In an exclusive tell-all with SA Hip Hop Mag, celebrated rapper Zakwe revealed a moment of deep regret in his career, an incident that saw him pass up on a collaboration that would later become one of the biggest anthems in South African hip hop history. The song in question? Riky Rick’s “Amantombazane” remix.
Zakwe, known for his no-nonsense lyricism and authenticity, recounted the story with a sense of humility and a touch of lingering disappointment. He explained that back in the day, a young and hungry Riky Rick reached out to him directly on Twitter. “He hit me up on Twitter, introducing himself,” Zakwe recalled. “I was like, I’ll check it out.”
At the time, Zakwe admits he wasn’t fully familiar with Riky Rick’s work. He listened to a few of his songs, but felt they didn’t resonate with his own artistic style. “I saw some of his songs that I didn’t relate to and I said, ‘we’ll talk’.” This initial misjudgment, he says, was the beginning of his biggest regret. The opportunity didn’t stop there. Zakwe says his friend and fellow rapper, Kwesta, also reached out to him about the same song. “Kwesta also hit me up, asking me if Riky had hit me up,” Zakwe said. However, at that specific time, Zakwe was entangled in issues with his record label, which complicated his ability to take on new projects. With a heavy heart, he gave the green light for them to proceed without him. “I told them to proceed,” he said.
The full weight of his decision hit him hard when the “Amantombazane” remix dropped, featuring a star-studded lineup including Kwesta, Okmalumkoolkat, Maggz, and Kid X. The song, with its infectious beat and iconic video, became an instant classic, dominating radio airwaves and dancefloors across the country.
“When the song and video came out, I had regrets,” Zakwe confessed. The moment served as a powerful lesson for the seasoned artist, a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the music industry and the importance of keeping an open mind. While Zakwe has gone on to have a stellar career filled with his own massive hits, the story of “Amantombazane” remains a poignant “what if,” a testament to the risks and rewards that define the journey of a hip hop artist.
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