Yanga Chief, born Yanga Ntshakaza on October 17, 1987, is a prominent South African rapper, singer-songwriter, and record producer. He is celebrated for fusing hip hop with Xhosa cultural elements and has played a significant role in shaping the modern South African rap scene both as a solo artist and a prolific songwriter.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Yanga Ntshakaza |
| Date of Birth | October 17, 1987 |
| Place of Birth | Mthatha, Eastern Cape, South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| Occupations | Rapper, Singer-Songwriter, Record Producer |
| Labels | Vth Season |
| Net Worth | $500,000 – $2 million |
Early Life and Education
Yanga was born in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, and spent his childhood in Queenstown. In 2006, he relocated to Johannesburg to pursue his ambitions. He studied Film Studies and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Audio Visual Production Management from the University of Johannesburg.
Career
Yanga Chief started his career as a videographer for Buttabing Entertainment in the late 2000s. His breakthrough came in 2014 when he featured on AKA’s track “Run Jozi.”
He has written and contributed vocals to several hit songs, including AKA’s “Jika” and Kwesta’s “Ngiyaz’fela Ngawe.” His own single “Utatakho” (2018) became a chart-topping hit and won Song of the Year at the 2019 South African Hip Hop Awards.
He released the well-received EP Becoming a Pop Star in 2019, which won Best Hip Hop Album at the 2021 South African Music Awards.
His debut album Pop Star (2020) and subsequent album Lord Faku – The Life Of A Dyan (2025) further solidified his reputation, with singles like “What If? Mngani” achieving significant streaming success.
Yanga Chief is also highly regarded for his songwriting contributions to artists such as AKA, Kwesta, and JR.
Personal Life
Yanga Chief has always been very private about his personal life. In May 2020, his girlfriend Tanya Ntungwa publicly revealed their relationship on social media, sharing that Yanga prefers to keep their romance out of the spotlight.
Tanya wrote, “Guys, this is my boyfriend, I am claiming him to the streets, he insists on keeping me very private. It’s concerning if anyone thinks otherwise, just message me, it’s on sight.” Despite their relationship being known, Yanga continues to maintain a low profile regarding his love life.
He is known for embracing his Xhosa heritage and incorporating it deeply into his music and artistic identity.
Yanga Chief Net Worth
As of 2025, Yanga Chief’s net worth is estimated to be around $500,000 to $2 million, reflecting his impressive music sales, live performances, and collaborations.
Discography
- Lost In The Sauce (EP, 2016)
- Becoming a Pop Star (EP, 2019)
- Pop Star (Album, 2020)
- Lord Faku – The Life Of A Dyan (Album, 2025)
- Notable Singles: “Utatakho,” “Who Shot Ya,” “What If? Mngani”
Awards and Nominations
- 2019 South African Hip Hop Awards:
- Won Song of the Year for “Utatakho”
- 2021 South African Music Awards (SAMA):
- Won Best Hip Hop Album for Becoming a Pop Star
- Won Best Music Video for “Jika”
- Nominated for Record of the Year for “Jika”
- Multiple nominations at South African Hip Hop Awards for:
- Best Collaboration and Best Remix for “Utatakho Remix”
- 2022 Global Music Awards Africa:
- Nominated for Rapper of the Year
Yanga Chief is widely recognized for his lyrical prowess, production talents, and influential role in the evolution of South African hip hop music.
