DJ Speedsta Weighs In On Big Zulu’s Purpose In SA Hip Hop. A lively debate about the identity of Big Zulu took centre stage on Up To Speed, the podcast hosted by DJ Speedsta, after guest Mswenkofranko posed a bold question that instantly shifted the tone of the conversation: “Is Big Zulu a rapper?”
The moment, featured in Episode 11 alongside co-hosts Fif_Laaa and Okayswisher, tapped into a long-running tension within South African hip hop. It is a debate that weighs pure lyricism against cultural reach, influence, and mainstream appeal.
Speedsta answered without hesitation: “Yes, he is.” Still, the discussion did not end there. Mswenkofranko pushed further, questioning why Big Zulu is often missing from lists of the country’s top rappers. That challenge opened the door for a more layered reflection on the Inkabi Nation leader’s evolution.
Drawing from personal experience, Speedsta recalled witnessing Big Zulu’s early grind at Back To The City, where aspiring rappers sharpen their skills in raw cypher sessions.
“I know Big Zulu from Back To The City, that other stage,” he explained. “Then he made it, and then he also understood, like okay, sharp, yes, I can rap, but my purpose is bigger than rap.”
That perspective framed Big Zulu not just as an MC, but as an artist who has intentionally expanded his role. Speedsta pointed to his collaborative work with Sjava as evidence of an artist embracing a broader musical and cultural mission.
“Big Zulu is for his people,” Speedsta said. “So I think he tries his best to still remain a rapper and a hip hop artist, but still tries to bring in the rest of the Inkabi Nation. I could be wrong, but in terms of him being a rapper, 100%.”
The conversation highlights how Big Zulu’s journey has moved beyond traditional hip hop boundaries. Born Siyabonga Ngubane, he built his name through commanding freestyle performances and hard-hitting bars before rising into mainstream success with music that blends hip hop, maskandi, and accessible storytelling.
For some purists, that evolution raises questions about whether he still fits neatly into “top MC” conversations. Yet his early lyrical displays, including lengthy freestyle sessions that stunned audiences, remain proof of his technical ability.
At the same time, his work reflects a larger vision. It is not only about rap credibility, but about uplifting culture, language, and community. His collaborations and sonic choices speak to an artist focused on representation as much as recognition.
Speedsta’s take resonates because it refuses to reduce the argument to a simple yes or no. Big Zulu is both a rapper and something more expansive. He represents a shift in how success and authenticity are defined within the genre.
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