"Caracara" is the second solo single by South African recording artist K.O, featuring Kid X, released by Cashtime Life on 3 March 2014. It was released on various digital platforms. A major crossover hit, "Caracara" peaked at number 6 on South Africa's official music chart.[1] It was the first South African music video to surpass 1 million views on YouTube.
| "Caracara" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by K.O featuring KiD X | ||||
| from the album Skhanda Republic | ||||
| Released | 3 March 2014 | |||
| Recorded | 2014 | |||
| Genre | Hip hop, Kwaito, Skhanda rap | |||
| Length | 3:46 | |||
| Label | Cashtime Life | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
| |||
| Producer(s) | Lunatik | |||
| K.O singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Caracara" on YouTube | ||||
Production was handled by Lunatik, who also produced Kid X's debut single "Pass n Special". The music video for "Caracara" was released via YouTube on 25 April 2014.
Accolades
edit| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | "Caracara" | Most Gifted Male | Nominated | [2] |
| Most Gifted Duo/Group or Featuring Artist | Nominated | [2] | ||
| Most Gifted Hip Hop | Nominated | [3] | ||
| Most Gifted Southern Artist | Nominated | [3] | ||
| Most Gifted Video of the Year | Nominated | [3] |
Composition and meaning
edit"Caracara" marks the departure of K.O from his previous sound with Teargas. The majority of the song's chorus heavily interpolates "Bengimngaka" by Kwaito group Trompies. The song explores a new subgenre of hip hop known as Skhanda rap which fuses elements of Kwaito and rap music.
"Caracara" is a South African term for the Volkswagen Microbus, considered a popular vehicle in South African townships during the 90's.[4] During the second part of the chorus, which is in Zulu, K.O recites "Ngiblome neziphalaphala, phakathi kwe caracara", which, when loosely translated, means, "I'm hanging around beautiful women, sitting inside a microbus".
Reception
editThe song's general reception was positive, earning K.O 5 nominations at the 2014 Channel O Music Video Awards.[5]
Music video
editIn April 2014, its music video was released on YouTube. It features K.O and Kid X dressed in pantsula attire as well as cameo appearances by AKA, Cashtime Life and its affiliates.
The video also features numerous scenes showing Caravelles cruising through the township.
"Caracara" became the first South African music video to surpass 1 million views, achieving this 7 months after its release,[6] and has garnered over 3 million views on YouTube.[7]
Charts
edit| Chart (2014) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| South Africa (EMA)[1] | 6 |
References
edit- ^ a b "AIRPLAY CHART". EMA. 3 June 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
- ^ a b "Cassper Nyovest rules the Channel O Music Video Awards nominees". Sunday World. 5 September 2014. Archived from the original on 6 September 2014. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
- ^ a b c "Cassper Nyovest leads the Channel O awards race! | DRUM". DRUM Magazine. 2014-09-05. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
- ^ K.O (Mr Cashtime) (Ft. Kid X (SA)) – Caracara, retrieved 2018-11-02
- ^ "Cassper Nyovest, KO & Davido dominating the ChannelO Awards nominations". ISpeakHipHop. Archived from the original on 8 September 2014. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
- ^ "K.O's #Caracara music video hits 1 million views – YoMZansi". www.yomzansi.com. 2014-10-03. Retrieved 2018-11-02.
- ^ "Cara Cara reaches 1 million views on YouTube". 2014-10-03.