Yanga Chief


Yanga Ntshakaza, professionally known as Yanga Chief is a South African rapper, record producer and singer-songwriter. Born in Mthatha and raised in Queenstown, Yanga studied film studies at University of Johannesburg.

Career

In late 2000s, Yanga was a videographer for Buttabing Entertainment. In 2016, he was featured on AKA's "Dreamwork" which was certified 5× diamond, and he co-written Kwesta's song featuring Thabsie "Ngiyaz'fela Ngawe" released in February 26, 2016. Yanga wrote and provided vocals for AKA’s song "Jika" released in 2018. In October 2018, his single "Utatakho" was released. The song peak number one on Metro FM Top 40 charts and was certified gold in South Africa selling over 10 000 units. In 2019 "Utatakho" won Song of the Year at the South African Hip Hop Awards. Yanga made "Utatakho Remix" the song features the late South African rappers Riky Rick, Dee Koala and Boity. Yanga ranked number 3 on MTV Base: SA's Hottest MCs 2019. In October 2019, his extended play Becoming a Pop Star was released. Becoming a Pop Star won South African Music Award for Best Hip Hop Album in 2021.
Yanga began to work on his debut in 2017. On October 16, 2020, album's pre-add were made available.
On November 27, 2020, his debut studio album Pop Star was released in South Africa. The album received positive reviews from music critics.
He teamed up with Blxckie and 25K on single "Ntoni Na", which music video premiered on MTV Base on the 31st of August 2021. In 2022 he made a single called "Benjamins" where he features Emtee and Henny Belit.
His extended play Imvelaphi, was released on May 31, 2024. It was supported by one single "Mbali Yam".
His second studio album Lord Faku – The Life Of A Dyan was released on February 21, 2025. The song "What If? Mngani" peaked No. 1 on the SA Spotify Daily Charts and reached No. 1 on Local Streaming Charts Top 10.

Discography

Studio albums

  • Pop Star
  • ''Lord Faku – The Life of a Dyan''

    Other charted and certified songs

Awards and nominations

YearAward ceremonyCategoryRecipient/Nominated workResults
2016South African Hip Hop AwardsBest Collabo"Dreamwork"Nomitated
2019South African Hip Hop AwardsSong of the Year"Utatakho"Won
2020South African Hip Hop AwardsMixtape of the YearBecoming a Pop StarWon
2020South African Hip Hop AwardsSong of the Year"Utatakho Remix"Nomitated
2020South African Hip Hop AwardsBest Collaboration"Utatakho Remix"Nomitated
2020South African Hip Hop AwardsBest Remix"Utatakho Remix"Nomitated
2020South African Music AwardsRemix of the Year"Utatakho Remix"Nomitated
2020South African Music AwardsBest Hip Hop AlbumBecoming a Pop StarWon
2020South African Music AwardsBest Music Video of the Year"Jika"Won
2020South African Music AwardsRecord of the Year"Jika"Nomitated
2021South African Music AwardsBest Hip Hop AlbumPop StarNomitated
2022Global Music Awards AfricaRapper of the YearHimselfNomitated