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Imvelaphi
Released May 31, 2024
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Quick Facts
Born
1987
1987
From
South Africa
South Africa
Journey
Yanga Chief, born Yanga Ntshakaza in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, is a South African rapper, singer, songwriter, and creative director celebrated for blending hip-hop with Xhosa identity. Raised in Queenstown, he moved to Johannesburg in 2006 to study Audio-Visual Production at the University of Johannesburg. Before stepping fully into music, he worked as a music-video director, a background that later shaped the visual and narrative richness of his artistry.
His breakthrough arrived in 2014 after contributing to AKA and K.O.’s hit “Run Jozi,” which helped shift him from behind the camera to the forefront of South African music. Yanga Chief’s sound draws from rap, kwaito, Afropop, and traditional Xhosa melodies, often reflecting personal stories, cultural pride, and the contrast between his rural upbringing and city life.
He released the EP Becoming a Pop Star in 2019, followed by his debut album Pop Star in 2020. In 2024 he returned with the intimate EP Imvelaphi, and in 2025 released his second album, Lord Faku – The Life of a Dyan, which reached the top of South Africa’s streaming charts.
Some of his standout tracks include “Utatakho,” which won Song of the Year at the 2019 South African Hip Hop Awards; “Ntoni Na,” certified Gold; “What If? (Mngani),” which later achieved Platinum status; and “Mbali Yam,” a heartfelt tribute to his mother. Over the years he has collaborated with artists such as AKA, K.O., Riky Rick, Dee Koala, Boity, Blxckie, and 25K.
Beyond music, Yanga Chief has taken part in cultural documentaries that explore his Xhosa heritage and has partnered with the SAMPRA Development Fund to support his independent creative work. His career reflects a combination of storytelling, cultural grounding, and artistic versatility, making him a resonant and evolving voice in South African music.
