K.O Announces “Pharadise,” a Hustler’s Anthem for a New Era

South African hip-hop heavyweight K.O is back to soundtrack the hustle once again. Nearly two decades into a pioneering career, the veteran rapper and cultural figure has announced the release of his brand-new single “Pharadise,” set to drop on April 25, 2025. The track leads into his highly anticipated project “Phara City,” slated for full release on June 13.

Pharadise signals a cultural reset. It reunites K.O with Young Stunna, the voice behind their 2022 chart-dominating smash SETE, a single that shattered streaming records, held the #1 position for 19 consecutive weeks, and swept major categories at the SA Hip Hop Awards. This time, they’re joined by a powerful production team that includes Lunatic, Afrotraction, and Murumba Pitch, creating a genre-bending fusion that builds on past success while carving new ground.

In a statement styled as a “State of the Nation Address,” K.O described Pharadise as “a mirror to our lives and a map for the journey.” The single introduces the world of Phara City, a conceptual space inspired by the lived realities of millions of South Africans where ambition meets adversity, and every day is a battle for self-made success.

“The term ‘Phara’ is often misunderstood,” K.O explains. “It’s been tied to struggle, to the streets, to survival, but I want to flip that narrative. A Phara is someone who rises above the noise, builds something out of nothing, and moves the culture forward. Phara City is where that spirit lives.”

With Phara City, K.O isn’t just releasing an album, he’s constructing a world. Drawing parallels to Gotham’s grit and Sin City’s stylised edge, the project aims to reflect the sociopolitical complexities of 2025 South Africa, the economic divides, the silent victories, the persistence of the people. It’s music with a mission.

The upcoming album is set to blend hard-hitting lyrics with cinematic storytelling, resonating with listeners across townships and global stages alike. K.O’s vision is clear, to elevate the meaning of success, struggle, and identity in the current South African context.

For K.O, Pharadise is more than a musical milestone, it’s a manifesto. “This is for the builders, the dreamers, the fighters. The ones who bet on themselves every day,” he says. “It’s not just a takeover. It’s already happening. And we’re leading it.”

---

Pharadise arrives April 25 on all major streaming platforms.
Pre-orders for Phara City go live the same day.
Full album release: June 13, 2025.

More from Editor Picks

---