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Ntokozo Mdluli (born 13 October 1980), known professionally as K.O, is a South African rapper.[1] He began his career as a member of Teargas, a hip hop group which released its debut album titled K'shubile K'bovu (2006), followed by Wafa Wafa (2008), Dark or Blue (2009) and last album Num8er Num8er (2012).

K.O
Birth name	Ntokozo Mdluli
Also known as	Skhanda Gawd K:Hova Mr. Cashtime
Born	(1980-10-13) 13 October 1980 (age 42)
Origin	Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa
Genres	Hip hop
Occupation(s)	Rapper record producer businessman
Years active	2005–present
Labels	Cashtime Life (former) Sony Music Africa
Formerly of	Teargas

Following Teargas departure, K.O pursued his solo career and released his solo debut album Skhanda Republic (2014), debuted at #1 in South Africa and was certified platinum Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA).[2]

K.O's second studio album Skhanda Republic 2 (2017), released in partnership with Sony Music Entertainment Africa.

Early life

K.O was born Ntokozo Mdluli in Soweto, Johannesburg in 1980.[3][4] He is the son of Thembisile Mdluli and Jabulani Mdluli.[5] He moved to Piet Retief in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa with his family while he was an infant. He completed his matric and went to Vaal University of Technology where he studied a National Diploma in Public Relations Management.[6]

While at Vaal University of Technology, Mdluli met his would be bandmates, brothers; Ezee "Ma-E" Hanabe and Bantu "Ntukza" Hanabe. He completed his studies and graduated with a Public Relations (PR)Management National Diploma from Vaal University of Technology. Initially he struggled to find employment, according to a Sowetan article he spent two years unemployed before his mother sent his CV to the South African Police Service but he never followed up. "I was trying to make demos with funding from my parents and they believed in my dream but I eventually started giving up. My mother sent my CV to the SAPS but I didn't go for the interview. The day of the interview I knew I was struggling but I couldn't go through with it," K.O was quoted in the Sowetan.^{[citation needed]} He went on to work in the field of his studies with a dream of becoming a musician.^{[citation needed]}

Music career

2005–2009: Teargas

In 2005, while employed in the Public Relations, K.O and brothers from Soweto; Ma-E and Ntukza, they decided to form a Hip Hop group called Teargas. "We realised it would be better to join since we were already good friends who knew each other's rhyming style", K.O was quoted by the City Press. In 2006 Teargas released their debut album, K'shubile K'bovu, the album was a smash hit and a runaway success. The fifteen (15) track album featured a timeless smash hit titled "chance". "Chance", a Hip Hop song chronicling a life of a township gangster seeking redemption, was reminiscent of the early days of Kwaito. In 2008 Teargas released their second studio album titled Wafa Wafa; in the sixteen (16) track album the group worked with Bongo Riot on two songs, "Champions" and "Sunshine".

In 2009, they released their third studio album titled Dark or Blue, in the thirteen (13) track album Teargas collaborated with Tamarsha on the song titled "Life", with DJ Tira and Liesl Penniken on the song called "Party 101", with Hip Hop Pantsula and Pro (formerly Pro Kid) on the song "Goodfellaz" and with Danny K on the song "T.L.C. (Tender, Love and Care)". In 2012 Teargas released their fourth and final studio album called Number Number (stylized Num8er Num8er); in the fifteen (15) track album they worked with 2Face "Turning Tables", Lilly Million on "Forgive Me", Toya Delazy on "Paradise" and Ziyon on "Put U On".

2013–15: Skhanda Republic

Cashtime Life

This section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. (February 2022)

In 2013, K.O joined forces with Teargas bandmate, Ma-E, and music and marketing executive Thabiso Khati to form an entertainment company, Cashtime Life, which he (K.O) became its first artist. This was followed by the release of the first official single of K.O's first solo album, Mission Statement, which became a critical success and enjoyed massive airplay across South Africa.

In 2014, K.O was featured on AKA's hit single, "Run Jozi (Godly)". The verse by K.O would go down as one of the greatest verses in SA Hip Hop.

In March 2014, he released a second official single from his first album, "Caracara", and it went on to an even bigger success, reaching one million views on YouTube and break the record for most views of a South African hip-hop video. "Caracara" would then become the first SA hip hop song to win record of the year at the annual South African Music Awards(SAMA). "Caracara" was also nominated for Best Hit Single, Best Collaboration and Best Music Video at the 14th Annual Metro FM Awards.

K.O later released, "Son of a Gun", a third official single for his first album titled Skhanda Republic.

In November 2014, K.O's first solo album, Skhanda Republic, was released. In the 11 track album, K.O collaborated with Kid X on "Caracara", Nandi Mngoma on "Skhanda Love" and Ma-E, Maggz and Masandi on "One Time". Skhanda Republic would go on to win 3 SAMA awards including the Rap Album of the year. Skhanda Republic was also nominated for Best Hip Hop album and Best Male Album at the 14th Annual Metro FM Awards.

