Kwesta

Kwesta
Background information
Birth name Senzo Mfundo Vilakazi
Also known as DaKAR
Born (1988-08-11) 11 August 1988
Katlehong, Gauteng, South Africa
Origin Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, South Africa
Genres
Occupation(s)
Instruments Vocals
Years active 2003-present
Labels
  • Buttabing (former)
  • Urbantainment
  • RapLyF
Associated acts

Senzo Mfundo Vilakazi (born 11 August 1988), better known by his stage name Kwesta, is a South African rapper and songwriter.[1] He was born in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng. He is currently signed to his own Independent and media company known as Rap Lyf with co-founder Kid X. His third studio album DaKAR II was released on 26 February 2016. His latest song is called "Spirit", the video of which was shot in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni.

Early life

Kwesta attended Phumulani Secondary School in katlehong for three years, and later Alafang High School.

He took an interest in poetry during his high school years and received positive feedback and encouragement from fellow students and teachers.[2]

In 2003, Kwesta, then known as Quest, and some friends, formed a group called "Ghetto Fellaz", which became known as "The Juvenylz" with an additional member. His crew hoped to be discovered and signed, but this did not happen. Kwesta dropped out of high school at age 16 to pursue his music career full-time. He recorded 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.

Kwesta, still a teenager, convinced his mother to give him taxi fare necessary to get to Buttabing Entertainment's offices. This meeting resulted in his 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. He also was on idols but didn't win unfortunately

Special Rekwest

Kwesta's debut studio album Special Rekwest was released in September 2010. The first single was "Stomp". Other singles included "Flash It," "Babhemi," "Flava" and "Pump It". Kwesta was then 22 years old.

DaKAR

Kwesta's second studio album DaKAR (Da King of Afrikan Rap) was released digitally on 25 November 2013. It debuted on the South African iTunes Hip-hop / Rap Chart at number 3, 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, a double-disc album, was released on 26 February 2016 and was preceded by three major singles, "Nomayini"[4] and "Ngud'". The latter features guest vocals from fellow South African rapper Cassper Nyovest. It was released as a radio-edit on 23 November 2015, and the music video dropped in early 2016.[5] In 2017, he released "Ngiyazifela Ngawe"[6] with Thabsie. The video currently has 3 million views on YouTube.

Personal life

Kwesta was raised by his mother, after his father left the family when Kwesta was five years old. He addresses this in the song "Johnnie (Keep Walking)" from his second album DaKAR.

He is currently married to his long time girlfriend whom he has been with for six years as of March 2017. They have a child together, a daughter named Khai, born on 13 October 2012.[7]

Discography

Singles

  • "Pray Hard" ft Reason
  • "Family Matters Radio" ft Charles Mchunu
  • "Hyena" (based on a true story)

As lead artist

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certification Album
South Africa (EMA)
"Ngud'" (featuring Cassper Nyovest) 2016 1 RISA:

5x Platinum

 DaKAR II
"Spirit" (featuring Wale) 2017 1 RISA: Platinum[8][9][10][11] Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Studio albums

Title Album details
Special ReKwest
DaKAR (Da King of Afrikan Rap)
  • Released: 25 November 2013 (SA)
  • Label: Urbantainment
  • Formats: Digital download & CD (5 May 2015)
DaKAR II
  • Released: 26 February 2016
  • Label: Urbantainment, Sony Music Entertainment Africa
  • Formats: CD, digital download
  • Certification: 7x Platinum

Mixtapes

  • Unkwestionable, 2009
  • Rally 4 DaKAR, 2012

References

  1. ↑ Nandipha Pantsi. "Kwesta, Ifani hip hop's game changers". The Citizen.
  2. ↑ "Kwesta - Butan". Butan. Retrieved 2016-03-23.
  3. ↑ 11, tumelo on August; Said, 2015 at 5:19 Am. "Kwesta:biography". HipHopAfrican. Retrieved 2016-03-23.
  4. ↑ "DOWNLOAD:Kwesta - Nomayini –notjustOk". notjustOk. Retrieved 2016-03-23.
  5. ↑ "Channel O TV Online | Kwesta's Second Coming". channelo.dstv.com. Retrieved 2016-03-23.
  6. ↑ https://okaybaze.com/kwesta-ngiyazfela-ngawe-ft-thabsie/
  7. ↑ Tjiya, Emmanuel. "Kwesta: 'I have not arrived'". Sowetan LIVE. Retrieved 2016-03-23.
  8. ↑ "Kwesta and Wale go platinum in SA". channel24. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  9. ↑ "@KwestaDaKAR #Spirit Has Gone Platinum!". SlikourOnLife. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  10. ↑ "Kwesta's #Spirit goes platinum". SA Breaking News. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  11. ↑ "Kwesta's 'Spirit' Single Hits 'Platinum'". Hype Magazine. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  12. ↑ "Kwesta - Butan". Butan. Retrieved 2016-03-23.
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