Refiloe Maele Phoolo (born 16 December 1990), professionally known as Cassper Nyovest, is a South African recording artist and record producer. His debut album Tsholofelo was released on 18 July 2014. He is currently signed to his own independent label and media company, Family Tree.
Cassper Nyovest Early Life
Nyovest grew up in Montshioa Extension in Mafikeng, the capital city of the North West province. He attended Lighthouse Christian College. In school, he was athletic as he partook in various sports activities including football, cricket and basketball. He started rapping when he was in grade 6, at the age of 12.
In grade 10, Nyovest failed his exams, and moved to his grandmother’s house in Potchefstroom.
Cassper Nyovest Music Career
He started rapping when he was in grade 6, at the age of 12. At the age of 16 years he dropped out of school to pursue his career in music.
“I told my parents that I’d rather chase my dream, which I believe is going to work out, rather than keeping it safe and regret it my whole life.” Nyovest relocated to Johannesburg the following year to pursue a career in music as a rapper and producer.
In 2004 he was a member of a group called Childhood Gangsters (CHG) which was later disbanded. He then joined ‘Slow Motion’- an eight member group including Ganja Beatz Producer, Aashish Gangaram of Feel d’ Dream Entertainment.
In 2008 at the age of 17 Cassper signed a record deal with ‘impact Sounds’, arguably the strongest Motswako label at the time with artists such as Tuks Senganga & Morafe to name a few. After 2 full years with the label, Cassper & ‘Impact sounds’ parted ways to start his own label but it did not succed. A few months later he wrote a song “Holla at a Pantsula”, the song became an instant hit in his neighbourhood and got him recognition from a few reputable record labels.
Motswako rapper HHP spotted Nyovest at a performance and he was impressed and even featured him on ‘Wambo Tseba Mtho’ on his album ‘Dumela’. He invited Cassper on his international tours where he gained exposure as an artist.
In 2014 he was involved in a highly publicised ‘beef’ with AKA which led to both artists recording diss tracks about each other.
In 2013 he released his first official single ‘Gusheshe’ from his debut album ‘Tsholofelo’.
His second single ‘Doc Shebeleza’ was a major hit as it peaked at number 4 on South Africa’s official music chart.
Cassper Nyovest released his debut album, Tsholofelo, on 18th July 2014. Tsholofelo shot to number 1 immediately on release on iTunes and remained there for 9 weeks. The album hit a record 12 cities sold out tour in South Africa, a further 15 shows titled #Tsholofelo4Platinum followed which also sold out at every venue. Tsholofelo went Gold in a little over 2 months of release, then in just 8 months of release went Platinum.
In October 2014 he was ranked number 2 on ‘The Hottest MC in Africa’ list by MTV Base. He was also ranked number 2 on MTV MTV Base’s ‘ SA’s Hottest MC’ list.
Cassper Nyovest Parents
His Mother is Muzuki Phoolo and Father is Letsebela Phoolo.
Cassper Nyovest Girlfriend
In July 2015 he and actress Boitumelo Thulo confirmed in a July issue of DRUM that they were dating, this issue of the magazine article also included that the couple was engaged but they later confirmed that they were not engaged. The couple broke up in December 2015. He was involved with actress Amanda du-Pont in the past.
Cassper Nyovest Net Worth
His net worth is estimated to be about $3 million.
Cassper Nyovest Family Tree
Family Tree is a South African independent record label started in 2014 by Cassper Nyovest, who currently operates as its CEO. Its home to Cassper Nyovest, Nadia Nakai, Gemini Major & Tshego , the label’s A&R is handled by Sebastian “Bash Vision” Jameson & Jude Oratile Mmolawa. It currently has three in-house producers, Almotie “Alie-keyz” Proclaim, Tshego and Gemini Major.
Studio albums
- Tsholofelo (2014)
- Refiloe (2015)
- Thuto (2017)
- Sweet and Short (2018)
Cassper Nyovest Songs
- Hase Mo States
- Sponono Sam
- Check on you
- Monate Mpolaye
- Colours
- Gets Getsa 2.0
- Ksazobalit
- Push through the pain
- Doc Shebeleza
- Tito Moweni
- Malome
- Mama I Made It
- Monate So
- 428 To LA
- Gusheshe
- War Ready
- Destiny
- Phumakin
- Le Mpitse
- Tsibip
- Top Shayela
- I Wasn’t Ready For You
- Superman
- Ng’iyekeleni
- We Living Good
- I Hope You Bought It
- Nyuku
- Push Through
- Touch the Sky
- Baby Girl
- Confused
- Bentley Coup
- Top Floor
- My Heart
- As Karma Would Have It
- My Heart
- Amen Hallelujah
- Cooking in da kitchen
- Travel the world
- Ghetto Olympics
- Mr Madumane