Emtee has already secured himself a jointly partnership record deal withEmpire early last year in 2024 , which currently is the Label of the LateKing Von.

Mthembeni Ndevu, professionally known by his stage nameEmtee (stylized aseMTee) is aSouth African rapper. Regarded as one of the best and most influential figures in the South African music scene. He was born in Matatiele, Eastern Cape and grew up in Rockville,Soweto, where he was involved in talent shows. His career began at the age of 17, and his debut hit single, "Roll Up" was released in 2015. Emtee was signed toAmbitiouz Entertainment,^[3] released his debut albumAvery (2015), which was commercially successful and was eventually certified platinum byRecording Industry of South Africa (RiSA).^[4][5]

The album was preceded by two successful singles: "Roll Up" and "We Up".

His sophomore studio albumManando (2017), was met with critical acclaim the title referring to his late high school friend. His second mixtapeDIY 2 was released in 2018 with the lead single titled "Abantu". After departure with his former record label, he then established his own record label Emtee Records in 2019.

eMtee's third studio albumLogan (2021), which debuted number 1 in South Africa. The album reflects on overcoming personal struggles. He released his long-anticipated AlbumDIY 3 on 31 October 2024, which is the third installment of his DIY projects, with the first being DIY 1[DIY I].

Emtee kept working on his music throughout his late teen years, opting to not repeat his final year in school, although his pass was not good enough to enter him into the major universities in South Africa.^[6]

In 2010, Emtee collaborated with South African rapper Maraza on a song titled "In It To Win It". They appeared onChannel O's showHeadRush.^[7] Before his solo career, Emtee was part of the rap trio, African Trap Movement/Music, alongside fellow South African rappers Sjava, Saudi and their producer Ruff before they were all signed by Ambitiouz Entertainment.^[8]

In early 2015, a friend of Emtee, his producer Ruff produced the beat for the song that would eventually become his debut single, "Roll Up". Emtee claimed that the entire track was recorded and finalized in two hours.^[9] "Roll Up" received major radio play in Southern Africa and peaked at the top of DJ Speedsta's hip hop chart onYFM.Wizkid and South African rapperAKA featured on the official re-release of his single, which eMTee called "Roll Up Re-Up". The late South African rapperAKA was also known to be the person who believed in him and helped nurture his talent when no one else would. In 2023, Emtee stated thatAKA is also the reason for his accolades & success.^[10] He said that "Roll Up" was recorded within a tight schedule, because he and his team were finalizing his debut album.^[11][12]

At the22nd South African Music Awards, Emtee received five nominations, winning the awards for Rap Album of The Year forAvery and Song of the Year for "Roll Up". Emtee won his second award for Song of the Year at the2015 South African Hip Hop Awards, again for "Roll Up". "Roll Up" competed in a category where two South African gold selling artists, as well asKhuli Chana each made at least two appearances.^[13]

On December 4, 2015, Emtee's debut albumAvery was released oniTunes and to domestic music retailers. eMtee was the third most played South African hip hop artist in the latter part of 2015 (10th most played artist overall).^[7]

In August 2019, Emtee announced that he was leaving his label Ambitiouz Entertainment,^[14] amid controversy.^[15] In September 2019, Emtee established his own record label, Emtee Records under his company African Trap Movement.^[16] In November, the rapper said he would be releasing a new EP in 2020.^[16]
On 21 January 2020, Emtee announced via Twitter the working on his fourth studio album,DIY 3, in 2020. The album will serve as a follow-up to his third albumDIY 2.^[17] On 8 May 2020, Emtee released a new single, titled "Johustleburg". "Johustleburg" was first teased during Emtee's "hit battle" with fellow rapperNasty C in April 2020. It marks the third single from Emtee in 2020, following "Wave" and "Brand New Day," which he released earlier in 2020.^[18]

In early February 2021, his single "iThemba" was released.^[19] The song debuted number one in South Africa.^[20]

On April 9, 2021, his fourth studio albumLogan was released in South Africa.^[21] At the 2021 South African Hip Hop Awards,Logan received a nomination for Album of the Year and was also nominated for artist of the decade which was won byCassper Nyovest.^[22]

Emtee has two sons and a daughter with his childhood girlfriend Nicole Chinsamy, who he later married in 2019. His first son, Avery was born in 2015, second son, Logan in 2018 and his daughter Nairobi born in 2023. His debut album was named after Avery. He also named his 2021 Album after his second born Logan .^[23]

• "Roll Up" (2015)^[9]
• "Pearl Thusi" (2015)
• "Roll Up (Re-Up)" featuringWizkid &AKA (2015)
• "Couldn't" (A-Reece featuring Emtee) (2016)
• "My People" (2016)
• "Ngeke" featuringFifi Cooper (2016)
• "We Up" (2016)
• "Winning" featuringNasty C (2016)
• "By Any Means" (Stogie T featuringYanga Chief and Emtee) (2017)
• "Ghetto Hero" (2017)
• "Corner Store" (2017)
• "Plug" (2017)
• "Me and You" featuringTiwa Savage (2017)
• "Manando" (2017)
• "Thank You" (2017)
• "Abangani" (Sjava featuring Emtee and Saudi) (2018)
• "Lesson" (2018)
• "Abantu" (2018)
• "Wave" (2020)
• "Brand New Day" featuring Lolli (2020)
• "Johustleburg" (2020)^[26]
• "Good Time" (2024)
• "Believer" (2024)
• "WAR" (2024)

• South African male rappers
• 1992 births
• Living people
• Musicians from Soweto
• Musicians from Johannesburg
• Alumni of Barnato Park High School
• South African record producers
• Musicians from the Eastern Cape
• English-language singers from South Africa
• Marimbists

• Articles with short description
• Short description is different from Wikidata
• Use dmy dates from June 2020
• Articles with hCards
• Pages using infobox musical artist with associated acts