Mthembeni Ndevu, widely known by his stage name Emtee, is a renowned South African rapper, music producer, singer, and songwriter. Emtee is known for delivering his music in both English and his local dialect, with his breakthrough hit single “Roll Up” catapulting him to fame.

After initially being signed to Ambitiouz Entertainment, Emtee parted ways with the label to establish his own record label, Emtee Records. His debut album was launched with the singles “Roll Up” and “We Up.”

In 2017, Emtee released his second album, Manando, which paid tribute to his late high school friend. In 2018, he released DIY 2, marking a fresh chapter in his career.

His third studio album, Logan, was released in 2021 and debuted at number 1 in South Africa, cementing his ongoing influence in the music scene. Fans are eagerly anticipating the release of DIY 3, set for 2024, which will be the third installment in his DIY series.

Early life

Mthembeni Ndevu, born on September 17, 1992, in Matatiele, Eastern Cape, South Africa, grew up in Soweto and later moved to Rockville, Gauteng. His early connection with music began during his high school years when he developed a passion for rap.

Emtee attended Yeoville Primary School but faced academic challenges. Despite not meeting the requirements for college admission, he chose not to repeat his finals and passed. His musical journey started at a young age, performing at the age of 9, which laid the foundation for his future career in music.

Career

Emtee remained dedicated to his music during his late teen years, choosing not to repeat his final year in school despite his pass not being sufficient for university entry. In 2010, he collaborated with South African rapper Maraza on “In It To Win It,” which was featured on Channel O’s show HeadRush. Before going solo, Emtee was part of the rap trio African Trap Movement, alongside Sjava, Saudi, and producer Ruff. The group gained recognition and was later signed by Ambitiouz Entertainment.

In early 2015, Emtee’s friend and producer, Ruff, crafted the beat for Emtee’s debut single “Roll Up,” which was recorded and finalized in just two hours. The track gained significant radio play across Southern Africa and topped DJ Speedsta’s hip-hop chart on YFM. The single was later re-released as “Roll Up Re-Up,” featuring Wizkid and South African rapper AKA, who Emtee credited for his support and mentorship.

At the 22nd South African Music Awards, Emtee won Rap Album of the Year for Avery and Song of the Year for “Roll Up.” He also took home another Song of the Year award at the 2015 South African Hip Hop Awards. By the end of 2015, Emtee had become one of the most played South African hip-hop artists.

In August 2019, Emtee departed from Ambitiouz Entertainment and, in September, launched his own label, Emtee Records, under his company African Trap Movement. He announced the upcoming release of a new EP in 2020. In January 2020, Emtee began working on his fourth studio album, DIY 3, and released the single “Johustleburg” in May 2020.

Emtee’s single “iThemba” debuted at number one in South Africa in February 2021. His highly anticipated fourth studio album, Logan, was released on April 9, 2021. The album earned a nomination for Album of the Year at the 2021 South African Hip Hop Awards, and Emtee received a nomination for Artist of the Decade.

Personal Life

Emtee shares a strong familial bond with his childhood girlfriend turned wife, Nicole Chinsamy. The couple, who married in 2019, has three children—two sons and a daughter. Their relationship began with the birth of their first child, Avery, in 2015, and Emtee named his debut album after his son. The couple faced challenges during Nicole’s second pregnancy in 2018, but she successfully completed her studies in 2019. Emtee’s desire to marry Nicole was evident, but he respected her decision to finish her studies and start a business before tying the knot.

However, their relationship faced external challenges when Emtee’s parents accused Nicole of being a gold-digger in a newspaper interview. They expressed disapproval of their son’s marriage to Nicole, citing instances where Emtee did not adhere to Venda cultural practices and allowed their children to have Xhosa names. Tensions escalated further when Emtee’s father claimed there was a verbal altercation between Emtee’s mother and Nicole’s mother during a party for Nicole’s second child. Despite these difficulties, Emtee and Nicole continue to navigate their journey together, focusing on their family and resilience.

In 2021, Nicole addressed accusations of being abusive toward Emtee, publicly denying the claims and emphasizing her love and commitment to him. In 2023, the family welcomed their daughter, Nairobi.

In a separate incident in 2017, Emtee issued a public apology after accidentally exposing himself on Instagram Live. The mishap occurred when he flushed the toilet and unknowingly revealed his private parts while holding his phone. Screenshots of the incident were circulated online, sparking a stir among his audience.

In June 2022, Emtee’s fall from the stage during a performance went viral, with some speculating he was intoxicated. He later clarified that he was simply fatigued, aiming to dispel misconceptions about the incident.

Discography

Studio Albums

2015: Avery

2017: Manando

2018: DIY2

2021: Logan

2024: Hood Hero

2024: DIY3

Extended  Plays

2015: DIY

Singles

“Roll Up” (2015)

“Pearl Thusi” (2015)

“Roll Up (Re-Up)” featuring Wizkid & AKA (2015)

“Couldn’t” (A-Reece featuring Emtee) (2016)

“Amamenemene” (2016)

“My People” (2016)

“Ngeke” featuring Fifi Cooper (2016)

“We Up” (2016)

“Winning” featuring Nasty C (2017)

“Ghetto Hero” (2017)

“Corner Store” (2017)

“My Way” featuring Sims (2017)

“Me and You” featuring Tiwa Savage (2017)

“My Enemies” (2017)

“Manando” (2017)

“Plug” (2018)

“Thank You” (2018)

“Lesson” (2018)

“Smogolo” featuring Snaayman (2019)

“Wave” (2020)

“Brand New Day” featuring Lolli (2020)

“Real In The State” featuring Rich The Kid (TBA)

“Johustleburg” (2020)

Chelete (2023)

MAJITA (2023)

Wa Mina (2023)

No Matter What (2023)

Good Time (2024)

Starlight (2024)

Imali (2024)

Believer (2024)

Amaphanta (2024)

This Life (2024)

Awards

South African Hip Hop Awards 2015:

Song of the year

Metro FM Music Awards, 2016:

Best Music Video

Best Remix

Best Hip Hop Album

Best New Artist (Nominated)

Listeners Choice Award

22nd South African Music Awards, 2016:

Album of the Year (Nominated)

Male Artist of the Year (Nominated)

Newcomer of the Year (Nominated)

Best Rap Album

Amstel Record of the Year

2016 BET Awards Viewers’ Choice:

Best New International Act (Nominated)

2017 AFRIMA Awards:

Best male artiste in South Africa (Nominated)

2019 SAMA Awards:

Best Hip Hop Album (Nominated)

2022 Global Music Awards Africa:

Hip Hop Artist