South African Hip-Hop legend Cassper Nyovest rose to fame organically releasing street anthems in the process.
The 29-year-old artiste born in Mahikeng, North-West Province of South Africa has since released 5 solid studio albums.
We take a look at how his album ranks from the worst to the best.
5. Sweet and Short (2018)
Sweet and Short was an experimental album by Cassper Nyovest. The rapper tapped into Amapiano following the success of his collaboration with DJ Sumbody on Monate Mpolaye, the song remains a club hit until this day.
The Sweet and Short album still produces some hit tracks including the radio hit Move For Me, club banger Remote Control and Ayoba.
Sweet and Short wasn’t a terrible album, but when compared to the other projects by the Family Tree chief, it doesn’t hold much weight.
4. Refiloe (2015)
20 songs deep Refiloe was released by Cassper Nyovest on 31 October 2015 at his Fill Up The Dome concert at the Ticket Pro Dome in Johannesburg. The album was his second studio album and was used to celebrate selling out the dome.
The Refiloe album was promoted with singles such as MIMI, 428 to LA, No Worries, Travel The World, and others.
The album at the time of release was a very solid album but lacked the longevity that some of the other projects by Cassper Nyovest possesses.
Refiloe is named after Cassper himself.
3. Any Minute Now (2020) [AMN]
Cassper Nyovest released Any Minute Now as his fifth studio album.
Throughout his career, Cassper Nyovest has played the humble guy, the underdog, the gentle one due to the egocentric nature of his archrival AKA but on AMN, the rapper embraced his blessings, coming across as a successful commercial rapper with multiple awards to boast of.
Any Minute Now official art cover features his latest blessing, his son, Khotso Izwe Simba Phoolo… Any Minute Now was released shortly before Khotso arrival into the earth.
Where AMN won is content. The album contains songs across different topics. Amademoni is a drill club thumper, Bongikosi & Hlengiwe are inspirational, To Whom It May Concern is a near-beef joint aimed at Riky Rick, Good For That is still on replay.
Any Minute Now would be higher on this ranking, but it hasn’t gone through the test of time.
2. Thuto (2017)
Thuto is our favorite album by Cassper Nyovest album. The nostalgic album connects with the layman struggles although still consist of braggadocious songs. The album went gold on the day of release and quickly went platinum due to Cassper’s fame at that time
Cassper Nyovest’s Thuto album was supported by the single “Tito Mboweni” and features vocal guest appearances from Tsepo Tshola, Black Thought, Nadia Nakai, Tshego, Goapele and Riky Rick. Its production was handled by Alie Keyz, Anatii, Gobbla, DJ Abza, Fenesse, Lae and Zero.
Some of the songs on Thuto are still on hip hop charts on this day. The song’s promotion is unprecedented with many songs well-promoted including poignant Confused, Destiny featuring Goapele. Superman visuals featured Cassper’s father and club bangers like Tito Mboweni, Baby Girl remain hits in 2020.
Commercial success is where Thuto won over Any Minute Now.
1. Tsholofelo (2014)
Tsholofelo is the debut studio album by Cassper Nyovest released on July 31st, 2014. The album title, which means “hope”, is named after his younger sister.
It’s rare to see a rapper establish dominance and surge with what Cassper did with his debut work, brushing competition aside, grabbing established artists by the neck, and closing the gap with AKA.
Tholofelo featured guest appearances from Wizkid, HHP, Okmalumkoolkat, Bucie, iFANi, Riky Rick, Bass Mdlongwa, Ntukza, Kyle Deutschmann, Tshego, Anatii, Skales, KayGizm from Morafe, and Prokid.
The album houses some of the greatest songs in the history of South African hip hop especially Doc Shebeleza, the African hit by Cassper Nyovest.
The first single of the album Gushehe was released when he was 22 years old and ponytailed Cassper promoted it with a well direct visual. The third commercial single on the LP was Phumakim. “Tsibip”, the album’s promotional single, was released in August 2014. Two videos were shot for the song to showcase Cassper Nyovest’s different alter-egos, “Cassper” and “Nyovest”.
Tsholofelo achieved commercial success selling platinum and having a long shelf life. The album was the beginning of what has been a remarkable career for Cassper Nyovest who clocks 30 next month.