K.O also won the MTV Base MC of the year panel decided crown for the year in 2014.

2016–2019: Skhanda Republic 2, PTY UnLTD

In July 2017, Ntokozo signed a partnership & distribution with Sony Entertainment.[7] He announced a single and his new album coming up later same year. He released his a single "No Feelings" on 21 July, song production was handled by Hylton Brooker & Gemini Major.[8] The song was certified platinum (RiSA) with sales of 25 000 copies.[9] His single "Don Dada" featuring Okmalumkoolkat on 14 October.[10]

Ntokozo went to drop his second sophomore album Skhanda Republic 2 stylized as SR2, in October 2017.[11] In March 2019, his single "Supa Dupa" was released as album's lead single.[12] The song was certified 2× gold (RiSA) with sales of 20 000 copies.[13] "Say U Will" was released as the second single. He went on to follow-up with his third solo album titled PTY UnLTD, in the year 2019.[14]

"Supa Dupa", is the only South African hip hop song to receive a gold plaque in the year 2019.

2021-present: Skhanda Republic 3

In September 2021, he announced his upcoming fourth album Skhanda Republic 3, and released "Playback" on October 15, 2021.[15][16]

The second single "Emoyeni" was released on March 25, 2022.[17] The latter is followed up by a freestyle titled, "SKHANDAVILLE FREESTYLE" on July 25, 2022 as a first single to the upcoming album and as a follow up to the "No Fear (Freestyle)".

In August 2022 K.O released his biggest hit yet after Cara Cara which features Young Stunna and Blxckie named "SETE", was released and is on the third installment of Skhanda Republic. The single has already been certified double platinum by RISA and is marked as the fastest gold single in SA streaming history. The music video was released on the first of September. The latter was certified platinum status in 16 days by RISA.

On 20 August 2022 rapper Big Zulu released a diss track aimed at K.O and other renowned South African rappers. A diss track response was dropped on 22 August by K.O, titled "Omega" after releasing Sete on the 19th.

The tracklist and art cover to the album was unveiled on Instagram including the names of the features. Sjava, Msaki, Zuma, Pabi Cooper and Sarkodie will be featured on this album. It will have 14 songs and the tracks "Playback" and "Emoyeni", have not been listed in the tracklist.

The album debuted at number one on Spotify Weekly Top Albums SA Chart. It becomes the first album by a SA Hip-Hop artist to debut number one.

Teargas

In an interview with the Sunday World K.O dismissed claims that Teargas has split. "We have decided to individually try new things just like Mafikizolo did. We are taking a break but it does not mean we are a dead group," K.O was quoted in that interview.[18]

Personal life

In May 2014, K.O lost a significant amount of weight. Social media rumours appeared that K.O was HIV positive.[19] His manager Thabiso Khati denied those rumours, stating that K.O had undergone a strict diet plan and was exercising regularly.[20][21] K.O later released a statement regarding his health and posted a picture of his blood test results on his Twitter and Instagram page, showing he was HIV negative.[22]

Awards and nominations

Channel O Africa Music Video Awards

Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result	Ref
2014	"Caracara"	Most Gifted Male	Nominated	[23]
		Most Gifted Duo/Group or Featuring Artist	Nominated	[23]
		Most Gifted Hip Hop	Nominated	[24]
		Most Gifted Southern Artist	Nominated	[24]
		Most Gifted Video of the Year	Nominated	[24]

South African Music Awards

-

Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result
2015	"Skhanda Republic"	Record of The Year ("Caracara")	Won
		Rap Album of The Year	Won
		Best Collaboration ("Caracara" ft Kid X)	Won
2020	"PtyUnltd"	Record of The Year ("Supa Dupa")	Nominated
		Rap Album of The Year	Nominated
		Best Collaboration ("Say You Will ft Nandi Madida")	Won
2021	"Lucky Star"	Best Produced Music Video	Nominated[25]

Discography

As lead artist

List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name

Title	Year	Peak chart positions	Certifications	Album
		ZA
"Say You Will" (featuring Nandi Madida)	2019			PTY Unltd
"Supa Dupa"		1
"Lucky Star"	2021
"K:HOVA"
"Playback"
"Emoyeni"	2022
"SKHANDAVILLE (Freestyle)"				SR3
"Omega (Freestyle)"
"SETE"		1[26]	RiSA: 2× Platinum[27]	SR3

Extended Plays

• 2Piece - 2018

Studio albums

• Skhanda Republic (2014)
• Skhanda Republic 2 (2017)
• PTY UnLTD (2019)
• Skhanda Republic 3 (2022)

As member of Teargas

• 2006 K'shubile K'bovu – Teargas
• 2008 Wafa Wafa – Teargas
• 2009 Dark or Blue – Teargas
• 2012 Num8er Num8er – Teargas

References

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