Season 1
The Hustle is a South African reality competition music talent search in which music stars AKA, Khuli Chana and Tumi Molekane search for the newest unsigned hip hop sensation.
The judges of The Hustle are focused on finding an undiscovered sensation who - once they've proven their skills to the judges - walks away with R 250,000 in cash and a record and management deal valued at R250,000 from entertainment company Vth Season.
The winner will also receive a R100,000 music video for their winning song, accompanied by a six-month public relations contract with African Star Communications.
Finally, The Hustle champ will get a career-boosting opportunity to perform alongside respected heavyweights at the 2015 Maftown Heights celebration, held in Johannesburg in November.
Hosted by DJ Sam Lehoko (also known as Sammy Sosa), The Hustle is looking for the undiscovered hip-hop sensation who boasts the complete package: edgy word skills, powerful beats and formidable business savvy – all combining to help them conquer the charts.
Having started in April with a call for entries that saw would-be contestants between the ages 18–26 submit a 15-second audition video on Instagram, the judges worked their way through thousands of entries until they had selected the Top 20 finalists.
Guest judges on the series include Blayze, DJ Ankletap, Riky Rick, Lowena Waries, Busiswa, Lalla Hirayama, Farah Fortune, K.O, DJ Dimplez, Reason, Chad Alexander, Thabsie, Lerato Sengadi, Ziyon, ProVerb, Hloni Mohope, pH and Kabomo.
Produced by Callback Dreams, the executive producers are Makere Thekiso and Jobie Bakama. Thekiso is the director.
Guest Judges
Lalla Hirayama
Lerato Sengadi
Ziyon
ProVerb
Kabomo
Blayze
DJ Ankletap
Riky Rick
Lowena Waries
Busiswa
Farah Fortune
K.O
DJ Dimplez
Reason
Chad Alexander
Thabsie
Hloni Mohope
pH
Winner
Bigstar Johnson (Tumelo Rakumako) was crowned champion of Season 1, defeating co-finalist ShabZi Madallion (Leshaba Rampedi) in an outcome decided by viewers' votes.