That time Mzansi rappers went in hard to revive hip hop

There's no evidence that hip hop needed rescuing or that it was fading into the background due to the rise and popularity of amapiano, but a few rappers convinced themselves towards the end of the year they would revive hip hop.

Be it from diss tracks, mizing the challenges and steering a different approach and debate, here are the moments we were convinced we were going somewhere:

Era of diss tracks — Big Zulu challenges rappers

It started when rapper Big Zulu released his diss track 150 Bars, taking a swipe at Cassper Nyovest, AKA, Emtee, Stogie T, Nasty C, K.O, Nota Baloyi and podcaster Slik Talk in a five-minute audio.

Big Zulu's diss track triggered a response from a few rappers who were mentioned and it eventually opened up a conversation among fabs of the genre.

Challenge accepted-rappers reply

K.O responded, putting out Omega Freestyle.

“I see right through his efforts though can’t be mad at him trying to stir up a conversation,” he wrote.

Kwesta also responded with Quantham (First Load).

Duncan shocked fans when he released Umngcwabo in response to Big Zulu.

Cassper Nyovest came in with his reply with a track titled 4steps back  and with it he claimed he owned the hip hop scene after all he coined the phrase ke hip hop dawg!

Rappers who sat the diss track frenzy out

While most fans were debating semantics on what was rap and what was not. Or which rapper missed the plot, others were not so impressed with the hype and chose not to participate in the race and watched from the sidelines, with a thing or two to say of course. 

AKA took to his Twitter timeline saying he had no interest in taking part in hip hop squabbles.

“I’m focused on making the best music I can for the megacy. I’ve spent a lot of time on beef and all types of nonsense over the past few years. I will definitely be sitting this one out.”

Gemini Major was not moved by the surge in diss tracks that kept Mzansi entertained and pitted rappers against each other.

“Just make music. If you guys want to make hip hop so much more exciting, how about you collaborate, he said on Everything South African Music podcast​.

Stogie T said he didn't want to classify the song as rap. 

“It’s weird, it's hard to call it a diss track. I battle rap as well. So when you are on that stage you are battle rapping and the rules go out the window except for [the] physical, don't hurt anyone. I respect the sport of dissing,” he told TshisaLIVE.

Taking to his Twitter timeline, Reason weighed in and said the back and forth would not be sustainable for the future of hip hop and predicted the hype would soon die out. 

“Also, I hate to say this, but these diss records aren't going to bring hip hop back. They [are] only [going to] benefit Big Zulu and K.O. But the only thing that can revive hip hop is hip hop artists reviving themselves. That’s it. Yes, this is a special moment. But it’s only a moment.”

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