Eastern Cape’s rap genre continues to grow as two talents collaborate for a joint EP which dropped recently.
Gqeberha’s rising Xhosa rap sensation Gaffi has teamed up with Qonce’s genre-pushing artist B8SE for a genre-defying joint EP titled CHA$AURA – a name that fuses their alter egos ‘Machasa’ (Gaffi) and ‘Aura’ (B8SE), representing a powerful artistic union.
CHA$AURA offers a wide spectrum of sound, blending hard-hitting, witty lyricism with emotionally rich, high-energy production.
This isn’t just a collection of tracks, it’s a journey through two creative minds, showcasing the rich cultural backdrops of Gqeberha and Qonce .
Gaffi’s raw Xhosa delivery meets B8SE’s textured flows, creating a rare chemistry that’s both explosive and grounded.
To the project’s direction and coherence was Shawn Crekle ,who served as executive producer. With a clear vision and deep understanding of each artist’s strengths, Crekle helped architect CHA$AURA from the ground up overseeing its structure, sequencing, and creative synergy.
CHA$AURA is more than music it’s a statement. Originally, fan-fueled social media drama attempted to pit Gaffi and B8SE against each other. But instead of taking the bait, the artists flipped the narrative.
Talking to BONA, both artists shared what the album means to them and the journey of bringing it to life, “This project means so much to me because it marks my very first collaborative EP. What makes it even more special is that I teamed up with Gaffi — an artist I’ve been listening to and looking up to for years,” said B8SE.
“From the moment we decided to work together, I already had a clear vision of how the outcome would sound. Cha$Aura isn’t just a release; it’s a moment I’ve been manifesting for a long time,” he added.
“They tried to make us enemies, but we were too smart for that,” said Gaffi during a recent IG Live.
“CHA$AURA means a lot to me because it’s not just a project it’s a reflection of growth, unity, and creativity. For me, it was about showing that we, as artists from different cities with different styles, can build something powerful together. It also let me dig deeper into who I am as Machasa, using my mother tongue, my energy, and my truth to tell stories that are real to where I come from. It’s a statement that we don’t need to follow trends we create our own lane,” he added.
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