The 10 Best PRO(Kid) Songs Ranked
South African hip-hop producer and township rap enthusiastSPeekaranks his favourite PRO songs of all time.
South African hip-hop lyricist and pioneer, PRO (Kid) left an indelable mark on the genre.
Photo by Sabelo Mkhabela.
Editor's note: August 8 marks the day PRO (known as ProKid earlier in his rap career) made a quiet exit from this earth. The legendary South African lyricist is credited with being the father of kasi rap — a subgenre of South African hip-hop characterised by a heavy use of punchlines and storytelling mostly in isiZulu and tsotsitaal (Gauteng township slang).
PRO inspired a generation of kasi rappers — his impact and influence are still felt to this day. The prolific rapper's catalogue consists of two classics, namely Heads & Tales and Dankie San which sit comfortably alongside his other notable releases.
We reached out to South African hip-hop producer and kasi rap aficionado SPeeka to help us rank PRO's best 10 songs from great to simply awesome.
"Linda PRO Mkhize left a permanent mark in our hearts," says SPeeka. "I for one will continue to appreciate his artistry and celebrate his legacy by simply pressing play on the countless gems he contributed to the culture we all love. Dankie san!"
Below is the list compiled and broken down by SPeeka himself.
10. “Pressa, Pusha, Phanda”
Producer: Luddha
Album:Snakes & Ladders (2009)
"Ngiya understand mawuz'shay' isfuba, i-pride uyigwine wrong."
One of PRO's greatest strengths was his ability to use his gift to uplift listeners. It's widely known he was lethal lyrically. He was a product of an unforgiving underground rap scene that helped shape his skills as an MC. This track, which is from his fourth studio album Snakes & Ladders (2009), is just another shining example of how he was able to use those same raw skills to deliver a message of hope and encouragement over a beautifully crafted instrumental. It resonated with all of us and will forever remain a go-to joint for young adults from the hood who tend to feel like the hustle of trying to get your life together is too much.
9. “Sekele”
Producer: Dome
Album: Snakes & Ladders (2009)
Number 1 SowetoSnakes & Ladders
"Ngiku PSL, ukuMvela and i-bench usal'freyifa/ Ngiya pensela, I touch lines njalo mang'skryf-a."
8. “Umfutho” (featuring Brickz)
Producer: Spikiri
Album: Continua (2012)
"Nom'ungas'bheka wena, angek'usenze lutho!"
7. “The General”
Producer: by I.V. League
Album:Dankie San ( 2007)
"Uphush' ub'celeb and siyabazi, ungazos'chomela/ Mawulele thina siya ndlula nje nge truck ye nzomela…"
6. “Ungaphel’ Umoya”
Producer: Beat Maker
Album:Heads & Tales (2005)
This track should be higher on this list
"...Cut the flossin'/ or else uzohlangana namahlany'aphum'estoksini/ abo thathazonke nalez'ez'fak'ipilis' e-socksini."
5. “Fede Fokol”
Producer: Omen
Album: Heads & Tales (2005)
"Easy, son/ Mamel' iikhokho z'gibel' i-beat, son…"
4. “Soweto”
Producer:Omen
Album: Heads & Tales (2005)
"Ghetto like kids on the corner playing Ludo/ with little pieces of stones and bottles wherever you go…"
If you don't consider this track as the official anthem of the South Western Townships, then you're playing. PRO had people from outside Soweto proudly chanting "SOWETOOOO!!!" Enough said.
3. “Wild West”
Producer: Dome
Album:DNA (2006)
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
"You saw the poster, vele angihleki mang'bhala/ Tight grips on the pen and angiyeki mang'bhala!"
2. “Wozobona”
Producer: Omen
Album: Heads & Tales (2005)
"Never ngiyekele le-rap mina sbali, no ways/ Ngihlala ngikhiph' i-number number mawungaqgcwali, always/ Ngeke ngihlukane ne kasi noma ngingaya e-Fourways…"
During the early days of the legendary Slaghuis movement, PRO's name was an urban legend. Unfortunately for my 15-year-old self, I never got the opportunity to watch him perform at the session because he always came on later in the evening and I had a curfew. By then, the only PRO song I knew was "Soweto". One Friday evening, the music video for "Wozobona" debuted on the SABC 1 music show One. This was my introduction to PRO rapping in vernac. I was completely blown away. Even though I was already a fan of "Soweto", I believe hearing "Wozobona" for the first time officially turned me into a PRO fan.
1. “Bhampa”
Producer: I.V. League
Album:Dankie San (2007)
"To all the crooks abaz' shaya ngama Pro Ink boots/ Sengisho na laba abakhule nge beer ne loose/ Ngoba i-culture yase loxion is part of your roots/ Bathi thina senza kakhulu, kanti abazi sisa toets-a…"
Honourable mention: “Living The Way I Should” (featuring Nothende)
Producer: Amu
Album: Heads & Tale (2005)
