The post ThatPrettygirlYongz Opens Up On The YONDA WAY Camp & Her Vision For SA Hip Hop appeared first on SA Hip Hop Mag.
ThatPrettygirlYongz Opens Up On The YONDA WAY Camp & Her Vision For SA Hip Hop. Fresh off her participation in the groundbreaking YONDA WAY VOL. 1 project, rising Johannesburg-based rapper, singer, and poet ThatPrettygirlYongz sat down with SA Hip Hop Mag to reflect on what it means to ride the next wave of South African hip hop.
For Yongz, also known as Yonela Kozana, being part of this movement carries deep personal weight. “It means the world to me,” she shared. “Hip Hop has been my life since forever, and getting to be a part of shaping it in any way is special to me.”
The YONDA WAY initiative, creatively directed by Zingah with senior production from Tweezy, brought together nine emerging talents, including Kanekeid, Fistola Inecut, Horid The Messiah, Andy Maveric, Leo Brown, Buzzi Lee, and Leezy Lindokuhle. The group first gained attention through Zingah’s YONDR interview series before heading into an intense three-day studio camp in August 2025.
Joined by heavyweights such as Maglera Doe Boy, Kwesta, Reason, and Priddy Ugly, the artists created 24 original tracks in a competitive yet collaborative environment. Youth feedback from a Sound Council of over 250 young listeners helped refine the project into its final 11-track form, with lead singles “YONDA,” “Goliwood Living,” and “She Just Wanna Party” already making waves.
Yongz highlighted how the camp fostered diversity and growth. “It helped me meet a lot of new people whose sounds are unique from mine in a plethora of ways,” she explained. “It gave people a chance to explore and find ways to fit into spaces that were new and bigger than usual. Everyone’s sound had a place, and their coming together was magical.”
On the project’s core themes, she pointed to culture and authenticity as central pillars. “Themes that highlight struggle while showcasing the joy and love one can find in it,” Yongz said.
The competitive atmosphere pushed her creatively in unexpected directions. “It made me appreciate my sound while also realising what I didn’t even know was missing in it,” she noted. “Watching people effortlessly flow on beats that seemed too mellow or too frantic was something that made me realise I’d been holding myself back in terms of what themes I could jump into.”
Working under Zingah’s guidance left a lasting impression. “He was kind and eager to ensure everyone got their best out,” Yongz recalled. “He was attentive and inspiring at every turn. He saw everyone’s potential and did everything necessary to bring that out. He wanted us to win, and that made us want to fight for it even more.”
One track that resonates strongly with her is “She Just Wanna Party,” which she described as a vibrant celebration. “It represents fullness,” she said. “It’s about the complete view of what South African music culture is. It’s fun and out of this world. It’s effortlessly cool and bright. It’s what Hip Hop should be.”
Feedback from young listeners further fueled her drive. “It made me want to work harder on myself and be more dedicated and consistent,” Yongz stated. “It made me surer of where I wanted to be as an artist.”
Navigating growing visibility in a rising movement brings mixed emotions. “It’s exciting and also frightening,” she admitted. “Every artist wants eyes on them and their art, and how the audience receives that is everything. This project made me feel seen, and I’m working on centring what I see and not internalising what everyone else does.”
Looking ahead, Yongz hopes to leave a meaningful mark on the culture. “I want female rappers to feel like they are a part of the culture and not just guests in it,” she emphasised. “I want it to be open to alternative sounds and give them the love they deserve. Alternative hip-hop is on the rise, and I want to help leave a spot for other female rappers to step into.”
Fans can look forward to more from the multifaceted artist soon. “I’m working on a country rap album that is the old me and the new me all at once,” Yongz revealed. “It was inspired by Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter and Maglera Doe Boy’s street style.”
With YONDA WAY VOL. 1 marking a fresh chapter for South African hip hop, artists like ThatPrettygirlYongz are not only stepping into the spotlight but actively reshaping it with authenticity, joy, and bold experimentation. The full project continues to build momentum through live performances and promises to open doors for the next generation of voices.
The post ThatPrettygirlYongz Opens Up On The YONDA WAY Camp & Her Vision For SA Hip Hop appeared first on SA Hip Hop Mag.
The post ThatPrettygirlYongz Opens Up On The YONDA WAY Camp & Her Vision For SA Hip Hop appeared first on SA Hip Hop Mag.
ThatPrettygirlYongz Opens Up On The YONDA WAY Camp & Her Vision For SA Hip Hop. Fresh off her participation in the groundbreaking YONDA WAY VOL. 1 project, rising Johannesburg-based rapper, singer, and poet ThatPrettygirlYongz sat down with SA Hip Hop Mag to reflect on what it means to ride the next wave of South African …
The post ThatPrettygirlYongz Opens Up On The YONDA WAY Camp & Her Vision For SA Hip Hop appeared first on SA Hip Hop Mag. Read More
