Jozi

Jozi: The Motherland Crunk Architects Redrawing SA Hip-Hop

Jozi emerged as one of South Africa’s standout hip-hop crews, carrying Johannesburg’s nickname as both identity and mission. Born and based in the pulse of the city, the group pushed a sound they dubbed Motherland Crunk — a blend of street swagger, global hip-hop cues and unmistakable South African texture.

The trio — Bongani Fassie (Bongz), Ishmael Morabe (Ish), and Lesley Mampe (Da L.E.S.) — each brought a different backbone to the movement. Ish, already a familiar voice from the early ’90s through P.O.C and Skeem, anchored the crew with vocals sharpened by years on the road. A SAMA winner with touring stripes alongside international heavyweights like the Fugees and Public Enemy, he carried the crew’s melodic authority.

Bongz, the producer-engineer hybrid, shaped Jozi’s sonic signature. His versatility stretched far beyond crunk-influenced hip-hop — proven by his solo jazz release Makana Square in 2004. Behind the boards or on the mic, he was the crew’s musical engine.

Da L.E.S. added a transatlantic layer: born in the US and raised partly in Houston, he brought the showmanship and swagger that made him the group’s breakout star. His rise spilled onto TV through his role as host of the youth hip-hop show Shiz Niz on e.tv, widening Jozi’s cultural footprint.

The group’s lineup shifted in 2008 when Crazy Lu exited to pursue a solo direction, but Jozi’s imprint on the mid-2000s urban scene — from their production style to their youthful edge — cemented them as one of the crews that helped globalise SA hip-hop without losing its Joburg roots.

Photo by Celebgossip