For over a decade now, the MTV Base Hottest MCs List has remained as one the most talked about mainstream yearly fixture in the South African hip hop calendar. While the jury is still out regarding whether the list still holds the same esteem it once did, there’s no denying that each time the list is revealed, it gets tongues wagging. The 2022 edition was no different. Hosted by MTV Base’s Tshego Koke, this year’s panel consisted of entertainer Kyeezi, French Fry, Uncle Partytime, Misa Narrates, Marz Ambrosio and DJ Fif Laaa.
The panel deliberated for two days in order to come up with the 10 definitive names of MCs who were the hottest in 2022. This involved lots of heated debates amongst the panelists, which were met with even more heated and polarised reactions from people online. The criteria included looking at MCs who beat the pandemic frenzy with excellence in reinventing their brand offering looking at musical bars and lyrics, sales, buzz, abs a globally recognisable x-factor in overall presentation and market relevance. In light of this criteria, here are the 10 Hottest MCs in South African hip hop, courtesy of MTV Base.
MTV BASE Hottest MC Top 10 Countdown Results
Number 10: LUCASRAPS
After the release of his second album, 031 to The World 2.0, as the first signee of Def Jam Recordings Africa, the album feature heavy-weights such as AKA, Nasty C, Nadia Nakai, Blxckie, YoungstaCPT and Geek Fam. 031 to The World 2.0 scored three nods at the SA Hip-Hop Awards including best album of the year, male of the year, and freshman of the year.
Number 09: BIG ZULU
Riding on the success of his long-awaited album, Ichwane Lenyoka, which bagged him seven awards at the SA Hip-Hop Awards 2021, Big Zulu continue to make an impressive impact to the Nkabi Nation and radio charts.
Number 08: PRIDDY UGLY
To celebrate the first anniversary of his sophomore album SOIL, Priddy Ugly dropped his new EP, MUD, which led him to score four nominations at the South African Hip-Hop Awards 2022. The EP features lordkez, Marcus Harvey, Blxckie, Zoocci Coke Dope, Lady Du, Maglera Doe Boy + more.
Number 07: EMTEE
With the release of his third studio album, Logan, which carries a number of radio hits including “Waves”, “Brand New Day” and “Long way”, which were certified gold. Making 2022 his good year, the SA hip-hop hitmaker bagged two nods at this year’s 28th SA Music Awards in the best hip-hop album and Artist of the Year category. He was also named Hip-Hop Artist of The Year at the Global Music Awards Africa 2022.
Number 06: 25K
25K comes a long way since the release of his Culture Vulture hit in 2018, dominating the airwaves with more hits featuring Emtee, AKA, A-Reece, Boity, and many more. The South African trap rapper went on to solidify his mark going from winning an SA Hip-Hop Award to being nominated for the coveted best hip-hop album for his debut studio album PheliMakaveli at the SA Music Awards 2022, competing against Kid-X, A-Reece, Emtee, and Blxckie.
Number 05: AREECE
Making his annual return with his seven-track mixtape, DEADLINES: FREE P2, delivery that features a stellar line-up of artists including amapiano king, DJ Maphorisa, prince of South African hip-hop Emtee, Marcus Harvey, Yolophonik and Atlanta based rapper Quentin Miller. DEADLINE: FREE P2 unsurprisingly topped the charts
Number 04: MAGLERA DOE BOY
With his strata-kingdon reigning supreme, Maglera Doe Boy released his official debut album Diaspora through Universal Music Group, with the careful curated features from 25K, Focalistic and KayGizm.
Number 03: NASTY C
Following his successful fusion of music and gaming tour with some of the biggest names in the SA hip-hop such as Blxckie, AKA, and Emtee. Nasty C also secured his first gaming deal with an American mobile gaming publisher – ‘Call of Duty. Not forgetting making history as the first SA hip-hop act to perform at the MTV EMAs.
Number 02: KO
Bagging yet another record with his hit “SETE”, KO smashed radio-monitor’s record by being the first son by a local and international artist to occupy the number one spot for 12 consecutive week. His latest album “SR3” debuting number one in local hip-hop charts.
Number 01: BLXCKIE
Early this year Blxckie dropped his well-anticipated EP 4LUV, which followed the success of his 2021 debut album B4NOW. Securing his first BET Hip-Hop Awards nomination this year, Blxckie also led the South Africa Hip-Hop Awards with 13 nods, with 6 songs up for Song of the Year.
