Competition maketh the world. And it’s doubtful there will ever be an end to competition. If peeps aren’t directly competing, their fans will compare them, invariably pushing the competition narrative.
In South Africa, the competition is pretty intense. Stogie T and Proverb are among the most respected rappers in the industry. They have been around for many years and have released several charming tunes, too. But who is the better of the two? Who is the best rapper?
That question has been flying around for several years, with fans taking sides and declaring their fave the best in the game. In fact, at some point, the two had a rap battle comparable to the Verzuz duel on the American scene.
And again, the fans were quick to pick their favourites. Some declaimed Stogie T as the winner of the battle and, therefore, the best rapper. Proverb’s supporters would not agree.
Amid the ongoing debate on who is the best rapper, some peeps are saying that there are rappers who are way better than Stogie T and Proverb.
ProVerb hasn’t released music in a minute, the rapper is using his talents in the TV space as a presenter, he is currently hosting the long-running competition show, Idols South Africa and a new property show on the Home Channel called The Property Game. The rapper is well known for his debut album, The Book Of ProVerb, which was released in 2004. Stogie T on the other hand is still dropping freestyles and music for his fans to consume. In 2019 the rapper was inducted into The South African Hip Hop Museum and received the SA Hip Hop Hall Of Fame Award.
Stogie T, formerly Tumi Molekane, is one of the best to ever do it. He recently participated in the South African BET South African cypher, which played during the award show in 2017.
In pure Stogie T fashion, the emcee raps like his life depends on it. He kicks off the verse with poignant lines that speak of the never-ending struggle of being black, with subtle but mind-blowing wit and wordplay.
“I’m from three generations of criminals/
My grandpappi and daddy shooting the system/
And got cousins shooting for a living/
Can you forgive him?/
A nigga living with these bars is not a euphemism
It’s youth in prison”
Later on in the freestyle, T seems to be taking swipes at weak rappers, and one of them being Cassper Nyovest. He raps, “Yeah, I know they fill stadiums/ But lyrically they couldn’t fill Ginger Trill’s Palladiums.” Ishuuuu!
