The Best Kept Secret Podcast - TBKS

Epizody

• TBKS E170: The Lowfeye Episode 25.05.2026 1h 6min

  This week, we dive into one of the most powerful South African hip-hop debuts of the year: NOSANGE by Lowfeye. Named after his late mother, the album has been praised for its emotional honesty, vulnerability, and fearless storytelling, while blending hip-hop, Afro-soul, and Durban influences into something deeply personal. Featuring a wide range of guest voices and some of Lowfeye’s most introspective writing yet, NOSANGE feels less like a debut and more like a statement. We unpack the music, the themes of ambition, grief and legacy, and why so many people are already calling this one of the standout SA rap projects of the year.
• TBKS E169: The Episode About Nothing 05.05.2026 59min

  Is beef still about competition, or has it become performance? Are OGs creating space for the next generation, or competing with them for relevance? This week, we dive into the tension shaping South African hip-hop right now. From ongoing clashes between artists to the unspoken divide between generations, we question what’s really at stake: respect, relevance, or control of the culture. We revisit the SoundCloud era and its role in redefining the “underground,” highlighting how artists like PatrickxxLee and J Molley disrupted traditional pathways and shifted what it meant to come up in the game, and what that looks like 10 years later for new artists such as Kindly Nxsh, BabyDaiz, K1llbrady, and more. We also challenge both sides. Are OGs evolving with the culture, or resisting it? Are newer artists building something meaningful, or just moving faster without direction?
• TBKS E168: The Blxckie Episode 13.04.2026 42min

  This week, we get into 4LUV 2 from Blxckie, a project that sees him fully lean into his R&B bag once again. As a follow-up to his 2022 4LUV, this tape has been getting love for its emotional honesty, blending smooth melodies with themes of love, heartbreak, and vulnerability. With the project already making waves on the charts and showing a softer, more introspective side of Blxckie, we break down whether this is a natural evolution or a shift that really works. Tap in as we unpack one of the most talked-about SA releases right now.
• TBKS E167: The Usimamane Episode 05.03.2026 44min

  This week we’re talking about one of the most talked-about new voices in SA hip-hop right now. Usimamane recently dropped his EP G-Wagon Music: Baby Tai, a project that tries to capture the hunger, ambition and confidence behind his rapid rise. From luxury-rap flexes to more reflective moments, the Umlazi rapper continues to show why so many people are paying attention. In this episode, we unpack the music, the standout moments on the EP, and what this release says about where Usimamane is headed next.
• TBKS E166: The Episode About Nothing 31.12.2025 1h 2min

  For our final episode of 2025, we’re taking a moment to look back. This episode is all about reflecting on the sounds, the artists, and the shifts that defined the South African hip-hop scene this year. From new voices making real noise, with the likes of BabyDaiz, Kindly Nxsh, BrotherKupa and more, to the ideas and energy shaping this current wave, we share our honest takes on what stood out and what mattered. We also turn our eyes to the future, unpacking what 2026 could look like across genres. From possible trends to artists and movements worth watching, this is our read on where the culture might be headed next. Thank you for riding with us through the year. Peace & Love!
• TBKS E165: The Kristi Lowe Episode 05.12.2025 41min

  This week we’re exploring Kristi Lowe’s debut album "a glimpse inside my mind," a project that feels raw, warm, and unfiltered in the best possible way. She digs into love, grief, healing, and self discovery with a kind of honesty that doesn’t try to impress you, it just tells the truth. The sound blends retro soul, pop, jazz, and RnB, but what stands out most is the emotional clarity. Some moments cut sharply, others feel tender and restorative, and together they offer a portrait of an artist finding her voice by refusing to hide. It’s a bold first statement from a new voice in SA’s pop space, and we’re breaking it all down
• TBKS E164: The Langa Mavuso Episode 13.11.2025 1h 1min

