Dee Koala, a Cape Town-based rapper from Khayelitsha, has a distinctive voice and authentic perspective. Her unique ‘new school spaza’ sound has placed her at the forefront of South African hip-hop. She recently celebrated reaching 1 million streams on Apple Music, thanks to albums like 4 The Khaltsha (2019) and singles like Anazinto (2023). She’s also just wrapped up her fourth annual 4 The Khaltsha Festival in Diepkloof, Soweto, with a line up that included Nadia Nakai, Ayanda MVP, DJ Fabo, The Big Hash, Majorsteez, Ayanda MVP and Ms Cosmo.
Rising to fame in 2016, her career breakthrough came when the late Riky Rick discovered her, leading to her first major performance. Her musical journey has always been rooted in township experiences and isiXhosa lingo, and the hit Whuzet (2018), which was produced by MxhosaBeats, helped establish her in Cape Town’s Hip Hop scene. She won the Best Female of the Year award at the 2020 SA Hip Hop Awards. Since then, she has steadily been gaining widespread attention, and continues to collaborate with top artists and brands.
Dee Koala recently collaborated with Heineken Silver, capitalizing on the crystal clear link between her ‘new school spaza’ sound and the brand’s message of a “Surprisingly Smooth” experience. The collaboration results in the music video for Medi Yase Khayelitsha, shot over two days in her hometown of Khayelitsha and at Farmhouse Studios in Cape Town. Dee Koala’s deep connection to her roots shines through, stating, “Khayelitsha was fun, just shooting around my hood. It felt like I was introducing the world to my story.”
When we asked about the track, what is it about, about some of the ideas or messages she was communicating through it, she answered, “The song Medi Yase Khayelitsha is about a young girl from the hood who believes in herself and has so much confidence, letting people know that no matter what they say or do to put her down, she’ll always rise above it. I just want some people who are insecure or feel dominated in their careers to know and trust who they are as well as their capabilities.”
Every artist has their process and we wanted to know about the song writing process on this track, how she came up with the ideas, over how long a period it took her to write and how long the recording took. She replied, “The hook has been there for quite a while in my notes and as a record, I just went back to finish it up, music comes naturally to me so there really wasn’t a big thought process about the song I was trying to make. Making this song took multiple recording sessions as there was other work in between.”
It was important for Dee Koala to collaborate with the right people on the track, whether it be producers or other vocalists. “The producer is a good friend of mine, Roscosteazy and I’m the only author on the song. […] it was a dope beat man and I’m happy we got to work.” About the music video, what it’s about and the collaborative process of working with the director, she said, “Working with Fergus David has always been cool since we always seem to understand the vision and work well together.”
Medi Yase Khayelitsha is a track that’s cool and keeps up with the times. It tells a story of unyielding self-expression and bold cultural innovation, qualities that resonate deeply with Heineken Silver’s core values, which are ever present and perfectly paired throughout its entire campaign. Just as Heineken Silver is brewed at -1°C for an extra-refreshing and effortlessly smooth taste, Dee Koala’s music is made in the most intense environments, bringing a refreshing take on the realities of Khayelitsha, and turning all that authenticity into creativity.
Dee Koala’s vibrant sound captures the same accessible and crisp energy that Heineken Silver embodies, making this collaboration a perfect pairing of art and brand ethos, both championing fresh perspectives and diverse narratives. Of this synergy, she said, “Heineken has always been a brand I’d like to work with because it’s not only a beverage I consume but it also connects with my target audience.” Following Filah Lah Lah’s collaboration, Dee Koala’s partnership signifies Heineken Silver’s ongoing commitment to elevating artists who redefine South African music.
Dee Koala is the kind of artist you want to keep your eye on because not only is she filled with determination and dedication, she is gifted with a voice and a vision that are beacons in this country. Heineken Silver hears Dee Koala’s voice and sees the vision, blending its smoothness with her raw reality. The upcoming release of Medi Yase Khayelitsha will be a visual manifestation that captures the synergy between Dee Koala and Heineken Silver, proving that hard work, music, storytelling, and brand expression can create something truly inspiring.
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