About the Hustler

Benediction Rapps (born Benediction Monnapula Joseph Uithaler, November 25, 1998) is a South African hip hop producer and performing artist based in Kimberley, Northern Cape. He creates soundtracks for real-life hustle and money-making activities, and is noted as the first musician to attempt turning his music brand into an economy. He operates as a one-man organization, independent of a label.

Early life and education

Benediction Monnapula Joseph Uithaler was born on a Wednesday evening in November 1998 in Kimberley, Northern Cape, South Africa. He grew up in a musical family: his mother sang in a church choir that won multiple competitions, his father also sang in a choir, and his paternal grandfather was a classical jazz musician. His aunt’s son (his cousin) is a producer and hip hop artist, and her daughter is a choir singer.

Uithaler began writing poetry at age 17 while in high school, after failing 10th grade. The resulting depression and self-imposed isolation led him to use poetry as self-expression. Poetry later fused with rhythm, evolving into rapping. He had a deep love for music before age 9, but received no formal music education beyond primary and secondary schooling. Shortly after finishing matric, he and a close friend received two months of informal mentorship from a media and arts industry professional, focusing on branding and media.

Career

Early performances and first release

Immediately after matric, Uithaler organized and funded (with his mother’s financial backing) the Dust to Diamonds All Youth Talent Show, which also served as his first professional performance. Following the show’s success, he completed a provincial tour inside the Northern Cape in 2018 – his first tour.

His first professional release was the album IAM Benediction (2025), entirely written, directed, produced, and performed by Uithaler except for one feature by his cousin B.O.B.B.Y. K. The album has accumulated 407 total streams in its first year.

Radio and recognition

In June 2020, during promotion for the Dust to Diamonds Superstar League, Uithaler received his first radio play on RTS Radio Teemaneng Station 89.1 fm, with multiple subsequent spins. He also received a private invitation from the management of Northern Cape Recording Studios (the largest and most professionally built studio in the Northern Cape).

Discography

  • Lereko (Mercy) (Album, Independent, 2023-12-04) – Joint release with The Gifted Ears band/family.

  • Try (Single, Independent, 2025-10-27) – First independent single.

  • IAM Benediction (Album, Independent, 2025-12-05) – First official studio album under the Benediction Rapps brand.

Current activity

As of 2026, Benediction Rapps is recording his second album (mixtape), titled I HUSTLE LIKE MY LIFE DEPENDS ON IT, scheduled for public release on July 4th. He remains focused exclusively on the Benediction Rapps brand, with no side projects or ensemble work.

Artistic style and influences

Benediction Rapps describes his creative process as beginning with rhythms and melodies he hears “in his soul,” which he then structures and conceptualizes. He writes a message to fit the concept, and the remaining musical elements support what is already present.

His sound is defined by African drum and bass, and the human voice. Recurring themes in his work include life-changing aspirations, economic change, social change, and mental change.

Primary musical influences

  • Nipsey Hussle – Influenced his mindset on starting, positioning, managing, growing, and scaling a music brand or business.

  • Kanye West – Influenced his versatility and fearless, broad, deep musical creativity and self-expression.

  • Cassper Nyovest – Influenced his belief in being an active global brand even when originating from a country that does not commonly produce global brands.

Non-musical influences

Personal and social relationships, economics, and love shape his work outside of music.

Personal life

When not making music, Benediction Rapps spends time with loved ones, watches YouTube, and exercises. A common misconception about his work is that he writes music to help others heal, learn, and grow; in fact, he writes for his own personal healing, learning, and growth, with listeners as beneficiaries of his process of self-love. One quote from a peer that he feels captures him best is: “I love your mindset.”

He has no formal awards, chart positions, grants, press features, or teaching positions to date. His commercial metrics remain modest.

Contact and online presence