Not just a ‘Female Rapper’, Firdy on breaking labels in South African hip-hop
As Women’s Month draws to a close, Bars ‘n Rhymes Magazine turns the spotlight on one of South Africa’s most compelling voices in hip-hop, Firdy (Forever Ready). Known for her unapologetic originality and fearless stance on identity, she is carving out her own space in the culture. From platforms like #SotraCyphers and YFM’s Unlocked to her upcoming EP, Firdy represents the power of women shaping the narrative of South African hip-hop.
Firdy is currently working on an EP, a body of work she believes will mark an important moment in the culture.
“What I am working on currently is an EP, still deliberating whether to make it five or seven tracks. Ultimately, I believe this piece of art will contribute to the SA hip hop scene by means of bridging the gap between raps and melody. It will serve as a reminder that the neo soul sound stems from hip hop and in its entirety the messages in the music are rooted in culture and life experiences, written through the penmanship of metaphors, similes and double entendres.”
The state of SA hip-hop
When asked about where South African hip-hop stands today, Firdy describes the scene as being at a crucial point. “Where we stand sonically in hip hop – with all the evolutions of it accounted for – I believe we’re at a ‘sweet spot’ which encapsulates how some rules have been broken and yet the overall rhythmical identity of hip hop is still intact. To an extent, this has broadened the listener’s musical ear, introducing other avenues of tapping into the genres that are unorthodox to hip hop and piano heads alike.”
Unlike many, Firdy does not believe in fitting into what already exists. “First off, fitting in has never been my stance. Rather, I create my own space well within the musical trajectory at hand. Originality in itself is the challenge as the majority of my fellow camaraderie tend to leech off of and piggy-back-ride on the waves that are either popular or more susceptible to the masses, instead of reinventing themselves, such that what is more their style is also just as ‘ready to be received’ by the market it is created for.”
This mindset extends into her lyricism, where vulnerability and strength go hand in hand. “For one to even be able to introspect, one needs courage and confidence in oneself to speak one’s truth the best way one knows how. Moreover, these qualities are needed so that doing shadow work (facing one’s ‘demons’) is more constructive than it could be destructive. Which, as a result, brings me – the artist – to a safer stance in my vulnerability for me to be able to articulate myself promptly and exclusively enough to be relatable to the SA hip hop audience and culture as a whole.”
Identity and revolution
For Firdy, identity is the foundation of her music and artistry. “Identity plays a huge role in shaping the landscape of how a creative presents and brands themselves in their entirety. My choice of character, aesthetic, lyricism, melodies and everything in between stems from the personal background and experiences I have/yet to be dealt with, accompanied by my overall perspective of life itself. Revolution is inevitable, hence the core being of what I represent will forever be rooted in my beliefs, morals and spiritual standing. Hip hop is an ambassador of inclusivity, community and culture, thus welcoming a variety of personalities at large, so yes, I do believe my voice is a contribution and has a place in the revolution of SA hip hop.”
Women in hip-hop
One of the strongest parts of Firdy’s voice is her advocacy for women in the culture. “As a representative of the feminine regime in Hip Hop, the shift that is needed to level the playing field would be putting more respect and acknowledgement of the divine feminine. For one, the labelling and sexualisation of women in Hip Hop, being called ‘female rappers’ as opposed to just being referred to as rappers. Image-wise, to each his own, but I feel as though women are expected to speak and wear attire that is provocative and seductive, to even be heeded. So much so that if they conduct themselves in another way, they stand a chance of not receiving the recognition they deserve purely from the art they create.”
She adds that while the conscious rap space is growing, it remains dominated by men. “To a degree, yes, I agree with that stance. The boom bap/conscious rap scene continues to grow in South Africa, and like most of its counterparts, it is male-dominated. As mentioned in my prior response, women have to look a certain way and speak a certain way to break through to the market. How I am actively going about introducing myself as a rapper is by being authentic and embracing my individuality. From my sound, to my look, I have stuck to who I identify as outside of the artist I am – a Hip Hop head influenced by the dress code, lyricism and style of this here genre dating back to the era of Bahamadia, MC Lyte, Ms Lauryn Hill and Queen Latifah, just to name a few.”
She believes South African hip-hop’s biggest strength lies in its cultural depth. “Although not classified as ‘Hip Hop’, rapping has always been a part of South African culture. From the specimen in the Xhosa tribe, iimbhongi to Kwaito, to the now booming SA hip hop scene – rhythm and poetry have always been a form of expression in our country, which then allows us to take space in writing raps, especially in our native languages. I mean, we have 11 official languages to choose from, which artists like Okmalumkoolkat, Loantinover Pounds, and Sizwe Alakine, among others, have set a trademark for. Tapping into this pocket will enlarge the territory of SA hip hop, thus bridging the gap and advocating for diversity on the global stage at large.”
Platforms that fuel the culture
Platforms like #SotraCyphers and YFM’s Unlocked are vital to her journey. “Sotracyphers and YFM’s Unlocked segment indeed are listed as pioneers of the South African hip hop culture movement. They introduce and hold space for unknown artists to lift the veil and show face to the world, introducing their works, passions and ambitions. Which in essence serves as a public service announcement for the market to be aware of and keep on the lookout for rising stars like myself.”
Firdy is not only focused on her journey but also on amplifying others who deserve more recognition in the South African hip-hop scene. “South African hip hop artists that deserve the spotlight at present, as they emerge, apart from myself of course, include: The 1619records crew, Nolitha Dlangala, Leverage, Ntombela Bantu Speaking, Looyanduh, to name a few.”
And if she could step into a cypher right now, Firdy knows exactly who she would choose to share the circle with. “I would love for that circle to be made up of artists who inspire me to keep doing what I do, coercing me to always be open to learning new ways of conduct. So these four artists would be: Tony Dangler, Nyeleti the Star, Stogie T, and Ta Longz.”
For Firdy, success goes far beyond fame or streams. “Success for Firdy would mean being able to bring change in the community. Serving as a reminder to my fellow camaraderie that before we are artists, we are human beings. Through running clothing drives, giving out sanitary towels and school shoes to learners and helping out at old age homes. In the long run, being able to run a sustainable feeding scheme for the homeless, as well as opening creative hubs that aim to guide and encourage young people to embrace their talents and work on pursuing them as professions.”
The future promises evolution, both musically and creatively. “As an individual, evolution is inevitable, so some growth and changes in the way I articulate and present myself are bound to take place. Avenues like my pen-game are bound to get stronger, as inspiration from music globally, a spiritual language, will naturally influence ideas for new flows and melodies. And sonically, perhaps dabbling into other genres and artists from home and around the world alike will help expand my trajectory. Embracing the other parts of my art (dance, acting and theatre) is something I will also be partaking in with precise intention and zeal, because why not!”
Firdy’s voice is powerful, not just in its lyrical delivery but in its cultural resonance. In an industry that often boxes women, she is breaking labels and redefining what originality means in South African hip-hop. As she reminds us, hip-hop is about revolution, inclusivity, and culture, and Firdy is firmly placing herself at the heart of that evolution.
Links to her artistry:
Live performance:
Vibrations EP:
For updates, follow her on Instagram:
