News
Nota Says A-Reece Doesn’t Have A Hit Song In His Music Career
South African music commentator and outspoken media personality Nota Baloyi has once again sparked debate within the local hip-hop community, this time turning his attention to the commercial legacy of A-Reece.
Speaking during an interview on Piano Pulse, Nota questioned whether A-Reece has ever delivered a true mainstream hit record, despite the rapper’s undeniable consistency, loyal fanbase, and strong streaming presence. According to Nota, popularity and artistic respect do not automatically translate into chart-topping dominance.
“A-Reece doesn’t have any hits. In his ever, ever, he doesn’t have a number one song. It’s the truth,” Nota said. “He has nice big songs, good songs like ‘Mgani’, but that’s not a ‘Roll Up’ by Emtee.”
To drive his point home, Nota referenced Emtee’s 2015 breakout single Roll Up, widely considered a defining moment in South African trap music. Released under Ambitiouz Entertainment, the same label that once housed A-Reece, “Roll Up” enjoyed massive radio rotation, topped major local charts including YFM’s hip-hop rankings, performed strongly on iTunes rap charts, and later achieved triple platinum status through RiSA after surpassing 500,000 downloads. The song also won Song of the Year at the 2015 South African Hip Hop Awards and helped reshape the sound of local trap at the time.
Despite the criticism, Nota did acknowledge A-Reece’s strength in other areas. The Pretoria-born rapper has proven himself as a dominant force in the streaming era, with projects consistently debuting at number one on Apple Music and Spotify in South Africa.
His 2025 EP Business As Usual reached number one on SA Apple Music in under nine hours, placing him among the fastest-rising acts of that year. Earlier releases, including P2: The Big Hearted Bad Guy from 2023, also debuted at number one locally. Across platforms, A-Reece ranks among the most-streamed hip-hop artists in the country, with songs like “Paradise,” “Mgani,” and “The 5 Year Plan” amassing millions of plays. He also remains one of the most consistently booked performers in the genre.
Nota further touched on live performance dynamics and booking politics, suggesting that shifting momentum among artists plays a role in who occupies major stages.
“Why is A-Reece at Milk and Cookies and not Young Stunna? Because Young Stunna has fallen off right now,” he said, referring to Young Stunna.
Milk and Cookies, a popular live music platform hosted in cities such as Johannesburg and Cape Town, is known for showcasing high-profile local and international talent. Nota’s remarks suggest that A-Reece’s continued presence at such events reflects his sustained relevance, while also pointing to a temporary dip in momentum for artists like Young Stunna, who previously dominated amapiano and hip-hop crossover spaces.
As expected, Nota’s comments have divided opinion online, reigniting the long-standing debate around what truly defines a “hit” in the modern streaming era: chart positions, cultural impact, longevity, or fan loyalty. For many fans, A-Reece’s influence goes beyond numbers, while critics argue that undeniable mainstream moments still matter in shaping legacy.
One thing is certain: the conversation around A-Reece’s place in South African hip-hop is far from over.
Stogie T has officially revealed the tracklist for his highly anticipated album “ANOMY”, and it’s already shaping up to be one of the most talked-about releases in South African Hip Hop this year.
The project is 12 tracks deep, boasting a stellar lineup of features including FLVME, Thandiswa Mazwai, Maglera Doe Boy, and Maggz. But what’s really got fans talking is track 11, titled “Four Horsemen” a powerful collaboration between Nasty C, A-Reece, and Maggz.
This marks one of the most unexpected yet exciting team-ups in recent memory. Given the history between A-Reece and Nasty C, both celebrated for their lyrical mastery and regarded as two of the most influential voices of their generation, this feature feels like a milestone moment for SA Hip Hop.
With Stogie T leading the charge, “Four Horsemen” promises to be a lyrical showcase that bridges eras and styles, merging veteran storytelling with youthful precision.
“ANOMY” drops soon, and if this lineup is anything to go by, listeners can expect a project rich in bars, reflection, and cultural weight.
