Cassper Nyovest

Cassper Nyovest

Cassper Nyovest performing at the 2014 Back to the City festival
Background information
Birth name Refiloe Maele Phoolo
Born (1990-12-16) 16 December 1990
Montshiwa, Mafikeng, North West
Genres Hip hop, Motswako
Occupation(s) Rapper, record producer, songwriter
Instruments Vocals, keyboards, sampler, drum machine
Years active 2004–present
Labels Family Tree
Associated acts
Website casspernyovest.com

Refiloe Maele Phoolo (born 16 December 1990, in Mafikeng), also known as Cassper Nyovest, is a South African recording artist and record producer.[1] His debut album Tsholofelo was released on 18 July 2014. He is currently signed to his own independent label and media company, Family Tree.

Early life

Nyovest grew up in Montshiwa in Mafikeng, the capital city of the North West province. He attended high school at Sol Plaatje Secondary School.[2] In school, he was athletic as he partook in various sports activities including football, cricket and basketball.[2] He started rapping when he was in grade 6, at the age of 12.

In grade 10, Nyovest failed In his exams, and moved to his grandmother's house in Potchefstroom. Then the following year, at age 16, he decided to drop out of high school: "I told my parents that I'd rather chase my dream, which I believe is going to work out, rather than keeping it safe and regret it my whole life."[2] He relocated to Johannesburg the following year to pursue a career in music as a rapper and producer.

Musical career

2004–09: Early beginnings

In 2004 he was a member of a group called Childhood Gangsters (CHG), which disbanded. He then joined an eight-member group, Slow Motion, which included the production team, Ganja Beatz.[3]

Nyovest dropped out of high school in 2006, left home and moved to Johannesburg. The following year, still at the age of 16, he was signed by the Motswako label "Impact Sounds". After two years without a release, he left to start a label of his own to no avail — he moved back home.[4]

Months later, Motswako rapper HHP spotted Nyovest at a performance. HHP was impressed and featured him on "Wamo Tseba Mtho" on his album Dumela.[5] Nyovest embarked on international tours with HHP where he gained exposure as an artist.[6] He has also shared stages with international acts such as Kid Cudi, Kendrick Lamar, Nas, Talib Kweli and Wiz Khalifa.[7]

2013–14: Gusheshe, Doc Shebeleza & Tsholofelo

In 2013, he released "Gusheshe" as the first official single from his debut album, Tsholofelo.[8] The single was well received and playlisted across various radio stations in South Africa.[9] It was accompanied by a music video[10] which premiered on Vuzu's V-Entertainment.[11]

After "Gusheshe", he released his second single titled "Doc Shebeleza" which saw him gain major success. The song peaked at number 4 on South Africa's official music chart. The song received positive reviews from the public and other South African acts including Yvonne Chaka Chaka.[12]

His debut release, Tsholofelo, was released on 18 July 2014. It was number 1 on the iTunes South African albums chart for 2 consecutive months before being knocked off by Duncan's Street Government.

In October 2014, Nyovest was ranked number 1 on "The Hottest MC in Africa" list by MTV Base.[13] Nyovest was also ranked number 2 on MTV Base's "SA's Hottest MC" list with K.O at number 1. Nyovest criticized the list because of DJ Vigilante's close affiliation with Cashtime Life rapper K.O. He stated that Vigilante should not have been on the ranking panel and showed his discontentment with the list by releasing a song titled "Beef" in which he disses DJ Vigilante, AKA and K.O.[14] It quickly sparked controversy after the rapper later apologized to K.O for a line on the song.

