A reunion between iFani and Dineo Ranaka has sparked a heartfelt reflection on one of the most pivotal moments in South African hip hop. Taking to social media, the rapper shared his gratitude for the broadcaster who helped change the course of his career more than a decade ago.
“Look God, showing me my favourite person,” he wrote. “She blew up ‘Ewe’ on drive time radio in 2011 and that began my music career. How can I not love her to bits?” He continued, “I will always love you, you were the warmth that hatched my career.”
The tribute points back to a defining period in iFani’s rise. While he had already introduced himself with “Hola Hater,” it was the release of Ewe around 2010 that marked a turning point. The track stood out for its confident use of isiXhosa in a mainstream hip hop space that was still largely dominated by English lyricism, giving it both cultural weight and a distinctive edge.
Its breakthrough, however, was not immediate. The song’s trajectory shifted when it found strong support on radio, particularly during peak listening hours. At the time, Dineo Ranaka was hosting a prominent drive time slot on YFM, a station widely regarded as a tastemaker in youth and urban culture. Her decision to give “Ewe” significant airplay introduced the song to a broader audience and accelerated its popularity.
The response was swift. “Ewe” gained national traction, becoming one of the most recognisable hip hop tracks of its time and earning accolades for its music video. The momentum carried iFani into the mainstream, ultimately leading to a recording deal and the release of his debut album, I Believes in Me, which went on to achieve commercial success.
Looking back, the rapper’s tribute underscores the role radio once played in breaking new artists and shaping careers. For iFani, the journey from emerging talent to household name can be traced back to a single moment of belief on air, when “Ewe” moved from an underground release to a cultural phenomenon.
More than a decade later, that moment still resonates, now captured in a reunion that serves as both a personal thank you and a reminder of how careers are often built on timely support and shared belief.
