Eastern Cape hip-hop veteran iFani is calling on fans to help discover more female MCs from the province as the EC vs KZN Cypher gears up for its fourth round. With a heavyweight expected to enter the lyrical contest, the search is on to strengthen the Eastern Cape lineup and bring more women into the spotlight.
The “Shake” hitmaker recently turned to Instagram to ask followers to recommend talented female rappers from the Eastern Cape. He revealed that Yara Lane and Nomalanga are already among the names being considered.
“EC: Please give me Female MCs names. We need more female rappers zase Eastern Cape to join our Cypher. Please help,” iFani wrote, urging fans to share suggestions and help spread the word.
iFani Wants More Women Representing Eastern Cape Hip-Hop
The appeal forms part of the ongoing effort to build the Eastern Cape team for its lyrical showdown against KwaZulu-Natal. By asking the public to nominate artists, iFani hopes to uncover more local talent and give female MCs an opportunity to showcase their skills on a prominent regional platform.
Yara Lane, a rapper raised in Mthatha, has already been confirmed for the cypher. Known for incorporating Xhosa lyricism and poetry-inspired expression into her music, she has released tracks including “Phakathi.” Nomalanga is another artist whose name surfaced during an earlier call for nominations.
The continued search also comes as the Eastern Cape camp works to address gaps in its roster following earlier withdrawals. More nominations could help expand the team’s options while ensuring that female voices have a stronger presence in the competition.
Round 4 Set To Bring A Heavyweight Into The Mix
Attention is also building around the fourth round, with iFani indicating that a heavyweight will feature in the upcoming instalment. On the KwaZulu-Natal side, Lockdown Cypher heavyweight Zakwe is leading the charge, adding further anticipation to the province-versus-province clash.
The EC vs KZN Cypher brings rappers from both regions together to showcase their lyrical ability, regional identity and command of their respective languages. The competition has become a platform for celebrating provincial hip-hop culture while putting local MCs in front of a wider audience.
TruFM is supporting the initiative as its media partner, while Nasty Energy Drink is backing the Eastern Cape camp.
iFani Also Addresses Planned KuGompo Event
Away from the cypher, iFani also commented on a planned event in KuGompo, formerly known as East London, scheduled for 31 October. He apologised over the situation, saying it was “really out of my control.”
For now, the search for Eastern Cape female MCs remains a major focus as the team prepares for Round 4. With Yara Lane and Nomalanga already on the radar, iFani’s appeal could open the door for more women to represent the province in a competition built around bars, cultural pride and regional hip-hop rivalry.