  This week we’re turning the spotlight on one of South Africa’s most soulful voices, Langa Mavuso — and his first major release in years titled Therapy: The Other Side. The album marks a profound new chapter, rooted deeply in loss, reflection and renewal. Mapping grief, healing and spiritual reckoning, the songs read like letters to self, moving between raw confession and gospel-tinged uplift. The album features the likes of Marcus Harvey, Nkosazana Daughter, Yanga Chief, and more!
• TBKS E163: The Nasty C Episode 18.10.2025 51min

  This week we’re talking about Nasty C’s long-awaited album FREE — his first release since going independent. The project captures a new chapter for one of SA’s most beloved rappers, as he explores freedom, growth, and creative control under his own label, Tall Racks. With features from Blxckie, Usimamane, and more, FREE balances sharp lyricism with introspective moments that show just how far Nasty C has come.
• TBKS E162: The Nanette Episode 12.10.2025 44min

  This week, we’re diving into Painfully Happy, the much-anticipated follow-up to The Waiting Room from one of SA’s brightest R&B voices, Nanette. The album is a stunning blend of love, heartbreak, grief, and healing — finding joy right in the middle of the chaos. With tracks like Abazali, Nanette stretches her sound while keeping her storytelling raw and intimate. It’s vulnerable, soulful, and beautifully honest — exactly why we’ve been waiting for this one.
• TBKS E161: The Shekhinah Episode 07.09.2025 47min

  This week, we’re all about Shekhinah, the beloved South African pop/R&B queen, and her unexpected new album, Less Trouble, the follow-up to her 2021 project Trouble in Paradise. Blending pop, R&B, Afrobeats and even Amapiano sonics, the project feels like her most honest and confident work yet. With features from lordkez, Moliy, Young Stunna and Mars Baby, some are already calling it her best work to date!
• TBKS E160: The Anica Kiana Interview 24.07.2025 49min

  In this episode, SeezyRay sits down with rising South African pop artist Anica Kiana for a heartfelt and honest conversation about music, growth, and everything in between. Anica takes us back to her beginnings, from posting covers online to getting cosigned by pop duo Locnville, and eventually collaborating with one of Africa’s biggest hip-hop stars, Nasty C. We dive into her songwriting process, the emotional layers behind tracks like Narc Boy and Gotta Leave, and how her music continues to mirror the complexities of her real life. She opens up about what it means to be vulnerable in her writing, navigating love and loss through melody, and how live shows are shaping a new chapter in her journey. With new music on the horizon, this is a powerful check-in with an artist in motion, unfiltered, evolving, and ready for more.
• TBKS E159: The Rowlene Episode 17.07.2025 32min

  This week, we’re excited to be unpacking 'Moments After', the latest EP from one of SA’s most consistent R&B voices, Rowlene. It’s soulful, reflective, and all about healing after the storm. With standout tracks like “Losing Sleep” and “Don't Give Up On Me” the project shows Rowlene stepping into her power, vulnerable yet bold. We unpack the sound, the story, and why this EP feels like her most personal work yet.
• TBKS E158: The Kwesta Episode 27.06.2025 53min

  This week, it's all about The Big Bro Theory, the latest album from SA hip-hop legend Kwesta. With features from Blxckie, Amanda Black, Nkosazana Daughter, Thabsie, Blaq Diamond, and more, the project sees Kwesta step fully into his “big bro” era, reflecting on his legacy while mentoring the next wave. It’s grown-man rap with heart, bars, and soul. Join us as we unpack one of the most anticipated local hip-hop drops of the year.
• TBKS E157: The Kane Keid Episode 18.05.2025 35min

  This week on The Best Kept Secret Podcast, we're spotlighting Kane Keid's debut album, Not Famous. Released on April 30, 2025, this nine-track project offers a candid exploration of the challenges faced by emerging artists navigating the complexities of the music industry. Not Famous features collaborations with notable artists, including Tembipowers, Usimamane, ZuluMecca, Ntatao, and Retro Vibe. Each track delves into themes of self-discovery, ambition, and the emotional toll of pursuing artistic dreams. Join us as we unpack the layers of this compelling album, discussing its standout tracks and lyrical depth. Is Not Famous the breakthrough we've been anticipating? Tune in to find out!
• TBKS E156: The lordkez Episode 04.05.2025 52min

