LONG LIVE THE CHIEF

Youff magazine chats to Utatakho hit maker, Yanga Chief. We touch on his career, life lessons and more…

By Nontando Mhlongo

Yanga Ntshakaza who hails from Eastern Cape took the SA Hip Hop scene by the storm with his hit single Utatakho. The song topped charts across the country, making this stars fan base grow bigger by the minute. It was not all fame and fortune for this master lyricist, in fact there was a time where he was ready for the curtain call, however this was not the end of the show for him. “I was tired, I had sacrificed everything of mine, personal relationships and family, just for this music thing. My positive side obviously said keep at it, we’re almost there. I then made a song I wanted to leave the game with, I wanted people to remember my role within the industry.” Said Yanga

“I wanted people to remember my role within the industry.”

Being an influential artist, Yanga understands his role and position in society chiefly for his fans. Yanga is adamant about inspiring the youth through his work and also takes a stance against gender based violence, which is a social pandemic, young women and men face in South Africa. “It’s so crazy because a lot of people have bought into this lifestyle and it the kind of lifestyle where you’re always on the edge. I would like to advise women to pay attention to the type of people they surround themselves with. I am also afraid of these type of men, my complaints to them often fall on deaf ears and it’s so hard to get through to them. The best thing I could say is for the victims to speak out, even to a friend or family member if you don’t have the courage to lay a charge yet.” Despite challenges 2020 brought, Yanga is on a mission to produce a masterpiece of body of work, and for every artist, collaborating with a peer of the same caliber is top two. “Internationally, it would have to be 50cent, we could do a music collab or song collab, and I don’t mind (laughs). Locally there’s just too much, Shekhinah, Sho Madjozi, Khuli Chana, Zakwe, Duncan, I would love to work with Big Zulu, Big Zulu is actually on the top of my list.

Yanga is motivated by his high school motto ‘Esse quam videri’ which means ‘to be rather than seem to be’. Yanga stays true to himself, his story and authenticity making him a reputable chief.

by Nontando Mhlongo