Certified First Lady of Motswako Fifi Cooper’s return to the game brought with it a new album from one of the country’s well-renowned talents in the hip-hop circuit. Titled Chapters, the project is Cooper’s third, and beyond it being a bundle of joints, this one is a finely woven diary of narratives and stories from a rapper, a woman, and a mother. Narrated by the doyenne of the moment herself, her latest cut is a reflection and a celebration of her growth in all these three aspects of her womanhood, her work an exhibition of a seasoned soldier with the pen, her uniform plated with national honours for her exploits.
“Chapters isn’t just an album, it’s my life’s syllabus. The biggest lesson I learned crafting this opus is that your pen must speak the truth, even when your voice shakes. I’ve been in this game since I was a teenager, signed deals, faced industry politics, took breaks, built businesses and through it all, I learned that authenticity isn’t a trend, it’s your only currency.
“I used to think I had to fit into a certain sound to survive. But time taught me that real power lies in owning your narrative: the highs, the lows, the comebacks. This album is called Chapters because life isn’t a straight line but a collection of stories. Some verses are painful, some are victorious, but they’re all mine,” she said.
Fifi Cooper | SUPPLIED
After blowing up in the mid-2010s and joining forces with her former record label Ambitiouz Entertainment (AE), Fifi established herself as a gutsy wordsmith in a male-dominated field, daring to stand toe-to-toe with anyone as a primary artist or a featured contributor. With her staggered vocal delivery, inimitably playful accent, and genre-switching capabilities as a hip-hop star and an R&B vocalist, she perched herself proudly as yet another jewel in the crown of the Maftown movement, and won hearts, RiSA plaques, and accolades in the process.
She talked about the creation process of Chapters, from the inspiration behind the title to the very essence of the album found in the components of production and thematic scope.
“Creating Chapters was like revisiting my life with a new lens raw, reflective, and real. The inspiration came from my own journey: the moments I almost quit, the days I felt unstoppable, the lessons motherhood taught me, and the unshakable spirit of a Mafikeng girl who refused to be erased.
“The title Chapters came naturally. My life isn’t just one story – it’s many. Some pages are tear-stained and others are gold-leafed, but each one turned me into the woman and artist I am today. Sonically, I wanted to blend the soul of hip-hop with the rhythm of today’s Mzansi sounds, soulful hooks, but always, always bars that make you think.
“I produced with intention. Every beat, every feature was carefully chosen to represent a different part of my journey. This isn’t just an album, it’s my diary set to music. And if you listen closely, you might just find your story somewhere in these chapters, too,” she said.
Fifi Cooper | SUPPLIED
It’s been a decade since she released her smash debut album, 20FIFI, a dazzling showing bolstered by singles such as the Emtee-assisted “Kuze Kuse”, the whimsical “Kisses”, and the soulful “Truth or Dare”. However, much took place between then and now, from becoming a mother to falling out with AE and sprouting her own wings to go independent as a musician. In addition, it wasn’t life that changed for Fifi, so did her motivations, her hunger, and the reason she continued to do music.
She spoke about this growth and looked back to her debut as a reference relative to how far she has come.
“You know, when I look back at a project like 20FIFI I hear hunger. I hear a young artist claiming her space in a loud room. But with Chapters… this time, it wasn’t about claiming space. It was about owning it.
“The journey making this one was different because I came into the studio not just as an artist, but as a mother, a CEO, and a woman who’s seen enough seasons in this industry to know what matters. Before, I was rapping to prove I belonged. This time, I’m rhyming to show I never left. The studio sessions felt more like therapy. We weren’t just making songs; we were breathing life into stories.
“What’s different? The intention. Every verse, every hook, every collaboration was chosen to serve the story, not just the algorithm. This album is layered. It’s introspective. It’s not just me spitting bars, it’s me sharing lessons. Chapters isn’t the loudest album I’ve made but it’s the wisest. And that, for me, is growth,” she said.
Throwback to Fifi Cooper in 2016 with “Kuze Kuse”:
The Mafikeng rapper expressed hope that listeners would take away authenticity from the album and to understand the album as a purist work of hip-hop artistry encompassing solid beats, a straight pen game, and the fire to take the energy over the line.
“I want every music lover who presses play on Chapters to feel the same raw energy and honesty that we poured into every beat and every bar. This album is for those who appreciate lyricism, soulful production, and the kind of storytelling that stays with you long after the music stops. It’s not just a collection of songs but an experience. Whether you’re riding to it, reflecting to it, or just vibing deep, I want you to feel like you’ve lived these moments with me.
“And the way the streets have embraced it? That’s everything. Seeing real hip-hop heads, amapiano lovers, and even those who just appreciate good music come together around this project? That’s powerful. It tells me that when you focus on the art, the real art people recognize it. No gimmicks, just greatness. Chapters is for anyone who still believes in music that means something,” she said.
Listen to “Namela” alongside Emtee:
Fifi talked about the importance of not staying boxed in and gleaning inspiration from other genres.
“You know, staying relevant isn’t about chasing every new wave but about understanding the ocean. I grow by staying rooted in my truth while remaining a student of the sound. I listen widely not just to hip-hop or amapiano, but to jazz, soul, maskandi, and even gospel. There’s rhythm in everything, and inspiration doesn’t only live in one genre.
“But the most important thing? Never lose your pen. Trends change, algorithms shift, but real lyricism and storytelling – that’s timeless. I stay on top by honoring my craft, not just following clicks. I collaborate with respect and with creative expansion in mind and not clout. And most importantly, I make music that means something to me first. If it’s real to me, it’ll be real to the people. Authenticity isn’t a trend, it’s the only thing that never goes out of style,” she said.
Fifi Cooper | SUPPLIED
With her album already out and capturing hearts, she spoke about plans to wrap up the year, and building momentum going into the next one.
“Catch me at Rusty Fest on the 27th of September bringing lyrical fire to Rustenburg! Then, vibing deep at the #ChaptersAlbum Unplugged session in Daveyton on the 20th of September – intimate, acoustic, and straight from the soul. We are also taking over Kota Fest at FNB Stadium on the 4th of October and that’s one of the biggest stages in Mzansi! There’s way more in the books, from festival sets to club nights, radio runs to surprise features. We keeping it moving all the way into 2026! Stay close, fam,” she said.
Check out a preview of Chapters:
