Kwesta Weighs In On SA Hip-Hop’s Identity Crisis. In a recent sit-down interview on Shady Podcast, multi-platinum rapper Kwesta offered a raw, insightful take on the current state of South African Hip-Hop — and he didn’t hold back. As the culture finds itself at a pivotal crossroads, the seasoned emcee reflected on what he sees as a growing disconnect between the music and its audience.
When asked about the timing of his continued presence in the game, the rapper, affectionately known as DaKAR, spoke like a true grootman — measured, honest, and concerned about the direction the genre is heading.
“I think that is generally… So I don’t know if there’s a fault or a flop by anyone to cause this disconnect,” Kwesta began, before digging deeper into the issue. “But I think the disconnect is because I don’t think people feel represented by today’s Hip-Hop. They don’t feel like a part of what Hip-Hop is about. They don’t feel like Hip-Hop is talking to me. It’s like they are talking amongst themselves.”
Kwesta’s remarks hint at a culture drifting away from its core, from being a mirror to the community, to now being more of a closed conversation between artists chasing trends. While acknowledging the genre’s evolution and the inevitable influence of global movements, he believes this shift might be costing the scene its local soul.
“There’s a lot of influence from global trends rather than an identity of just us,” he emphasised. “I’m not saying sample a Kwaito song or whatever… They are applying the work, amagents, but there’s a disconnect.”
Known for his deeply rooted sound and proudly South African storytelling, Kwesta isn’t calling for nostalgia — he’s calling for reconnection. His words resonate with an audience that once found power, voice, and validation in Hip-Hop but now feels alienated.
“I’ve been here a long time, but I’m no expert,” he admitted humbly. “It’s music — it moves, and you learn, it grows. But I do know there’s a disconnect somehow, and people are feeling left out.”
Kwesta’s reflection couldn’t come at a better time. As the genre enters a new era shaped by sonic experimentation, digital influence, and generational shifts, his voice serves as a grounding force, reminding the culture that the most powerful Hip-Hop is the one that speaks to the people, not past them.
Leave a comment