South African hip-hop heavyweight Yanga Chief is taking his place among some of Africa and the UK’s most exciting rap voices in the latest edition of the Hennessy Cypher.
The 2026 cypher brings together six artists from across the continent and the UK, with Nigerian producer Sarz overseeing the production. Yanga Chief becomes the third South African rapper to feature in the series, following previous appearances by Maglera Doe Boy and A-Reece.
This year’s lineup also includes Cameroon’s Tenor, Côte d’Ivoire’s Suspect 95, Ghana’s Kwesi Arthur, Kenyan artist Fena Gitu and British-Nigerian rapper Enny.
Yanga Chief flies the SA flag
Known for his distinctive lyricism and commitment to South African identity, Yanga Chief sees the collaboration as an opportunity to represent the country while staying true to his artistic voice.
“Being part of this year’s Hennessy Cypher is a special moment for me, especially knowing that I’m representing South Africa on a platform that brings together some of the most exciting voices in hip-hop,” he said.
“For me, it’s about showing up as Yanga Chief, bringing my own sound, perspective and experiences to the Cypher without compromising who I am.”
The collaboration also marks a milestone for Tenor, who becomes the first Cameroonian artist to appear in the Hennessy Cypher.
Hip-hop without borders
Under Sarz’s creative direction, the 2026 edition brings together different regional styles, languages and approaches to hip-hop while remaining grounded in the genre’s core traditions.
The lineup reflects the growing influence of African hip-hop, with artists from Francophone, Anglophone and Southern, Eastern, Western and Central African markets sharing one platform.
Hennessy South Africa brand manager Lungile Mpharu said Yanga Chief’s inclusion highlights the depth of talent emerging from the country.
“This year, we are especially proud to see Yanga Chief represent South Africa alongside some of the continent and the UK’s most exciting hip-hop talent,” Mpharu said.
The collaboration forms part of Hennessy’s long-running relationship with hip-hop culture. The brand says it has been referenced in more than 58,000 songs, making it one of the most recognised spirit brands associated with the genre.
Meet the 2026 Cypher lineup
Yanga Chief – South Africa: The award-winning rapper, songwriter and cultural storyteller is known for combining hip-hop with South African identity and contemporary social themes.
Tenor – Cameroon: A leading Central African artist, Tenor blends rap, Afrobeats and storytelling and has built a strong following across Francophone Africa.
Suspect 95 – Côte d’Ivoire: Known for sharp lyricism, humour and social commentary, Suspect 95 is one of Francophone Africa’s prominent rap voices.
Kwesi Arthur – Ghana: The Ghanaian star is recognised for blending hip-hop, Afrobeats and personal storytelling, earning a growing international audience.
Fena Gitu – Kenya: A versatile singer, songwriter and performer, Fena Gitu has played a major role in Kenya’s contemporary music scene.
Enny – United Kingdom: The British-Nigerian rapper from South London is known for her thoughtful lyricism, storytelling and socially conscious music.
Sarz – Producer: One of Nigeria’s leading producers, Sarz has worked with major African artists and is known for helping shape the sound of contemporary African music.
The Hennessy Cypher 2026 is now available to watch online, bringing together six distinct voices for a cross-border celebration of African and global hip-hop.
Main Image: Hennessy
