K.O (rapper)

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"K.O" redirects here. It is not to be confused with k.o or KO.
K.O
Birth nameNtokozo Mdluli
Also known as
  • Skhanda Gawd
  • K:Hova
  • Mr. Cashtime
Born (1980-10-13) 13 October 1980 (age 41)
OriginSoweto, Johannesburg, South Africa
GenresHip hop
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • record producer
  • businessman
Years active2005–present
Labels
Associated acts

Ntokozo Mdluli (born 13 October 1980), known professionally as K.O, is a South African rapper.[1] He began his career as a member of Teargas, a hip hop group which released its debut album titled K'shubile K'bovu (2006), followed by Wafa Wafa (2008), Dark or Blue (2009) and last album Num8er Num8er (2012).

Following Teargas departure, K.O pursued his solo career and released his solo debut album Skhanda Republic (2014), debuted at #1 in South Africa and was certified platinum Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA).[2]

K.O's second studio album Skhanda Republic 2 (2017), released in partnership with Sony Music Entertainment Africa.

Early life[]

K.O was born Ntokozo Mdluli in Soweto, Johannesburg in 1980.[3][4] He is the son of Thembisile Mdluli and Jabulani Mdluli.[5] He moved to Piet Retief in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa with his family while he was an infant. He completed his matric and went to Vaal University of Technology where he studied a National Diploma in Public Relations Management.[6]

While at Vaal University of Technology, Mdluli met his would be bandmates, brothers; Ezee "Ma-E" Hanabe and Bantu "Ntukza" Hanabe. He completed his studies and graduated with a Public Relations (PR)Management National Diploma from Vaal University of Technology. Initially he struggled to find employment, according to a Sowetan article he spent two years unemployed before his mother sent his CV to the South African Police Service but he never followed up. "I was trying to make demos with funding from my parents and they believed in my dream but I eventually started giving up. My mother sent my CV to the SAPS but I didn't go for the interview. The day of the interview I knew I was struggling but I couldn't go through with it," K.O was quoted in the Sowetan.[citation needed] He went on to work in the field of his studies with a dream of becoming a musician.[citation needed]

Music career[]

2005–2009: Teargas[]

In 2005, while employed in the Public Relations, K.O and brothers from Soweto; Ma-E and Ntukza, they decided to form a Hip Hop group called Teargas. "We realised it would be better to join since we were already good friends who knew each other's rhyming style", K.O was quoted by the City Press. In 2006 Teargas released their debut album, K'shubile K'bovu, the album was a smash hit and a runaway success. The fifteen (15) track album featured a timeless smash hit titled "chance". "Chance", a Hip Hop song chronicling a life of a township gangster seeking redemption, was reminiscent of the early days of Kwaito. In 2008 Teargas released their second studio album titled Wafa Wafa; in the sixteen (16) track album the group worked with Bongo Riot on two songs, "Champions" and "Sunshine".

In 2009, they released their third studio album titled Dark or Blue, in the thirteen (13) track album Teargas collaborated with Tamarsha on the song titled "Life", with DJ Tira and Liesl Penniken on the song called "Party 101", with Hip Hop Pantsula and Pro (formerly Pro Kid) on the song "Goodfellaz" and with Danny K on the song "T.L.C. (Tender, Love and Care)". In 2012 Teargas released their fourth and final studio album called Number Number (stylized Num8er Num8er); in the fifteen (15) track album they worked with 2Face "Turning Tables", Lilly Million on "Forgive Me", Toya Delazy on "Paradise" and Ziyon on "Put U On".

2013–15[]

Cashtime Life[]

In 2013, K.O joined forces with Teargas bandmate, Ma-E, and music and marketing executive Thabiso Khati to form an entertainment company, Cashtime Life, which he (K.O) became its first artist. This was followed by the release of the first official single of K.O's debut solo album, "Mission Statement", which became a critical success and enjoyed massive airplay across South Africa.

In 2014, K.O was featured on AKA's hit single, "Run Jozi (Godly)".

In March 2014, he released a second official single off his debut album, "Caracara", and it went on to an even bigger success. The song reached one million views on YouTube and broke the record for most views of a South African hip-hop video. "Caracara" was nominated for Best Hit Single, Best Collaboration and Best Music Video at the 14th Annual Metro FM Awards.

K.O later released, "Son of a Gun", a third official single for his debut album titled Skhanda Republic.

In November 2014, K.O's debut solo album, Skhanda Republic, was released. In the 11 track album K.O collaborated with Kid X on "Caracara", Nandi Mngoma on "Skhanda Love" and Ma-E, Maggz and Masandi on "One Time". Skhanda Republic was nominated for Best Hip Hop album and Best Male Album at the 14th Annual Metro FM Awards.

