K.O (rapper)

South African rapper, songwriter and businessman

  • Rapper
  • record producer
  • businessman
Years active2005–presentLabels
  • Cashtime Life (former)
  • Sony Music Africa
Skhanda WorldFormerly ofTeargas
Musical artist

Ntokozo Mdluli (born 13 October 1980), known professionally as K.O, is a South African rapper.[1] He began his career as a member of Teargas, a hip hop group which released its debut album, K'shubile K'bovu, in 2006,[2] followed by Wafa Wafa (2008),[3] Dark or Blue (2009)[4] and Num8er Num8er (2012).[5]

Born and raised in Piet Retief, Mpumalanga, K.O obtained a National Diploma in Public Relations Management at Vaal University of Technology.

After leaving Teargas, K.O pursued a solo career and released his solo debut album Skhanda Republic (2014).[6] It debuted at #1 in South Africa and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RISA).[7]

K.O's second studio album Skhanda Republic 2 (2017)[8] was released in partnership with Sony Music Entertainment Africa.

His fourth studio album SR3 (2022)[9] which was certified platinum by Recording Industry of South Africa. It spawned a single "SETE", debuted atop at number one on Radio Monitor Charts for 19 consecutive weeks became his first single to reach that summit.

His accolades includes 6 South African Music Awards, 3 South African Hip Hop Awards and 1 MTV Awards.

Early life

Ntokozo Mdluli was born 13 October 1980 in Piet Retief, Mpumalanga.[10][11] He is the son of Thembisile Mdluli and Jabulani Mdluli.[12] K.O attended Vaal University of Technology and obtained a National Diploma in Public Relations Management.[13][14]

While attending Vaal University of Technology, Mdluli met his would-be bandmates Ezee "Ma-E" Hanabe and Bantu "Ntukza" Hanabe.[15] After completed his studies, K.O spent two years unemployed before his mother sent his CV to the South African Police Service but he never followed up. "I was trying to make demos with funding from my parents and they believed in my dream but I eventually started giving up. My mother sent my CV to the SAPS but I didn't go for the interview. The day of the interview I knew I was struggling but I couldn't go through with it," K.O was quoted saying in the Sowetan.[16]

Music career

2004–2009: Teargas

In 2004, while he was employed in Public Relations, K.O, Ma-E and Ntukza decided to form a hip hop group called Teargas.[17] In 2005, Teargas signed with Electromode Music. "We realised it would be better to join since we were already good friends who knew each other's rhyming style", K.O was quoted by News24.[18]

In 2006, Teargas released their debut album, K'shubile K'bovu. The album was very successful.[19] The fifteen-track album featured "Chance", a hip hop song chronicling a life of a township gangster seeking redemption, was reminiscent of the early days of Kwaito.[20]

In 2008, Teargas released their second studio album Wafa Wafa. In the sixteen-track album, the group worked with Bongo Riot on two songs, "Champions" and "Sunshine".[21]

In 2009, they released their third studio album titled Dark or Blue.[4] In the thirteen-track album, Teargas collaborated with Tamarsha on the song titled "Life",[22] with DJ Tira and Liesl Penniken on the song titled "Party 101",[23] with Hip Hop Pantsula and Pro on the song "Goodfellaz"[24] and with Danny K on the song "T.L.C. (Tender, Love and Care)".[25]

In 2012, Teargas released their fourth and final studio album called Number Number (stylized Num8er Num8er),.[5] In the fifteen-track album, they worked with 2Face on "Turning Tables",[26] with Lilly Million on "Forgive Me",[27] with Toya Delazy on "Paradise"[28] and Ziyon on "Put U On".[29]

In an interview with the Sunday World K.O dismissed claims that Teargas split. "We have decided to individually try new things just like Mafikizolo did. We are taking a break but it does not mean we are a dead group," K.O said.[30]

2013–15: Skhanda Republic

In 2013, K.O joined forces with Teargas bandmate, Ma-E, and music and marketing executive Thabiso Khati to form an entertainment company, Cashtime Life. K.O became its first artist.[31][32]

In 2014, K.O was featured on AKA's single, "Run Jozi (Godly)".[33] The verse by K.O was ranked as one of the greatest verses in South African hip hop.[34]

In March 2014, he released a second single from his debut studio album, "Caracara", and it garned over one million views on YouTube. "Caracara" won Record of the Year and Best Collaboration at the 20th annual ceremony of South African Music Awards.[35] In addition, "Caracara" was nominated for Best Hit Single, Best Collaboration and Best Music Video at the 14th Annual Metro FM Awards.[36]

K.O later released "Son of a Gun", a third single from his first album.

