Yanga Ntshakaza (born 17 October 1987), professionally known as Yanga Chief (or mononymously as Yanga) 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 (EP) 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 (2020) Lord Faku – The Life of a Dyan (2025)
Other charted and certified songs + List of other charted songs, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications AlbumZA"What If? Mngani"20251RiSA: PlatinumLord Faku – The Life of a Dyan "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
Awards and nominations
YearAward ceremonyCategoryRecipient/Nominated workResults2016South African Hip Hop AwardsBest Collabo2019Song of the Year2020Mixtape of the YearSong of the YearBest CollaborationBest Remix2020South African Music AwardsRemix of the YearBest Hip Hop Album Best Music Video of the Year Record of the Year 2021Best Hip Hop Album2022Global Music Awards AfricaRapper of the Year
References
External links