Yanga Chief
{{Short description|South African musician}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Use South African English|date=December 2021}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Yanga
| birth_name = Yanga Ntshakaza
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1987|10|17}}
| birth_place = Mthata, Eastern Cape
| nationality = South African
| education = University of Johannesburg
| occupation = {{hlist|Record producer|Rapper|Singer|Songwriter}}
| years_active =
| website =
| module = {{Infobox musical artist
| embed = yes
| origin =
| alias =
| genre = {{hlist|Hip Hop|Pop|Trap}}
| label = {{hlist|Fresh 2 Def {{small|(former)}}|Sony Music Africa|Young Legend Music}}
}}
}}
Yanga Ntshakaza (born 17 October 1987), professionally known as Yanga Chief (or mononymously as Yanga) is a South African rapper, record producer and singer-songwriter. Born in Mthatha and raised in Queenstown, Yanga studied film studies at University of Johannesburg.{{cite web|title=WATCH: Yanga paving his own trail - Fourways Review|url=https://fourwaysreview.co.za/233335/watch-yanga-paving-his-own-trail/?pwa-amp|publisher=Fourways Review|access-date=2021-12-10|first=Nkululeko|last=Zilibokwe|date=2016-05-20|archive-date=10 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210204859/https://fourwaysreview.co.za/233335/watch-yanga-paving-his-own-trail/?pwa-amp|url-status=live}}
Career
In late 2000s, Yanga was a videographer for Buttabing Entertainment.{{cite web|title=Yanga Chief's debut is pop excellence : New Frame|url=https://www.newframe.com/yanga-chiefs-debut-is-pop-excellence/|publisher=New Frame|access-date=2021-12-10|first=Sabelo|last=Mkhabela|date=2021-02-10|archive-date=10 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210205830/https://www.newframe.com/yanga-chiefs-debut-is-pop-excellence/|url-status=live}} In 2016, he was featured on AKA's "Dreamwork" which was certified 5× diamond,{{Cite web |date=23 October 2019 |title=AKA gets singles certified diamond and platinum |url=https://www.iol.co.za/entertainment/music/local/aka-gets-singles-certified-diamond-and-platinum-35685525 |access-date=28 July 2023 |website=IOL |archive-date=25 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230225042542/https://www.iol.co.za/entertainment/music/local/aka-gets-singles-certified-diamond-and-platinum-35685525 |url-status=live }} and he co-written Kwesta's song featuring Thabsie "Ngiyaz'fela Ngawe" released in February 26, 2016.{{cite web|first=Annika|last=Melisizwe|date=February 13, 2020|title=AKA Gives Yanga Chief Due Respect for Writing Dope Hooks For Himself, Others|work=Ubetoo|url=https://www.ubetoo.com/news/aka-gives-yanga-chief-due-respect-for-writing-dope-hooks-for-himself-others/|access-date=2021-12-12|archive-date=11 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211211222231/https://www.ubetoo.com/news/aka-gives-yanga-chief-due-respect-for-writing-dope-hooks-for-himself-others/|url-status=live}} Yanga wrote and provided vocals for AKA’s song "Jika" released in 2018. In October 2018, his single "Utatakho" was released. The song peak number one on Metro FM Top 40 charts{{cite web| title=Yanga Chief secures his first number one spot on Metro FM's Top 40 countdown {{!}} Political Analysis South Africa| url=https://www.politicalanalysis.co.za/yanga-chief-secures-his-first-number-one-spot-on-metro-fms-top-40-countdown/| publisher=Political Analysis South Africa| date=2019-04-08| access-date=2021-12-10| archive-date=10 December 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210235028/https://www.politicalanalysis.co.za/yanga-chief-secures-his-first-number-one-spot-on-metro-fms-top-40-countdown/| url-status=live}} and was certified gold in South Africa selling over 10 000 units.{{cite web|title=Yanga Chief's "uTatakho" goes Gold - Groove Africa|date=9 September 2020|url=https://groove-africa.com/yanga-chiefs-utatakho-goes-gold/|publisher=Groove Africa|access-date=2021-12-10|archive-date=10 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210201455/https://groove-africa.com/yanga-chiefs-utatakho-goes-gold/|url-status=live}} In 2019 "Utatakho" won Song of the Year at the South African Hip Hop Awards.