Mthembeni Ndevu, better known by his stage name Emtee, is a South African rapper. He is best known for his debut hit single, "Roll Up". Emtee was signed to Ambitiouz Entertainment, a South African independent record label. His debut albumAvery was certified platinum by RISA on 1 July 2016. Avery included his breakthrough hit "Roll Up" and the follow-up hit single "Pearl Thusi". Emtee released his third album Manando in September 2015, the title referring to his late brother. His third album DIY 2 was released in 2018 and marked his final release with Ambitiouz Entertainment, following his departure from the label in August 2019. He then launched his own label in September the same year.
Early life
Mthembeni Ndevu was born to Phathiswa and Lumkile Ndevu in the mid-sized town Matatiele, situated in the Eastern Cape, a coastal province in South Africa. He grew up in Rockville, Soweto, a major township in the Gauteng province. In an interview on South African channel ANN7, eMTee said that he wanted to be a musician from first grade in primary school. He performed on stage for the first time at the age of 9, at a Yeoville primary school talent show.
Career
Early career
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. In 2010, emTee collaborated with South African rapper Maraza on a song titled "In It To Win It". They appeared on Channel O's show HeadRush. Before his solo career, Emtee was part of the rap trio, African Trap Movement, alongside fellow South African rappers Sjava, Saudi and their producer Ruff before they were all signed by Ambitiouz Entertainment.
Debut album: ''Avery''
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. "Roll Up" received major radio play in Southern Africa and peaked at the top of DJ Speedsta's hip hop chart on YFM. Wizkid and South African rapper AKA featured on the official re-release of his single, which eMTee called "Roll Up Re-Up". He said that "Roll Up" was recorded within a tight schedule, because he and his team were finalizing his debut album. At the 22nd South African Music Awards, Emtee received five nominations, winning the awards for Rap Album of The Year for Avery and Song of the Year for "Roll Up". Emtee won his second award for Song of the Year at the 2015 South African Hip Hop Awards, again for "Roll Up". "Roll Up" competed in a category where two South African gold selling artists, as well as Khuli Chana each made at least two appearances. The next day, on 4 December 2015, eMTee's debut album Avery was released on iTunes and to domestic music retailers. eMtee was the third most played South African hip hop artist in the latter part of 2015.
New label and upcoming music
In August 2019, Emtee announced that he was leaving his label Ambitiouz Entertainment, amid controversy. In his official statement, Emtee said, "After some thought and for the sake of my family, friends and my supporters worldwide, I have decided it is best to clarify things and set the record straight. Following a long and in-depth reflection on my career as an artist, where I am now and where I see myself in the next few years, I have made a decision that the time has come for me to now part ways with Ambitious Entertainment." The following month, Emtee established his own record label, Emtee Records under his company African Trap Movement. In November, the rapper said he would be releasing a new EP in 2020. Speaking on the new music, he said "it is going to be different because I have freedom of creativity now, freedom of speech. I'll be touching on important topics which I've always wanted to touch on as well as the fun one". On 21 January 2020, Emtee announced via Twitter that he would be releasing his fourth studio album, DIY 3, in 2020. The album will serve as a follow-up to his third album DIY 2. On 27 April 2020, Emtee reignited his battle with his former label Ambitiouz Entertainment, tweeting at the label: "You still haven't given me the album sales for Avery @Ambitiouz_Ent. Album sold platinum. That's all we know. Where's the guap for it?". Ambitiouz Entertainment responded to the tweet by using a picture of Emtee as a meme with the caption "Hello 10111 ... we are being harassed!", whereafter Emtee responded back: "Lol but you are the biggest Criminal! Fraud a*s b&*c ". On 8 May 2020, Emtee released a new single, titled "Johustleburg". "Johustleburg" was first teased during Emtee's "hit battle" with fellow rapper Nasty 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.
Personal life
Emtee has two sons. His first son, Avery was born in 2015, and Logan in 2018. His debut album was named after Avery. Controversies In October 2017, Emtee accidentally exposed his genitals on Instagram Live, inflicting mass ridicule.
