The post Thato Saul Deserves Mainstream Glory In SA Hip Hop appeared first on SA Hip Hop Mag.
Thato Saul Deserves Mainstream Glory In SA Hip Hop. Fans continue to debate why Pretoria rapper Thato Saul has not yet reached the same commercial heights as his peers Loatinover Pounds and 25K.
One SA Hip hop fan recently captured the sentiment perfectly online with a direct question: “Thato Saul should be on the same level of success as Loatinover Pounds and 25K. What’s the bottleneck in this brother’s career?”
Responding to the remarks, Ex Global quickly backed the fan’s view. “I agree with this. He should be bigger, honestly,” he said. “The first time I heard ‘10K’ by Thato Saul it didn’t have a music video. I approached him to shoot the music video for that song for free because I knew he was going to be big. He agreed, and a few years later ‘10K’ is over a million views.”
This early show of faith from Ex Global highlights the quiet respect Thato Saul commands within the industry. The Pretoria West artist, born Thato Matlebyane in Saulsville, built his name through sharp lyricism and authentic storytelling that reflects the realities of township life. His track “10K,” released under Members Only Records, has now surpassed 1.3 million views on YouTube. The song stands as both a celebration of progress and a raw look at the hunger required to rise from the streets.
Thato Saul earned Freshman of the Year at the 2022 South African Hip Hop Awards and has shared stages and tracks with established names such as the late AKA. Yet while artists from the same Pitori wave enjoy heavy playlist rotation and mainstream momentum, Saul’s growth has felt more gradual. Supporters argue his pen game and street credibility place him among the elite, but wider commercial success has been slower to arrive.
Several factors may explain the slower pace. “10K” originally dropped without an official video, depending on strong word of mouth, until Ex Global stepped in with a no-budget shoot that helped push the numbers higher. The competitive nature of South African hip hop also plays a role. Breaking through requires not only quality music but also consistent visuals, strategic promotion, and timing that aligns with algorithm trends and viral moments.
Saul often favours introspective and grounded bars over instantly catchy hooks designed for social media virality. This approach earns deep respect from hip hop purists but can limit explosive breakout opportunities compared to more melodic or trend-driven contemporaries.
Many in the culture now ask not whether Thato Saul belongs at the top but what exact steps will get him there. With solid numbers on key releases and a growing reputation for consistency, the Pretoria lyricist appears ready for his next major chapter. The bottleneck that has slowed his rise may soon give way to the breakthrough his supporters have long predicted.
The post Thato Saul Deserves Mainstream Glory In SA Hip Hop appeared first on SA Hip Hop Mag.
The post Thato Saul Deserves Mainstream Glory In SA Hip Hop appeared first on SA Hip Hop Mag.
Thato Saul Deserves Mainstream Glory In SA Hip Hop. Fans continue to debate why Pretoria rapper Thato Saul has not yet reached the same commercial heights as his peers Loatinover Pounds and 25K. Thato Saul Deserves Mainstream Glory In SA Hip Hop One SA Hip hop fan recently captured the sentiment perfectly online with a …
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