In a recent sit-down with SA Hip Hop Mag, South African rapper Big Zulu opened up about what made the legendary beef between Cassper Nyovest and the late AKA so compelling — and why it represented the best side of hip hop rivalry.
According to the Imali Eningi hitmaker, the tension between the two giants of South African hip hop was intense, but it never crossed the line into something dangerous or disrespectful. And that, Big Zulu says, is exactly what he loved about it.
“AKA and Cassper Nyovest beef wasn’t personal. It had limits,” Big Zulu said. “Even when they dissed each other, you could still enjoy the tracks — at the club, in the car. Their beef had boundaries.”
Unlike the bitter fallouts that have marred other hip hop rivalries, Big Zulu believes Cassper and AKA managed to maintain a level of mutual respect. Their lyrical jabs and public spats added entertainment to the culture, but stopped short of true animosity. He even recalled a time when he pulled a fast one on both rappers by tricking them into showing up at the same time for a match — showing that despite the tension, they could still be in the same space.
“I told the coach to put them together in the game. Cassper even scored,” Big Zulu laughed. “It wasn’t personal, they pushed each other. It was competition, but it was still fun.”
Big Zulu praised the duo for understanding what real hip hop beef should look like — fiery but respectful, competitive without becoming destructive.
“People need to understand — beef in hip hop is not real. It’s for the culture, for the sport,” he said. “When it gets too personal, when there’s no line, that’s when it becomes dangerous.”
This perspective came into even sharper focus when Big Zulu compared the Cassper-AKA beef to a recent fallout with fellow rapper Duncan. For Big Zulu, Duncan’s diss crossed a line.
“Duncan made it personal. That’s not beef anymore — that’s something else,” he said. “I don’t even want to talk about it. Hip hop is supposed to be fun, not violent.”
Beyond beef, Big Zulu also spoke about how Cassper inspired him to take up boxing — a sport he now trains in seriously.
“Cassper is the one who made me start training. When he said he wanted to box me, I took it seriously,” Big Zulu shared. “Boxing made me disciplined. It made me stronger — and I’m still waiting for him to set that date.”
While Cassper has yet to step into the ring with him, Big Zulu says he’s ready any time.