A New Voice Rises from the Silence
Listen up. We got a name you need to clock: Psyphr LXRD (that’s “Sy-Fer Lord,” if you’re asking). This cat ain’t tiptoeing in; he’s stepping into the spotlight with his debut project, ‘Confession Tapes’—and trust us, this is a whole sonic diary.
Forget the usual flex and floss. This ain’t just another trap-soul drop; it’s a testimony. Every kick, every verse, every whisper is dripping in vulnerability and raw power.
“Every track is a truth I couldn’t say out loud — now it’s on wax.” — Psyphr LXRD
That line alone tells you everything. He’s putting it all on the table.
The Sound: Dark Soul Meets Sharp Pen
What can you expect? Think melodic soul getting a gut-punch from sharp lyrical intensity. You’re gonna get those heavy, dark 808s, those haunting vocal layers, and stories ripped straight from the messy pages of life and healing.
Joints like “Tempted” and “Midnight Confessions”
Every song is a confession—unfiltered, cinematic, and deeply human. Get ready for the truth.
The Tape: Confession Tapes Tracklist
- Intro – The Message (Welcome to Confession Tapes)
- Late Texts
- Tempted
- You Don’t Play Fair
- Body Language
- Too Honest (ft. PBBLS RAE)
- Fever Dreams
- Midnight Confessions
- Toxic Prayers
- Outro – The Call That Ended It
Presave Now – Don’t Get Left Behind!
💽 Debut Album: Confession Tapes 🎧 By: Psyphr LXRD (Sy-Fer Lord) 👉 Link Up Here: https://play.mw.fm/confession-tapes
Milk + Cookies, the Atlanta-based creative brand founded by four Morehouse College alumni, is bringing back Milk + Cookies Music Week South Africa in 2026 — and this time, Gunna is headlining!
After last year’s massive debut (headlined by Kaytranada) pulled in over 20,000 fans, the festival is back bigger than ever. The 21-day celebration will run from 24 December 2025 to 14 January 2026, taking over Cape Town and Johannesburg with music, art, and culture that connect Atlanta and South Africa like never before.
🎤 Gunna Live in SA
Multi-platinum rapper Gunna, known for hits like “Drip Too Hard” and “Push Up”, will headline two major shows:
- Cape Town – Kenilworth Racecourse, Saturday 3 January 2026
- Johannesburg – Nasrec Expo Centre, Saturday 10 January 2026
He’ll be joined by SA’s own heavyweights — Vigro Deep in Cape Town and DJ Kent in Joburg — blending hip-hop, amapiano, and house into one unforgettable sound. The lineup celebrates how South Africa’s music keeps influencing the world.
More Than Just Music
Since starting in 2009, Milk + Cookies has built a global name through events for artists like Kendrick Lamar and Summer Walker. Now, they’re using that experience to invest in South Africa’s creative scene — from writing camps and educational panels to merch pop-ups and community upliftment projects.
“We’re coming back because South Africa’s culture sets the pace for the world,” said Chase Freeman, Head of Marketing at Milk + Cookies. “Atlanta’s hustle and SA’s energy just click. Gunna, DJ Kent, and Vigro Deep are proof that this connection is powerful.”
Jhordan Gibbs, Director of Business Development, added: “We’re focused on building the next generation of South African creatives. It’s not just about the shows — it’s about creating opportunities and helping young artists grow.”
Tickets & Info
Tickets drop Friday, 10 October 2025 at 8:30 AM (SAST).
- Get early access by signing up at Milkandcookiesfestival.com
- General tickets available via Howler for both cities
- 18+ only
Follow @milkandcookiesfest on socials for lineup drops and more announcements in the coming weeks.
Brie Lee, Blue K, Efa & Yara Lane’s “Singenile” Is Taking The Internet By Storm
Nota Says A-Reece Doesn’t Have A Hit Song In His Music Career
Is AMAPIANO genre dying?
Nasty C Relaunches Tall Racks as a Game-Changing Platform for Independent Artists
Flash Cortez Drops New Single “Nthabiseng” Featuring Romeo ThaGreatwhite
