PHAMBILI: Driemanskap's unstoppable journey.

Known as one of the pioneers of the spaza movement from Cape Town, Driemanskap is that iconic Xhosa hip-hop group that has stayed relevant for over two decades. Most of their songs aren’t just about hip-hop, the streets, and having fun - they also carry messages of encouragement, urging their fans to keep pushing through life’s challenges. In this edition, we sit down with them to talk about their upcoming single featuring Bravo Le Roux, PHAMBILI!!!

Phambili carries a powerful message just from its title. What’s the story behind the song, and what inspired you to create it?

Driemanskap: Life is a never-ending war; every chapter comes with its own challenges. It doesn’t matter who you are, where you’re from, or where you are in the world - you will face something that forces the fighter in you to come out. The song sends a clear message to all fighters: keep going and never look back because PHAMBILI is the only way forward.

How was the process of creating Phambili, from writing to recording? Were there any challenges or standout moments during production?

Driemanskap: The hook itself is a chant - a hymn that we didn’t originally compose, so we can’t take credit for that part. However, we recorded all the vocals ourselves, with help from a few friends. Because we’ve been walking this road for so long, the message hit home for us, and that inspired everything that followed. What came out wasn’t just a song - it became a masterpiece.

The writing process felt natural and effortless because it came straight from the heart. Recording was pure fun - the energy in the room was amazing, and the synergy was beautiful. We recorded the song over two sessions: first laying down the hook until we were confident it was exactly what we wanted, then stepping away to write the verses before returning to the studio to complete the track a few days later.

Bravo Le Roux is a powerful force in the game right now. What made him the perfect fit for this feature, and what was it like working with him?

Driemanskap: We’ve always been known for using chants in our live performances - it’s part of who we are. We noticed Bravo Le Roux has a similar love for chants, so collaborating made perfect sense. When we sent him the song, his response was, “Yhuu eza wey zam, we got one masambe,” followed by a flood of fire emojis and crying faces - that excitement said it all.

Even though he was abroad at the time, Bravo made time in his busy schedule, recorded his verse, and sent it through. We were all together when we heard it for the first time, and we immediately jumped on a call to thank him. His verse is fire - big love to Bravo for always pushing boundaries.

As Xhosa artists, how does it feel to collaborate with other local Xhosa rappers who are also pushing the same cultural narrative in hip-hop?

Driemanskap: IsiXhosa is a beautiful language, and the world needs to hear it. What better way to amplify it than through music - in our case, hip-hop. Collaborating makes the mission easier because we’re stronger together than trying to fight this battle alone. We all share the same goal: putting Xhosa hip-hop where it belongs - right at the top.

What can fans expect from the final version of Phambili? Any surprises or special elements that set it apart from your previous releases?

Driemanskap: What we can confidently say right now is that Phambili is incredible from start to finish. As for surprises? Definitely - but we’ll let the fans discover them for themselves when they hear it.

March looks like a big month for you - where can fans catch you performing, and are there any plans for a full album?

Driemanskap: The buzz around Phambili is already wild - and the song isn’t even out yet! Its energy demands attention.

March is going to be packed - we’ll be on a full PR run to promote the single and hit some stages along the way. As for a full album? That’s dropping later this year. But before that, expect a few more singles to heat up the streets. Our fans need to stay ready because 2025 is going to be a massive year.

As the sun rises over Cape Town’s townships and the echoes of struggle, survival, and triumph fill the air, Driemanskap’s message is loud and clear - PHAMBILI. A reminder to every hustler, creative, and dreamer that no matter how tough life gets, there’s only one way to go - forward, always forward.

With decades of experience and an unshakable love for their culture and craft, Driemanskap isn’t just leading the charge for Xhosa hip-hop - they’re inspiring a whole new generation to walk boldly into the future. The anthem officially drops on 4 March 2025 - when it does, raise your fists, lock your eyes ahead, and move boldly PHAMBILI.

For more, visit: Driemanskap