Top Ten has-beens That S.A has produced - Top Ten Toozdays

If there’s anything “the fallen” have shown us, it’s that talent is never enough. Especially in South Africa, a country where stars earn as much as ordinary citizens and all they can really embrace is their fame. A country where if you want to survive as a celebrity, you need to do all media related jobs from acting to Surf ads. A lesson to the next ones to make it… It never lasts forever, take what you can and make a run for it!!!


10.   Proverb – The smartest has-been for sure in terms of the rappers in S.A. He had years of success in a then struggling hip-hop industry. He was/is loved by both commercial and underground hip-hop enthusiasts and had some good years at the top, his hometown of Kimberly even had him as their ambassador at some point. Luckily Proverb knew that money was the most important point of his stardom and worked many jobs to make sure that when his rapper days were over, he can still keep his car and afford a Wimpy burger. Proverb juggled/juggles presenter jobs, lecturing at Damelin, radio jobs and still releases records… though not much is known about is music anymore. PUT THE MIC DOWN PAPA!!!

9. TKZEE – “Come on everybody… It’s a fiesta” Once the biggest Kwaito act to do it, no one even came close to their level of success and quality of hit music. But like with most groups, people get cocky and think they can do it on their own. After splitting, only Kabelo made some sort of impression on us but soon also fell down the rabbit hole. Their recent comeback was more like an anti-climax and seemed more like a venture for more money. Now all they can do is reminisce about the glory days.


1.     8.  Pitch Black Afro – The first rapper to reach platinum status in S.A and the most interesting emcee to ever do it. Him and DJ Cleo were an unstoppable duo, but if there’s anything we’ve learnt from this list it’s that nothing lasts forever. Now Pitch Black is still trying to get back in there, but I guess no one is really intrigued by “skhubureshka” and all the other crazy things he says anymore. Atleast he still has some moola though.

777.  Boza – So now he’s doing house? The has-been rapper from Skwatta Camp is making a career in producing house music, what happened? Did he got sick of following Sliqour around to the record studio. Did Sliquor not allow Boza into his car or something? Well the rapper has figured out that hip-hop fans are the stingiest, all talk and no PAY fans in S.A. All the best for you and your house. If all else fails, the white man created a thing called a job. Ask Selwyn to hook you up.

666. 101 Popstars – In all fairness, none of the Popstar groups ever really got going, no one even cares about this new Nne Vida group selected lastyear. But 101 was probably the most successful with the help of sexy Pam Andrews. But like the others, it failed and the only one to make it out of the brush was Pam who now acts and does all sorts of other men to stay afloat.. hehehe. Do you guys even know who won last year’s POPSTARS? 

555. Trompies -  It seems like only one person ever really comes out alive in all groups that have either failed, or reached the top only to find that what goes up eventually thunders downwards. Same with Trompies. The most famous pantsula’s to ever be on our TV’s and radio’s, but now only Mandla Spikiri is around as a thriving record of the group. When do people ever learn? Groups never benefit everyone, only the brains.

444. H2O – It was certainly “Wonderfull” to here themselves on radio daily. A big hip-hop duo who were one of the  stars that gave all of us hope that hip-hop is still growing in S.A. They got many shows and many hoes for sure, but as Vinolia would say in her days… 5,4,3,2 YOUR TIME IS UP. SORRRRRRRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!
 
3. Wicked – Well… If you still remember who this is then you’ll understand why he is here. Once seen as the beacon of light in a gloomy hip-hop industry, Wicked had done so well to even sell a few thousand copies in America. After a collabo with a Kwaito artist I began to suspect that things in hip-hop weren’t all that “rich”. And now we haven’t heard a thing from him in many years.


2. Brown Dash – Probably in the same situation as Mapaputsi, but with an ounce of pride atleast, fighting for his future. Brown Dash has acknowledged his situation and is trying to get back into the groove. Unlike Mapaputsi he hasn’t given up and can hopefully he’s trying to rub his something into DJ Sbu’s face. He should first acknowledge that Kwaito is dying and start doing the house/kwaito thing.


1. Mapaputsi – Probably the worst affected former star. In an interview with Xtralarge TV he admits he is broke and glorifies God in helping him through this stage. I don’t recall him ever mentioning The Lord when he was on top. He was drunk as hell at the Metro FM Awards last year with no ounce of confidence in himself.


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