023 . IOL . 25 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230225042542/https://www.iol.co.za/entertainment/music/local/aka-gets-singles-certified-diamond-and-platinum-35685525 . live .
- Web site: Annika. Melisizwe. February 13, 2020. AKA Gives Yanga Chief Due Respect for Writing Dope Hooks For Himself, Others. Ubetoo. 2021-12-12. 11 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211211222231/https://www.ubetoo.com/news/aka-gives-yanga-chief-due-respect-for-writing-dope-hooks-for-himself-others/. live.
- Web site: Yanga Chief secures his first number one spot on Metro FM's Top 40 countdown Political Analysis South Africa. Political Analysis South Africa. 2019-04-08. 2021-12-10. 10 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211210235028/https://www.politicalanalysis.co.za/yanga-chief-secures-his-first-number-one-spot-on-metro-fms-top-40-countdown/. live.
- Web site: Yanga Chief's "uTatakho" goes Gold - Groove Africa. 9 September 2020. Groove Africa. 2021-12-10. 10 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211210201455/https://groove-africa.com/yanga-chiefs-utatakho-goes-gold/. live.
- Web site: Interview: Yanga Chief, South Africa's Most Reluctant Pop Star, Is Starting a New Chapter - OkayAfrica. Sabelo. Mkhabela. OkayAfrica. 2021-12-10. 10 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211210190636/https://www.okayafrica.com/amp/yanga-chief-south-africa-pop-star-new-chapter-2648126551. live.
- Web site: These Are The 10 Hottest South African MCs of 2019 According to MTV Base - OkayAfrica. Sabelo. Mkhabela. OkayAfrica. 2021-12-10. 10 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211210212723/https://www.okayafrica.com/amp/mtv-base-hottest-mcs-list-2019-2641581593. live.
- Web site: Yanga Chief releases his EP, Becoming A Pop Star (BAPS) – JustNje. justnje.com. 2021-02-13. 2019-10-18. 13 February 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220213043732/https://justnje.com/yanga-chief-releases-his-ep-becoming-a-pop-star-baps/. live.
- Web site: SA hip-hop celebrates Yanga Chief's Sama win, as he dedicates it to his dad. TimesLIVE. 2021-12-10. Chrizelda. Kekana. 2020-08-06. 10 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211210202100/https://www.timeslive.co.za/amp/tshisa-live/tshisa-live/2020-08-06-sa-hip-hop-celebrates-yanga-chiefs-sama-win-as-he-dedicates-it-to-his-dad/. live.
- Web site: Yanga Chief Announces Release Date For New Album, "Pop Star" - Groove Africa . 13 October 2020 . Groove Africa . 2022-02-13 . 15 February 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220215010407/https://groove-africa.com/yanga-chief-announces-release-date-for-new-album-pop-star/ . live .
- News: Yanga Chief on his new release Pop Star : "Every song has meaning for me" Drum. Drum. South Africa. subscription. Qhama. Dayile. 2020-11-20. 2021-12-10. 10 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211210195440/https://www.news24.com/amp/drum/celebs/news/yanga-chief-on-his-new-release-pop-star-every-song-has-meaning-for-me-20201127. live.
- Web site: Yanga Chief Takes The Lead With His Debut Album 'Pop Star' - OkayAfrica . OkayAfrica . 2021-01-26 . Sipho . Fako . 2021-12-10 . 28 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231028093457/https://www.okayafrica.com/amp/yanga-chief-pop-star-album-review-2650139358 . live .
- Web site: 2021-09-03. Yanga Teams Up With New Wave Rappers 25K & Blxckie On Ntoni Na. 2022-02-13. SAMDB News. en-ZA. 13 February 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220213041331/https://www.samdb.co.za/blogs/blog/2021/09/03/yanga-teams-up-with-new-wave-rappers-25k-blxckie-on-ntoni-na/. live.
- News: subscription. A homage to heritage and healing: Yanga Chief reflects on musical tribute, six-track EP Imvelaphi. en-ZA . News24. 2024-06-08. South Africa . 2024-06-05 . Constance. Gaanakgomo.
- Web site: Here's the Full List of South African Hip Hop Awards 2016 Nominees - OkayAfrica . 2023-02-25 . www.okayafrica.com . en . 3 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221203051456/https://www.okayafrica.com/south-african-hip-hop-awards-2016-nominees/ . live .
- Web site: Yanga Chief: Last year I quit making music completely . https://web.archive.org/web/20230927122445/https://www.timeslive.co.za/tshisa-live/tshisa-live/2019-11-22-yanga-chief-last-year-i-quit-making-music-completely/ . 2023-09-27 . 2023-09-27 . TimesLIVE . en-ZA.
- Web site: 2020 WINNERS . https://web.archive.org/web/20230926215204/https://www.sahiphopawards.com/2020-winners.html . 2023-09-26 . 2023-09-26 . SA HIP HOP AWARDS . en.
- Web site: Here are the South African Hip Hop Awards 2020 Nominees - Okayplayer . 2023-09-27 . www.okayafrica.com . en . 26 November 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211126131052/https://www.okayafrica.com/south-african-hip-hop-awards-2020-nominees/ . live .
- Web site: SAMA26 nominations unearth fresh new gems . https://web.archive.org/web/20230927122350/https://www.dstv.com/mzansimagic/en-za/news/sama26-nominations-unearth-fresh-new-gems . 2023-09-27 . 2023-09-27 . SAMA26 nominations unearth fresh new gems . en.
- Web site: SA hip-hop celebrates Yanga Chief's Sama win, as he dedicates it to his dad . https://web.archive.org/web/20230926214441/https://www.timeslive.co.za/amp/tshisa-live/tshisa-live/2020-08-06-sa-hip-hop-celebrates-yanga-chiefs-sama-win-as-he-dedicates-it-to-his-dad/ . 2023-09-26 . 2023-09-26 . TimesLIVE . en-ZA.
- Web site: WATCH AKA loses his mind over winning Music Video Of The Year at the Samas . 2023-10-28 . TimesLIVE . en-ZA . 11 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230811063932/https://www.timeslive.co.za/tshisa-live/tshisa-live/2020-08-07-watch--aka-loses-his-mind-over-winning-music-video-of-the-year-at-the-samas/ . live .
- Web site: 2020-07-09 . Here Are SA Hip Hop SAMA26 Nominees . 2023-10-28 . sahiphopmag.co.za . 28 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231028093457/https://sahiphopmag.co.za/2020/07/here-are-sa-hip-hop-sama26-nominees/ . live .
- Web site: 2021-05-19 . South African Music Awards 2021: All the nominees . 2023-10-01 . Music In Africa . en . 14 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231014074401/https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/south-african-music-awards-2021-all-nominees . live .
- Web site: Global Music Awards Africa 2022: All the nominees Music In Africa. 2022-01-26. Ano. Shumba. Music In Africa. 2022-02-27. 27 February 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220227104801/https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/global-music-awards-africa-2022-all-nominees. live.