WATCH: Azaadville’s multi-skilled rapper in action
A 20-year-old from Azaadville who turned to music when he was going through a difficult phase in his life is now a multi-skilled rapper.
“My music is about people and my sound reflects that.”
Azaadville resident, the 28-year-old Nkosinathi Hangana aka Snyden is a Soweto-born wordsmith who raps in English and vernac. He turned to music when he was going through a difficult phase in his life. He describes himself as introspective fused with high energy. It stands to reason that his sound is vibey – a bit like kasi rap, and catchy. You’d liken it to the late Prokid’s sound. He seems to be bringing back lyricism accompanied by beats chopped from old-school records. In most of his songs, Snyden addresses the impending in SA.
Although he’s yet to share a stage with any major South African musician, Snyden has played in the major venues in and around Jozi City such as Soweto Art Festival (Nasrec), Bannister Hotel (Braamfontein), Kitcheners (Braamfontein), and Cantare (Montecasino).
Snyden is committed to creating a South African introspective sound like no other, fusing elements of a few popular styles into a groove that is uniquely Sowetan and Jozi Urban. With his soulful rap style he’s aiming for national fame and fortune, and keeping his option open for the overseas market. Believing in the idea of shedding light on socially conscious issues such as unemployment and related issues that affect the youth, Snyden is a truly representative artist. What’s constant is that unmistakable tone and flow. He raps hard. He performs hard in a manner that is entertaining, yet he is able to get his message across loud and clear.
Over the entire span of his personal journey, from losing his parents in 2001 to being introduced to the hip hop scene by a friend in 2010 – which inspired him to write his own music – Snyden has focused on working diligently, keeping his head level and his eyes forward while accruing accolades and accomplishments. He scooped ‘most promising artist of the year’ at the Black Entertainment Award event in 2020.
It has been a while since Snyden released music for his loyal, and now he is finally back with two new tracks, set to drop on August 22.
The first track is titled I’yntanga Zam which is a collaboration with Bracket Bae, alongside Rabbit MK1. Produced by CheeZ SA, the track is about a musician who is advised by friends and family to stick to his 9 to 5 job, as music isn’t something one should solely depend on in the dire economic climate in SA.
The second track, Snyden showcases his street credit in hip hop as he proves that he’s about the streets by doing it for Di Ntwana Tsa Straata. The sound of the beat is derived from his love for hip hop and where he drew inspiration from when he started using the West Coast of America rap style, whilst blending it with vernac. The multi-skilled rapper is featuring Rabbit MK1 and female rapper, The Hair on the track.
