Priddy Ugly

Richardo Moloi, affectionately known in the music industry as Priddy Ugly, is a 28 year-old Angolan-born South African rapper, musician and record label executive.

Born to an Angolan mother and South African father, Moloi’s family relocated to South Africa in his infancy, spending his formative years at his grandmother’s home in Meadlowlands, Soweto in the South of Johannesburg. Later, his family would find abode in Birch Acres, Kempton Park where Moloi attended school, pursued a soccer career at the Moroka Swallows Academy of football and participated in dance competitions on a national level as teenager.

After a series of serious injuries stifled his athletic ambitions, Moloi turned his focus to another one of his passions: music. In 2007, alongside rapper Frank Casino and other friends from his neighbourhood, Moloi formed rap group Krunk Era (later remained to Blaque) and adopted the moniker Priddy Ugly. In a short period, the group generated enough buzz to capture the attention of record executive and producer Vusi Leeuw, who quickly signed them to H.U.G.E Entertainment. The stint produced only a few intermittent releases. During this period Priddy also served as a songwriter for artists including Amunishn. In 2015, Priddy signed to Aviator Management and officially introduced himself as a solo artist with his now underground classic mixtape YOU DON’T KNOW ME YET, which featured collaborations with Bigstar Johnson, A-Reece, YoungstaCPT and Refi Sings.

In 2017 Priddy Ugly signed to Ambitiouz Entertainment, joining a star-studded roster including Emtee, Sjava, Amanda Black and Saudi, among others. In the same year, his debut album E.G.Y.P.T was released, spawning radio hits ‘Tshela’ and ‘Smogolo’, as well as underground classics ‘02Hero’ (featuring Shane Eagle) and ‘Look Alike.’ Priddy later part ways with Ambitiouz to embark on an independent music journey that quickly manifested in sonic explorations in the form of Rick Jade (a duo group featuring wife and media mogul Bontle Modiselle Moloi) and EPs G.O.A.T and Lockdown Extended.

Having founded Global African Stream in 2017 as a multi-disciplinary entity to help facilitate opportunities for young emerging talent in the music and art spaces, in 2021 Priddy joined label head and record producer Vaughn Thiel to form the STAY LOW x GAS. The partnership saw Priddy assume a label executive position where he, in collaboration with Thiel, currently oversees the general operations of the business and will develop artists and other miscellaneous projects that speak to the values of the entity.

SOIL – Priddy Ugly’s sophomore offering and first official release from STAY LOW x GAS - was released in JULY 2021 to much global critical acclaim. A divergent album for its time and climate, the project marked a rebirth for the 30 year-old emcee; more pensive and focused in delivery and sound than his previous works. The 10-track album features contributions from the finest in African rap talent including Zulu Mecca, Blxckie, Maglera DoeBoy and elusive US rapper HD, and award-winning production from from Shooterkhumz, Zoocci Coke Dope, Wichi1 080 and Herc Cut the Lights.

Priddy Ugly continues...