In November 2014, K.O's first solo album, Skhanda Republic, was released.[37] Skhanda Republic was nominated for Male artist of the Year, Album of the Year and won Best Rap Album at 20th ceremony of South African Music Awards.[35] In addition, Skhanda Republic was nominated for Best Hip Hop Album and Best Male Album at the 14th Annual Metro FM Awards.[36]

K.O won the MTV Base MC of the year crown in November 2014.[38][39][40]

2016–19: SR2, PTY UnLTD

In July 2017, Ntokozo signed a partnership & distribution with Sony Entertainment.[41] He released his single "No Feelings" on 21 July. Production was handled by Hylton Brooker and Gemini Major.[42] The song was certified platinum, with sales of 25,000 copies.[43] He released a single, "Don Dada", featuring Okmalumkoolkat, on 14 October.[44]

Ntokozo released his second album, Skhanda Republic 2, in October 2017.[45] In March 2019, his single "Supa Dupa" was released as his third album's lead single.[46] The song was certified 2× gold, with sales of 20,000 copies.[47] "Say U Will" was released as the second single. He went on to follow-up with his third solo album, titled PTY UnLTD, in 2019.[48]

"Supa Dupa" is the only South African hip hop song to receive a gold plaque in the 2019.

2021–2023: Skhanda Republic 3

In September 2021, he announced his upcoming fourth album Skhanda Republic 3, and released "Playback" on October 15, 2021.[49][50]

The second single "Emoyeni" was released on March 25, 2022.[51]

His single "SETE" featuring Young Stunna, Blxckie was released on 22 August 2022, along with music video.[52] The song debuted number one on Radio Monitor Charts for 19 consecutive weeks, became the longest charting single.[53][54] It also entered Local and International Radio Chart Top 10 at number 1.[55] In addition, "SETE" was number 1 on Official SA Charts list of SA's most streamed songs of 2022.[53]

The song was certified Multi-Platinum by the Recording Industry of South Africa.[56]

His fourth studio album Skhanda Republic 3 was released on 16 September 2022.[57] It features Sjava, Msaki, Zuma, Pabi Cooper and Sarkodie.

Upon its release the album debuted number one on Spotify Weekly Top Albums SA Chart and was certified platinum by RISA.[58]

2024-present: Upcoming album

His single "Too Much" with Nasty C was released on 15 August 2024. It debuted number 10 on Local Streaming Charts.[59]

In August 2024, K.O announced his fifth upcoming studio album I Think You Spoke Too Soon, set to be released on October 18.[60][61]

Personal life

In May 2014, K.O lost a significant amount of weight. Rumours appeared on social media that K.O was HIV-positive.[62] His manager, Thabiso Khati, denied those rumours, stating that K.O had undergone a strict diet plan and was exercising regularly.[63][64] K.O later released a statement regarding his health and posted a picture of his blood test results on his Twitter and Instagram pages showing that he was HIV negative.[65][66]

Awards and nominations

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref
2014 "Caracara" Most Gifted Male Nominated [67]
Most Gifted Duo/Group or Featuring Artist Nominated [67]
Most Gifted Hip Hop Nominated [68]
Most Gifted Southern Artist Nominated [68]
Most Gifted Video of the Year Nominated [68]

