Yanga Chief has taken the South African hip-hop scene by storm, securing the No. 1 spot on the SA Spotify daily chart with his latest album, Lord Faku — The Life Of A Dyan.
His viral single What If has propelled him to become the first SA hip-hop artist in four years to achieve this milestone.
Reflecting on his journey, Yanga Chief, born Yanga Ntshakaza, shared that he initially joined the music industry to understand the business side of things.
Now, as an independent artist, he acknowledges the support of the Sampra Development Fund in helping him bring his vision to life.
For his latest project, the 37-year-old rapper took a more personal approach, focusing on creating music that resonates deeply with listeners.
He didn’t pre-select a lead single, allowing fans to decide, and What If emerged as the standout track. He describes it as a song that captures a collective South African experience—one rooted in love for the country and its people.
Grateful for the album’s success, Yanga Chief sees this moment as a testament to the evolution of SA hip-hop.
He has always embraced the genre’s versatility, fusing different musical influences while staying true to his Xhosa roots. With the momentum building, he is now gearing up for a Lord Faku album tour.
