'20 Summers' later: K.O reflects on two decades of fame, faith and resilience

From Teargas to solo success, K.O is marking two decades in music with a moment of reflection.

“As someone who has lived a career life of constant pressure and pursuit of what is next, I realised that I had not truly taken the time to reflect and pat myself on the back for a job well done, like I should,” he said.

“I was recently putting together a montage of some of my career highlights, and I almost became emotional watching my own evolution.” 

To celebrate this milestone, K.O has recently released his new single “20 Summers”, a track that stands as both a personal checkpoint and a celebration of longevity.

The song captures a shift in perspective for an artist who has spent years focused on growth, targets and the next achievement. Now, he pauses to look back at the road that built his name.

The journey began with Teargas, where K.O not only found his voice as a rapper but also stepped into leadership. After a fallout with early management, he found himself taking on more responsibility within the group.

“I ended up having to take the reins, not because the guys asked me to, but naturally with my hustling spirit and the network that I was steadily building,” he explained.

That period would shape his approach to the business side of music and lay the groundwork for what followed.

It was this instinct that led him to establish Cashtime Life, a label that would become central to his career and to the rise of several artists.

“That allowed me to later be confident enough to say, let me start my own record label, and that is how Cashtime Life came about,” he said.

Through the label, K.O extended his influence beyond his own music, creating opportunities for others while strengthening his position in the industry.

A defining moment came with the release of “Caracara”, which became the first hip hop track to win Song of the Year at the South African Music Awards.

“That put the battery on my back,” he said, describing how the recognition pushed him forward. It was followed by the success of his album “Skhanda Republic", which he regards as a standout body of work.

“If we are talking about hip hop albums by solo artists, I think that album is up there,” he said.

His career has not been without its shifts. Years after his early success, K.O experienced a resurgence with “SETE”, a track that reintroduced him to a new generation of listeners.

“Being able to make a comeback much later in my career, even after 10 years, with a record like that, it has been a blessing,” he reflected. For him, longevity is not accidental but the result of adapting while staying grounded.

“20 Summers” captures that mindset.

“It is looking in the rearview mirror with gratitude, praising God and a moment of humility,” he said. He spoke about remembering his early days and how different life was before success.

“To me, it is like day and night, and that is something that I never forgot. That is why you will not see me crashing out over little things because things could be much worse.”

The process of revisiting his catalogue brought unexpected emotions. As he reviewed past work, he saw not only professional milestones but personal growth.

“There were moments that made me emotional because you realise how much you have changed as a person,” he said.

From different styles and images to evolving creative choices, the transformation has been constant. “It is interesting and encouraging at the same time because internally, I still feel great. Mentally, I feel more mature and sharper than I ever was.”

Behind the music lies a demanding environment. K.O is clear about the pressures that come with a career in the public eye.

“The constant pressure to deliver in our space is insane,” he said. He compares it to any other profession, noting that expectations and scrutiny are part of the job.

“There is no difference between myself and someone who goes to a day-to-day job because you also have to deliver. The only difference is that it happens on a public platform.”

Over time, he has learned how to manage that pressure.

“You get to a place where you are able to block out the noise and function genuinely without allowing external pressure to derail you,” he said.

Experience has helped him build resilience and develop a sense of balance.

“With age comes maturity, and I think I am able to do what I need to do without allowing the noise to affect me in a negative way.”

As he reflects on 20 years in the industry, K.O is also thinking about how he will be remembered. He believes his work has earned him a place among the greats.

“I think I have made myself eligible enough to be regarded as a proper legend,” he said. Still, recognition has never been his main focus.

“I always allowed my work to take precedence and to be the one that speaks volumes.”

He also spoke about the importance of sharing success. Drawing from his upbringing, where his family often opened their home to others, K.O has tried to create opportunities within his own circle.

“I always wanted to make sure that I shared that light with people that I felt were like-minded,” he said. “Selflessness is one of the key things I would like people to remember about me.”