South African Music Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2015 "Skhanda Republic" Record of The Year ("Caracara") Won
Rap Album of The Year Won
Best Collaboration ("Caracara" ft Kid X) Won
2020 "PtyUnltd" Record of The Year ("Supa Dupa") Nominated
Rap Album of The Year Nominated
Best Collaboration ("Say You Will ft Nandi Madida") Won
2021 "Lucky Star" Best Produced Music Video Nominated[69]
2023[70] SR3 Male Artist of the Year Nominated
Album of the Year Nominated
"SETE" featuring Young Stunna, Blxckie Best Collaboration Nominated
Best Produced Music Video Nominated
SAMRO Highest AirPlay Composer Won
CAPASSO Most Streamed Song Won
"SETE" featuring Young Stunna, Oxlade and Diamond Platnumz Remix of the Year Nominated
Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2022
"SETE"
 Best Video Won [71]
Best Collaboration Won
Song of the Year Won
K.O leads the 2023 Metro FM Music Awards nomination list with 7 nominations.
Year Category Recipient/Nominated work Results Ref.
2023 Song of the Year
"SETE"
 Nominated [72]
Artist of the Year Nominated
Best Hip Hop Artist Nominated
Best Male Artist Nominated
Best Music Video Nominated
Best Collaboration Song Nominated
Best Viral Challenge Nominated [73]

Discography

Studio albums

  • Skhanda Republic (2014)
  • Skhanda Republic 2 (2017)
  • PTY UnLTD (2019)
  • Skhanda Republic 3 (2022)

Extended plays

  • 2Piece (2018)

As member of Teargas

  • K'shubile K'bovu (2006)
  • Wafa Wafa (2008)
  • Dark or Blue (2009)
  • Num8er Num8er (2012)

As lead artist

List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
ZA
"Caracara" (featuring KiD X) 2014 6 Skhanda Republic
"Say You Will" (featuring Nandi Madida) 2019 PTY Unltd
"Supa Dupa" 1
"Lucky Star" 2021 Non-album singles
"K:HOVA" Non-album single
"Playback" Non-album single
"Emoyeni" 2022 Non-album single
"SKHANDAVILLE (Freestyle)" SR3
"Omega (Freestyle)" Non-album single
"SETE" (featuring Young Stunna and Blxckie) 1[74] RISA: 3× Platinum[75][76] SR3
"Rockabye" (featuring Toss) 2023 Non-album single
"Y.O.U." 2024 — Non-album single
"Let Me Cook" (featuring Maglera Doe Boy) — Non-album single
"Electra" — Non-album single
"On The Way (From "Losing Lerato 2")" — Non-album single
"Too Much" (K.O, Nasty C) 10[59] Non-album single
"We are K.O" — Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
List of singles as featured artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
ZA
"God's Will" (DJ Vigilante featuring AKA & K.O) 2013 —
"Nobody But Me" (Vanesse Mdee featuring K.O) 2015 — Non-album single
"Kabelai (Pucado featuring Wizkid, K.O) —
"Money" (Ryki feat. K.O) 2018 —
"iWalk Ye Phara" (DJ Maphorisa, DJ Raybel featuring Moonchild Sanelly, K.O, Zulu Mkhathini) —
"Pasop! (DJ Vigilante feat. K.O, Maggz, Moozlie, MA-E, Kid X) 2019 —
"Bang Out" (DJ Vigilante featuring AKA, K.O, Nasty C) — Non-album single
"Killa Combo" (Skhanda World featuring K.O, Tellaman, Zingah, Mariechan, Loki.) 2020 —
"Section (Loki. featuring K.O) —
"Navigator" (MA-E featuring K.O) —
"Cold Summer" (Skhandaworld featuring K.O, Loki., Roiii, Kwesta) —
"Mshimane 2.0" (Stini Le Thwenny featuring K.O, Major League Djz, Khuli Chana) 2021 —
"Asambe" (DJ Mr X featuring K.O, Cassper Nyovest, Loki., Roiii) —
"Dear My Love" (Big Zulu featuring K.O, Siya Ntuli & Xowla) 2022 —
"Isitha" (Skhandaworld featuring Aymos, K.O, Loki., Roiii) 2023 —
"Namhlanje" (Xowla featuring K.O) 2024 — Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

References

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  3. ^ Wafa Wafa by Teargas on Apple Music. 24 March 2008. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
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  5. ^ a b Num8er Num8er by Teargas on Apple Music. 23 August 2012. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
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