The Umlazi-born rapper Usimamane just dropped some big news – the deluxe edition of his debut album ‘20th: Days Before Maud’ is set for release this Wednesday, February 19th, and it features a major collaboration with none other than American rap legend Rick Ross! The track “DANGEROUS II” promises to be a game-changer.
Usimamane’s career is truly taking off, and he’s already celebrating a massive milestone with his hit song “Uvalo.” The music video for the track has officially surpassed 3 million views on YouTube, a huge achievement that proves his growing popularity. In a post on Instagram, the rapper shared his excitement with fans, saying, “100K Subs on YouTube. Uvalo Video 3M Views. THANK YOU! DANGEROUS II WITH MY BIG BROTHER @richforever OUT WEDNESDAY 2/19.”
Usimamane, whose real name is Omuhleumnguni Simamane, first grabbed attention with his feature on Tony Dayimane’s track “Ifilimu,” but it was his 2024 single “Cheque” that truly put him on the map. The song achieved triple platinum status in South Africa, solidifying his place as one of the most talented and innovative voices in local hip-hop.
His debut album, ‘20th: Days Before Maud’, dropped in September 2024 and set records, including the highest second-day streams in South Africa on Spotify. Notably, the track “Uvalo,” which features Sjava, soared to number four on the charts and eventually climbed to number one on local streaming platforms, solidifying Usimamane’s place at the top of South African music.
His impact didn’t go unnoticed internationally. In June 2024, Apple Music tapped Usimamane as their featured artist for Rap Life Africa, which recognized his growing influence and promising future in the music scene.
The collaboration with Rick Ross came to life when the “Aston Martin Music” hitmaker visited Cape Town in January. Ross, who’s no stranger to massive collaborations, connected with Usimamane to shoot the video for “Dangerous II.” In an interview with Apple Music’s Nadeska, Usimamane shared how the collaboration came about, revealing that it was Rick Ross himself who reached out to his team to feature on the track.
Main Image: USimamane via Instagram
