THIS TIME I'M DOING IT MY WAY

K.O has put the closure of his record label behind him and is focusing on new music, a new company and his new love

- QHAMA DAYILE 

WHEN one-star act after the other left his company, it seemed there’d never be light at the end of the tunnel. But that time has finally come for Ntokozo “K.O” Mdluli – and 2020 is going to be a big year for the rapper.

K.O is looking forward to being back on top with new music, fashion endorsements, a new company, and a new love. And the 29-year-old wants to put the pain of the past behind him.

“Shutting down Cashtime Life felt like I was being forced to walk away from a piece of history,” he tells DRUM, referring to the company he started. He was forced to shut down after acts, including Moozlie, KiD X, Maggz, Ma-E, DJ Vigilante and Masandi, all left.

The man responsible for creating Skhanda Republic was gutted. Then slowly but surely he decided to get back on track and show the hip-hop world what he’s made of.

It was his drive to win and his determination to never give up that saw him rise above what was the darkest time of his career, he tells us.

His triumphant comeback was the culmination of two years of hard work and hustling, which resulted in the release of his album PTY UnLTD, which features Wizkid, Sjava, DJ Maphorisa, and Loki.

His hit single Supa Dupa has already gone gold, and its follow-up, Say You Will featuring Nandi Madida, fast became a radio favourite.

His clothing brand, Skhanda World, is selling like hotcakes and he also has a partnership with sportswear brand Asics.

K.O is back with a vengeance, and he’s making the most of the lessons he’s learnt the past few years. He was painted as the bad guy after Cashtime collapsed, K.O says. But many people played a part in the breakdown of relationships.

“I felt after everyone had left I was the one exposed to public scrutiny, which made me look like the bad guy because I was always at the forefront.”