15 Best female rappers from South Africa in 2024 and their top songs

South African female rappers are on top of their game. They use social media and music streaming sites to reach their audience faster and more efficiently. The South African female rap scene has witnessed several new names joining the industry with a bang in the past few years. Discover the best female rappers in SA today.

The compilation of this list of 15 notable female South African rappers is based on artists' recognition, musical achievements and lyrical prowess. These artists continue to produce new hits every day. Note that the list is arranged in no particular order.

Best South African female rappers list

15 best female rappers from South Africa

South African female rappers are very talented. Some are better on the mic than their male counterparts. Female South African rappers have diverse songwriting and singing styles. Some use beats from the 80s and 90s, while others use today's trap and Afro beats.

15. Nadia Nakai

• Full name: Nadia Nakai Dlamini
• Born: 18 May 1990
• Age: 33 years old (as of 2024)
• Place of birth: South Africa

Nadia Nakai is among the best and most popular South African female singers. The artist released her debut studio album, Nadia Naked, in 2019. She also co-hosted the popular MTV Base Hip Hop show Yo! MTV Raps.

She was featured in Netflix's Young, Famous & African reality show in 2022. Some of Nadia Nakai's famous songs are Don't Cut It, Imma Boss, and Money Back.

14. Fifi Cooper

• Full name: Refilwe Boingotlo Mooketsi
• Date of birth: 24 October 1991
• Age: 32 years old (as of 2024)
• Place of birth: Montshiwa, Mahikeng, North West, South Africa

Fifi Cooper owns the Mo Cooper Records. Her breakthrough song, Chechela Morago, came out in 2010. The rapper released her award-winning debut album, 20FIFI, in 2015. Fifi Cooper has a unique flow and sings in different languages. Some of her hit songs are Kuze Kuse, Truth or Dare, Zwagala and Net So.

13. Rouge

• Full name: Deko Barbara-Jessica Wedi
• Born: 13 September 1992
• Age: 31 years old (as of 2024)
• Birthplace: Pretoria, South Africa

Rouge is the queen of rap in South Africa. She is also an author and television presenter. Rouge has won numerous awards, including the Best Female Artist award at the 2017 South African Hip Hop Awards. Rouge has many tracks; popular songs include Dololo, Popular, One by One and Mbongo-Zaka.

12. Gigi Lamayne

• Full name: Genesis Gabriella Tina Manney
• Born: 7 July 1994
• Age: 29 years old (as of 2024)
• Birthplace: Lenasia, South Africa

Gigi Lamayne released her debut mixtape, El Principio-16, at age 16. The rapper's first album, Colour Reign, came out in 2014. Some of Gigi Lamayne's best songs are Ice Cream, Jungle Fever and Lobola.

11. Boity Thulo

• Full name: Boitumelo Thulo
• Born: 28 April 1990
• Age: 33 years (as of 2024)
• Birthplace: Potchefstroom, South Africa

TV host Boity Thulo is among the richest female rappers in South Africa. She is also an actress, model, and businesswoman. Thulo was named among Forbes Africa's 30 Under 30 for her contribution to entertainment.

Her 2018 debut single, WuzDut, featured Nasty C. Other famous Boity's songs are Ndak'betha, Own Your Throne, Best Friend, Thembi and Satan O Wele.

10. Yugen Blakrok

• Full name: Yugen Blakrok
• Born: 1980
• Age: 44 years old (as of 2024)
• Place of birth: Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Yugen was featured in the Black Panther soundtrack with Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, SZA, Future, and Jay Rock. Yugen Blakrok joined the Lapetus Records, an indie label, in 2009 and released her debut album.

Her 2013 song, Return of the Astro-Goth, was nominated for three awards at the 2014 SA Hip-Hop Awards. Some of her popular songs include Obsidian Night, Gorgon Madonna, Picture Box and Carbon Form.

9. Moozlie

• Full name: Nomuzi Mabena
• Date of birth: 22 September 1992
• Age: 31 years old (as of 2024)
• Place of birth: Benoni, South Africa

Moozlie won the MTV VJ Search for the year in 2012 and joined MTV Base as a VJ. Mabena joined VUZU and Channel O Africa in April 2016 and released her debut mixtape, Versuse, in 2017.

She established the Nomuzi Mabena Music label in 2018. Some of Moozlie's best songs areVatel, Ang'zanga, sibasabi, Don't Panic, and I'm A Star.

