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Red Bull 64 Bars Is Back: South Africa’s Rap Game Just Got Real

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In the heart of Johannesburg, something big is brewing. You can feel it in the air, hear it in the streets, and see it on the faces of hungry MCs. Red Bull 64 Bars is back for its fourth season, and if the lineup is anything to go by, hip-hop fans are in for something special.

When the series first hit South African shores from Italy, it didn’t just arrive—it exploded. It stripped rap down to its rawest form. No hooks, no chorus, no fluff. Just 64 bars of unfiltered skill. It became the platform that separated the hype from the real, and this season is about to raise the bar even higher.

The Legends Are in the Building

Leading the charge this year is Reason, a lyrical giant whose name is etched into South African hip-hop history. When Reason steps in the booth, it’s more than just a performance—it’s a masterclass.

He’s joined by Tony Dayimane, known for his no-holds-barred energy, Kane Keid, whose flow is razor-sharp, and the introspective Kindly Nxsh, who delivers bars that hit just as hard as they make you think. These four set the tone for what’s already looking like one of the strongest lineups yet.

The New Wave Is Ready

As July wraps up, a fresh batch of talent is stepping up to the mic.

LOATINOVER POUNDS brings his genre-bending trap energy. Gigi Lamayne, always fearless and fiercely lyrical, commands attention from the moment she enters the room. Then there’s PHFat, who refuses to be boxed in by genre, and Ziggy4x, whose voice speaks directly from the streets.

Each artist adds a different flavor to the mix, proving that the next generation is not just ready—they’re already here.

From Unknown to Headliner

Some of the best stories in hip-hop start with a mic and a shot. That’s exactly what happened in 2024 when SirBelow Worldwide walked into a Johannesburg booth as a complete unknown. By the time he walked out, everyone was talking.

That same story is unfolding again, with this year’s Booth Tour hitting Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Pretoria, and Johannesburg. From every corner of the country, thousands of unsigned rappers showed up with nothing but bars and a dream. The tour proved again that the mic doesn’t care who you are—if you’ve got it, you’ve got it.

The Culture Continues

Red Bull 64 Bars is more than a rap series. It’s a cultural moment. A space where raw talent meets professional production, where street cyphers meet studio sessions, and where South Africa’s best voices are finally getting the spotlight they deserve.

Season 4 is ready to launch, and every artist stepping into that booth knows what’s at stake. This isn’t about hype or fame. It’s about the bars. The storytelling. The truth.

The mic is on. The booth is open. South African hip-hop is ready to speak—loud and clear.


Follow the movement at redbull.com or @redbullza on all social platforms to catch new drops, episodes, and Booth Tour highlights.

Music

Aubrey Qwana Releases Intando Kumnini EP

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Aubrey Qwana has released Intando Kumnini, an Afro-pop EP listed on Spotify on 16 October 2026. The project brings together a collection of songs featuring several collaborators.

The tracklist includes “Uzodlala Ngami,” “Omangandana” featuring Sgqineseko SqinQ, “Iyalenzezela” featuring SANNERE, “Idliso” and “Ungangikhonhlwa,” featuring Gibson Sibongukwanda Nyangiwe and Kwazi Nsele.

With Intando Kumnini, Aubrey Qwana brings the focus back to music as a shared language, one that can connect people from different backgrounds through love and personal experiences.

What does love sound like to you?

 

 

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ZULO Brings Back The Feeling Of Old-School Romance With New Single “meddie”

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ZULO is back with new music, and this time, he’s talking about love. The South African rap-pop artist has released “meddie,” a new single produced by himself, accompanied by an official music video.

The song draws inspiration from classic ’80s love songs, leaning into that feeling of falling for someone without overthinking every little thing. It’s playful, melodic and rooted in the kind of South African sound that has become part of ZULO’s identity.

Speaking about the record, ZULO says he wants to bring back yearning.

“‘meddie’ is South African. It’s always important to me to make music that feels very South African. It doesn’t overthink itself; it’s about losing yourself to love. You know how they say, ‘bring back yearning’? I’m bringing it back. It’s inspired by those classic ’80s love songs, playful but sincere,” he explains.

The release follows the feel-good energy of “lamza,” a fan favourite that helped establish the direction ZULO is exploring. On “meddie,” he keeps things warm and uncomplicated, allowing the feeling behind the song to lead.

There’s also a bigger picture here. The single serves as the lead release from his upcoming project, Something Lekker, scheduled to drop on 6 November 2026. It marks his first release since the Z single pack in 2025.

As the title suggests, Something Lekker is centred on love, home, family and belonging. These are familiar themes, but ZULO approaches them through his own experiences and cultural identity, making music that feels close to home without losing its individuality.

Born and raised in the south of Johannesburg, ZULO has built a sound that moves between hip-hop, pop and kwaito. Records like “Adawise,” “JOL” and “Smaak To Love (Lamza)” show his willingness to move across different sounds while keeping a distinctly South African feel.

 

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A post shared by ZULO (@zuloverse)

The “meddie” music video extends the song’s romantic mood, giving listeners a visual introduction to this next phase of his artistry.

For now, ZULO is keeping the message simple: let yourself fall in love, enjoy the feeling and stop trying to make everything complicated.

“meddie” is out now on streaming platforms, with the official music video also available to watch. With Something Lekker arriving in November, this single gives listeners an early look at what ZULO has been putting together.

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Buzzi Lee Returns With “Abracadabra” Featuring Reason & Mochen

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Pretoria’s Buzzi Lee is back with new music, and she’s making sure her pen does the talking. The rapper has released “Abracadabra,” a MashBeatz-produced single featuring Mochen and Reason, while announcing her upcoming EP, Bontle.

The release follows “Bao Jela” featuring K.Keed, another MashBeatz-produced record that helped keep Buzzi Lee’s name in the conversation. This time, she leans into her wordplay and confidence, using the track to remind listeners of the magic she brings to the mic.

“Abracadabra” is built around self-belief. For Buzzi Lee, it’s about recognising what you have within yourself and not waiting for anyone else to validate it.

“Abracadabra is about realizing that you are the magic. It’s about the magic of the pen and the magic within yourself,” she explains.

That message comes through in the line, “O se ka nnyatsa, ake Tshwane le oo.” It’s a reminder not to underestimate her, especially when it comes to her craft. Buzzi Lee has her own lane, and she isn’t interested in being compared to anybody else.

 

 

The single also gives us a glimpse of what to expect from Bontle. The upcoming EP is set to feature Mochen, Reason, Loatinover Pounds, Thato Saul and more, bringing together a lineup of artists from different corners of the local hip-hop scene.

Buzzi Lee has been building her name through her distinct Spitori delivery and ability to move between sounds without losing her identity. “Pheli Via Church” helped introduce her to a wider audience, while her appearance on MashBeatz’s “Never Ride Remix” placed her alongside a record that went on to win Best Remix at the 2022 South African Hip Hop Awards.

She later joined Woodblock DJ, Cassper Nyovest and Kwesta on the “Skuta Baba Remix,” which received Song of the Year recognition at the 2024 Metro FM Music Awards.

Now, with “Abracadabra,” Buzzi Lee is setting the stage for her next move. Bontle is on the way, and if this single is anything to go by, she’s coming through with the same confidence and lyrical identity that have helped her carve out a space in the game.

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