K.O is undoubtedly one of South Africa’s biggest stars right now. K.O will again fly the South African flag high in the American state of Texas this year as the star is scheduled to perform at the world-renowned annual film, interactive media, and music festival South by mid-March.
The rapper has seen great success come his way since going solo, with his album Skhanda Republic and singles Caracara and Skhanda Love a major part of his growth in the industry.
However, things have not always been smooth sailing for the former Teargas member.
After deciding to change his lifestyle to a healthier one in 2013, vicious rumours starting circulating that Ntokozo ‘K.O’ Mdluli had HIV, along with his then girlfriend Sarah Langa Heaton.
Looking back at the ordeal, K.O admits that he may have lost too much weight at the gym – prompting the rumours. However, he has managed to take positives out of the situation, creating a stronger K.O.
“For me that was one of the pillars to my success… That whole situation started shortly after Caracara came out. There are a lot of people who will not applaud every great move you make. So it was their way of maybe trying to slow me down,” K.O told Sowetan.
“My partner was being told that she is dying, just because ‘I’m dying’. She was not a rapper, she is not in the music business. But now just because of her association with me and now she has to endure ignorance like that. My parents were also being hit hard.”
In 2014 K.O topped the inaugural MTV Base’s Hottest MC list. In 2015, the rapper dropped to #3, behind #2 AKA and #1 Cassper Nyovest. K.O describes his drop as ‘fair’ considering the kind of year he had.
However, he does argue that he feels that AKA should have topped the polarizing list last year instead of Cassper.
“I think it was fair. But maybe the only thing that I would have changed from there, and this is not me trying to sound bitter or take anything away from anyone, I think number one especially towards the end of the year last year Cassper got to become the person that he became because of the Fill Up The Dome situation, which was incredible. But just based on the music, I think AKA should have been #1, because you saw what Baddest did and Composure did. Again this is not me trying to discredit Cassper from this great milestone,” K.0 maintains.
Asked about what’s his opinion of his fellow hip hop counterparts, the Ding Dong hit-maker replies:
“Everyone is doing great. I’m really impressed with what Kwesta is doing right now, the new song [Ngud] he has going on with Cassper. He’s going to have a great year. I want to see what Riky [Rick] has coming up this year. I was really hoping that last year was going to be OkMalumKoolKat’s year, I’m not too sure what happened there. I’m Also rooting for Nasty C, who I think can rap circles around 95% of all these rappers that are currently active in the industry right now. Obviously, Emtee doing great as well.”