Cassper Nyovest

Cassper Nyovest

Cassper Nyovest performing at the 2014 Back to the City festival
Background information
Birth name Refiloe Maele Phoolo
Born 16 December 1990
Montshiwa, Mafikeng, North West
Genres Hip hop, Motswako
Occupation(s) Rapper, record producer, songwriter
Instruments Vocals, keyboards, sampler, drum machine
Years active 2004–present
Labels Family Tree
Associated acts HHP, Okmalumkoolkat, Chad Da Don, Riky Rick, Anatii, Ganja Beatz, Young Slugz, Major League DJz
Website casspernyovest.com

Refiloe Maele Phoolo (born 16 December 1990 in Mafikeng), also known as Cassper Nyovest, is a South African recording artist and record producer.[1] His debut album Tsholofelo was released on 18 July 2014. He is currently signed to his own independent label and media company, "Family Tree".

Early life

Nyovest grew up in Montshiwa in Mafikeng, the capital city of the North West province. He attended high school at Sol Plaatje Secondary School.[2] In school, he was athletic as he partook in various sports activities including soccer, cricket and basketball.[2] He started rapping when he was in grade 6, at age 12.

In grade 10, Nyovest failed his exams, and moved to his grandmother's house in Potchefstroom. Then the following year, at age 16, he dropped out of high school: "I told my parents that I'd rather chase my dream, which I believe is going to work out, rather than keeping it safe and regret it my whole life."[2] He relocated to Johannesburg the following year to pursue a career in music.

Musical career

2004–09: Early beginnings

In 2004 he was a member of a group called Childhood Gangsters (CHG), which disbanded. He then joined an eight-member group, Slow Motion, which included the production team, Ganja Beatz.[3]

Nyovest dropped out of high school in 2006, left home and moved to Johannesburg. The following year, still at the age of 16, he was signed by the Motswako label "Impact Sounds". After two years without a release, he left to start a label of his own to no avail — he moved back home.[4]

Months later, Motswako rapper HHP spotted Nyovest at a performance. HHP was impressed and featured him on "Wamo Tseba Mtho" on his album Dumela.[5] Nyovest embarked on international tours with HHP where he gained exposure as an artist.[6] He has also shared stages with international acts such as Kid Cudi, Kendrick Lamar, Nas , Talib Kweli and Wiz Khalifa.[7]

2013–present: Gusheshe, Doc Shebeleza & Tsholofelo

In 2013, he released "Gusheshe" as the first official single from his debut album, Tsholofelo.[8] The single was well received and playlisted across various radio stations in South Africa.[9] It was accompanied by a music video[10] which premiered on Vuzu's V-Entertainment.[11]

After "Gusheshe", he released his second single titled "Doc Shebeleza" which saw him gain major success. The song peaked at number 4 on South Africa's official music chart. The song received positive reviews from the public and other South African acts including Yvonne Chaka Chaka.[12]

His debut release, Tsholofelo, was released on 18 July 2014. It was number 1 on the iTunes South African albums chart for 2 consecutive months before being knocked off by Duncan's Street Government.

In October 2014, Nyovest was ranked number 1 on "The Hottest MC in Africa" list by MTV Base.[13] Nyovest was also ranked number 2 on MTV Base's "SA's Hottest MC" list with K.O at number 1. Nyovest criticized the list because of DJ Vigilante's close affiliation with Cashtime Life rapper K.O. He stated that Vigilante should not have been on the ranking panel and showed his discontentment with the list by releasing a song titled "Beef" in which he disses DJ Vigilante, AKA and K.O.[14] It quickly sparked controversy after the rapper later apologized to K.O for a line on the song.

Personal life

On 15 August 2014, Nyovest was involved in an altercation backstage on the set of SABC 1's "Live Amp", at Urban Brew Studios.[15] Cassper and Vth Season recording artist AKA were billed to perform on the show that night. However both artists failed to do so due to a clash between AKA's colleague, Prince Nyembe and Nyovest. Nyembe intimidated and pulled out a gun to Nyovest.[16] The confrontation became heated to the point where AKA allegedly assaulted Nyovest's road manager, Tshepo "Spike" Seone.[17] Moments after the scuffle, "Live Amp"'s Twitter page tweeted that both Cassper and AKA wouldn't be performing due to unforeseen circumstances.

The following day charges were laid against Nyembe.[18] The charges were later thrown out of court.