{{cite web|title=Interview: Yanga Chief, South Africa's Most Reluctant Pop Star, Is Starting a New Chapter - OkayAfrica|url=https://www.okayafrica.com/amp/yanga-chief-south-africa-pop-star-new-chapter-2648126551|first=Sabelo|last=Mkhabela|publisher=OkayAfrica|access-date=2021-12-10|archive-date=10 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210190636/https://www.okayafrica.com/amp/yanga-chief-south-africa-pop-star-new-chapter-2648126551|url-status=live}} Yanga made "Utatakho Remix" the song features the late South African rappers Riky Rick, Dee Koala and Boity. Yanga ranked number 3 on MTV Base: SA's Hottest MCs 2019.{{cite web|title=These Are The 10 Hottest South African MCs of 2019 According to MTV Base - OkayAfrica|first=Sabelo|last=Mkhabela|url=https://www.okayafrica.com/amp/mtv-base-hottest-mcs-list-2019-2641581593|publisher=OkayAfrica|access-date=2021-12-10|archive-date=10 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210212723/https://www.okayafrica.com/amp/mtv-base-hottest-mcs-list-2019-2641581593|url-status=live}} In October 2019, his extended play (EP) Becoming a Pop Star was released.{{cite web| title =Yanga Chief releases his EP, Becoming A Pop Star (BAPS) – JustNje| url =https://justnje.com/yanga-chief-releases-his-ep-becoming-a-pop-star-baps/| website =justnje.com| access-date =2021-02-13| date =2019-10-18| archive-date =13 February 2022| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20220213043732/https://justnje.com/yanga-chief-releases-his-ep-becoming-a-pop-star-baps/| url-status =live}} Becoming a Pop Star won South African Music Award for Best Hip Hop Album in 2021.{{cite web|title=SA hip-hop celebrates Yanga Chief's Sama win, as he dedicates it to his dad|url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/amp/tshisa-live/tshisa-live/2020-08-06-sa-hip-hop-celebrates-yanga-chiefs-sama-win-as-he-dedicates-it-to-his-dad/|publisher=TimesLIVE|access-date=2021-12-10|first=Chrizelda|last=Kekana|date=2020-08-06|archive-date=10 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210202100/https://www.timeslive.co.za/amp/tshisa-live/tshisa-live/2020-08-06-sa-hip-hop-celebrates-yanga-chiefs-sama-win-as-he-dedicates-it-to-his-dad/|url-status=live}}
Yanga began to work on his debut in 2017. On October 16, 2020, album's pre-add were made available.{{cite web |title=Yanga Chief Announces Release Date For New Album, "Pop Star" - Groove Africa |date=13 October 2020 |url=https://groove-africa.com/yanga-chief-announces-release-date-for-new-album-pop-star/ |publisher=Groove Africa |access-date=2022-02-13 |archive-date=15 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215010407/https://groove-africa.com/yanga-chief-announces-release-date-for-new-album-pop-star/ |url-status=live }}
On November 27, 2020, his debut studio album Pop Star was released in South Africa.{{cite news|title=Yanga Chief on his new release Pop Star : "Every song has meaning for me" {{!}} Drum|url=https://www.news24.com/amp/drum/celebs/news/yanga-chief-on-his-new-release-pop-star-every-song-has-meaning-for-me-20201127|publisher=Drum|location=South Africa|url-access=subscription|first=Qhama|last=Dayile|date=2020-11-20|access-date=2021-12-10|archive-date=10 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210195440/https://www.news24.com/amp/drum/celebs/news/yanga-chief-on-his-new-release-pop-star-every-song-has-meaning-for-me-20201127|url-status=live}} The album received positive reviews from music critics.{{cite web |title=Yanga Chief Takes The Lead With His Debut Album 'Pop Star' - OkayAfrica |url=https://www.okayafrica.com/amp/yanga-chief-pop-star-album-review-2650139358 |publisher=OkayAfrica |date=2021-01-26 |first=Sipho |last=Fako |access-date=2021-12-10 |archive-date=28 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028093457/https://www.okayafrica.com/amp/yanga-chief-pop-star-album-review-2650139358 |url-status=live }}
He teamed up with Blxckie and 25K on single "Ntoni Na", which music video premiered on MTV Base on the 31st of August 2021.{{Cite web|date=2021-09-03|title=Yanga Teams Up With New Wave Rappers 25K & Blxckie On Ntoni Na|url=https://www.samdb.co.za/blogs/blog/2021/09/03/yanga-teams-up-with-new-wave-rappers-25k-blxckie-on-ntoni-na/|access-date=2022-02-13|website=SAMDB News|language=en-ZA|archive-date=13 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220213041331/https://www.samdb.co.za/blogs/blog/2021/09/03/yanga-teams-up-with-new-wave-rappers-25k-blxckie-on-ntoni-na/|url-status=live}} In 2022 he made a single called "Benjamins" where he features Emtee and Henny Belit.
His extended play Imvelaphi, was released on May 31, 2024.{{cite news|url-access=subscription|title=A homage to heritage and healing: Yanga Chief reflects on musical tribute, six-track EP Imvelaphi|language=en-ZA |publisher=News24|access-date=2024-06-08|location=South Africa |date=2024-06-05 |first=Constance|last=Gaanakgomo|url=
https://www.news24.com/life/arts-and-entertainment/music/a-homage-to-heritage-and-healing-yanga-chief-reflects-on-musical-tribute-six-track-ep-imvelaphi-20240605}} It was supported by one single "Mbali Yam".
His second studio album Lord Faku - The Life Of A Dyan was released on February 21, 2025.{{cite news|url-access=subscription|location=South Africa|language=en-ZA|url=https://www.news24.com/life/arts-and-entertainment/music/given-it-my-all-yanga-chief-crowns-musical-reawakening-with-new-lord-faku-the-life-of-a-dyan-20250306|title='Given it my all': Yanga Chief crowns musical reawakening with new Lord Faku - The Life of A Dyan|first=Constance|last= Gaanakgomo|date=2025-03-06|publisher=News24|access-date=2025-03-16}}{{cite web|title=Yanga Chief’s new ‘Lord Faku’ album deserves a spot on your playlist rotation|first=Nomonde|last=Simelane|url=https://www.bona.co.za/entertainment/yanga-chiefs-new-lord-faku-album-deserves-a-spot-on-your-playlist-rotation/|work=Bona Magazine|access-date=2025-03-15}} The song "What If? Mngani" peaked No. 1 on the SA Spotify Daily Charts and reached No. 1 on Local Streaming Charts Top 10.{{cite web|first=Nkosazana|last= Peshwa|url=https://www.iol.co.za/entertainment/music/local/yanga-chiefs-what-if-mngani-makes-history-as-topping-the-charts-1bd3ebec-be83-4d9d-8ed0-6073ebf06f01|work=Independent Online|access-date=2025-03-16|title=Yanga Chief's "What if Mngani " Makes History as ,Topping the Charts|date=2025-03-06}}{{cite web|title=Yanga Chief’s Royal Musical Reign|work=The Official South African Charts|url=https://theofficialsacharts.co.za/yanga-chiefs-royal-musical-reign-ed-175/|access-date=2025-03-16|date=2025-03-14}}
Discography
=Studio albums=
- Pop Star (2020)
- Lord Faku - The Life Of A Dyan (2025)
Other charted and certified songs
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
|+ List of other charted songs, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name |
| scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| Certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album |
|---|
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:100%;"|ZA |
| scope="row" |"What If? Mngani"
|2025 | |Lord Faku - The Life Of A Dyan |
| colspan="8" style="font-size:90%"| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
!Year !Award ceremony !Category !Recipient/Nominated work !Results !{{abbr|Ref.|References}} |
| scope="row"|2016
|rowspan="6"|South African Hip Hop Awards |Best Collabo |{{center|"Dreamwork"}} |{{nom}} |
|---|
| scope="row"|2019
|Song of the Year |{{center|"Utatakho"}} |{{won}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="4"|2020
|Mixtape of the Year |{{center|Becoming a Pop Star}} |{{won}} |
| Song of the Year
|rowspan="4"|{{center|"Utatakho Remix"}} |{{nom}} |
| Best Collaboration
|{{nom}} |
| Best Remix
|{{nom}} |
| scope="row" rowspan="4"|2020
|rowspan="5"|South African Music Awards |Remix of the Year |{{nom}} |
| Best Hip Hop Album
|{{center|Becoming a Pop Star}} |{{won}} |
| Best Music Video of the Year
| rowspan="2"|{{center|"Jika"}} | {{won}} |
| Record of the Year
| {{nom}} |
| scope="row"|2021
|Best Hip Hop Album |{{center|Pop Star}} |{{nom}} |
| scope="row"|2022
|Rapper of the Year |{{center|Himself}} |{{nom}} |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{instagram}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Yanga Chief}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Chief, Yanga}}
Category:South African male rappers