King In Demand presents
Darkie
Rapper, producer, beatmaker and designer.
Samkelwe Mthembu · Soweto · Hip Hop & Kasi Rap
Biography
A voice for the voiceless
Street-wise and poetic. Gritty, yet deeply conscious.
Born Samkelwe Mthembu in the heart of Soweto, Darkie is a raw, unapologetic voice in Hip Hop and Kasi Rap. He raps, produces, makes beats and designs, and his work reflects the lived experience of Black communities: the struggle, resilience and hope of the youth who go unheard.
He grew up in a township rich with cultural history and hardship. His music draws on real events and places that mainstream stories often overlook, which makes him a storyteller and a narrator of his culture.
He has shared stages with a long list of established artists, as a solo act and as a collaborator. His latest album, The Last Dish, arrived on 17 January 2025 with 20 tracks, and more music and creative projects are already in motion.
Career
The road so far
First mixtape, Seven Khalaz.
Seven Khalaz LeftOvers.
Co-founds the band T.U.G (Time Unveils God) with Tony Dangler and others. Their self-titled EP follows in 2019.
We Want Our Land Back with The Englewood Soweto Exchange: eight artists, four from South Africa and four from the United States.
The Last Dish, a 20-track album, released 17 January.
New singles Karate ft. Mthizo and Home Grown – Indoor.
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