Cassper Nyovest Biography

CAREER

In 2004, aged just 13, Nyovest formed a hip hop group called Childhood Gangsta with his friends. He then left to join his next group, Slow Motion, which had eight members, including record producer Aashish Gangaram of Ganja Beatz. At age 16, and after dropping out of school, Nyovest signed with motswako record label Impact Sounds, which also signed artists like Tuks Senganga and Morafe (in 2006); the relationship between Nyovest and Impact Sounds eventually soured because of creative differences. In 2008, both parties separated, with Nyovest becoming an independent artist.

Nyovest moved back home, and created his own record label. Before establishing his label, he was discovered by late rapper Hip Hop Pantsula while performing, who featured Nyovest on his song "Wamo Tseba Mtho".

Nyovest released his debut single, "Gusheshe" (featuring Okmalumkoolkat), in 2013 and, in 2014, established his record label named Family Tree Records. His second single, "Doc Shebeleza", was released the same year, and named after kwaito artist Doc Shebeleza. The song received positive reviews from the public, and was praised by notable acts, such as singer Yvonne Chaka Chaka.

On 18 July 2014, Nyovest released his debut album Tsholofelo, named after his sister. The album was an outstanding success, peaking at #1 on the iTunes SA (South African) albums chart for two consecutive months (July and August 2014). In October 2014, Nyovest was ranked as the top artist on the MTV Base show The Hottest MC in Africa, and was ranked no. 2 on “MTV SA's Hottest MCs” that same year.