2015–present: Tsholofelo Platinum Edition and Refiloe

After the release of Tsholofelo, Nyovest hinted that he was in studio recording new music, presumably for his second album. He was pictured working with Casey Veggies, DJ Drama, Wizkid, and frequent collaborator Anatii. However, it would later be revealed that the songs were for the platinum edition of Tsholofelo. The platinum edition was released in April 17, 2015 with only 10,000 copies printed out.[15] Nyovest announced that he was planning to headline a concert on the 31 October 2015 at the Ticket Pro Dome billed as "Fill Up the Dome" and release his sophomore album at the venue on the same day. He revealed the title of the album as Refiloe on July 13, 2015.[16] He mentioned that he wanted to fill the dome - which currently accommodates up to 20,000 people - to its full capacity. In a Twitter post, he explained that a ticket bought meant a free album and that if he managed to fill the dome, Refiloe would go gold in a day. The album cover was released on August 10 via Nyovest's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.[17]

On August 14, 2015 the album's first single titled "Mama I Made It (#MIMI)" was released for purchase on iTunes and as a free download for 24 hours only.[18] Shortly after its release, it peaked at number 1 on iTunes South Africa chart, across all genres.[19] It was also playlisted across various radio stations in South Africa, most notably on DJ Fresh's "Fresh at 5" show on 5FM.[20] It was produced by Ganja Beatz, which Nyovest has worked with for a long time. On the same day, the American rapper Talib Kweli whom Nyovest had previously collaborated with on the "Doc Shebeleza" remix released his lead single off his album entitled "Fuck The Money" which features a guest verse by Nyovest.[21][22]

On October 25, 2015, Nyovest announced on his official Twitter account that tickets to Fill Up The Dome sold out. Each purchased ticket to the upcoming concert comes with a complimentary copy of his much anticipated upcoming sophomore album Refiloe, which each concert goer will receive on October 31, 2015. Refiloe is expected to be certified Gold by the Recording Industry of South Africa for shipments of 20,000 copies on its opening weekend.[23]

Personal life

In July 2015, after months of denying any romantic involvement with each other, Cassper Nyovest and actress Boitumelo Thulo finally confirmed in a July issue of DRUM that they were dating, this issue of the magazine article also included that the couple was and has been engaged.[24]

Boity announced that she and Cassper Nyovest ended their relationship in December 2015.[25]

Discography

Studio albums

Title Certification Album Details
Tsholofelo[39][40] RISA: Platinum[26]
Refiloe[39][40] RISA:Platinum

List of awards received by Cassper Nyovest

Cassper Nyovest awards and nominations
Awards and nominations
Award Wins Nominations
Channel O Music Video Awards
 3 2
Metro FM Awards
 5 2
South African Music Awards
 1 4
South African Hip Hop Awards
 7 4
Totals
Awards won 16
Nominations 12

Channel O Music Video Awards

Year Recipient/Nominated work Award Result Ref
2014 "Doc Shebeleza" Most Gifted Male Won [27]
Most Gifted Newcomer Nominated [27]
Most Gifted Hip Hop Nominated [28]
Most Gifted Southern Artist Won [28]
Most Gifted Video of the Year Won [28]

Metro FM Awards

Year Recipient/Nominated work Award Result Ref
2015 Tsholofelo Best Hip Hop Album Won [29]
Best Male Album Won [29]
"Doc Shebeleza" Best Hit Single Won [29]
Song of the Year Won [29]
Best Music Video Nominated [29]
"Doc Shebeleza" (Remix) Best Remix Nominated [29]
Listener's Choice Award Himself Won [29]

South African Music Awards

Year Recipient/Nominated work Award Result Ref
2015 Himself Male Artist of the Year Nominated [30]
Newcomer of the Year Won [30]
Tsholofelo Best Rap Album Nominated [30]
Album of the Year Nominated [30]
"Gusheshe" Best Collaboration Nominated [30]

SA Hip Hop Awards

Year Recipient/Nominated work Award Result Ref
2013 "Gusheshe" Song of the Year Won [31]
Best Collaboration Won [31]
Video of the Year Won [32]
Best Freshman Won [32]
2014 Tsholofelo Album of the Year Won [33]
Best Digital Sales Won [33]
"Doc Shebeleza" Song of the Year Won [33]
Video of the Year Nominated [33]
Himself Most Valuable Artist Nominated [33]
Hustler of the Year Nominated [33]
Best Male Nominated [33]

