Senzo Mfundo Vilakazi (born 11 August 1988), better known by his stage name Kwesta, is a South African born rapper and songwriter. He was born in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni, Gauteng. He is currently signed to Urbantainment.
His third studio album DaKAR II was released on February 26, 2016. He also went to Phumulani Secondary School for 3 years and to finish his last two years at Alafhang High School
Senzo had taken an interest in poetry during his high school years and received positive feedback and encouragement from fellow students and teachers.
In 2003, Senzo, then known as Quest, and some friends of his formed a group called “Ghetto Fellaz”, which shortly after, became known as “The Juvenylz” with an additional member. His crew hoped to be discovered and signed, but it did not happen. Senzo dropped out of high school at the age of 16 to pursue his music career full-time. He started recording his first demo in his home studio. This demo caught the attention of Africa’s Most Southern Record Company (AMS), which eventually allowed him to use their recording facilities to allow for young Kwesta to harness his rapping skills.
Kwesta during 9th Annual Feather Awards nominations at The Hill in Parktown. Photo: SANDILE NDLOVU
Kwesta, still a teenager, convinced his mother to give him taxi fare necessary to get to Buttabing Entertainment’s offices. This meeting resulted in Kwesta being added to Buttabing Entertainment’s roster, co-owned by founding members Shugasmakx and Slikour.
In early 2010, Kwesta was selected to become a Brand SA ambassador performing as the headline act at the nationwide roadshow tour in the run-up to the FIFA World Cup.
Kwesta’s debut studio album Special Rekwest was released in September 2010. The first single was “Stomp”. Other singles includes “Flash It” “Babhemi,” “Flava” and “Pump It”. Kwesta was 22 years old during the release of his first album.
Kwesta’s sophomore studio album DaKAR (Da King of Afrikan Rap) was released digitally on November 25, 2013 and debuted on the South African iTunes Hip-hop / Rap Chart at number 3, only behind Eminem’sMarshall Mathers LP II and Drake’s Nothing Was the Same. The album was well received by fans and music industry insiders.
Kwesta’s third studio album DaKAR II, which is a double-disc album, was released on February 26, 2016 and was preceded by three major singles, “Nomayini” and “Ngud'”, the latter of which, features guest vocals from fellow South African rapper Cassper Nyovest which was released as A Radio-Edit on 23 November 2015 & the music video later dropped early 2016
Kwesta grew up in a family his father left when he was five years old. He can be heard addressing this on his song ‘Johnnie (Keep Walking)’ from his second album DaKAR. He is currently with a girlfriend he has been with for five years as of March 2016. They both have a child together, a daughter named Khai who was born on the 13th of October 2012.