“Push It” K.O

Born in Mkhondo, Mpumalanga, K.O is an South African rapper, producer, and entrepreneur. Launching his solo career in 2014, his fanbase immediately grew after he released “Caracara” and “SETE.” K.O became the first South African rapper to reach 1 million Youtube views and stayed number one on Radio Monitor Charts for 19 weeks after the release of “SETE.”

Ntokozo Mdluli, professionally known as K.O, describes his sound as a blend of hip and kwaito. He founded Cashtime Life and now operates Skhanda World, a record label and fashion line.

Through the lyrics of “Push It,” K.O is pushing past limits, embracing a playful, confident lifestyle, and celebrating successes. The song features braggadocious raps and shows his veterancy in the rap game. A fun and catchy song, K.O uses both English and South African language. Though this is an old technique, it still encapsulates multiple cultures around the world, which enhances the likeness of the song.

“Push It” is both motivating and undeniably catchy. On first listen, the beat and vibe immediately stood out. Honestly, I’d move to this song if it were played in a club. On second listen, the production became more apparent. I began hearing influences like Kendrick Lamar with the California beat and tone of K.O’s voice. There were also references to Tupac Shakur when he said “Mina I’m a thug, u Tupac Shakur” in the second verse and there was also a reference to DMX’s song “Party Up.” I’m not sure if there were more but this is what my ear picked up.

On a scale of 0–10, the song earns a strong 8/10. K.O’s talent is clear, through his vocal delivery. As stated previously, this song was fun, catchy, and ego-enthused. I am stingy with my points because I wish more lines were translated to English, for basic American understanding. I also feel as though the song was short, but that could also be because I could only identify some of what K.O was saying. I don’t have any other critiques, but I am glad to have reviewed “Push It.”

Overall, “Push It” delivers a message that feels powerful and relevant in today’s society. It reflects a generation that values self-worth, independence, and emotional growth. K.O uses both his lyrics and production skills to motivate listeners to keep pushing forward- no pun intended. K.O’s ability to blend references to 2000s-era music in America with his own cultural identity boosts his relistening value in my music library, which says a lot! Keep up the good work !