Born and raised in KwaMashu in 1988, Ntokozo Zakwe, known by his stage name Zakwe, is a talented South African rapper. He has been recognized for his exceptional lyrical skills, winning prestigious awards such as the first South African Hip Hop Awards for Best Lyricist and The Metro FM Awards 2013 for Best Hip Hop artist.
Profile Summary
| Full Name: | Ntokozo Zakwe |
| Date Of Birth: | March 8, 1988 |
| Place Of Birth: | KwaMashu, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| Nationality: | South African |
| Occupation(s): | Rapper, Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer |
| Labels: | Universal Music |
| Net Worth: | $500k |
Early Life And Education
Hailing from KwaMashu and born in 1988, the talented South African rapper known as Zakwe, real name Ntokozo Zakwe, has garnered acclaim for his exceptional skills with words. His prowess in lyricism has been honored with prestigious awards, including the first South African Hip Hop Awards for Best Lyricist and The Metro FM Awards 2013 for Best Hip Hop artist.
Career
Zakwe’s early career involved street performances in Kwa-Mashu and Msinga, where he gained recognition for his mixtapes like Street Music. His success led to tracks featured on Hype Sessions and collaborations with artists like Zuluboy.
In 2011, his self-titled debut album went gold, earning five award nominations, including a Metro FM Award and South African Hip Hop Award for Best Lyricist. It was the first Zulu hip hop album to achieve gold status.
Zakwe’s career has been illustrious, marked by lucrative endorsement deals with SAB Miller and Hennessy. He performed at prestigious events like the 2011 Metro FM awards, 2012 and 2013 South African Music Awards, and opened for Kanye West in 2013.
His album “Impande” in 2015 received three South African Hip Hop Awards nominations, and he won the Best Vernacular Hip Hop award at the South African Traditional Music Awards for “Reverse.” The hit single “Sebentin” in 2017 and the remix won accolades, while his album “Cebisa” in 2018 went gold.
His joint album with Duncan, released in December 2020, showcases their collaborative talent, solidifying Zakwe’s significant impact in the South African music industry. He is nominated for Artist of the Decade at the upcoming South African Hip Hop Awards in 2021.
Personal Life
Zakwe, whose birth name is Ntokozo Zakwe and hails from KwaMashu, is a South African rapper known for his preference for keeping a low profile. He values privacy and does not often share details of his personal life with the public. However, it is known that he is happily married.
Zakwe Net Worth
Zakwe’s net worth as of 2024 is estimated to be around $500,000. His success in the music industry, coupled with accolades and a dedicated fan base, has contributed to his financial prosperity.
Discography
Albums:
- Zakwe (2011)
- Zakwe – Deluxe Edition (2012)
- Impande(2015)
- Cebisa (2018)
- Zakwe and Duncan (With Duncan) – (2022)
EPs:
- Street Music EP (2013)
Singles:
- Sebentin (featuring Musiholiq, Cassper Nyovest, Kwesta, Blaklez, HHP & Pro) – 2017
- More Blessings (featuring Kwesta) – 2019
- Ngiyabonga (featuring Tribal) – 2020
- Hell (featuring MPK) – 2021
