Crowned on 5FM - Fort Hare’s Lolo Vandal Wins the Rap Competition and Claims the Throne

South African hip-hop artist Lolo Vandal today reflects on the defining chapter that introduced his music to audiences beyond the Eastern Cape and set the trajectory for a career built on persistence, craft, and community.

What began as a late-stage university ambition became a national breakthrough when a chance encounter with a radio competition led to a string of weekly victories, a studio session with an established producer, and a renewed sense of purpose that continues to drive his work.

In 2013, during his final months at the University of Fort Hare, Lolo Vandal was balancing academic responsibilities with an intensifying commitment to his music. It was in that period of transition that he tuned into 5FM and heard about The Stir Up, a hip-hop segment hosted by MsCosmo that invited rappers to compete head to head.

Recognising an opportunity to test himself on a national platform, he recorded and submitted a verse the very next day. That submission marked the start of a rigorous, week-by-week contest in which Lolo faced new opponents from nearly every province in South Africa.

Each battle sharpened his delivery, tightened his writing, and taught him how to perform under pressure; the radio crucible accelerated his development in ways that local shows and studio sessions alone had not.

The Reigning Champion And The Prize

As the competition progressed, Lolo’s consistency and stage presence won over listeners and judges alike. He emerged as the reigning champion and was crowned the first King of The Rap FACTOR, a title that carried both symbolic weight and a concrete reward: the opportunity to record a track with veteran producer PH Raw X.

That recognition validated his work and provided a professional pathway from radio success to studio credibility. More than a trophy, the crown opened doors-introducing him to industry contacts, expanding his audience, and demonstrating that an artist from the Eastern Cape could command attention on a national stage.

First Trip To Johannesburg And A Transformative Session

In 2014 Lolo Vandal flew to Johannesburg for the first time to record the winning song with PH Raw X. The session was transformative on multiple levels.

Technically, it exposed him to professional studio practices and production standards that elevated his approach to song writing and recording. Psychologically, the experience confirmed that his music could travel beyond local circuits and resonate with a broader public.

The confidence he gained from that studio session informed subsequent projects and emboldened him to pursue larger creative ambitions. For Lolo, the trip to Johannesburg was not merely a career milestone; it was a turning point that reframed his sense of possibility.

Roots, Responsibility, And An Ongoing Journey

Throughout this ascent, Lolo has emphasised that his success was rooted in community support, mentorship, and the formative environment of Fort Hare. The lessons learned in late-night practice sessions, campus performances, and the pressure cooker of live radio battles reinforced his belief that artistry is both personal discipline and communal labour.

The Rap FACTOR victory and the Johannesburg recording were launch pads rather than endpoints; they set in motion a journey of continual growth, accountability, and creative exploration.

Lolo has pledged to document these formative years in a forthcoming book, promising an intimate account of the decisions, setbacks, and breakthroughs that shaped his early career.