Shamiso Mosaka defends Nadia Nakai’s spot as top SA female rapper

Read the Room podcast co-host Shamiso Mosaka shared her views on who she thought was the top female South African rapper, naming Nadia Nakai as being on the same level as her male counterparts.

Also see: Shamiso Mosaka distances herself from ‘Podcast and Chill’s’ distasteful remarks

Nadia Nakai as a top female MC

In a clip posted on X from the podcast, Londie London asked Shamiso and Phil Mphela whether South Africa had a top female rapper who was at the same level as AKA or K.O., prompting Shamiso to suggest Nadia.

“I think Nadia is our biggest woman rapper.” The TV personality shared. Phil seemed hesitant to agree, sharing that the only song he knows was one of the rapper’s biggest hits, Bragga.

However, Shamiso pushed back and explained that Nadia has a few hits under her belt, referencing her Nadia Naked album. She also based her verdict on commercial success, acknowledging the rapping talents of other female rappers like Rouge.

Also see: Nadia Nakai and Toss unite for a new joint EP

Internet rates female rappers

This clip sparked discourse online. Some agreed with Shamiso’s views, while others felt there were better rappers in the country.

An X user shared names like Gigi LaMayne and Zulu Mecca, agreeing that Nadia may take the top spot based on commercial success, not lyricism.

Another also dismissed Shamiso’s thoughts as a stretch.

However, Nakai’s fans came with receipts. One responded, stating that there’s no other female rapper with a BET nomination, and another claimed that Nadia Naked was the most-streamed album from a female hip-hop artist in the country.

 South African female rappers

Nadia is documented as a successful female rapper in the country, coming on the scene in 2013 with her debut single, Like Me. Nadia has worked with big names like Cassper Nyovest, her former boyfriend, the late AKA, Riky Rick and more. At the height of the golden era of South African hip hop, she was a prominent name.

However, at the time, many female rappers in the country were also emerging, such as Gigi LaMayne, Moozlie, Fifi Cooper and Rouge, among many other impactful names.

Also see: ‘I don’t want to love a ghost’ Nadia Nakai unpacks life without AKA