Soweto Magz presents the Hottest MCs of 2025

A curated list highlighting artists who showed consistency, growth, skill, and real momentum throughout the year. This episode breaks down the thinking behind the list, offers cultural context, and sparks conversation around hip-hop impact in 2025. Compiled based on what was witnessed on the ground, no stigma, no bias, just the work.

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In this episode, Shembas Mhlabawonke dives into the streets’ latest proving ground for emerging artists, the “Who Got The AUX?” experience presented by the Put Me On Switch Podcast.

This raw, no-performance format puts artists’ music to the ultimate test: a USB, an AUX cable, and 20 seconds to grab the room’s attention. We break down why this event is about to shake up the local music scene, how it blends culture with digital discovery, and why it’s about to become one of the most authentic platforms for independent artists in South Africa.

Whether you’re a music fan, artist, creative, or culture enthusiast, this episode gives you insight into how grassroots events can shape careers and build communities.

Tap in and stay connected to the movement.

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In Episode 6, we unpack one of the most overlooked but powerful forces in South Africa today: the Hip-Hop Economy.
From streaming revenue to streetwear, events, branding, content creation, and township entrepreneurship, hip-hop has become a major driver of youth income, job creation, and cultural influence.

This episode explores how the movement goes beyond music to shape business, opportunities, and the future of South Africa’s creative economy.


In this episode you’ll hear about:

• How SA hip-hop generates real money and jobs

• The rise of the creative & township economy

• Fashion, streetwear & the business of drip

• Live events, festivals & their financial impact

• The global reach of South African hip-hop

• Why the culture is becoming its own economic engine


Listen on your favorite platform:

Spotify • Apple Podcasts • YouTube • Spreaker


About Soweto Magz

Soweto Magz documents the movement, hip-hop, youth culture, fashion, and the creators building the new South Africa.
This is the voice of the streets. The pulse of the culture.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/soweto-magz-podcast--6127362/support.

SA Hip-Hop isn’t just heard it’s worn.
In this episode of the Soweto Magz Podcast, Shembas MhlabaWonke breaks down the Top 5 streetwear brands ruling the culture in 2025, from the OG legends, to the new-wave powerhouses shaping how the streets dress.

We also spotlight Punyete, the rising brand with underground fire and growing influence inside SA Hip-Hop spaces.

If you love the culture, the fashion, and the stories behind the drip… this episode is for you.

Listen now and dive deeper into the movement.
New episode. New issue. Same culture.

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Scoop Makhathini Serves Us Fresh: The Story Behind “Fresh Plate”

Scoop Makhathini is back with something fresh! In this episode, we break down his new online clothing store Fresh Plate — a fusion of fashion, mindset, and hip-hop culture. From streetwear to self-awareness, Scoop reminds us to keep our plates full and our ideas fresh.

#SowetoMagz #FreshPlate #ScoopMakhathini #SAHipHop

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Back To The City 2025 | Power In Numbers

This past Saturday, Back To The City Festival reminded us exactly why hip-hop is more than music, it’s a movement.

We celebrated 19 years of Back To The City, 40 years of South African Hip-Hop, and 50 years of Global Hip-Hop, all under one powerful theme: Power In Numbers.

From the Heritage Moment with legends Mdu Masilela and Tuks Senganga, to the PTA Moment marking 20 years of Pitori Hip-Hop, the festival united the OGs and the new wave of MCs like never before.

Performances from Mashbeatz & Wordz, The Qwellers, Maglera Doe Boy, Big Zulu, Lupe Fiasco, Blxckie, Cassper Nyovest, 25K, Baby Daiz, KindlyNxsh, Kane Kid, K-Rev, DJ Papercut, Sliqe, Ziggy4x and more turned the stage into a celebration of legacy and future.

This was more than a show.... it was history in motion, and Soweto Magz was there to capture every moment.

SHORT FILM(VLOG) DROPPING SOON!!!

