K.O (rapper)

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".

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.

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.

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 and certified Platinum by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA). [18] It became the first album by a South African hip hop artist to debut at number one on the list.

On the 2 February 2023, K.O announced the release of a song which was released later on that day. The track takes shots at amapiano artist, Lady Du who predicted that Sete would not get certified gold, which evidently platinum and almost diamond. Drama with former bandmate Ntukza was also mentioned. The Sete hitmaker addressed the fact that there would not be any reunion of Teargas. Despite SETE being song of the year on many music platforms Ukhozi FM never awarded it and that matter was unveiled in the song.

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

• 2Piece (2018)

• K'shubile K'bovu (2006)
• Wafa Wafa (2008)
• Dark or Blue (2009)
• Num8er Num8er (2012)