King In Demand presents

Mthizo

“Bathi Yizo ngob’ uMthizo wenza zona!!!”

Themba Nko · Zola, Soweto · Kasi Rapresenter

Stream the album Book Mthizo

Mthizo in a black bucket hat and tinted glasses — Mthizo, 2023 press shoot

Biography

Zola raised him

His journey is a continuation of the township’s legacy, not only a personal passion.

Themba Nko, known as Mthizo, grew up in Zola, Soweto, a township famous for producing Kwaito legends. His love for music started with his father’s record collection: Caiphus Semenya, Condry Ziqubu, Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse, Hugh Masekela and Brenda Fassie.

The streets of Zola did the rest. There he came up around Zola 7, Mandoza, Brown Dash, Brickz, Mapaputsi and GP Gangsta.

Mthizo is a rapper and songwriter whose lyrics come straight from the everyday life of his neighbourhood. He takes on bigger South African issues through township stories, with a gritty delivery and a vocabulary full of tsotsi taal.

In 2023 he won the PowerPlay Back To The City 10K Challenge: eight emcees, three knockout rounds, one champion. His debut album, The Legend of the K.I.D., followed in the season of South Africa’s 30th Democracy birthday.

Career

The road so far

2015
Joins the group Iziphakami with Noks Matchbox, Maseven and Sfilikwane.
2016
Debuts with the street EP Break in Mixtape, storytelling in vernacular and English. The Kasi Rapresenter arrives.
2017
“Zola” puts his name on the KasiRap map, with play on commercial radio and music TV.
Next
Singles Yizo Mthizo, C’phila Kanje, Naz’ Lezinto, Ezakithi, On Fire and Zwana Ła.
2023
Wins the PowerPlay Back To The City 10K Challenge. Drops “Dlala Kanje” ft. F-Eezy, the album’s first single.
2024
Releases the debut album The Legend of the K.I.D., produced by Speeka.
Tour
Hits the road with Speeka on the OG2xLoKID Tour, starting at Native Rebels.
Now
New singles Hai Suka, HMM Ngiyan’ncanwa and Bi-1663.