Kwesta facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kwesta
Kwesta performing at City-View in Durban 2016
Born	Senzo Mfundo Vilakazi (1988-08-11) 11 August 1988 (age 36) Katlehong, Gauteng
Other names	DaKAR
Occupation	Rapper songwriter
Spouse(s)	Yolanda Mvelase ​ (m. 2017)​
Awards	Forbes Africa 30 under 30 (2018)
Musical career
Origin	Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, South Africa
Genres	Hip hop
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	2002–present
Labels	Buttabing (former) Urbantainment (former) RapLyF (former)
Associated acts	Riky Rick Infinite Boys Thabsie KiD X Yanga Chief Cassper Nyovest AKA Courage the producer L-Tido Reason Rouge Major League DJz Rich Homie Quan Wale Rick Ross

Senzo Mfundo Vilakazi (born 11 August 1988) is a famous South African rapper and songwriter. He is best known by his stage name, Kwesta.

Kwesta was born in Katlehong, Gauteng, a township often called "K1". When he was 15, in 2003, he and his friends started a rap group called Ghetto Fellaz. This group later changed its name to The Juvenylz in the same year. Today, Kwesta runs his own independent music company, RapLyf Records, with his friend and co-founder, Kid X.

Kwesta has released several successful albums. His first album, Special ReKwest, came out in 2010. His second album, DaKAR (2013), reached number 3 on the South African Hip-hop/Rap chart on iTunes. Kwesta's third album, DaKAR II (2016), was a huge hit. It included popular songs like "Ngud", "Nomayini", "Day One", "Ngiyazifela Ngawe," "Mayibabo", and "Mmino". This album sold 210,000 copies in South Africa. This made DaKAR II the best-selling hip hop album in South Africa's history. His fifth album, g.o.d Guluva (2021), also did well, reaching number 3 in South Africa.

Kwesta has won many awards for his music. These include 6 South African Music Awards, 4 South African Hip Hop Awards, 1 MTV Africa Music Award, and 1 Metro FM Award.

Kwesta's Early Life and Music Journey

Kwesta went to Phumlani Secondary School for three years. He then attended Alafang Secondary School, both in Katlehong.

While in high school, Kwesta discovered his love for poetry. His friends and teachers really liked his poems. They encouraged him to keep writing.

In 2003, Kwesta joined a music group called The Ghetto Fellas. This group later became The Juvenylz. However, the group broke up after two years.

After his group ended, Kwesta made a deal with a record company. This allowed him to use their music studios. During this time, Kwesta entered many music competitions. He also performed at different events to get his name out there. He won YFM's Rap Activity Jam MC of the Month competition. He also won ETV's Shiz Niz Freestyle Kings Special. Kwesta performed at big events like The Rand Show and The Durban Beach Festival.

Kwesta left high school when he was 16. He convinced his mom to give him money for a taxi. He used it to go to the offices of Buttabing Entertainment. This meeting led to him joining their record label. This was the start of his official music career.

Starting His Music Career

In 2007, Kwesta became a judge for the Sprite Hip Hoop Tour. He also featured on The Ventilation Street Tape. He was part of The Nokia Defend Your Street Campaign. For this, he worked with other artists to create the campaign's theme song.

In the same year, Kwesta released his first single, Sharp Fede. He later released a mixtape with DJ C-Live.

In 2010, Kwesta was chosen as one of the Brand SA Ambassadors. He performed at national roadshows before the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Kwesta also worked with famous artists like Kelly Rowland and 2Face. They created the "Everywhere You Go" song for MTN. He even performed at the 2010 FIFA World Cup closing ceremony.

2010–2012: Special Rekwest Album

In September 2010, Kwesta released his first studio album, Special Rekwest. This album had popular songs like Babhemi, Flash It, Stomp, and Pump It.

His song Flava was used in a DStv advertisement. It was also featured in The Loeries TV's 2011 ad campaign.

The song Pump It was also used in ads for DStv and Redds.

Stomp was even part of the soundtrack for Death Race 3, an American action movie.

Because of the album's success, Kwesta became the first South African rapper to have seven songs on different radio charts in one year. Special Rekwest was nominated for Best Newcomer and Best Rap Album at the SAMA in 2011.

2013–2015: DaKAR Album

On 25 November 2013, Kwesta released his second studio album. It was called DaKAR (Da King of Afrikan Rap). When it first came out, the album reached number three on the South African iTunes Hip-Hop Charts.

2016–2019: DaKAR II Album Success

In 2016, Kwesta released his third studio album, DaKAR II. On 18 January 2016, his hit song "Ngud'" was released. It featured fellow rapper Cassper Nyovest.

At the MTV Africa Music Awards, "Ngud'" was nominated for Song of the Year. In October 2017, Kwesta released his single "Spirit". This song featured the American rapper Wale. The song was certified platinum by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA).

On 26 April 2018, DaKAR II was certified 7 times Platinum by RiSA. This means it sold a huge number of copies.

2021–Present: g.o.d guluva Album

In March 2021, Kwesta released his single "Fire In The Ghetto". This song featured Troublle and was the first song from his new album.

On 30 April 2021, Kwesta released his fourth studio album, g.o.d guluva. The title is short for "ghost of dakar". The album cover art was created by Nelson Makamo. The album featured many South African artists like Thabsie, Focalistic, TLT, Yanga Chief, and K.O.. The album reached number 4 on the South Africa Top 100 Albums chart. Music critics generally gave it good reviews. At the 2021 Mzansi Kwaito and House Music Awards, his song "Njandini" won the award for Best Kwaito song.

Kwesta's Music Albums

Studio Albums

Popular Singles

Awards Kwesta Has Won