Get to Know Cash of Hearts Chasing After the Status of Being the Next GOAT
Originating from the East Rand is the Mzansi rap game’s latest and future candidate for the coveted throne of being the greatest of all time: Cash of Hearts. Coming in smoking hot with a four-album catalogue which bears testament to his genre fluidity and commitment to the cause, the rising hip-hop star’s pursuit of excellence has been one of strong-willed tenacity. Through the years, he has stirred up motion with appearances on Expresso and the Morning Show on eTV and perching atop 5FM music charts. With his fifth title, Jumanji, Big Simba continues his journey to the top, and looking back at where he came from, the rapper has come a long way from being a boy in the hood with nothing but visions of making it.
“I would call myself a boy from the hood who made it out because I was inspired to go out and make it. When I look at my music, I would say that my experiences in the hood and the transition of moving to the suburbs have influenced my music and how I go about it. And because of that, there’s the element of me wanting to be that guy from the hood who broke out and inspired those looking at him that they can also do it. Not just musically but in whatever they are doing because I believe that anyone can be great at what they do if they push hard enough,” he said.
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Owing to his dad building a solid foundation for him in the art of relating to music and growing his craft during his impressionable years, Cash of Hearts was already something of an odd-one-out among his peers back in primary with his taste for soul music. As his palette matured, his preferences evolved with him, pushing him towards hip-hop territory, which introduced him to the likes of legendary acts such as Skwatta Kamp – a development that would prove to be vital to the embryonic shape of the person that would eventually morph into Cash of Hearts.
Fast forward to 2025, Cash of Hearts has released “Feast” to herald the release of his album, Jumanji. Cash of Hearts spoke about the organic process of putting the album together, resulting in a proudly East opus of songs recorded in the artistic heat of the moment.
“Jumanji is a concrete jungle and everything about the album is inspired by the movie the name came from. So the album was conceptualised around the idea of a concrete musical jungle because it’s tough in the industry and to break into it. Most of the songs on this one are just bar-for-bar freestyles. There’s not a lot of writing on this one because I feel like writing kinda holds you back from what you want to actually say on the spot. I was able to bring it to life with amazing producers and artists from the East Rand to create a project for the East and by the East that the rest of the country will enjoy,” he said.
He talked about the reason he chose “Feast” as his latest single.
“I’ve been a little too quiet because I’m one of those artists who likes to keep to their own space. For this one, I decided that I wanna be outside more, and I’ve been sowing this seed of music and now it’s time for me to reap that feast and eat from it. That’s the concept behind it,” he said.
Listen to “Feast”:
Hip-hop isn’t just about rapping and getting paper but also about wrapping one’s mind around the discipline of dealing with admin and papers. Cash of Hearts listed the artists he has picked a leaf from concerning his music and how he looks at the game.
“As a person who has listened to a whole lot of music, I’d say Drake is one of the biggest influences to my music. To me, he is the blueprint, just looking at him stay in the game for so many years and still being relevant. Kiernan Forbes, too; that’s one of the greatest and I’ve learned a lot from him as well and how to approach the music. I also look up to Cassper on the business side of things because he does the business side well whereas AKA excels in showbiz. I’d also like to send a shoutout to all the new age rappers of Mzansi right now like K. Keed, Usimamane, and Tony Dayimane. And if I’m to take it way back, I’ll also mention Eminem and Lil Wayne, since they were lyrically untouchable in their primes,” he said.
Big Simba shared some insight on his evolution over the years.
“When I think of my growth, I’d say I’ve grown lyrically and I’m more fearless now. Artistically, my process in the past was more about writing and taking time out and thinking about my next move. Now, I take whatever comes out from the top of the dome. Another thing that has changed is that I don’t have one specific sound and I try to adapt my style according to the environment I find myself in. On the business side of things, the growth has been more about changing from CDs to digital streaming platforms as well as marketing,” he said.
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Reflecting on the state of hip-hop in South Africa, Cash of Hearts theorised that open-mindedness was key to the genre’s growth and it reaching the pinnacle once again.
“I think it’s important to keep your ears open and not listen to only one genre as a hip-hop artist. I’m not saying we should copy them but to listen and get inspiration and not be too purist about things. Because there are purists who do hip-hop and refuse to listen to Amapiano, new age rap and such. And that’s something we should do away with. It would also be nice to see hip-hop unite once more and take the crown again, but for us to grow, we need to open ourselves up to other genres and influences,” he said.
Above all, Cash of Hearts’ desire is to be remembered as a beacon of motivation and an example of diligence.
“I’d like to be remembered as a GOAT, the guy who inspires you to be at your very best. Not just musically, but in whatever career or field you are in. I want people to look at me and feel motivated to keep at it until they eventually get there. I wanna be out there as a household name,” he said.