Buhlebenkosi Nkomo
Ndebele heritage takes center stage in Bulawayo-based artist Ngadlangadla King’s latest single Inkosi YamaNdebele. Popularly known as KILLEMOL, the rapper delivers a track that fuses modern hip-hop with ancestral rhythms to celebrate identity and cultural pride.
More than just a musical release, the song stands as a declaration of royalty, a celebration of identity, and a reminder of the need to preserve heritage in the face of modern influences.
He described the song as “a fusion of modern beats and ancestral echoes, a reminder of our power, unity, and shared roots as Nguni and African people.”
Released in July, the single gained renewed attention during King Mzilikazi Day, celebrated on September 5 and 6, when communities gathered to honor the founder of the Ndebele nation. Months after its debut, Inkosi YamaNdebele continues to resonate, offering a fresh and powerful voice for Ndebele pride and culture.
In an interview, Ngadlangadla King shared the inspiration behind the track, saying, “I wanted to create something raw that speaks to who we are as a people, our pride, our resilience, and our heritage.”He added, “The inspiration came from reflecting on how fast we, as Africans, are losing our languages, traditions, and sense of identity in the pursuit of modernity. I am speaking to the kings and queens within us.”
For the artist, music is more than rhythm and words. “As an artist or as the African Rap Godfather, I have always seen music as a way to connect with our ancestors and shape our future. I am not just creating tracks; I am archiving our voice, our rhythm, and our pride,” he said.
The track was produced by Gweru-based KennyGotBeats, whom Ngadlangadla King credits with bringing “a deep understanding of both the streets and the spirit of the music.”
Ngadlangadla wrote and composed the song, drawing on his experiences as a cultural custodian and torchbearer of Ndebele heritage. Reflecting on his artistic journey, he noted, “My sound has grown with my purpose. I no longer see myself just as the greatest Ndebele rapper; I have become a cultural custodian.”
This evolution is evident in his music, which now blends hip-hop with traditional drums, chants and storytelling to create a sound that is both modern and deeply rooted in Ndebele culture.