8. Patty Monroe

• Full name: Megan Steenkamp
• Born: 1996/1997
• Age: 28/27 years old (as of 2024)
• Birthplace: Cape Town, South Africa

Patty Monroe's real name is Megan Steenkamp. The rapper discovered her songwriting talent in Grade 9, and her older brother helped her develop it. Some of Patty's best songs are Reminiscing, Whiskey Sours, Keep Winning, I Don't Need a Break and Came for the Top.

7. Dope Saint Jude

• Full name: Catherine Saint Jude Pretorius
• Date of birth: 11 April 1990
• Age: 33 years old (as of 2024)
• Place of birth: Cape Town, South Africa

Rapper Dope Saint Jude doubles as a songwriter and producer. Her career kicked off in 2011, and people knew her as a drag king. The rapper looks up to Tupac and the Riot Grrrl.

The queer rapper sometimes addresses sexuality and gender issues through her music. Catherine's music has an international appeal. Some of her top songs are You're Gonna Make It, Go High Go Low, For You, Keep Your Head Up and Didn't Come to Play.

6. Tyrant the Rapper

• Full name: Mmabutsi Jacqueline Mmatshepo Mathabathe
• Date of birth: 26 June 1997
• Age: 26 years old (as of 2024)
• Place of birth: Benoni, Gauteng, South Africa

Tyrant the Rapper was born in Benoni, Gauteng, in Johannesburg, but her ancestral roots are in Ntwane, Dennilton, in Limpopo. She draws inspiration from rappers Nas, Cassidy, Tech Nine, and The Roots. Mmabutsi Mathabathe has released several hit songs, including Moon Light, Scriptures, Outro, Stress of a Genius, and I Love Boombap.

5. Kanyi Mavi

• Full name: Kanyi Mavi
• Place of birth: Cape Town, South Africa

Kanyi Mavi is a Xhosa lyricist who hails from Cape Town. Rapper Kanyi has performed in Sweden, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Her 2019 track, Umsindo, poetically addressed gender-based violence in relationships. Some of Kany's top songs are Ngqangqa, Andizenzi, Ekukhanyeni, Iinkwenkwezi and Uzobuya.

4. Dee Koala

• Full name: Odwa Situma
• Date of birth: 11 May 1998
• Age: 25 years old (as of 2024)
• Place of birth: Khayelitsha, Cape Town, South Africa

The award-winning South African female artist became famous for her single, Koala. It was part of her EP 18-18 in 2016. She began rapping and writing poetry while in primary school. Dee Koala received the Best Female award at the South African Hip-Hop Awards in 2020. Some of her top songs are Spazz, Ndintswempu, Sel'iwash Yodwa and Play Your Part.

3. Sho Madjozi

• Full name: Maya Christinah Xichavo Wegerif
• Date of birth: 9 May 1992
• Age: 31 years (as of 2024)
• Place of birth: Limpopo, South Africa

Sho Madjozi is a South African singer, rapper, actress, poet and songwriter. She rose to fame after collaborating with Okmalumkoolkat on the track Ngiyashisa Bhe. In 2017, she made her first appearance in the drama telenovela Isithembiso.

She has won several awards, including the South African Music Award, Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards and BET Awards. Some of Sho Madjozi's famous songs are John Cena, Huku, Chale, Jamani, Shahumba and Stepping Good.

2. Jean Grae

• Full name: Tsidi Ibrahim
• Date of birth: 26 November 1976
• Age: 47 years (as of 2024)
• Place of birth: Cape Town, South Africa

Jean Grae is a rapper who rose to fame in the underground hip-hop scene in New York City. She was part of the hip-hop group Natural Resource along with rapper Ocean and DJ AGGIE. Jean Grae has released songs like My Crew, My Story, Going Crazy, Kill Screen and Love Thirst.

1. Yolandi Visser

• Full name: Anri du Toit
• Date of birth: 1 December 1984
• Age: 39 years old (as of 2024)
• Place of birth: Port Alfred, South Africa

Yolandi Visser is a singer, songwriter, music video director and rapper. She co-founded the rap-rave band Die Antwoord and the record label Zef Recordz. Yolandi starred in the science-fiction film Chappie in 2015. Some of the band's popular songs are Ugly Boy, We Have Candy, Die Antwoord Is Dead and Land of Honey.

Who is the female Xhosa rapper from Cape Town?

Kanyi Mavi and Dee Koala are the top female rappers known for their creative use of Xhosa and insightful lyrics touching social issues.

These are some of the best South African female rappers. You can support them by watching their songs on YouTube. Most of their tracks are also on Spotify, Boomplay, Apple Music and other music streaming platforms.

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Source: Briefly News