YoungstaCPT Reveals How ‘Wes-Kaap’ Inspired His Educational Approach To Rap. As “Wes-Kaap” celebrates its 10th anniversary, YoungstaCPT has pulled back the curtain on one of South African hip-hop’s most beloved anthems, revealing that the song’s journey was far less straightforward than many fans imagined.
Speaking while reflecting on the milestone, the Cape Town lyricist surprised listeners by revealing that “Wes-Kaap” was actually written in Johannesburg, not in the Mother City it so passionately celebrates. At the time, he was living away from home and battling homesickness, using the song to describe everything he missed about Cape Town.
“I wrote the song in Jo’burg,” he explained. “The song is me describing everything I missed because I was homesick.”
The production also had an unexpected history. YoungstaCPT revealed that producer Ganja Beatz had originally sent the instrumental to DJ Speedsta, who never recorded over it. The beat remained untouched for two years before eventually landing in YoungstaCPT’s hands, where it would become the foundation for one of his signature records.
Despite its iconic status today, “Wes-Kaap” was not an instant success. The rapper admitted it was neither the biggest song on release nor an immediate fan favourite. Instead, its popularity grew organically through live performances, where crowds enthusiastically sang along, particularly during the track’s memorable chant.
He also confirmed that he sampled a melodic phrase from Snoop Dogg’s classic hit “The Next Episode,” incorporating it into the record’s infectious hook.
YoungstaCPT believes the song’s biggest turning point came in 2016 when he performed at a school and realised that virtually every learner knew the lyrics by heart. That moment reshaped his understanding of his audience.
“It opened my eyes tremendously to the fact that my listeners are young,” he said.
He recalled someone comparing “Wes-Kaap” to a nursery rhyme because of its simple, memorable structure, a comment he initially laughed at before recognising its truth. That revelation encouraged him to write songs that were easier to follow while still carrying meaningful messages.
The discovery would go on to influence later releases such as “Y?VR” and “Jan van Riebeeck,” where he intentionally blended history lessons with local culture, believing that if young listeners could memorise lyrics, they could also absorb knowledge about their heritage.
By weaving educational themes into accessible hip-hop, YoungstaCPT said “Wes-Kaap” ultimately became more than a regional anthem. It marked the beginning of a creative philosophy centred on combining facts with storytelling, using music as a vehicle to celebrate Cape Town while teaching its history in a way that resonated with a new generation of listeners.
This year, the rapper celebrated the song’s decade-long legacy with special 10th anniversary performances, highlighting the enduring impact of a track that almost slipped by unnoticed before finding its audience on stage.
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