Stogie T fires subtle shots at Reason over rap versus amapiano

by Zaghrah Anthony

Stogie T questions Reason’s musical focus

South African hip hop heavyweight Stogie T (Tumi Molekane) has sparked conversation about the ongoing rap-to-amapiano trend after appearing on the L-Tido Podcast. The discussion turned heads when Stogie T subtly shaded Reason, the artist formerly signed to his Motif Records label.

Podcast host L-Tido asked about their current relationship, noting that Stogie T and Reason haven’t collaborated in years. Stogie T’s response was blunt:

“I rap, he doesn’t. What does he do?”

After L-Tido clarified that Reason and his alter ego, Sizwe Alakine, are technically distinct musical identities, Stogie T added,

“My bad, I didn’t know it was a different thing.”

Reason’s dual musical identity

For context, Reason built his early career as a rapper, gaining recognition with his 2012 release Audio 3D under Motif Records. Over time, he embraced amapiano under the name Sizwe Alakine—a shift that has stirred debate among fans about artists moving from traditional hip hop into South Africa’s hottest dance genre.

Despite the shift, Reason has never fully abandoned rap. In 2024, he released the hip hop project Audio 2D: Dear Darkie while continuing to chart in the amapiano scene. Fans often see the two names as separate musical personas, but Reason treats them as complementary sides of his artistry, offering the best of both worlds.

Fans and fellow artists react

The podcast snippet quickly circulated online, prompting Reason to respond with humor and surprise on X (formerly Twitter). His rapper girlfriend, Gigi Lamayne, joined the conversation, encouraging him to drop fresh music and teasing the ongoing feud lightly.

Reason has previously explained why amapiano drew him creatively. In an interview with Sowetan, he said:

“I felt the opportunity to do more with the sound because I connected more with it. I like how it sounds, and I like how it feels. I like the tempo and how you can evolve with it.”

Rap versus amapiano: The South African debate

The exchange between Stogie T and Reason reignites an ongoing conversation in South African music: how artists navigate genre transitions without losing credibility. While some fans view moving into amapiano as a natural evolution, others see it as leaving the “real rap game” behind.

Stogie T’s comments highlight the tension between staying true to hip hop roots and embracing emerging genres, a conversation that continues to shape the trajectory of local music in 2026.

Whether fans side with Stogie T or celebrate Reason’s genre fluidity, one thing is clear: South African music is evolving, and artists are proving they can straddle multiple worlds while keeping audiences talking.

Source: IOL

Featured Image: X{@StefanoNotDead}