Uncool MC Biography: From Crowd-Hyping Amapiano MC to Solo Artist With Sesikude

For years, Uncool MC was the voice behind other people’s records, the hype man whose chants anchored some of Amapiano’s biggest festival stages.

On October 3, 2026, that changed with the release of Sesikude, his debut EP, which he has described as the first project to put his own artistry, rather than his work for others, at the centre.

Uncool MC, born Thando Sibeko, is a South African MC, DJ and recording artist from the Amapiano scene. Raised in Kwa-Thema, in Johannesburg’s East Rand, he built his name as a crowd-hyping MC at major South African festivals before moving into songwriting and solo recording.

Profile

Early Life and Background

Sibeko grew up in Kwa-Thema, a township on the East Rand of Johannesburg.

He has said he originally came up as a rapper, but found his creative home within the Amapiano scene, a blend he has said continues to shape both his vocal delivery and his songwriting.

From DJ to Amapiano Hype MC

Sibeko began his career as a DJ, performing on the streets of Johannesburg as South Africa emerged from COVID-19 lockdowns.

His enjoyment of engaging crowds pushed him toward MC’ing, where he built a reputation for commanding stages with energy and confidence.

He went on to perform at major South African events including Cotton Fest, in 2023 appearing alongside DBN GOGO, as well as Piano People, Afro Nation, and Fact Durban Rocks, establishing himself as one of the most recognisable hype voices in the genre.

Breakthrough Collaborations

Sibeko’s rise as a performer was accompanied by a string of featured credits on notable Amapiano records, including “oTsotsi” with the Kwenyama Brothers and “Sela” with Cyfred and DBN GOGO.

His most widely heard feature came on “Bula Nthweo,” alongside DJ Maphorisa, Vetkoek and Mahoota, which surpassed 3 million YouTube views and generated more than 3.4 million TikTok creations.

According to Music In Africa, a pivotal moment in his career came when he was introduced to DJ Maphorisa, who encouraged him to push his craft further in the studio, helping him evolve from an event MC into a fully fledged recording artist.

Between 2024 and 2025, he appeared on DJ Maphorisa’s Bacardi Fest EP and Uncle Waffles’ 4 Da Ho’s EP, and in July 2026 he was featured on “ZEP,” alongside DJ Smallz, ZinedinexSguche and 031choppa, from the album VOGUE.

Setla and the Move Toward Solo Artistry (2026)

On September 6, 2026, Sibeko released “Setla,” a single bringing together DJ Maphorisa, Focalistic, Ntsako XVI and Shaun 101, as the lead single for his forthcoming solo project. Discussing the song’s meaning, he told the Guardian Nigeria, “Setla carries a deeply personal meaning for me.”

He elaborated to MDNtv that the track’s references to the Sandton nightclub CÉ LA VI reflected its themes, saying “The references to CÉ LA VI in Sandton speak to themes of luxury.”

Sesikude: His Debut EP (2026)

Sibeko released his debut EP, Sesikude, through the label gamma. on October 3, 2026.

The project revisits his childhood in Kwa-Thema and the different phases of his career, documenting his transition from a party and festival MC into a full recording artist and DJ.

Describing the project’s title to Blueprint Newspapers, he said, “The title meaning is centred around the journey I have taken.”

By the time of the EP’s release, his catalogue of own releases and collaborations had surpassed 140 million streams on Spotify, with more than 1.4 million monthly listeners on the platform.

Selected Discography

Sources

• Music In Africa — Uncool MC
• The Guardian Nigeria — Uncool MC Steps Into His Own With New Single, ‘Setla’
• MDNtv — Amapiano Star Uncool MC Steps Into the Spotlight With New Single ‘Setla’
• Buzzlifenews — ‘It’s Deeply Personal’: Uncool MC Opens Up About Setla and His Journey
• SNL24 — Uncool MC Releases Debut EP ‘Sesikude’
• Blueprint Newspapers — Uncool MC Releases Debut Project – Sesikude
• Brand Icon Image — ‘We Have Come Far’: Uncool MC Reflects on His Journey With ‘Sesikude’

Zeez

Zeez is the editor and founder of BioOrbit, where he researches and writes biographies of public figures from Nigeria and around the world. With 5 years of experience writing about news, entertainment, sports and politics, Zeez focuses on verified facts, clear sourcing and regular updates. Found an error? Report a correction.