Logo

Cassper Nyovest’s ‘signature’ logo originates from the Cartoon Network checkerboard logo, he said that on Twitter that he was inspired by Cartoon Network.[34]

References

  1. ↑ "TRACE – Cassper Nyovest – Sports news, hip-hop, rnb, tropical and african music". Trace TV. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 "miCoverStory: Cassper Nyovest | miBlog". MiCampusmag. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
  3. ↑ "Cassper Nyovest brings the beats". DStv. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
  4. ↑ "Maftown Heights 2013". Maftown Heights. 27 November 2013. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  5. ↑ "Hip Hop Pantsula – Dumela". Discogs. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  6. ↑ "South Africa: Press Release – Cassper Nyovest Brings the Beats".
  7. ↑ "Catch Cassper if you can!". LiveMag. Retrieved 1 July 2014.
  8. ↑ "Cassper Nyovest 'Gusheshe' ft. Okmalumkoolkat Okayafrica.". Okay Africa. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
  9. ↑ "Maftown Heights to present Motswako artists :: Media Update". Media Update. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
  10. ↑ "Cassper Nyovest ft. OkMalumKoolKat "Gusheshe" – YouTube". YouTube. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  11. ↑ "EXCLUSIVE: Gusheshe interview | Vuzu". Vuzu. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  12. ↑ "Cassper gets love from Yvonne Chaka Chaka". The Juice. 7 July 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  13. ↑ "Who are the best rappers right now?". MTV Base. 2 October 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  14. ↑ "DOWNLOAD:Cassper Nyovest - Beef". NotJustOk. 29 November 2014.
  15. ↑ "Cassper Nyovest’s Debut Album Tsholofelo Reaches Platinum! - Quench SA". Quench SA. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  16. ↑ "Cassper Nyovest speaks about new album". Connect. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  17. ↑ Sunday World. "Cassper Nyovest’s ‘Refiloe’ album artwork is here". sundayworld.co.za. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  18. ↑ "Cassper Nyovest Drops The First 'Refiloe' Single 'Mama I Made It'". Okayafrica. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  19. ↑ "New Track. Cassper Nyovest - 'Mama I Made It' - we-are-awesome.". we-are-awesome. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  20. ↑ "DOWNLOAD:Cassper Nyovest - Mama I Made It (#MIMI) –notjustOk". notjustOk. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  21. ↑ "Talib Kweli". Billboard. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  22. ↑ "Talib Kweli Surprise-Releases Free Album, 'F--k the Money'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  23. ↑ "October 31st TheDome on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 2015-10-25.
  24. ↑ LIVE, Sowetan. "Cassper and Boity make their love official". Sowetan LIVE. Retrieved 2015-08-21.
  25. ↑ LIVE, Times. "Boity finds silver lining after sharing details of how Cassper broke up with her". Times LIVE. Retrieved 2016-03-23.
  26. ↑ "News : Cassper Nyovest goes platinum". MTV Base. 2015-04-24. Retrieved 2015-10-24.
  27. 1 2 "Cassper Nyovest rules the Channel O Music Video Awards nominees". Sunday World. 5 September 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  28. 1 2 3 "Cassper Nyovest leads the Channel O awards race! | DRUM". DRUM Magazine. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  29. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "MMA14 Nomination List". Metro FM. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  30. 1 2 3 4 5 . Times LIVE http://www.timeslive.co.za/entertainment/2015/03/12/cassper-nyovest-k.o-beatenberg-lead-sama-nominations. Retrieved 28 March 2015. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  31. 1 2 "Cassper cleans up at SA Hip Hop Awards! | HYPE Magazine". HYPE Magazine. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  32. 1 2 "How The SA Hip Hop Awards Beat The Fails – Rolling Stone South Africa". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  33. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "MTV NEWS! | SA HIP HOP AWARDS NOMINEES". MTV Base. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
  34. ↑ "Social Media Calls Cassper Nyovest A Fake! | OkMzansi". OkMzansi. Retrieved 19 November 2015.

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