South African singer and rapper, Sjava. Picture: X/@XStreamerMusic
In a year where amapiano artists dominated the charts, with names like Kabza De Small, Kelvin Momo, DJ Maphorisa, and Mellow & Sleazy making up the rest of the top five, Sjava held his own as the only hip-hop artist on the list.
Taking to the social media platform, X, Sjava opened up about the grind that got him here. He shared how he pours his heart into every lyric and explained why writing meaningful music is the foundation of his success.
“I spend sleepless nights writing, perfecting my pen. Abanye baze bangihleke bathi ngine stress ngihamba ngikhuluma ngedwa kanti ngiyabhala (Some people even laugh at me, saying I’m stressed because I walk around talking to myself, but in reality, I’m writing).
“If you want these results, invest in your writing because, at the end of the day, it’s all about what you’re saying.
“The question will always be: UTHINI?????? Drake is number 1 in the world simply because we can all hear what he is saying. Asicikozeni (Let’s focus on substance),” he wrote.
I spend sleepless nights writing perfecting my pen abanye baze bangihleke bathi ngine stress ngihamba ngikhuluma ngedwa kanti ngiyabhala
— Sjava indlalifa (@Sjava_atm) December 5, 2024
if you want these results invest in your writing because at the end of the day its all about what you saying you need to say something for me… pic.twitter.com/ZoLOawem3A
He also gave credit to the fans and the team behind his success.
“Ngiyabonga kubo bonke that appreciate my writing and my music. Ngizoqhubeka nginihloniphe every time it comes to delivering quality music. Ngiyabonga. (I’m grateful to everyone who appreciates my writing and music. I’ll keep respecting you by delivering quality music. Thank you.)”
Sjava also celebrated his long-time collaborator and producer Ruff, as well as Emtee’s record label and the African Trap movement that played a key role in shaping his career.
“@Ruff thank you for your world-class production, your guidance, nokungetshela mangigeja on a song (and for correcting me when I mess up on a song), and all the sleepless nights making sure I sound good. Ngiyabonga nkabi.”
Sjava’s win comes on the heels of a heated discussion he sparked in October about how social media influences artists. He pointed out how constant access to fan opinions can mess with creativity.
“Artists having too much access to reading comments about what the fans say about them or rather what they think about their art on social media will ruin a lot of artistry, especially musicians,” he tweeted.
While acknowledging that criticism isn’t new, Sjava highlighted how platforms like Instagram and X have amplified it, often to the detriment of musicians who might second-guess their art.