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Usimamane’s Humble Beginnings Revisited As Throwback Clip With Kelvin Momo Goes Viral. An old video of Usimamane with Amapiano heavyweight Kelvin Momo has resurfaced online, giving fans a glimpse into a chapter of the rapper’s life that existed long before the platinum plaques, sold-out performances and international co-signs.
The throwback clip, now circulating on Instagram, has sparked an emotional reaction from fans who believe the footage captures the hunger that shaped Usimamane’s journey, both as an artist and as a young man trying to find his way.
For many viewers, the most striking part of the video is not necessarily what happens in the clip itself, but what it represents in hindsight. Usimamane, born Omuhleumnguni Simamane in 2003 and raised in Umlazi, has since become one of the most talked-about young voices in South African hip hop.
His breakthrough arrived with “Cheque”, the 2024 hit that went triple platinum in South Africa and opened the door to a much bigger career. From Apple Music’s Rap Life Africa recognition to the success of his debut album and a collaboration with American rap icon Rick Ross, Usimamane’s rise has happened at remarkable speed.
That success has made the resurfaced footage feel even more significant.
Fans have pointed to the stark contrast between the young rapper seen in the clip and the artist audiences know today. Some comments describe the footage as a reminder of a period when financial struggles were part of everyday life, with one recurring sentiment being that Usimamane was “starving before he started making money.”
The phrase has resonated because it speaks to more than financial hardship. It reflects the determination that has become closely associated with his story.
Raised in a single-parent household and surrounded by a family with musical roots, Usimamane grew up in an environment where ambition had to exist alongside very real limitations. His connection to Umlazi has remained an important part of his identity, influencing the stories, sounds and perspective he has brought into his music.
The old footage with Kelvin Momo now serves almost like a time capsule. Momo was already building his own reputation within Amapiano, while Usimamane was still navigating the early stages of his artistic journey. Neither could have known exactly where their respective paths would lead.
Today, Usimamane’s name sits alongside some of the biggest artists in the country, with songs such as “Uvalo” featuring Sjava further establishing his ability to blend melodic trap and R&B influences into what he has described as “fate music.”
The reaction to the clip has therefore been filled with more than nostalgia. Fans have used the moment to celebrate his progress, reflecting on the distance between the young man captured in the footage and the platinum-selling rapper he has become.
For some, it is a reminder to keep pushing when the results are not yet visible. For others, it is simply a powerful example of how quickly life can change when talent meets persistence.
The resurfaced video also brings an often overlooked part of the music industry into focus. The glamorous side of an artist’s rise is usually easier to see than the difficult years that came before it.
In Usimamane’s case, fans see the clip as a glimpse into that hidden chapter. Before the recognition, collaborations and accolades came the uncertainty, the ambition and the hunger.
And perhaps that is why the footage has struck such a nerve. It does not simply show where Usimamane came from. It gives fans a chance to look back at the struggle behind the success and appreciate just how far the Umlazi-born rapper has travelled.
The post Usimamane’s Humble Beginnings Revisited As Throwback Clip With Kelvin Momo Goes Viral appeared first on SA Hip Hop Mag.
The post Usimamane’s Humble Beginnings Revisited As Throwback Clip With Kelvin Momo Goes Viral appeared first on SA Hip Hop Mag.
Usimamane’s Humble Beginnings Revisited As Throwback Clip With Kelvin Momo Goes Viral. An old video of Usimamane with Amapiano heavyweight Kelvin Momo has resurfaced online, giving fans a glimpse into a chapter of the rapper’s life that existed long before the platinum plaques, sold-out performances and international co-signs. Usimamane’s Humble Beginnings Revisited As Throwback Clip …
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