Usimamane appeared on the L-Tido Podcast where he opened up about his rise in hip hop, reflecting on the records that shaped his early career and the response that followed his breakout run. The conversation moved through his approach to music, chart success and how he views recognition within the industry.
He spoke plainly about what he believes drives reach in hip hop, placing emphasis on the need for strong songs that connect beyond lyrics alone. “In hip-hop we all know this, we need hits as much as people rapping, we did the rapping didn’t help we need hits,” he said.
The exchange continued with L-Tido agreeing on the importance of hit records, highlighting how standout songs often determine how far an artist’s work travels and how audiences respond to new releases across platforms.
Usimamane then shifted into reflection, revisiting a period in 2023 where his music gained significant streaming attention and placed him among the most listened to hip hop acts at the time. He described his involvement in building his catalogue from the ground up and the impact of his breakout record Cheque. “I’m the one doing the tracks, I dropped Cheque and things moved from there,” he said, pointing to his early output as the foundation of his rise.
He went further, addressing conversations around his success and how it was interpreted at the time of his signing journey. According to him, the numbers were already in place before industry attention fully aligned with his career path. He spoke about building early recognition through consistent releases and maintaining ownership of his creative direction. “I’m the reason why I was the most streamed hip-hop artist in 2023, I was actually number two on Spotify,” he shared and continued, “Me I dropped Cheque. They forget that I did six billion right in front of them before I signed with Gamma,” he said while speaking about the period before his signing.
A key part of the discussion centred on Cheque, which he described as a defining release that placed him in top streaming conversations. “It was only Cheque and no other South African hip hop song,” he said, recalling how the track stood alone in chart spaces dominated by international music at the time.
L-Tido challenged some of the claims, suggesting that recognition and acknowledgement within the industry may have been more present than described. He referenced shared moments and public appearances where credit was given, questioning the idea that support was absent. “I even saw you, people were giving you your props,” he responded during the discussion.
Usimamane maintained his perspective, explaining that his experience felt different from what others may have observed externally. He emphasised that he often felt like his contributions were overlooked despite the visibility of his achievements and chart performance during that period.
The conversation also touched on his broader body of work, where he referenced the performance of his debut album and its streaming reach. He described it as a major milestone in his career, pointing to figures that crossed significant streaming thresholds and positioned the project among notable hip hop releases in South Africa.
Born and raised in South Africa, Usimamane has built his career through a steady stream of releases that gained traction through digital platforms and audience engagement. His rise has been marked by early chart entries, consistent streaming growth, and a debut project that further established his presence in the genre.
Throughout the interview, he returned to the idea of ownership and persistence, framing his journey as one built on direct involvement in his music. The discussion closed with a reflection on how he views his place in the current hip hop landscape, shaped by both early success and ongoing recognition from listeners who followed his initial breakthrough phase.
