Top Cassper Nyovest songs

31 May 2019 - 10:36

Published under the Creative Commons Licence

South African rapper Cassper Nyovest is undoubtedly one of the most recognised and successful artists in Africa. The 28 year old is one of the best examples of current African musicians who have achieved great success in their short (and still continuing) careers. The ‘Gusheshe’ hitmaker has become synonymous with his successful Fill Up series, which gained him even more recognition on the continent and beyond.

Cassper Nyovest and US soul and R&B singer Goapele in a scene from the ‘Destiny’ music video.

His spirited performances earned him a spot at the controversial Global Citizen Festival a day after the Fill Up Moses Mabhida Stadium concert. With four studio albums to date, most of Nyovest’s songs have become the biggest hits in an industry that is heavily dominated with talented rappers such as AKA, Nasty C, Kwesta, Riky Rick, Emtee and L-Tido.

‘Doc Shebeleza’, one of his most successful tracks, earned him a nomination at the 2018 BET Awards (but the top prize went to Nigeria’s Davido). He has also released songs and music videos that have garnered million views on YouTube. In no particular order, here is a list of some top Cassper Nyovest songs.

‘Tito Mboweni’ (2017)

The title of the song is a reference to former Reserve Bank of South Africa governor and Minister of Finance, Tito Mboweni. ‘Tito Mboweni’ is all about having money. It was released when Mboweni was a governor and his appointment as the country’s finance minister gave Nyovest more cause to brag about his song.

‘Destiny’ (2017)

The song is off his studio album Thuto and features US soul and R&B singer Goapele. The song’s chorus is a sample of Malaika’s 2004 hit song of the same name. In the song, Nyovest expresses his longing over a past relationship. The rapper revealed in a Twitter response to a fan that the song was inspired by a true story of a woman who left him for a rich guy.

‘I Hope You Bought It’ (2014)

The song for the video is off Nyovest’s debut album Tsholofelo. The video is representative of Nyovest's journey as an artist and emotionally describes his rise to prominence. His rise is symbolically shown in the video, where the Tsholofelo album cover is airbrushed into shot over the duration of the song. On this track Nyovest sings about the challenges of being a local hip hop artist: “I’m in a city where things are mad different if you show love they say you a**-kissing/I wish the media would treat me like Kiernan and them.”

‘Gusheshe’ ft. Okmalumkoolkat (2013)

The energetic song, the first single from the Tsholofelo album, was heavily influenced by kwaito. The song was well-received on local radio stations and earned Nyovest two prizes at the SA Hip Hop Awards. The song was also licensed for a Sprite commercial in the US.

‘Ksazobalit’ (2018)

This comical video is an introduction to Nyovest's Thuto album. It was shot in Hartebeespoort in the North West Province. In the video, Nyovest is dressed like an Afrikaner farmer and drives around an old tractor while a hip hop dance crew performs in the field. The video features choreographer and presenter Somizi, who is seen driving a big delivery truck.

‘Phumakim’ (2014)

The video was shot in several South African townships and is also taken from the rapper’s debut album Tsholofelo. ‘Phumakim’ is a Zulu term, which loosely translates to “leave me alone” - and in the song, Nyovest talks about the condemnation received by celebrities on social media. The rapper also brags that he dates women that are as famous as him, making reference to the South African-Swazi actress Amanda Du-Pont. The beat of the song was reportedly intended for US rapper Future, who turned it down. The song was produced by Zimbabwe’s Brian Soko, who is famous for co-producing Beyoncé’s ‘Drunk in Love’.

‘Push Through the Pain’ (2018)

This song is also off Nyovest’s 2017 gold-selling studio album Thuto. The video narrates the challenges faced by students while studying at universities in South Africa. It emotionally shows the means used by some students to earn a living to pay for their studies (including prostitution).

‘Doc Shebeleza’ (2014)

No doubt one of Nyovest’s best songs, ‘Doc Shebeleza’ personifies the rapper’s energetic rapping styles and his love for the hood. The song was inspired by Nyovest’s love for kwaito and is off the album Tsholofelo.

‘Gets Getsa 2.0’ (2018)

Produced by South Africa-based Malawian rapper Gemini Major, this song pays tribute to kwaito legend Doc Shebeleza. The song samples Shebeleza’s 1990s hit track ‘Gets Getsa’.

‘Baby Girl’ (2017)

‘Baby Girl’ is among Nyovest’s top music videos, where the music is coupled with great dancing routines. The video features Somizi, as well as local artists L-Tido, Riky Rick, Major League DJz and Tanzania’s Vanessa Mdee.