Musician, KO, real name Ntokozo Mdluli pens a heartfelt note to his fans on his upcoming release Pharadise set for 25 April.
My fellow citizens, brothers, and sisters of Phara City,
This is Ntokozo Mdluli—K.O to the world — speaking not just as an artist, but as one of you. A voice carved from 19 years of grinding, dreaming, and breaking ceilings. Today, I’m proud to announce Pharadise, the lead single from my upcoming project, Phara City, dropping April 25, 2025, with the full album set to land June 13. This isn’t just music—it’s a mirror to our lives, a map for the journey, and a movement for the resilient.
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Pharadise is a reunion that feels like destiny. Young Stunna and I are back, reigniting the spark that birthed SETE—the 2022 juggernaut that owned South Africa’s soul. That track didn’t just break records; it broke barriers, racking up over 14 million streams, holding the number one spot for 19 weeks, and snatching awards like Best Video and Song of the Year at the SA Hip Hop Awards. It was more than a song—it was the sound of a generation refusing to be ignored. Now, with Lunatic on production, Afrotraction and Murumba Pitch co-crafting the vibe, Pharadise takes that legacy and runs further. It’s bold, it’s raw, it’s us.
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Let’s talk about Phara City. This project is South Africa in 2025—a place where struggle and ambition collide, where every hustler taps into their inner Phara to survive. The word “Phara” carries weight in our streets, often tied to outcasts forced to fend for themselves, sometimes by any means. I’m here to flip that script. A Phara isn’t just a survivor—they’re a fighter, a dreamer, a builder. They’re you, pushing through the odds. They’re me, still innovating after nearly two decades. Phara City is our reality—think Gotham’s grit or Sin City’s edge, but it’s ours. It’s the socio-economic scars we wear, the victories we claw for, and the hope we refuse to let die. In Phara City, a Phara is anyone who rises, no matter their class or creed.
What’s a Phara? It’s the mindset of making it happen against all odds. It’s the genius of turning pain into power, hustle into legacy. Add it to the urban dictionary: Phara—a relentless spirit that thrives in the face of adversity, crafting greatness from struggle. Phara City—the world where that spirit lives, where every street, every story, pulses with resilience
This single and project carry my DNA—19 years of setting the pace in South African hip-hop and beyond. Through these tracks, you’ll hear the pulse of our nation—joy that lifts you, pain that grounds you, pride that fuels you, frustration that drives you, and hope that keeps you moving. This is for the underdogs, the dreamers, the builders who know the odds but bet on themselves anyway. It’s for every citizen of Phara City, from the townships to the suburbs, from Jozi to Accra. This is our story—yours and mine.
So, stand tall. Stay locked in. On April 25, Pharadise drops, and we start this takeover together. By June 13, Phara City will be more than a project—it’ll be our anthem. The takeover isn’t coming It’s here. And we’re leading it…
Cece Smith 