SA: Kwesta announces Rap a Verse winner

The competition was a partnership between Kwesta and Jameson Irish Whiskey. Born Ayanda Mokgopa, K1 Jaxe will collaborate with Kwesta on a single that will be featured on his upcoming album. He will work with Kwesta and producer Edward ‘Gobi Beast’ Gobizembe on the single. K1 Jaxe will also get a chance to win a trip for two to the Jameson distillery in Ireland. DSB, born Dorin Shane Braun, came second in the competition.

The organisers said they received 1 420 competition entries over a five-week period and that Kwesta had a hard task of going through every entry before narrowing down his choices.

“While Kwesta admits there were some chancers, the majority of the entries were of a high calibre, which only made his job more difficult,” they said.

Kwesta said: “I was looking for someone who wants to make music, who lives for this thing, who has a dream of making music. Beyond that, I didn’t just want one good verse, I wanted to see something in the person with that little verse. I wanted to feel that there was something more behind this verse and the artist. I wanted to feel the continuation of a career.”

Asked why he chose K1 Jaxe, Kwesta said: “Apart from the fact that he’s an amazing rapper, I spoke to him a couple of times while we were choosing the finalists and I felt his personality and I saw his desire. He has a desire to be in this game, he has a desire to rap and start a career in music.”

Jameson and Irish Whiskeys marketing manager at Pernod Ricard SA Beatrice Marfleet said: “Bringing people together through culture is across everything we do at Jameson. We've had an overwhelmingly positive response from both consumers and artists on this campaign and we look forward to seeing the result of this collaboration, to bring our consumers platforms and campaigns that entertain and drive connections in new and innovative ways.”

The competition was part of the whisky brand’s month-long Jameson Connects: The Stay Inn playbook, which featured live streams of music performances, stand-up comedy and discussions. The virtual series was hosted by Kwesta, comedian Glen Biderman-Pam and TV host Lalla Hirayama, and the music segment featured K.O, NaakMusiQ, Emtee and Lady Zamar.