At the age of 20, upcoming hip-hop musician King 98 has already shared the stage with South Africa’s best Cassper Nyovest and Nasty C.
By Style Reporter
His debut in the mainstream music industry was in style, launching his single titled Defeat on the regional urban music channel MTV Base last month.
He is not done yet. The Watershed College student flew to Canada where he was scheduled to share the stage with Zimdancehall sensation Winky D and DJ Silence Dosh at the Impala Car Rental Africa-Canada Summer Festival in Toronto yesterday.
“I could not have done all this had it not been for the support of my father Thompson Dondo,” King 98 told The Standard Style last week.
“My father did not know that I could sing, but he got to know about it when Cassper Nyovest came to Zimbabwe last year. Cassper told my dad that I was a good rapper and that’s where it all started.”
Born Ngonidzashe Dondo, King 98 believes the future of hip-hop in Zimbabwe is bright.
“Hip-hop music is growing and a lot of youngsters like my colleague Union Five are taking the industry by storm. I believe with enough room for exposure, the genre can grow here in Zimbabwe,” he said.
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The young rapper, who is under the tutelage of Zimbabwe-born and Cassper Nyovest producer Allie Keys, said he felt he gave a vintage act when he warmed the stage for Nasty C last week, considering it was his maiden performance on the big stage.
King 98 performed four tracks Man Dem, Duce, Defeat and Flex sending the packed Wingate Golf Club into a frenzy.
“I can’t rate myself, but from the feedback that I got from my friends, on social media and family I gave a good show. Even some people who did not know me before reached out complimenting me on the performance,” he said.
“My fan base has grown, thanks to the Nasty C show. In South Africa where I launched my single Defeat last month, I have already connected with a lot of people and I hope to cast my links with fans from all over the world.
“Those dancers I performed with last week are from South Africa and I am working under my big brother Allie Keys.”
With 13 unrecorded singles under his belt, the young hip-hop star said he was in the studio working on a single, which he expects to release before end of the year.
He said he was also working on a project with award-winning Nigerian singer Davido.
“I have a single titled Duce that should be out by year-end and I am doing a collaboration with Davido on a single titled Bad Vibes that should be out early next year,” he said.
The Watershed College student said he was contemplating on hosting a hip-hop concert every year to create space for upcoming rappers.
“I am privileged because I was given the chance and space by my parents. I feel I am obliged to also create space for other colleagues who have talent,” he said.
“The hip-hop concert that I intend to host will be such a platform to nurture and expose talent.”
Watch: Defeat by King 98
