Pietermaritzburg is no stranger to talent but few collectives are making noise quite like hip-hop label SBlack Entertainment, who recently dropped the album PMB-Ville Vol 1.
The album was launched with a listening session at Intulo Lifestyle in Hilton on June 25.
Three lyrical trailblazers behind the label — The Dope Kid, Twostep ZN and Hlupho_Boy — are carving a name for themselves in South Africa’s hip-hop landscape.
Thubelihle Cele, known as The Dope Kid, brings raw kasi flavour from Emvundlweni to the mic. His journey started in high school, inspired by local performers uMphathi iTsotsi and Ice. He’s since collaborated with artists including Known Stranger (Asikuzwa) and Heavens Gates (Gabi Gabi), with his social media handle @magaye_emv paying homage to his roots.
Sethula Shezi, known as Twostep ZN, blends hip-hop with R&B and Afropop. Born in Durban and raised in Pietermaritzburg, Twostep has earned national recognition through high-profile competitions including Russian Bear Are You Next?, Reeboost and MTN’s Megastar, where he made it to the top seven alongside industry giants K.O and Kwesta.
Mthokozisi “Pa” Mthembu, aka Hlupho_Boy, spent years grinding in Pietermaritzburg’s underground. From cyphers at Rap On Mic and King Cann to a his 15-track debut album UyuHlupho_Boy in 2019, his star has risen. His single No Other Way secured him a deal with SBlack Entertainment and by 2023 he was sharing stages with Nasty C, Big Zulu and Touchline.
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