Kwesta
| Kwesta | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Senzo Mfundo Vilakazi |
| Also known as |
|
| Born |
11 August 1988 Katlehong, Gauteng, South Africa |
| Origin | East Rand, South Africa |
| Genres | Hip hop, rap |
| Occupation(s) | Rapper, songwriter |
| Years active | 2003-present |
| Labels | Urbantainment (currently) |
| Associated acts |
|
Senzo Mfundo Vilakazi (born 11 August 1988), better known by his stage name Kwesta, is a South African born rapper and songwriter.[1] He was born in Katlehong in the East Rand, Gauteng. He is currently signed to Urbantainment.
His third studio album DaKAR II was released on February 26, 2016.
Early career
Senzo had taken an interest in poetry during his high school years and received positive feedback and encouragement from fellow students and teachers.[2]
In 2003, Senzo, then known as Quest, and some friends of his formed a group called "Ghetto Fellaz", which shortly after, became known as "The Juvenylz" with an additional member. His crew hoped to be discovered and signed, but it did not happen. Senzo dropped out of high school at the age of 16 to pursue his music career full-time. He started recording his first demo in his home studio. This demo caught the attention of Africa's Most Southern Record Company (AMS), which eventually allowed him to use their recording facilities to allow for young Kwesta to harness his rapping skills.
Kwesta, still a teenager, convinced his mother to give him taxi fare necessary to get to Buttabing Entertainment's offices. This meeting resulted in Kwesta being added to Buttabing Entertainment's roster, co-owned by founding members Shugasmakx and Slikour.
Rise in career
In early 2010, Kwesta was selected to become a Brand SA ambassador performing as the headline act at the nationwide roadshow tour in the run-up to the FIFA World Cup.
Special Rekwest:
Kwesta's debut studio album Special Rekwest was released in September 2010. The first single was "Flava". Other singles includes "Pump It" and "Stomp". Kwesta was 21 years old during the release of his first album.
DaKAR:
Kwesta's sophomore studio album DaKAR (Da King of Afrikan Rap) was released digitally on November 25, 2013 and debuted on the South African iTunes Hip-hop / Rap Chart at number 3, only behind Eminem's Marshall Mathers LP II and Drake's Nothing Was the Same.[3] The album was well received by fans and music industry insiders.
DaKAR II:
Kwesta's third studio album DaKAR II, which is a double-disc album, was released on February 26, 2016 and was preceded by three major singles, "Nomayini"[4] and "Ngud'", the latter of which, features guest vocals from fellow South African rapper Cassper Nyovest. & K1 God, which was released as A radio - Edit on 23 November 2015 [5]
Personal life
Kwesta grew up in a family his father left when he was five years old. He can be heard addressing this on his song "Johnnie (Keep Walking)" from his second album DaKAR. He is currently with a girlfriend he has been with for five years as of March 2016. The relationship produced a daughter who was born in 2012.[6]
Discography
Studio albums
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Special ReKwest |
|
| DaKAR (Da King of Afrikan Rap) |
|
| DaKAR II |
|
Mixtapes
- U Got It (2010)
External links
- @KwestaDaKAR on Twitter
- KwestaDaKAR on Instagram
- Kwesta on Facebook
References
- ↑ Nandipha Pantsi. "Kwesta, Ifani hip hop's game changers". The Citizen.
- ↑ "Kwesta - Butan". Butan. Retrieved 2016-03-23.
- ↑ 11, tumelo on August; Said, 2015 at 5:19 Am. "Kwesta:biography". HipHopAfrican. Retrieved 2016-03-23.
- ↑ "DOWNLOAD:Kwesta - Nomayini –notjustOk". notjustOk. Retrieved 2016-03-23.
- ↑ "Channel O TV Online | Kwesta’s Second Coming". channelo.dstv.com. Retrieved 2016-03-23.
- ↑ Tjiya, Emmanuel. "Kwesta: 'I have not arrived'". Sowetan LIVE. Retrieved 2016-03-23.
- ↑ "Kwesta - Butan". Butan. Retrieved 2016-03-23.