“Next time it ain’t no holdin’ back / Phonsa ilitshe, I’ll throw it back / Unyile if you think I won’t react.”
This triplet of rhymes above best encapsulated the mercurial nature and main objective of Mzansi rapper Ntokozo “K.O” Mdluli in his latest freestyle dubbed ‘Forecast 23‘. Tearing a leaf out of ‘Omega Freestyle’ from last year, Mdluli fashioned a song as good as an unflinching barrage of shots, targeting the detractors of his mega-hit ‘SETE‘, amapiano musician Lady Du, and ex-Teargas partner Ntukza.
The Call to Put Some Respect and Recognition on ‘SETE‘
In three minutes, K.O takes time to swot away the flies swarming around his record-shattering 2022 record ‘SETE‘ alongside Blxckie and Young Stunna. His foray at the naysayers eyes the fickle nature of award shows, particularly the South African Music Awards (SAMAs). The SAMAs, over the past years, have suffered blows to their credibility as they have been subject to professional and public scrutiny for alleged tribalism and bias. “It’s a couple SAMAs that belong to me / yi-politiki kulonyaka if it’s not a sweep,” the Skhanda Republic rapper raps.
Keeping the spirit of giving his colleagues deserved flowers for contributing to arguably his magnum opus, Skhanda Gawd gave Stunna and Somnyama a quick shout-out. “Danko lapho, Stunna, and thanks to Blxckie too / Record of the summer 2022.” Right after, the Skhanda Republic rapper shaded ‘SETE‘ for not being the song to start off 2023. “I know you haffers wasn’t happy, that’s the truth / kubonakele ngo new year / anybody who don’t believe in numbers, man, that’s just a fool,” he said, citing the sales ‘SETE‘ has been clocking compared to others that have been chosen ahead of it.
Lady Du & Ntukza Catching Shots
During the merciless delivery, the multi-SAMA-winner sniped at amapiano star Lady Du and former Teargas partner Ntukza.
“Sneak dissin’ is some shit that I don’t wanna see a lady do / Khul’ uyek’ iy’tshele and be a lady tu / You posted in your story uzama uk’claimer ukuthi iSETE wasn’t gold / but then a day or two RISA yathi platinum,” the Mpumalanga-born star rapped, referencing on Du’s subliminal shots towards ‘SETE’.
Mdluli, once and for all, extinguished all fires surrounding conversations about the iconic hip-hop trio Teargas and his hazy relationship with Ntukza. Not only did he ice out future peace talks with his former Teargas fellow, but he also shut down any speculation about the group ever reuniting in the future. “Every chance oytholayo, uhlala ukhuluma inyongo / Let the fans hear it from it from me, fuck a reunion,” he said about Ntukza and Teargas as a group.
With ‘SETE’ set to be going Diamond, according to the rapper on Twitter, ‘Forecast 23‘ is a song K.O didn’t need to add to his already stellar catalogue. But Mdluli has always been something of a linguistic man. So while his discography might’ve still done well enough without ‘Forecast 23‘, it’s still a clear-as-day reminder of who he is in the game. Notching yet another prime late in his career, his lyricism, cadence, and timing on the song all blend to paint a picture of a man somehow ageing backwards.