  We're back with another deep dive into the latest from one of our favorite artists, SAMA-winning singer-songwriter lordkez. Her latest project, You, Me & The 90’s, is a heartfelt homage to the 90s R&B era, blending deep-rooted influences with lordkez's own signature sound: soulful, intimate, and refreshingly honest. In this episode, we delve into each track, exploring how lordkez reimagines the golden era of music through her own lens, blending nostalgic sounds with deeply personal storytelling. Join us as we unpack the emotional time warp that is You, Me & The 90’s, and discuss how lordkez continues to redefine the R&B/Soul genre in South Africa.
• TBKS E155: The Chipego Episode 24.04.2025 31min

  This week on The Best Kept Secret Podcast, we're diving into Chipego's much-anticipated debut album: Don't Forget To Remember. Blending neo-soul, amapiano, Afro-Tech, and R&B, Chipego crafts a sound that's both authentic and innovative. The album features collaborations, including "I'M ALRIGHT" with ZRi and "LET IT FALL" featuring Phonikz . Tracks like "LALALA" and "MOTIVATION" showcase her vocal versatility and genre-blending prowess. Join us as we unpack the layers of this debut, exploring its sonic landscapes, lyrical depth, and everything surrounding the music.
• TBKS E154: The K.Keed Episode 10.04.2025 49min

  This week on The Best Kept Secret Podcast, we're diving into K.Keed's highly anticipated debut album, Bite The Bullet. In this episode, we break down the standout tracks, discuss K.Keed's lyrical depth, and examine how Bite The Bullet positions her in the current hip-hop landscape. Bite The Bullet boasts an impressive lineup of collaborations, featuring artists like Priddy Ugly, Shekhinah, J'Something, Zoë Modiga, and Mi Casa's Mo-T. These collaborations enrich the album's diverse sound, blending elements of hip-hop, R&B, and Afropop. Is this the project that solidifies her status as a trailblazer in the industry? Tune in to hear our thoughts!
• TBKS E153: The Money Badoo Episode 23.03.2025 40min

  This week, we're diving into MSRYLUV$CMPNY, the latest album from one of our favorites, Money Badoo. The anticipated album is a journey of self-discovery, transformation, and resilience, blending alternative hip-hop, R&B, and experimental sounds to create a world where vulnerability meets strength. The album features the likes of Una Rams, BENJAMIN, BabyDaiz, MashBeatz, Sauwcy, Nanette, J Molley and more. Join us as we explore the themes and sounds of MSRYLUV$CMPNY, discussing how Money Badoo turns pain into power, sadness into art, and isolation into connection.
• TBKS E152: The Mars Baby Episode 07.03.2025 51min

  This week, we're diving into Mars Baby's much-anticipated debut album, Handsome Luke & The Heartbreakers. As a Cape Town-born, Johannesburg-based producer, multi-instrumentalist, and singer-songwriter, The album showcases his eclectic blend of early 2000s pop-punk vibes and soulful R&B influences. The album features collaborations with his label mates: Hannah Ray, the ever-talented lordkez, and a special introduction to O'hara. Each artist adds a unique flavor to the mix, making this project a rich tapestry of sounds and emotions. Join us as we unpack the layers of this album, exploring its sonic landscapes, lyrical depth, and the stories behind the music. Is Handsome Luke & The Heartbreakers the debut we've all been waiting for? Tune in to find out!
• TBKS 151: The Tony Dayimane Episode 23.02.2025 51min

  We’re back! It’s a new year, and we’re starting things off strong with a deep dive into one of our favorite albums of 2024—Red October: Induction by Tony Dayimane. This rising star in SA hip-hop brought the heat with a project that blends sharp lyricism, hard-hitting production, and features from some of the game’s biggest names, including Kwesta, Yanga, Usimamane, Emtee and more. Is this album proof that Tony Dayimane is next up? What makes Red October: Induction stand out in the current hip-hop landscape? We break it all down in this episode. Tap in!