Awards and nominations

Cassper Nyovest awards and nominations
Awards and nominations
Award Wins Nominations
Channel O Music Video Awards
 3 2
Metro FM Awards
 5 2
South African Music Awards
 1 4
South African Hip Hop Awards
 7 4
Totals
Awards won 16
Nominations 12

Channel O Music Video Awards

Year Recipient Award Result Ref
2014 "Doc Shebeleza" Most Gifted Male style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won [19]
Most Gifted Newcomer style="background: #FDD; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2"|Nominated [19]
Most Gifted Hip Hop style="background: #FDD; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2"|Nominated [20]
Most Gifted Southern Artist style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won [20]
Most Gifted Video of the Year style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won [20]

Metro FM Awards

Year Recipient Award Result Ref
2015 Tsholofelo Best Hip Hop Album style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won [21]
Best Male Album style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won [21]
"Doc Shebeleza" Best Hit Single style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won [21]
Song of the Year style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won [21]
Best Music Video style="background: #FDD; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2"|Nominated [21]
"Doc Shebeleza" (Remix) Best Remix style="background: #FDD; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2"|Nominated [21]
Listener's Choice Award Himself style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won [21]

South African Music Awards

Year Recipient Award Result Ref
2015 Himself Male Artist of the Year style="background: #FDD; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2"|Nominated [22]
Newcower of the Year style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won [22]
Tsholofelo Best Rap Album style="background: #FDD; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2"|Nominated [22]
Album of the Year style="background: #FDD; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2"|Nominated [22]
"Gusheshe" Best Collaboration style="background: #FDD; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2"|Nominated [22]

SA Hip Hop Awards

Year Recipient Award Result Ref
2013 "Gusheshe" Song of the Year style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won [23]
Best Collaboration style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won [23]
Video of the Year style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won [24]
Best Freshman style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won [24]
2014 Tsholofelo Album of the Year style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won [25]
Best Digital Sales style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won [25]
"Doc Shebeleza" Song of the Year style="background: #99FF99; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="yes table-yes2"|Won [25]
Video of the Year style="background: #FDD; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2"|Nominated [25]
Himself Most Valuable Artist style="background: #FDD; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2"|Nominated [25]
Hustler of the Year style="background: #FDD; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2"|Nominated [25]
Best Male style="background: #FDD; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="no table-no2"|Nominated [25]

Discography

References

  1. ↑ "TRACE – Cassper Nyovest – Sports news, hip-hop, rnb, tropical and african music". Trace TV. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "miCoverStory: Cassper Nyovest | miBlog". MiCampusmag. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
  3. ↑ "Cassper Nyovest brings the beats". DStv. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
  4. ↑ "Maftown Heights 2013". Maftown Heights. 27 November 2013. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  5. ↑ "Hip Hop Pantsula – Dumela". Discogs. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  6. ↑ "South Africa: Press Release – Cassper Nyovest Brings the Beats".
  7. ↑ "Catch Cassper if you can!". LiveMag. Retrieved 1 July 2014.
  8. ↑ "Cassper Nyovest 'Gusheshe' ft. Okmalumkoolkat Okayafrica.". Okay Africa. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
  9. ↑ "Maftown Heights to present Motswako artists :: Media Update". Media Update. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
  10. ↑ "Cassper Nyovest ft. OkMalumKoolKat "Gusheshe" – YouTube". YouTube. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  11. ↑ "EXCLUSIVE: Gusheshe interview | Vuzu". Vuzu. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  12. ↑ "Cassper gets love from Yvonne Chaka Chaka". The Juice. 7 July 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  13. ↑ "Who are the best rappers right now?". MTV Base. 2 October 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  14. ↑ "DOWNLOAD:Cassper Nyovest - Beef". NotJustOk. 29 November 2014.
  15. ↑ "Twitter reacts to Cassper, AKA and guns". Zalebs. 18 August 2014. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  16. ↑ "Cassper says AKA's goons pulled a gun". Sunday World. 17 August 2014. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  17. ↑ "STATEMENT : Cassper Nyovest Urban Brew Studios Incident". Yo Mzansi. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  18. ↑ Levitt, Jessica (16 August 2014). "Cassper lays charges after gun incident". The Juice. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 "Cassper Nyovest rules the Channel O Music Video Awards nominees". Sunday World. 5 September 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 "Cassper Nyovest leads the Channel O awards race! | DRUM". DRUM Magazine. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 21.4 21.5 21.6 "MMA14 Nomination List". Metro FM. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 . Times LIVE http://www.timeslive.co.za/entertainment/2015/03/12/cassper-nyovest-k.o-beatenberg-lead-sama-nominations. Retrieved 28 March 2015. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "Cassper cleans up at SA Hip Hop Awards! | HYPE Magazine". HYPE Magazine. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 "How The SA Hip Hop Awards Beat The Fails – Rolling Stone South Africa". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 25.4 25.5 25.6 "MTV NEWS! | SA HIP HOP AWARDS NOMINEES". MTV Base. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
  26. ↑ "News: Cassper Nyovest Announces An Album On The Way | slikour onlife". Slikour on Life. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  27. ↑ "All the deets on Cassper Nyovest's new album". The Juice. Retrieved 7 June 2014.

External links