Vanderbijlpark hip-hop artist Mzilikazi Mbatha, professionally known as Chronic D’ZiZSa, is continuing to establish himself in the music industry after more than a decade of developing his craft as a rapper, songwriter and beat maker.
Born in Vanderbijlpark on 20 November 1996, the musician has built his artistic identity around storytelling, sharp lyricism and the competitive spirit of battle rap.
His journey began in 2012 when he entered the hip-hop scene as a battle rapper before gradually transitioning into recording music and performing at live events.
During his early years, he performed at community awareness programmes, Sunday Sessions showcases and campaigns hosted by the LoveLife Y-Centre, gaining valuable experience and exposure.
In 2015, he released his debut solo project, The Wheelchair Mixtape, mixed and mastered by Kid Imperious, with production contributions from Yungz on the Beat. The project introduced his lyrical abilities to a wider audience and helped establish his presence within the Vaal hip-hop community.
His growing reputation also saw him perform a remix of Gigi Lamayne’s Ice Cream, titled C.R.E.A.M, at an event hosted by Carpo-More. The performance earned him tickets to Cassper Nyovest’s Fill Up The Dome concert.
In 2016, he followed up with The Lord of Kings EP, collaborating with several artists and producers, including Ma Ada, Yungz on the Beat and Siya.
The project opened further opportunities, including radio interviews and participation in the Hood vs Hood Battle competition on Lekoa FM. Representing Team Evaton alongside Lyric Synthesis, the duo reportedly maintained an impressive 10-week winning streak.
His musical journey continued in 2017 with the release of Life Is A Trip, a collaborative EP with Kid Imperious. He later worked with Pretoria-based artists Slimvett and K9neTyne on the 2018 track Ape Xhit.
Over the years, Chronic D’ZiZSa has remained committed to developing his sound while embracing different elements of hip-hop, including conscious rap, boom bap and modern rap.
In 2025, he expanded his catalogue with singles including Too Fly, Meditation and Can’t Be, the latter featuring Toronto-based artist Kirkkrazy. His releases have also included Siya-Fanelana, featuring PuregoldSA.
One of his notable recent achievements was being selected for the Back to the City Festival Mixtape Challenge, which attracted 252 contestants, according to his artist profile.
He also secured a performance opportunity at the AUX Experience hosted by DJ Switch during the 2025 Back to the City Festival, marking another important milestone in his career.
His performance journey continued in 2026 with appearances at the Backyard Experience, further strengthening his presence as an independent artist.
Despite the challenges faced by independent musicians, Chronic D’ZiZSa has continued to invest in his artistic development, using collaborations, recordings and live performances to expand his audience.
He is now working on his upcoming EP, Silence Is Golden, a project that represents the next chapter of his musical journey.
With roots firmly planted in South African hip-hop culture, the rapper remains focused on creating music that values lyrical substance, storytelling and originality.
From his early days competing in rap battles to performing at recognised entertainment events, Chronic D’ZiZSa’s journey reflects years of persistence and commitment to his craft.
As he prepares for his next release, the Vaal-born musician continues to build on the foundation he established more than a decade ago, demonstrating that longevity in the music industry requires dedication, consistency and a willingness to keep evolving.
