Much like the amapiano genre, which is causing waves globally, giving the world a taste of South African flavour, South African hip-hop is similarly commanding the world’s attention as several artists are making an impression internationally.
Diversity is a word that has been synonymous with mzansi, with the diversity stemming from the variety of cultures which co-exist with one another, which then spills into the art that is created, in the form of music. Blxckie and Maglera Doe Boy are just two examples of completely different artists, whose authenticity has landed them some global recognition.
The international and critically acclaimed BET Hip-Hop Awards have announced their nominees and Maglera and Blxckie have each secured a nomination in the ‘Best International Flow’ category, which had three African artists in total, with Nigerian artist Odumodublvck being the third.
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Both nominations are well deserved and come as no surprise, as Blxckie has provided a fresh and unique sound to hip-hop, that marries Gqom, R&B and traditional elements perfectly. His style has become one of the most recognisable in the game and has managed to captivate international audiences with chart toppers such as ‘Kwenzekile’, and ‘David’ and his collaborations with fellow artists.
Maglera Doe Boy, on the other hand, has stuck out as a multi-lingual lyrical monster, whose personal experience in an extremely political and unequal society, forms a significant part of his identity and therefore his storytelling. His raps often speak and resonate with a large number of the South African population, with his taste for the finer things in life separating him from his peers.
The nominations of both these artists are a testament to their resilience and being true to themselves, which has gotten them as far as they are today. This achievement will cement their names as trailblazers in the industry, as the BET Hip-Hip Awards and many international awards have been a benchmark of success for many African artists.
Also see: Maglera Doe Boy shares how ASAP Rocky reached out for collaboration
