Nota Baloyi has reignited the debate around what it takes to become a true superstar in South African hip-hop, suggesting that even highly regarded artists such as A-Reece and Blxckie have yet to reach that level.
The outspoken music executive and commentator recently reflected on the state of South African hip-hop and revealed that he has not felt the same creative excitement from a current artist since listening to A-Reece’s 2021 project, Today’s Tragedy, Tomorrow’s Memory.
According to Nota, it would take the emergence of a genuine superstar to inspire him to return to the recording studio.
“If there was a really big star, I’d want to be back in. Just think about that. Like, there’s no one that makes you want to be back.”
He then recalled the impact A-Reece’s project had on him during a trip to the Western Cape.
“The last time I felt like, ‘Damn, I need to be in the studio,’ was when I was listening to A-Reece’s Today’s Tragedy, Tomorrow’s Memory,” Nota said.
A-Reece gave Nota a creative spark
Nota went on to describe listening to the album while travelling through Knysna and Plettenberg Bay, saying the experience made him genuinely excited about music again.
“I was on my honeymoon… I was in Knysna… listening to that… Going to Plettenberg Bay… Just listening to him.”
He singled out “Dichotomy” as one of the moments that particularly stood out.
For Nota, the significance of Today’s Tragedy, Tomorrow’s Memory went beyond critical appreciation. He described the project as something that made him want to get back into the studio and create.
“So that excited me, you know what I mean? And I haven’t been excited since. I thought something was coming since then,” he added.
Where do A-Reece and Blxckie fit?
Nota’s comments have inevitably reignited a wider conversation about A-Reece and Blxckie, two of the most prominent names associated with the new generation of South African hip-hop.
Both rappers have built dedicated fanbases, released acclaimed music and established strong identities within the local rap landscape.
However, Nota’s argument appears to be based on a higher definition of superstardom — one that goes beyond lyrical ability, critical acclaim or a loyal following.
His comments raise a bigger question: What actually makes a South African rapper a superstar?
Is it album sales and streaming numbers? Cultural influence? Mainstream recognition? International reach? Or the ability to inspire an entire generation of artists?
Nota’s superstar debate
Nota has previously been vocal about the level of success and cultural impact required for an artist to be considered a genuine superstar.
His latest remarks suggest that, in his view, the South African hip-hop scene is still waiting for an artist who can generate the kind of overwhelming creative impact that makes industry veterans want to return to the studio.
That does not necessarily diminish the achievements of A-Reece or Blxckie. Instead, it highlights the extremely high bar Nota has set for the term “superstar.”
For fans, however, the debate is likely to continue.
Has A-Reece already reached superstar status? Has Blxckie? Or does South African hip-hop still need a new level of dominance before an artist can truly be called a superstar?