2016–2019: Skhanda Republic 2, PTY UnLTD[]

In July 2017, Ntokozo signed a partnership & distribution with Sony Entertainment.[7] He announced a single and his new album coming up later same year. He released his a single "No Feelings" on 21 July, song production was handled by Hylton Brooker & Gemini Major.[8] The song was certified platinum (RiSA) with sales of 25 000 copies.[9] His single "Don Dada" featuring Okmalumkoolkat on 14 October.[10]

Ntokozo went to drop his second sophomore album Skhanda Republic 2 stylized as SKR2, in October 2017.[11] In March 2019, his single "Supa Dupa" was released as album's lead single.[12] The song was certified 2x gold (RiSA) with sales of 20 000 copies.[13] "Say U Will" was released as the second single. He went on to follow-up with his third solo album titled PTY UnLTD, in the year 2019.[14]

2021-present: Upcoming album[]

In 2021 he announced his fourth album. In September 2021, his single "Playback" was released.[15]

Teargas[]

In an interview with the Sunday World K.O dismissed claims that Teargas has split. "We have decided to individually try new things just like Mafikizolo did. We are taking a break but it does not mean we are a dead group," K.O was quoted in that interview.[16]

Personal life[]

In May 2014, K.O lost a significant amount of weight. This sent social media into a frenzy with rumours that K.O was HIV positive.[17] However, his manager Thabiso Khati denied those rumours stating that K.O had undergone a strict diet plan and was exercising regularly.[18][19] K.O later released a statement regarding his health and posted a picture of his blood test results on his Twitter and Instagram page, showing he was HIV negative.[20]

Awards and nominations[]

Channel O Africa Music Video Awards[]

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref
2014 "Caracara" Most Gifted Male Nominated [21]
Most Gifted Duo/Group or Featuring Artist Nominated [21]
Most Gifted Hip Hop Nominated [22]
Most Gifted Southern Artist Nominated [22]
Most Gifted Video of the Year Nominated [22]

South African Music Awards[]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2021 "Lucky Star" Best Produced Music Video Pending[23]

[24] Discography[]

Singles

•Lucky Star – 2021

•K:HOVA – 2021

•Playback – 2021

Extended Plays

•2Piece - 2018

Studio album[]

As member of Teargas[]

  • 2006 K'shubile K'bovu – Teargas
  • 2008 Wafa Wafa – Teargas
  • 2009 Dark or Blue – Teargas
  • 2012 Num8er Num8er – Teargas

References[]

  1. ^ "K.O shines after coming out from dark cloud". iol.co.za. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  2. ^ Ogala, Idia (8 December 2015). "The Source | Meet K.O, the platinum-selling emcee putting South Africa on the map". The Source.
  3. ^ Julie Kwach (3 June 2020). "K.O bio age, full name, wife, family, songs, album, cars, house, net worth, profile". briefly.co.za.
  4. ^ "K.O". Mtvbase.com. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  5. ^ "Ntokozo Mdluli". ghafla.com. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  6. ^ "K.O doing more than Ok". sowetanlive.co.za. 29 November 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  7. ^ Tshabalala, Comfort (26 July 2017). "WATCH: K.O SIGNED WITH SONY FOR ONLY 1 ALBUM – Daily Sun". Daily SUN.
  8. ^ Zeeman, Kyle (27 July 2017). "K.O to bare his soul on new comeback album". Times LIVE.
  9. ^ Jabulani, John (14 October 2021). "K.O Receive Plaques For 3 Songs On His Birthday". Ubetoo.
  10. ^ Kekana, Chrizelda. "K.O speaks of what makes a 'Don Dada, 'Pholas' with Pro". Independent Online. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  11. ^ "K.O reveals Release Date + Album Cover for new album 'Skhanda Republic 2' | YoMzansi". YoMzansi. 2 October 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
  12. ^ "Listen to K.O's new single, Supa Dupa | JustNje". JustNje. 8 March 2019. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
  13. ^ Darangwa, Shingai (14 October 2021). "K.O presented with three platinum plaques on his birthday". Independent Online.
  14. ^ Mkhabela, Sabelo. "K.O's New Album 'PTY UnLTD' is Here – OkayAfrica". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
  15. ^ Ntsinde, Mandisa (15 October 2021). "K.O Gets Certified Platinum & Drops A New Single, "PLAYBACK"". Zkhiphani. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
  16. ^ "Teargas Go Away". swazidata.com. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  17. ^ "K.O officially speaks about his HIV rumour". Zkhiphani. 27 May 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  18. ^ "'Not HIV positive': K.O from Teargas". Sowetan LIVE. 27 May 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  19. ^ Venge, Tinashe (22 May 2014). "KO's manager slams AIDS rumours". Zalebs. Archived from the original on 8 September 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  20. ^ Radebe, Palesa (28 May 2014). "SA rapper tests HIV rumour mill". IOL. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  21. ^ a b "Cassper Nyovest rules the Channel O Music Video Awards nominees". Sunday World. 5 September 2014. Archived from the original on 6 September 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  22. ^ a b c "Cassper Nyovest leads the Channel O awards race!". DRUM Magazine. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  23. ^ "Samas 27: Nominations are out and men are leading the nods". The Citizen. 19 May 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  24. ^ "Nominations for 2008–2009 Executive Committee". The Leading Edge. 27 (7): 946–950. July 2008. doi:10.1190/tle27070946.1. ISSN 1070-485X.
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