KABELO MONAKI (A1 RSA), from Mahikeng, Lomanyaneng is an eclectic hip hop/motswako artist inspired by both local and international musical acts across all genres. Kabelo Monaki aka A1 RSA started having a keen interest for music at a very young age when he started listening to the likes of Busta Rhymes, Andre3000, Missy Elliot and later on was heavily influenced by the emergence of a hip hop sub genre called motswako which is indigenous to Mahikeng. He was especially influenced by Tuks Senganga. In the year 2009, A1 RSA would then put his influence into practice by going to studio for the first time and started recording music of his own 2012/13.
In his musical journey, A1 RSA has found himself performing at noticeable musical events such as Mahika Mahikeng, Fresh Prince of Maftown, afro SUNDAY’S, Maftown Heights, sunFest (sun city) just to mention a few. He has also shared the stage with the likes of Nasty C, Khuli Chana, AKA,Cassper Nyovest, Maglera Doe Boy, HHP, Morafe, Riky Rick, Emtee, Areece, Tuks Senganga, Mo Molemi, Kwesta etc.
Above and beyond the music, A1 RSA is involved in numerous activities and programmes and is involved in a lot of community based initiatives. He is also a model and is involved in photography and videography as well as events management i.e. Komtseng Social Experience (Trap Vs Amapiano) and AfroSunday. To this day, A1 has done a ton of features with artists from all walks of life and has never restricted himself to a specific genre. He has dropped 3 Projects already i.e AMBUSH in 2019, TOYSTORE (2022)and his critically acclaimed album STUPU: Life of a Gwensta in 2024 He is currently Working on something Special, a documentary called LIFE OF A GWENSTA and a film about the new genre Stupu.