Gemini Major Says SA Hip Hop’s Sound Is Winning But Its Culture Is Fading

A veteran producer just said the quiet part out loud. Gemini Major sat down for a candid conversation about South African hip hop, and his honesty caught plenty of attention. AfrobeatsGlobal breaks down exactly what he said and why it matters.

Gemini Major On The State Of SA Hip Hop Culture

Gemini Major appeared on the Real Stuff podcast alongside Da L.E.S. and Maggz last week. He admitted straight away that hip hop right now is not doing so well. However, he was quick to clarify that the problem has nothing to do with talent. According to him, “the quality of music has actually improved.”

That distinction matters a lot, especially coming from someone with his history in the genre. Born Nhlawulo Masinga, Gemini Major has spent years shaping the sound of South African hip hop from behind the scenes.

What Gemini Major Believes SA Hip Hop Culture Lost

“For me, we’re looking at hip-hop right now, right? Like, it’s not doing so well,” and it’s not because people are not making good music, because these kids are definitely banging them out”. “The quality of music has actually improved, finally. I don’t think there are people living the hip-hop culture right now. They’re not living hip-hop.

It was different when, you know, in our prime time, because people were living hip-hop. When you go to the club, there’s that section over there, and there are people who had camps that would show up for each other. If someone is booking me, they know it’s not just Gemini’s show. Da L.E.S might show up, Riky, you might show up, same thing. People were living hip-hop.”

 

Gemini explained that fewer people are truly living the culture the way earlier generations once did. He remembered a time when different artist camps moved as full collectives at shows and clubs. Supporters would show up in numbers just to stand behind their favorite acts. That sense of community, he says, has quietly faded even as the music itself keeps improving.

He also referenced the era connected to Da L.E.S. and the late Riky Rick, a period defined by loyalty between artists and fans. Those memories clearly still shape how Gemini views today’s scene.

Why Gemini Major’s SA Hip Hop Culture Comments Hit Home

Younger artists keep pushing the genre forward with fresh ideas and sharper production. Still, Gemini Major’s point lands because culture and music rarely grow at the same pace. His comments have already sparked debate among fans about what real support looks like today. AfrobeatsGlobal will keep following this conversation as more voices weigh in.

Do you agree that SA hip hop’s culture needs to catch up with its sound? Let us know in the comments, share this with a real hip hop head, and follow AfrobeatsGlobal for more honest industry conversations. Check out our previous blog post on Victony’s SLICK Just Hit A Brand New Peak On The US Billboard Afrobeats Chart.

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