Introduction
Senzo Brikka Vilakazi (born 11 August 1988) known professionally as Kwesta, is a South Africanrapper and songwriter.
He was born in Katlehong,Gauteng, a township also known as "K1". He is currently signed to his own Independent and media company known as Rap Lyf with co-founder Kid X. His third studio album DaKAR II was released on 26 February 2016.
Early life
Kwesta attended Phumulani Secondary School in Katlehong for three years, and later Alafang High School.
He developed an interest in poetry during his high school years and received positive feedback and encouragement from fellow students and teachers.
In 2003, Kwesta, then known as Quest, and some friends, formed a group called "Ghetto Fellaz", which became known as "The Juvenylz" with an additional member. Kwesta dropped out of high school at age 16 to pursue his music career full-time. He recorded his first demo in his home studio. This demo caught the attention of Africa's Most Southern Record Company (AMS), which eventually allowed him to use their recording facilities.
Kwesta, still a teenager, convinced his mother to give him taxi fare necessary to get to Buttabing Entertainment's offices. This meeting resulted in him being added to Buttabing Entertainment's roster, co-owned by founding members Shugasmakx and Slikour.
Special Rekwest
Kwesta's debut studio album Special Rekwest was released in September 2010. The first single was "Stomp". Other singles included "Flash It," "Babhemi," "Flava" and "Pump It". Kwesta was then 22 years old.
DaKAR
Kwesta's second studio album DaKAR (Da King of Afrikan Rap) was released digitally on 25 November 2013. It debuted at number 3 on the South African iTunes Hip-hop / Rap Chart.The album was well received by fans and music industry insiders.
DaKAR II
Kwesta's third studio album DaKAR II, a double-disc album, was released on 26 February 2016 and was preceded by three major singles, "Nomayini" and "Ngud'". The latter features guest vocals from fellow South African rapper Cassper Nyovest. Ngud was released as a radio-edit on 23 November 2015, and the music video dropped in early 2016. In 2017, he released"Ngiyaz'fela Ngawe" with Thabsie . The video currently has 6 million views on YouTube.
Discography
Notable singles
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certification | Album | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa (EMA) | |||||||||||||
| "Ngud'" | 2016 | 1 | RISA:
7x Platinum |
DaKAR II | |||||||||
| "Spirit" | 2017 | 1 | RISA: Platinum | Non-album single | |||||||||
| "Vur Vai" | 2018 | – | TBA | Non-album single | |||||||||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||||||||||||
As featured artist
Run It Up (Rich Homie Quan ft. Kwesta)
Studio albums
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Special ReKwest |
|
| DaKAR (Da King of Afrikan Rap) |
|
| DaKAR II |
|
| 2 Skeif |
|
Mixtapes
- Unkwestionable, 2009
- Rally 4 DaKAR, 2012