End of an era: Emtee reveals plans for last album and label leadership

South African rapper Emtee, born Mthembeni Ndevu, recently announced on X that he is preparing to release what he says will be his last album.

He wrote, “I’m dropping my last album soon. I’m gonna focus on running my label. It was nice while it lasted.”

Fans responded with shock and a mix of humour.

One wrote, “It’s going to be tough to see Emtee’s journey come to an end ... I’m very disappointed his music has been a huge part of my life, and it’s going to be weird not hearing new stuff from him.”

Another quipped, “The album better consist of 124 songs with a deluxe of 67 more songs, otherwise you are not going anywhere.”

A third simply said, “You owe us a lot of songs, Mthembeni.”

Emtee’s discography reflects a steady progression in both style and output. He began with his debut EP “DIY” in 2014, which introduced audiences to his distinctive voice and sound.

His first full studio album, “Avery”, arrived in 2015 and featured hits such as “Roll Up”, which helped cement his place in South African hip hop. In 2017, he released “Manando”, named in honour of a late friend, which highlighted his growth as an artist and included a mix of collaborations.

Following these projects, Emtee continued the “DIY” series with “DIY 2” in 2018. After establishing his own label, he released “Logan” in 2021, named after his second son.

This album marked his first major release under his own imprint, reflecting his independence and artistic control. Most recently, “DIY 3” came out in 2024, continuing the series that first defined his early career.

In addition to his albums, Emtee has released numerous singles that have become staples of South African music.

Songs like “We Up”, “Pearl Thusi”, “Wave”, “Brand New Day” and “Johustleburg” showcase his ability to combine catchy melodies with sharp lyrical content, appealing to a wide audience while staying rooted in hip hop and local influences.