Tumi Tladi

Rapper Tumi Tladi is the son of veteran music promoter Peter Tladi. Image via Twitter @Tumitladi

Tumi Tladi: Five things to know about the late SA hip-hop star [watch]

Tributes have poured in for SA hip-hop star Tumi Tladi who passed away on Sunday 10 July. Here are five things to know about him.

Tumi Tladi

Rapper Tumi Tladi is the son of veteran music promoter Peter Tladi. Image via Twitter @Tumitladi

The family of SA hip-hop star Tumi Tladi confirmed the rapper’s passing on Sunday 10 July. The Basadi hitmaker passed away in the early hours of 10 July at 30 years old. Tladi’s cause of death is yet to be confirmed by his family. 

Take a look at five things to know about the talented rapper.  

ALSO READ: RIP Tumi Tladi: SA hip-hop fans pay tribute to local rapper [watch]

1. TUMI TLADI WAS A DANCER BEFORE STARTING HIS MUSIC CAREER 

Before kicking off his career as a rapper, Tumi Tladi started his career in entertainment as a dancer. According to a 2012 SotweanLive report, Tladi has danced all over the world and represented South Africa at the Los Angeles Carnival in West Hollywood. 

At the time, the 30-year-old said it was his chance to prove that South African dance has developed and to highlight Mzansi’s undiscovered talent. 

Tladi officially released his debut single, You ain’t shh, in 2015. 

WATCH A CLIP OF TUMI TLADI DANCING HERE 

2. HE IS THE SON OF VETERAN PROMOTOR PETER TLADI 

Rapper Tumi Tladi is the son of Peter Tladi, a legendary music promoter who played a prominent role in growing the South African live music scene. According to CapeTalk, he is also the chairman of Mzansi’s much-loved jazz festival, Joy of Jazz. 

Tladi is also the chairman of T-Musicman and has developed the careers of Rebecca Malope, Brenda Fassie and more. 

3. HE HAS RELEASED CHART-TOPPING SINGLES 

Tumi Tladi released the remix for his single Basadi in June 2020 featuring rappers Moozlie and Rouge. The track shot to the top of the 5FM hip-hop charts. Speaking to Red Bull in 2020, Tladi said there was no intention to do a remix but after the track gained traction, it was all systems go for the remix.

WATCH THE ‘BASADI’ MUSIC VIDEO HERE 

ALSO READ: Rest in Peace: ‘How to Ruin Christmas’ star Busi Lurayi dead at 35

4. TUMI TLADI COLLABORATED WITH SEVERAL SA HIP-HOP STARS 

Over the years, Tumi Tladi collaborated with several hip-hop stars including producer Mustbedubz. He has worked with the likes of DA L.E.S, Tyler ICU, Luna Florentino and Alfa Kat. 

The rapper’s latest music video for his single Presidential, featuring Nadia Nakai and Mustbedubz, was released on 1 July. 

WATCH THE ‘PRESIDENTIAL’ MUSIC VIDEO HERE 

5. HE WAS AN ENERGETIC PERFORMER 

Tumi Tladi was an SA hip-hop artist who truly lit up the stage every time he performed. In an Instagram video shared on 8 March, thousands of people cheered for him every time he hit the stage. 

TAKE A LOOK