#SowetoMagz #BackToTheCity2025 #PowerInNumbers #SAHipHop #CultureAlive

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In this comeback episode, we break down what's happening in SA Hip-Hop right now, where the culture is heading next. From Soweto to the world, we’re talking music, fashion, and the streets that shape the movement. This is more than just a podcast.... it’s the return of a voice for the culture.
In this episode you’ll hear:

- Why Soweto Magz disappeared and what’s next.
- The current state of South African hip-hop.
- The new wave of artists shaping the future.
- How the culture continues to evolve in 2025.
If you love SA hip-hop, culture, and raw conversations about music and lifestyle — you’re in the right place. Welcome back to Soweto Magz! 

#SowetoMagz #SAHipHop #Podcast

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Exclusive Catch-Up Live On Soweto Magz! We sat down with Flowaboii after his electrifying performance at the Cotton Fest Open Mic Competition! Huge thanks to our talented team: Videographer ThatmustbeLore and Creative Director Shembas Mhlabawonke for capturing the magic!

Hosted By Shembas MhlabaWonke
Episode Out On All DSPs

#explore #fyp #podcast #spreaker #SowetoMagz #StreetCulture #SowetoHipHop #SouthAfricanRap #hiphopculture

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On today's episode of the Soweto Magz Podcast we are going to cover what happened this past weekend at AMPD STUDIOS. Last week Saturday was the kick off for the Put Me On Switch "Shoot Ur Shot Tour" the masterclass was hosted in collaboration with AMPD Studios, MTN and Redbull in New Town.

For those who don't know or never heard of "Shoot Ur Shot" it's a music competition show hosted by DJ Switch himself.

The show involves up-and-coming artists competing against each other, showcasing their skills, and "shooting their shot" to win a record deal, cash prizes, and other opportunities.

DJ Switch invited the platinum selling DJ and producer 031 Choppa who hails all the way from the 031 Durban. Soweto Magz actually got the opportunity to do an interview with 031 Choppa after the masterclass.

A lot was shared during the masterclass,
031 Choppa's journey as a producer and rapper. He shared his story, the challenges he faced during his journey and how he managed to tackle and overcome them.

Our very own host Shembas Mhlabawonke got to ask him how the transition from Hip Hop was to Amapiano, which will be shared separately on the Soweto Magz YouTube channel. He shared that he was surrounded by Amapiano producers most of the time and eventually he picked up a few tips and made hits alongside fellow stable producers at
Rap Academy.

He also mentioned that just because he moved to Amapiano, it doesn't mean that he stopped producing Hip Hop. He said that, from time to time he would make beat packs and send it to rappers.

Like his recent hit "WHAT'S THE QOH!" featuring the Qwellers and the legendary Okmalumkoolkat who also hail from the 031 except one of them.

DJ Switch and 031 Choppa also schooled us on what we call a split sheet which is an agreement between the artist, producer and other contributors/composers on the percentage of the song they own to avoid disagreements regarding the splitting of royalties.

They also dropped some knowledge when it comes to getting management as an artist. They said if you are still starting out, don't rush to get yourself a manager, manage yourself and learn the game and when you get yourself a manager don't just choose random people, they should be in line with what you do and they should understand that you're the artist not them, basically you have to get someone who believes in you.

Then after the masterclass there were performances, artists hopped on the stage and gave it their best.

Dj Switch actually said that last week's "Shoot Ur Shot" masterclass was the biggest in terms of attendance. We had people from the Vaal, we had people coming all the way from Limpopo and the KZN.

It really shows that Johannesburg is the centre of South African Hip Hop cause a majority of artists come from all over South Africa to come to Johustleburg to pursue their music careers.

Hosted by Shembas Mhlabawonke

Join your host with the most Shembas MhlabaWonke on the final episode of Soweto Magz for the year as we wrap up the biggest Hip Hop stories, releases, and moments that made waves. 2024 was actually an amazing crazy year for SA Hip Hop, actually Hip Hop internationally, 2024 is definitely going down in history as the biggest year in Hip Hop. Don't miss this special year-end episode!!!

See y'all in 2025, Soweto Magz to the World!!

This is the last episode for Season 1 of the Soweto Magz the Podcast. In this episode we are laying down the building blocks of what we call "HIP HOP" or as we call it in the streets
"The Culture", Imma explain what makes Hip Hop, Hip Hop.

Hosted By Shembas MhlabaWonke

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/soweto-magz-podcast--6127362/support.

This is the ninth installment of the Soweto Magz the Podcast. This episode is the last and final part of the 3 part series and is all about what happened at a workshop I attended at AMPD STUDIOS, it was hosted by DJ Switch's Put Me On Switch Podcast and had Award winning producer MashBeatz as a guest, Tune in for more.

Hosted by Shembas Mhlabawonke

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/soweto-magz-podcast--6127362/support.

This is the eighth installment of the Soweto Magz the Podcast. This episode is the part 2 of a 3 part series and is all about what happened at a workshop I attended at AMPD STUDIOS, it was hosted by DJ Switch's Put Me On Switch Podcast and had Award winning producer MashBeatz as a guest, Tune in for more.

Hosted by Shembas Mhlabawonke

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/soweto-magz-podcast--6127362/support.

This is the seventh installment of the Soweto Magz the Podcast. This episode is the part 1 of a 3 part series and is all about what happened at a workshop I attended at AMPD STUDIOS, it was hosted by DJ Switch's Put Me On Switch Podcast and had Award winning producer MashBeatz as a guest, Tune in for more.

Hosted by Shembas Mhlabawonke

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/soweto-magz-podcast--6127362/support.

This is the sixth installment of the Soweto Magz the Podcast. This episode is an update on a project I'm currently working on my brother Perseus and a couple other creatives around South Africa.

We came up with an idea to start a movement called RUN YOUR CITY which brings together underground creatives from Artistes, Producers and other creatives in the entertainment space.

Hosted By Shembas MhlabaWonke

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/soweto-magz-podcast--6127362/support.

This is the fifth installment of the Soweto Magz the Podcast. In this episode we talking about the Great Osmic Menoe, one of the Founding Fathers of South African Hip Hop.

This episode is special and I just wanted to touch base on his story, I just shared the important elements to make it interesting but do enjoy the episode.

Hosted By
Shembas MhlabaWonke

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/soweto-magz-podcast--6127362/support.

This Is The Forth Installment Of The Soweto Magz Podcast, In This Episode We Did Things Differently And We Had Some Guests Which Was Non Other Than @NotBenjamin and My Associate @KayJay.

We Sat Down With @NotBenjamin and He Shared With Us The Story Behind Starting @StreetfestBraam and @UndergroundJHB.

We Recorded The Episode LIVE At The AMPD STUDIOS In New Town, Johannesburg.

Hosted By
Shembas MhlabaWonke

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/soweto-magz-podcast--6127362/support.

This is the third installment of the podcast
Actually this is Unplanned, Unfiltered and Raw.
This episode addresses what is currently happening in the Hip Hop scene right now.

The diss track (Like That) that was dropped by METRO BOOMIN and FUTURE featuring KENDRICK LAMAR off their new collab album
"WE DON'T TRUST YOU"

Hosted By Shembas MhlabaWonke

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/soweto-magz-podcast--6127362/support.

This is the second installment of the
Soweto Magz Podcast.
Which focuses on what happened last week Saturday at Braam Square, Braamfontein and the familiar faces we linked up with.

hosted By
Shembas MhlabaWonke

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/soweto-magz-podcast--6127362/support.

The first official episode of the
Soweto Magz Podcast

This episode focuses on the introduction of the whole Magazine/Podcast and the story behind it.

The Host
Shembas MhlabaWonke

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/soweto-magz-podcast--6127362/support.