Bongani Bonase aka Rheebongs, is a Rapper and a self-taught Producer from Cape Town. He fell in love with Hip Hop during his High school days and started writing and rapping in 2003. He’s considered as one of the Pioneers of Spaza music as he has made a name for himself in and around Cape Town including Eastern Cape. Rheebongz being a co-founder of M4M Records, an independent record label that is aimed at grooming and up skilling upcoming artists from Cape Town.
In 2009 he released his first solo project titled Gevaarlik (Afrikaans for “Dangerous” which completely describes the type of lyricism he possesses) a 17 tracks Album produced by one of Cape Town’s finest Producer s Backyard Records’ Mashonisa and Rheebongs himself on the production. The album was to put the name out there as well as out leash his stories to be heard because he had so much of his personal experiences to share. This album received a warm welcome in and around Cape Town in 2013. Rheebongs released his first EP, titled Top Notch. This EP opened a lot of doors for Rheebongs as his hard work was recognized by Bozza.mobi who offered him a digital distribution deal, making him the first ever Hip Hop artist to release music digitally from Cape Town. Following Top Notch, Rheebongs released a follow up EP in 2014 titled Top Notch Deluxe Edition where he worked with Mananz (Who is slowly but surely making his name by having produced for the likes of Proverb including Royce da 5’9 an Eminem recording artist). This EP has great tracks like Statement ft Ma-b of Driemanskap as well as Vuka ft Nomakrestu. This EP was play listed on Umhlobo Wenene; Bush Radio, TrueFM, just to mention but a few. The EP was launched at Chez Ntemba International club in Cape Town
He just dropped yet another single titled #SifunuJaiva featuring his longtime friend and group member BuntuJobela and produced by Sbu. The song is recorded at the Red bull Studios in Cape. With only one or two Hip Hop artists from Cape Town making waves in the mainstream, Rheebongs is convinced that the industry owes him an ear. Following his previous single titled Statement, Rheebongs drops another single which seeks to catch a lot of partygoers and Hip Hop lovers’ attention. With the catchy hook and a beat that will definitely leave you nodding your head, this song has been play listed on South Africa’s major radio station like Trufm and Mhlobo Wenene to mention a few.
Rheebongs recently got chosen to be on the shortlist for the opportunity with Drum Magazine and Crowdfunder to perform in London. Only 10 artists have been selected out of 240 entries.
He was also nominated at the South African Hip Hop Awards #SAHHA 20015 last year.
Exhibitions and Festivals
Grahamstown Arts Festival, 2006-2013
Hip Hop Kaslam, 2010-2013
“Save the Rhino” campaign alongside Dessa (USA), 2012
16 Days of Activism against women and children abuse, with the City of Cape Town, 2012-2013
Unborn theatre play in Baxter theatre, 2012
Cape Town Old School Music Festival, 2014
Mega Levels – 2015
Kwaai Tour – 2015
Awards, Honors and Commissions
Best Group with DSO and best song, Hip Hop Kaslam Awards, 2012
Top 5 Newcomers delight, with M4M Crew, Hype Magazine, Oct/Nov 2013
Composed a Standard Bank campaign song, 2014
Top 10 New Comers Delight, Hype Magazine, Feb/Mar 2015
Related Activity
Recently initiated M4M Rap Battle League sponsored by Bozza.mobi.
Link:www.bozza.mobi/m4mbattles
Articles/Media appearances
Appeared on Rolling Stone magazine, Date and year of issue
SABC 3 Expresso breakfast show
SABC2 Hectic 9, nine show
C.TV on the Ekse TV show
Q-TV in Grahamstown
Umhlobe wenene fm interview
GoodHope fm
Follow Rheebongs on
Rheebongs Twitter Rheebongs Instagram