NEWS

Who is the Queen of Venrap?

Ndo tshinyani by Queen Popoo

By Director Maboko. 30 Aug 2022

Edited by: Khorommbi Mphaphuli

"Ndo tshinyani", is the third studio album by South African rapper Queen Popoo. It was released on May 23, 2012, by Queen Popoo, through DistroKid. The album was written by Queen Popoo. Looking to transition from her debut studio album, Ndi Munangiwa (2020), My Voice is my Hero (2019). Queen Popoo wanted to make a follow-up record about "U Shuma" shifting away from Manyalo sound. Stylistically, the album is full of hip hop tracks and a traditional song inlcudning a dance-pop song. Queen of venrap enlisted a variety of collaboratorsn mostly in Venrap/ hip hop industry.

Following the unsuccess of Queen Popoo's debut studio album, Ndi Munangiwa (2020), She complains about been mistreated by her previous management and record label, Dzivha Records mentioned on a YouTube channel by Aubreaction Podcast. She claimed that she did not received her payments for album sales and everything. In December 2021, Queen Popoo announced on Facebook that the album would be released in March, 2022, though it was later delayed to May 23, 2022.

Queen Popoo worked with producers including DG Beat Lampady, Vule C4, Captain Sky, Pn Boy Mr Paradise, and Kiddywise including productions by KavirlBaetz. She also collaborated with different artists for the album, which includes: Adolf Mr Thohoyandou, Mizo Phyll, Kashflow Toofab, Racha Kill, Cash Brown, and CSG.

Queen Popoo recorded all songs of the album in South Africa, Limpopo at Original Panda studio, Paradise studio, and TFR studio. Queen Popoo said "the expierince working on the album was not easy, but we were patient with each other".
The album received positive and negative feedback from music critics, who mostly commended its hip hop sounds and Queen Popoo's versatility of her rapping and singing style. Queen Popoo said most of the negative feedback from male Venrap artists.

"Ndo tshinyani" was influenced by a real events, Queen Popoo paints a picture of South African social reality issues happening around women and children, she pays homage to children who are abandoned by their mothers, or been killed. She was inspired by her surroundings and the tragedies happening around the country. The album focuses on themes of victimhood and betrayal by their own blood.