The debate over who holds the crown of South African hip hop continues to ignite fierce discussions, but recent Spotify listener numbers have added a new twist to the rivalry between two of the genre’s biggest names: Cassper Nyovest and the late Kiernan “AKA” Forbes.
In the latest monthly Spotify statistics, AKA, despite his tragic passing earlier this year, is pulling in more monthly listeners than his long-time nemesis, Cassper. According to Fakaza, AKA has 596,315 monthly listeners, sitting comfortably at number six on the list. Cassper Nyovest, on the other hand, is at number eight with 442,461 listeners—more than 150K behind his late counterpart.
The list is led by some of South Africa’s top artists, with Nasty C reigning supreme with 1,542,094 monthly listeners. Kwesta, known for his hit “Ngud’,” follows in second place with 902,700 listeners, while the up-and-coming Usimamane from Umlazi rounds out the top three with 769,304 listeners.
The Spotify numbers are a snapshot of the current dynamics within South African hip hop. While AKA’s legacy continues to resonate strongly with fans, Cassper Nyovest’s position has faltered, with his monthly listeners falling behind not only AKA, but also the younger, rising stars like Usimamane. Despite both artists having left an undeniable mark on the genre, it seems that the crown is up for grabs.
Cassper, who has often expressed his desire to be recognised as the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) in the South African hip hop scene, has yet to crack the top five in the current standings. His regret about not resolving his long-running feud with AKA is evident in recent interviews. In a heartfelt admission after AKA’s passing, Cassper revealed that he regrets not burying the beef with his former rival.
“We actually do have music together that people have never heard. So those are like golden songs, we made a few records together,” Cassper told SAHipHopMag. His words reflect a sense of missed opportunity, highlighting what could have been a more collaborative relationship between the two.
For now, though, the spotlight is on Nasty C, who stands unchallenged at the top of the Spotify charts, with other artists like Kwesta and Usimamane following closely behind. The competition for the top spot in SA hip hop remains fierce, and as new talent emerges and fanbases evolve, the rankings may continue to shift.
