{"id":22378,"date":"2026-02-09T13:30:17","date_gmt":"2026-02-09T11:30:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wedodis.co.za\/news\/?p=22378"},"modified":"2026-02-09T13:38:17","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T11:38:17","slug":"dj-zan-d-stands-up-for-stilo-magolide-against-ageist-backlash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wedodis.co.za\/news\/dj-zan-d-stands-up-for-stilo-magolide-against-ageist-backlash\/","title":{"rendered":"DJ Zan D Stands Up for Stilo Magolide Against Ageist Backlash"},"content":{"rendered":"
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DJ Zan-D Supports Stilo Magolide Amid Criticism Over Age. An ordinary music teaser shared in Johannesburg\u2019s lively Braamfontein area has unexpectedly ignited a heated online discussion about age, relevance, and the disparities in South African hip-hop. <\/strong><\/p>\n

\"DJ<\/a>DJ Zan-D Supports Stilo Magolide Amid Criticism Over Age<\/figure>\n

Rapper Stilo Magolide has become the focus of a cultural debate, garnering support from his peers. The situation escalated after Stilo shared a teaser for his upcoming single, They Talk<\/em>, on X. The footage showcases him in Braamfontein, surrounded by masked fans during what appears to be an impromptu street gathering.<\/p>\n

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<p Entertainment blogger Musa Khawula shared the clip with a caption perceived to be derogatory, calling Stilo a \u201cstruggling rapper\u201d while promoting the track. This post quickly gained traction, amassing over 300,000 views and setting the stage for the ensuing backlash.<\/p>\n

The situation escalated further when user @kwets11 posted a comment that became widely shared: \u201cBeing a Braam lord should get you jail time, but being a Braam lord at 40 should get you the rope.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

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Although a hyperbolic statement, it resonated with many, depicting Stilo\u2019s continued involvement in Braamfontein\u2019s youthful culture as inappropriate for someone his age. Stilo, who will turn 36 in May, is currently 35 years old.<\/p>\n

The criticism quickly mounted, with some asserting that the rapper was clinging to the past, while others derided his style as outdated and not in line with current industry norms. What began as a simple critique evolved into a broader discussion about the treatment of aging artists in the South African hip-hop scene.<\/p>\n

DJ Zan-D entered the conversation with a pointed response aimed at shifting perspectives. \u201cStilo is a similar age to Travis Scott but you never say this about Americans,\u201d<\/em> he remarked, highlighting what he felt was biased criticism. Travis Scott, who is 34, continues to engage with youthful culture and energetic performances without facing similar judgments.<\/p>\n

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Many found the comparison compelling. Supporters cited international figures like Kanye West and the late Virgil Abloh, who remained active in street culture into their thirties and forties without being dismissed.<\/p>\n

Stilo, whose real name is Michael Chirwa and who was born on May 23, 1990, in Johannesburg\u2019s Kenilworth suburb, became known as part of the Boyznbucks collective. He helped shape a new wave of alternative South African hip-hop by blending trap sounds with local elements and delivering hits like Day Off<\/em> featuring Nasty C. His W.A.T.E.R. fashion label further established him as a creative influencer.<\/p>\n

For many supporters, the narrative of him as a \u201cstruggling rapper\u201d feels misleading. While Stilo may not dominate the mainstream like artists such as Cassper Nyovest or align with the legacy of AKA, his enduring influence and commitment to his craft remain significant.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n