ThatPrettygirlYongz Discusses Her Role in the YONDA WAY Camp & Her Aspirations for SA Hip Hop. Having recently participated in the innovative YONDA WAY VOL. 1 project, emerging Johannesburg rapper, singer, and poet ThatPrettygirlYongz engaged with SA Hip Hop Mag to share her perspective on the evolving landscape of South African hip hop.
For Yongz, also known as Yonela Kozana, her involvement in this initiative carries significant personal meaning. “It means the world to me,” she stated. “Hip Hop has been my life since forever, and getting to be a part of shaping it in any way is special to me.”
The YONDA WAY project, led creatively by Zingah and supported by producer Tweezy, gathered nine up-and-coming artists, including Kanekeid, Fistola Inecut, Horid The Messiah, Andy Maveric, Leo Brown, Buzzi Lee, and Leezy Lindokuhle. The collective first caught the public’s eye through Zingah’s YONDR interview series before participating in an intensive three-day studio camp in August 2025.
Collaborating with established figures like Maglera Doe Boy, Kwesta, Reason, and Priddy Ugly, the artists produced 24 original tracks within a competitive yet collaborative setting. Feedback from a youth Sound Council comprising over 250 young reviewers was instrumental in shaping the project into its final collection of 11 tracks, with lead singles “YONDA,” “Goliwood Living,” and “She Just Wanna Party” gaining traction.
Yongz emphasized how the camp nurtured diversity and personal growth. “It helped me meet a lot of new people whose sounds are unique from mine in a plethora of ways,” she articulated. “It gave people a chance to explore and find ways to fit into spaces that were new and bigger than usual. Everyone’s sound had a place, and their coming together was magical.”
Regarding the main themes of the project, she pointed out culture and authenticity as vital elements. “Themes that highlight struggle while showcasing the joy and love one can find in it,” Yongz explained.
The competitive environment prompted her creative exploration in unforeseen ways. “It made me appreciate my sound while also realizing what I didn’t even know was missing in it,” she remarked. “Watching people effortlessly flow on beats that seemed too mellow or too frantic was something that made me realize I’d been holding myself back in terms of what themes I could jump into.”
Working under Zingah’s mentorship made a significant impression on her. “He was kind and eager to ensure everyone got their best out,” Yongz recounted. “He was attentive and inspiring at every turn. He saw everyone’s potential and did everything necessary to bring that out. He wanted us to win, and that made us want to fight for it even more.”
One track that resonates powerfully for her is “She Just Wanna Party,” which she characterized as a lively celebration. “It represents fullness,” she shared. “It’s about the complete view of what South African music culture is. It’s fun and out of this world. It’s effortlessly cool and bright. It’s what Hip Hop should be.”
Responses from young listeners further energized her ambition. “It made me want to work harder on myself and be more dedicated and consistent,” Yongz noted. “It made me surer of where I wanted to be as an artist.”
Dealing with newfound visibility in a burgeoning movement evokes complex feelings. “It’s exciting and also frightening,” she confessed. “Every artist wants eyes on them and their art, and how the audience receives that is everything. This project made me feel seen, and I’m working on centering what I see and not internalizing what everyone else does.”
Looking forward, Yongz aspires to leave a significant impact on the culture. “I want female rappers to feel like they are a part of the culture and not just guests in it,” she stressed. “I want it to be open to alternative sounds and give them the love they deserve. Alternative hip-hop is on the rise, and I want to help leave a spot for other female rappers to step into.”
Fans can anticipate more from this versatile artist in the near future. “I’m working on a country rap album that is the old me and the new me all at once,” Yongz revealed. “It was inspired by Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter and Maglera Doe Boy’s street style.”
With YONDA WAY VOL. 1 signaling a new era for South African hip hop, artists like ThatPrettygirlYongz are stepping into the limelight while also making significant contributions toward a more genuine, joyful, and experimental music landscape. The project is gaining momentum through live performances and is anticipated to pave the way for the next generation of talents.
