His story mirrors the journey of South African urban music itself, from struggle, to 
superstardom, to survival. 
Ishmael Morabe is one of the quiet architects of local hip-hop and Kwaito culture. 
From the early days of Prophets of Da City, to chart-topping success with Jozi, his 
voice helped define a generation. 
But behind the hits were darker chapters, addiction, loss and personal battles that 
nearly derailed everything. 
Today, Ishmael Morabe is clean, reflective and still creating. And now, he’s part of 
something bold and unexpected, Kwaito in Symphony, a live concert blending classic 
Kwaito with a 40-piece orchestra. 
He joins us now to talk legacy, recovery, and what it means to hear Kwaito in a 
whole new way.