Linda Mkhize (22 June 1981 – 8 August 2018), better known by his stage name PRO and formerly as Pro Kid, was a South African

rapper Rapping (also rhyming, spitting, emceeing or MCing) is a musical form of vocal delivery that incorporates "rhyme, rhythmic speech, and street vernacular". It is performed or chanted, usually over a backing beat or musical accompaniment. The ...

and producer. He was known for rapping in a mixture of South African township

Soweto Soweto () is a township of the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality in Gauteng, South Africa, bordering the city's mining belt in the south. Its name is an English syllabic abbreviation for ''South Western Townships''. Formerly a s ...

vernacular ( tsotsi taal) and English. His music spoke on

township A township is a kind of human settlement or administrative subdivision, with its meaning varying in different countries. Although the term is occasionally associated with an urban area, that tends to be an exception to the rule. In Australia, Ca ...

realities. Mkhize contributed to the development of kasi rap. & his regarded as one of the pioneers of SA Hip-Hop. His work created opportunities and influence other artists such as

AKA Aka, AKA or a.k.a. may refer to: * "Also known as", used to introduce an alternative name Languages * Aka language (Sudan) * Aka language, in the Central African Republic * Hruso language, in India, also referred to as Aka * a prefix in the n ...

, Micky m, Red Button, Siya Shezi(Deep soweto), F-eezy, K.O, Maseven, Touchline,

Emtee Mthembeni Ndevu, better known by his stage name Emtee (stylized as eMTee) is a South African rapper. He was born in Matatiele and grew up in Rockville, Soweto, where he was involved in talent shows. His career began at the age of 17 and his deb ...

Kwesta Senzo Brikka Vilakazi (born 11 August 1988) known professionally as Kwesta, is a South African people, South African rapper and songwriter. Born in Katlehong, Gauteng, a township also known as "K1". In 2003, at the age of 15, he and his friend ...

and his younger brother DJ Citilyts and many more Kasi rap emcees.

Life and career

Linda Mkhize was born and raised in Klipspruit,

. When he was a teenager, he would take part in rap battles and cyphers, to showcase his skills. In 2004, he went on to win an emcee battle competition hosted by Tbo Touch. On the urban youth radio station

YFM YFM (99.2 FM) is a "Youth" radio station in Johannesburg, South Africa. Established in 1997, the station is formatted to mostly play urban music genres such as Kwaito, Hip Hop, and R&B along with a minority of its airtime being dedicated to ...

, his success on this show is what led to his breakthrough record deal. In 2017, he co-hosted the

SABC 1 SABC 1 is a South African public television network operated by the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) which carries programming in English and Nguni. It was created in 1996, after the SABC restructured its television channels. SABC 1 ...

rap battle competition ''One Mic'' for two seasons along with

Big Zulu Siyabonga Nene (born 7 April 1986), known professionally as Big Zulu, is a South African rapper, songwriter and actor. He rose to spotlight after releasing the single "Donsa Nkabi" in 2016. He signed a record deal with Universal Music in 2015 ...

. He became famous after the release of his first single "Soweto". The song is an ode to his birthplace

. It was produced by his long-time producer and collaborator, Omen The Chef. A follow up on that was a song called, "Wozobona" which gained widespread popularity in South Africa and set the path for his debut album ''Heads & Tales'' in 2005.

Discography

Studio albums

* ''Heads & Tales'' (2005) * ''DNA'' (2006) * ''Dankie San'' (2008) * ''Snakes & Ladders'' (2010) * ''Continua'' (2012)

Death

Mkhize died on 8 August 2018 after a seizure, while visiting a friend in Johannesburg CBD. After the announcement of his death, media stations across the country produced tributes to him.

References

External links

Memorial service for Linda 'Prokid' Mkhize
{{authority control 1981 births 2018 deaths South African DJs Electronic dance music DJs People from Soweto